by Nicki Night
Zoe chuckled. “You don’t seem to have much in the way of regular food here, do you?”
“Guilty.” He held his hands up. “I’m usually here to entertain so I never run out of spirits. Scotch or wine?”
“I’ll start with wine,” Zoe said.
“Okay. Red or white?”
“Red.”
“Oh. Bold. I like it.”
“Yes. It’s even better with chocolate—especially dark chocolate.”
“I definitely don’t have any chocolate here.”
“Didn’t think so. Would have been nice.”
Yes, Ethan thought as he selected a nice cab and poured her a glass. It would have been really nice to feed her chocolate between sips. But that wasn’t what Zoe was there for. She wasn’t his company to entertain in that way.
He wondered what it would be like to date a girl like her. She was nothing like any woman he’d ever been with. Of course they, too, had been smart, confident, ambitious, fashionable and so much more—just not in the way that Zoe was. She owned and exuded each adjective in ways he’d never seen before. Most women he knew wouldn’t touch a tire, let alone change it. Zoe’s confidence didn’t border on conceit. She was sure and comfortable with who she was. Plain and simple. She was also sexy in a natural way. She didn’t put sexy on like a cloak and try to convince the world of her appeal. She just was. Her appeal was effortless. That was what intrigued him most.
Ethan wondered why she didn’t seem to have a boyfriend. He hadn’t asked. Of course it would have been inappropriate since he was her boss, but he wanted to know. There was so much he wanted to know about Zoe, but he had to tread carefully.
“... Ethan?”
“Yes.” He realized she’d called his name more than once. He poured himself a glass of wine and pushed away those thoughts.
“You’re with me?”
“Yeah. Just thinking...that’s all.” He stopped there, unable to share more. “Ready.” He held up the remote, his thumb hovering over the play button.
“Ready! I love this movie. Haven’t seen it in so long.”
“Here goes.” He pushed the button. For the next two hours and forty-plus minutes, they remained enthralled in the decade-old blockbuster movie, polished off two more glasses of wine and munched on chips and a few other snacks that Ethan found hiding in his pantry.
The movie ended, leaving them in a limbo of awkward quiet. He looked at his watch. It was just past nine.
“Let’s see what the news is saying about the storm now.”
Ethan flipped to the news. They took in several moments of reporting from various stations, all of them saying the same thing. This storm was categorized as the most severe storm of the decade, and despite how much the city had prepared, New York just hadn’t been ready for the resulting damage. And the storm wasn’t over. The mayor detailed all that the city was doing to help residents navigate through this disaster. Most important for Ethan and Zoe, trains still weren’t running and the bridges had yet to open. Zoe definitely wasn’t getting home tonight.
Ethan muted the TV, quieting the bad news. He and Zoe sat back on the couch at the same time, looked at each other and acknowledged their twin behavior with a smile.
“Another movie?” he asked.
“Where are those cards you had? Ever play War?”
“War?” He scrunched his nose curiously.
“Yes. Get the cards. It’s a little silly, but fun.”
Ethan was much more of a poker player but was happy to indulge her. He got up from the couch and headed over to the same shelf that held his DVDs. When he returned, he handed her the cards. Zoe shuffled them.
“Okay. My sister and I used to play all the time when we were kids. We start with the same number of cards, keep them facedown and turn them over only when it’s time to play a card. Whoever plays the highest card gets to take two cards that were already played and add them to their deck. If we play the same card, then we declare war, playing one card per word, ‘I. Declare. War.’” She demonstrated, laying down three cards as she spoke. “Whoever plays the highest card on the word war takes all the cards played. You win by getting all the cards. Got it?”
“I think so.” Ethan furrowed his brows.
“It’s easier than it sounds. Come on.” Zoe dealt the cards and taught him as they played.
Once he got the hang of it, he played more aggressively, raising the stakes. The intensity made both of them more competitive. They opened two more bottles of wine, adding to what they’d shared during the movie, loosening their tongues, evoking a more comfortable, uninhibited vibe between them.
“Ha! Got you that time.” Ethan thrust both hands in the air after winning and boasted, “War.”
“Beginner’s luck.”
“No luck. That’s skill!”
“Really, Ethan? That would make sense if you could actually see what card you’re playing. The cards are facedown when you pull them, silly.”
She laughed at him, and he couldn’t help but join in.
They played several more games, talking trash and mocking one another when they won, slamming down winning cards, grunting and groaning their losses, having unadulterated, tipsy fun.
Next, Zoe taught Ethan how to play a game called Spit—another two-player game that required quick thinking, coordination and speed. The wine they drank hindered all three, causing them to exude more laughter than skill.
A few games in, Zoe was in the lead. Ethan had repositioned himself to better grab the smaller stack of cards, but he still moved too slow and Zoe grabbed the stack. The larger pile was now Ethan’s hand, bringing him closer to losing the game. Now they were down to their last play of the latest game.
Ethan sat leaning forward, ready to slam his hand down and claim his victory. He played several cards. Zoe slipped in and played a few from her hand. He watched intently, keeping an eye on how many cards she had left. She was down to two. If Zoe hit the empty spot first, she’d score another win. If Ethan beat her to it, he was back in the game and would have another chance. He readied his hand to hit the empty pile.
Zoe played her very last card.
Time seemed to move in slow motion.
She raised her hand. Ethan raised his. Both aimed for the empty spot, in a race to secure the win or get back in the game. Zoe’s hand reach the floor a split second before Ethan’s, and his hand landed on top of hers.
For a brief electrifying moment, all his senses converged. All he could feel was a pulsing sensation that shot through his hand on top of hers. In that millisecond, he felt how soft her skin was and wished he could continue touching her.
The moment was over as quickly as it began.
Zoe rapidly slid her hand from under his, jumped to her feet and thrust both arms triumphantly in the air. “I win again!” She rolled her arms in front of her in a Cabbage Patch dance, singing “I’m a winner” over and over again. She switched up her dance with some flossing and ended with a dab.
After her silly display, she plopped back down on the couch, and all Ethan could do was laugh. He wasn’t used to losing but the sweet sound of her joy made him want to see her win every moment of every day. Her laugh seemed to erupt from the center of her core, and he loved the sound of it. Enjoying her glee, he watched her. Watched her plump lips part, framing a perfect set of teeth. Watched the sensual line of her neck as she threw her head back. Watched her tresses bounce as her shoulders shook. Watched her eyes sparkle with joy. He noticed her smooth, glowing skin.
His hand moved without instructions from his brain. He responded to a need that compelled him, and he gently touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers.
Zoe’s laughter subsided. Her eyes locked with Ethan’s. No words passed between them. None were needed; all the desire they’d tried to contain seemed to take over, pulling them to one another. Instinct took
over. Inch by inch, they drew closer, mouths parted, ready for each other.
Ethan’s eyes closed seconds before their lips connected, and electricity exploded inside of him. He wrapped his arms around her, and she placed her hands on his face, pulled him in and kissed him harder.
They kissed like they had been starved and their lips were the only thing that could satisfy their hunger. He didn’t want to let her go. She clung to him as if she felt the same. They kissed until they had to stop just so they could breathe.
Eleven
Zoe opened her eyes in time to glimpse the warm hues of the sunrise through floor-to-ceiling windows. She looked around and tried to blink the confusion away. Obviously, she wasn’t at home. Where was she? It took a few moments to gather her wits about her. She looked around once more and remembered.
The memories appeared before her in flashes—breaking news, thunder, lightning, the Avatar movie, playing cards, wine and the kiss. Instinctively, she touched her lips, remembering how his lips on hers had taken her breath away. She had kissed her boss. Zoe closed her eyes. She shook her head. She’d kissed her boss and loved it! If she were honest with herself, she’d admit she wanted to do it all over again.
At that memory, Zoe closed her eyes and let her head fall back. She felt sluggish with a slight headache.
Lifting her head, she scanned the posh, spacious living area. She never had made it to that second bedroom. Nor had Ethan made it to his. He was sprawled out on the floor near the couch where Zoe slept. How much did they drink?
A hint of panic settled in. She had always been careful not to drink too much when she was with coworkers. That had proved to be a dangerous choice for colleagues in the past. She never wanted to have to take that walk of shame through the office after doing too much at a company event.
The spectacular colors of the sunrise caught her eye once more. Instead of panicking, Zoe decided to take the moment to enjoy watching the sun come up. With the position of Ethan’s apartment and the height of his floor, the view was unhindered. She took a deep breath and simply watched. Zoe was a born-and-bred New Yorker, yet she’d never seen a sunrise from this perspective.
The urge to relieve herself hit her fiercely. As quietly as possible, she slid off the couch, picked up her phone and tiptoed to the bathroom without waking Ethan. She thought about last night. She’d actually had a great time with him. The initial discomfort she’d felt about sharing such intimate space with her boss had passed as the night went on—with help from the wine, of course. She’d been warm, dry and safe. What more could she ask for?
Zoe wondered about all those people who had been stranded at the train and bus stations. What had happened to them? What about the parents who couldn’t get to their children? She said a quick silent prayer for those impacted by the storm.
She stayed in the bathroom to check in on her mother and sister. She didn’t want to wake Ethan with her conversation. “Hey, Ma. How are things going?”
“Not too bad, considering.” Laura sighed. “Our lights went out last night.”
“Ugh! Did they say when they will be back on?”
“No. How about you? Still in the city?”
“Yeah. Couldn’t get out yesterday. No one was supposed to be on the roads. I’m hoping I can get home today.”
“This is truly something, isn’t it? I’m glad we went shopping before all this started.”
“I’m glad, too. You have food. I would have been going nuts over here if you didn’t.”
“Thank God. When you get out of the city, don’t worry about coming here,” Laura insisted. “We’re going to be fine. Go home and check your place. See if you have electricity. I’ve been listening to the radio all morning. The damage is bad. Power lines are down. Trees have fallen on cars and houses. And some of the train stations...whew! The news showed video of water flowing down the steps like someone was pouring out a jug. The commuter rails have flooding up to the platforms. You could actually see fish swimming in the tracks!”
“Wow!”
“I know.”
For several moments, Zoe and her mother were simply silent, the only sound the two of them breathing. Zoe was glad that the worst of the damages her mother had experienced was a power outage.
“Okay, Ma. I’ll let you know when I leave here.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
Zoe ended the call with her mother and dialed a neighbor. She wasn’t particularly close with any of her neighbors, but they did look out for each other. Her neighbor said that, like Laura’s area, their town house complex had lost power, and listed all the other damage the storm had done in their community. Zoe thought about all the food she’d have to toss because of the loss of electricity. She shook her head and decided to save that worry for when she got home.
She noticed that Ethan had left a folded towel, face cloth, toothbrush and travel-size bottle of mouthwash on a small shelf inside the bathroom. She freshened up, then walked back out to the living area to be greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of fine coffee. She could also smell a hint of vanilla. She didn’t see Ethan, but she heard the faint sounds of a shower running behind his closed bedroom door.
Zoe headed to the kitchen and poured steaming coffee into a mug that Ethan had obviously set out for her. She topped it off with creamer and returned to the living room to get the latest updates on the news.
The storm had passed, but the city was still paralyzed due to the damage it had left in its wake. Bridges and tunnels were still closed. Businesses and residences alike were running on backup generators due to all the power lines that were down. Transformers had actually caught fire in the rain. It was going to take a while for the city to recover.
Zoe had no idea when she’d be able to make it home, but she tried to remain hopeful. She’d already survived one night in her boss’s private domain.
Still, she hoped she didn’t have to stay at Ethan’s place another night. Besides not wanting to be an imposition, being this close to him challenged her ability to focus. She was used to seeing him in business attire. Seeing his taut body in a T-shirt and sweats with bare feet showed him in a whole different light, one that was laid-back, comfortable and incredibly sexy. Zoe had only hoped he hadn’t caught her taking in his pecs and biceps. By contrast, she had on his clothes and was sure she looked a frumpy mess.
She had seen many sides of Ethan yesterday. She loved how he’d taken charge and insisted that she let him help her, all to ensure she’d be okay. Zoe had always loved a man keen enough to wield the right balance of humor, wit and consideration. They’d had fun last night. His playful and competitive demeanor teased her. His concern for her safety warmed her. His thoughtfulness moved her.
All of these things were reasons for her to get out of his place as soon as possible.
Zoe curled up on the couch, sipped from her coffee cup and refocused her attention on the news.
“Good morning.”
Ethan’s rich voice startled her. It sounded a bit lower than usual, causing a slight squiggle to curl down her back. She chalked it up to him being tired just like she was. She swallowed quickly. “Oh! Hey. Good morning.” She tried to appear unaffected.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. How’s the coffee?”
She took another sip. “Delicious.”
“Good.”
Ethan walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and pulled out eggs and a few other items. “I hope you like frittatas.”
“I do.”
“Good. There’s not much more in here for breakfast. We can do that and some toast with water and coffee?”
“Sounds great to me.”
Zoe watched as he worked his way around the large island, pulling out pans and preparing to cook. He had on a different T-shirt and sweats than the night before but looked just as sexy. His body boasted of a regular w
orkout regimen. And even from the couch, he smelled fresh and amazing. She took in a long sniff. His oaky scent mixed with her French vanilla coffee was delightful.
“Can I help?” The words came out before she realized she’d offered. “You’ve already done so much. The least I could do is help with breakfast.”
“Sure.”
Zoe unfolded her legs, got up off the couch and joined him in the kitchen. In silence, they worked seamlessly together as if they’d cooked this way every day. She finished whipping the eggs while Ethan chopped veggies before tossing them into the hot frying pan. They had a rhythm and it worked well.
The only disruptions were the moments where they accidentally touched, causing tingling sensations to crawl over Zoe’s skin. She hoped she was the only one to feel those tingles. She remembered their kiss and shivered, hoping he hadn’t noticed.
It helped that he was off-limits. Zoe didn’t mind crushing on Ethan; it made working with him fun. But she had never in a million years thought of acting on any of it. She loved and needed her job.
“It’s still pretty bad out there but I’ll be out of your hair today,” she said, breaking the silence. “Thanks so much for putting me up last night.”
“I saw the reports while I was getting dressed,” Ethan said. “You still might not be able to get home today.”
She sighed. “Yeah. But don’t you worry. I’ll be out of your hair either way.”
“Zoe.” The way Ethan called her name caused her breath to catch. His voice held so much concern. He turned to look at her and she almost couldn’t stand the caring but penetrating way he looked at her. “It’s dangerous out there. You’re welcome to stay another night. Really, it’s not a problem. And I have the room.”
“Uh...um...” She cleared her throat. “You’ve done enough, Ethan. I appreciate it so much, but I need to try to get home and deal with what the storm left for me there.”
He looked pensive for a quick moment. “Okay. I’ll do what I can to help. If we can get across any of the bridges or through the tunnels, I’ll drive you home. We can assess our options after we eat.”