Ethan (Members From Money Book 37)

by Katie Dowe

  “You mean they are not going to interrogate me and ask me what my intentions are?” he asked with a slight smile. He really does love her but he was sensible enough to know that it would never work between them.

  “Maybe,” she reached over and squeezed his hands. “Please think about it.”

  He lifted a slim hand to his lips and kissed it lightly. “I will.” He got to his feet and so did she. “I have to get back to work.”

  “I know but first,” she walked into his arms and lifted her head for his lips which he supplied, his eyes closing as he felt her against him.

  *****

  She got to her feet the minute she saw him. It was a café frequented by businessmen in high positions but he stood out the moment he walked in and turned heads. The very way he walked made him stand out and the fact that he was very tall and commanding made it even more so. Ethan hugged her slightly and kissed her cheeks before pulling back her chair and holding it while she sat. He waited until they had placed their order for latte and pumpkin pie before he said anything. “You look--”

  “Dreadful.” She supplied with a shaken smile.

  “I was going to say worried,” his dark blue eyes searched her pale face. “What’s wrong?”

  “I have cancer,” she put the cup down and looked at him. “I have been feeling these lumps in my breasts and decided to go and check it out.”

  “How bad?” he asked her gently.

  “It’s spreading so I will have to do a mastectomy.” She took a shaky breath. “It’s a good thing you ended things with us or it would have been very uncomfortable for you to do so now.”

  He reached out a hand to take hers. “I ended things between us because I did not feel enough for you to want more. I promise that I will be there for you during this time of need.”

  “What about the woman you are seeing?” she had not seen him in the papers with anyone and she had hoped that he was still single.

  He removed his hand from hers and sat back. “She will understand.”

  “So you are seeing someone.” She murmured.

  “Yes,” he wrapped his fingers around the cup.

  “I have not seen you in the papers with anyone. You have been careful.”

  “She does not want to be photographed.”

  “I see,” she looked down into her drink. “Do you love her?”

  He put away his cup. “I don’t want to discuss that--”

  “So you are.” She bit her lip. “I should not have called you. I thought you were single. I had hoped--”

  “That we would have gotten back together,” he finished quietly. “I am sorry.”

  “I should not have asked you to come.”

  “But you did and I can be here as a friend.”

  “I am not sure I can be friends with you Ethan,” she told him honestly. “Does she know that you have a tendency to become tired of the women you are seeing or is she different?”

  “Let’s discuss your situation,” he told her tightly. “I know you are hurting and I am sorry for that but the person I am seeing is not up for discussion. I can get you the best oncologist--”

  “No need for that. I already have the best.” She reached across and held his hands. “I am sorry for my rudeness but it is just that I missed you so much and I just wanted to talk to you again.”

  “I promise to be here for you,” he said again.

  “Thank you.” She let go of his hands. “You have always been such a good friend. I miss your wise advice when it comes to business and picking up the phone and calling you.”

  “As I said before we can still be friends.” He told her.

  “I would like that.” She said softly.

  He glanced at his watch. “I have to go. Will you be okay?”

  “I will walk out with you. I have to get back to the office.” She told him. He came around and pulled the chair out for her and she got up, closing her eyes automatically at the scent of him and his closeness that brought back so many memories! He stepped back and allowed her to go before him and stopped when they reached outside. He turned to tell her goodbye but was surprised when she walked into his arms and rested her head on his chest. He hesitated a moment before closing his arms around her for a moment. He did not notice the photographer lurking around the corner nor saw when he snapped the picture. He put her away from him quickly. “I will speak to you again Samantha, take care.”

  She watched him walk away from her with a smile on her face. Maybe this news was not so bad after all!

  *****

  “You could have told me!” Erin marched into her sister’s office and slammed the door shut behind her.

  “Good afternoon to you too Erin,” Erica said mildly as she looked over at her.

  “You are screwing the help and you never said a word to me,” Erin sat and crossed her slim leg, her dark blue eyes curious.

  “Don’t call him that!” Erica said sharply.

  “I was just messing with you darling,” her look was probing. “Mother says you are in love with him. I am your twin; we are supposed to share things like these. How is he in bed?”

  “You are not hearing a word of that from me,” Erica said dryly, her anger over her sister’s careless statement disappearing. “And yes we are in love.”

  “How utterly romantic. The rich girl and the poverty stricken man. Movies are made from things like these.”

  “Don’t you have work to do?” Erica asked in irritation.

  “Of course darling, but that can wait. Mother said she asked you to invite him over for dinner. When is he coming?”

  “He is afraid.”

  “What is there to be afraid of? The grilling and the stares and the mansion that will overwhelm him?”

  “Exactly,” Erica sat back against her chair. “We are used to wealth like that but he is a very simple person.”

  “Darling, do you think it is going to work? You are totally different.”

  “It has to. I am in love with him.”

  “And you think love will conquer everything.”

  “Isn’t it supposed to?”

  “We would like to think so.” She got to her feet.

  “What about you and Adam?” Erica asked her.

  “He is playing hard to get but I think I am wearing him down.” She looked at her sister. “I really like him.”

  “Or is it the thrill of the chase? You are so much like our brother that it is scary.”

  “So true,” Erin said with a sigh. “But I think our brother is seeing someone.”

  “He has not been seen with anyone.”

  “Precisely. He does not come home for dinner and on weekends he is not available. Trust me he is seeing someone and keeping it a secret.”

  “Why would he do that?” Erica wondered.

  “Maybe he does not want to jinx it or maybe he is hiding her for the very reasons you hid that you were seeing Mark.”

  “And what reasons are those?”

  “That he is unsuitable.”

  “It is different for a man,” Erica reminded her bitterly. “The woman can be poor and from a different background and no one would judge but if it is the other way around then the questions and speculations start.”

  “You are right of course.” Her sister agreed. “Not to mention that there is no way you would give up what you have and go and live hand to mouth with Mark no matter how much you love him.”

  “I might just surprise you.” Erica murmured.

  “I know you darling and I know for a fact that if he asked you to give it up you never would.”

  Erica sat there thinking for a long time before she went back to what she was doing.

  Chapter 14

  Harper wished she had not come. It was a charity event that was being hosted by the medical fraternities all over the country. It was a drive to raise money for cancer awareness and Alzheimer’s disease. It was being held at a newly renovated hotel downtown where it was rumored that Shaw’s Holdings was part owner of.
She had rummaged through her closet and chosen a simple black ankle length dress with sheer long sleeves and a dip in the back that prevented her from wearing any sort of underwear. Her hair was brushed back from one side of her face and secured with pins and she was wearing diamond knobs her father had given her for Christmas. She looked around the room and did not see anyone she recognized at first until she saw Sheryl, a girl her own age who was married to a banker. She was making her way over to her when she saw him. Her eyes wandered over the thick dark blue sweater he was wearing over his dress pants and watched as he bent attentively to the woman who was near to him. She finally tore her eyes away from him and looked at the lovely dark haired woman by his side and suddenly she stiffened! It was Samantha! He had told her it was over between them but here she was by his side as if she belonged there. She forced herself to smile as she came closer to Sheryl.

  “Harper Simmons! I thought that was you,” the girl enveloped her in a warm hug. “I have not seen you in ages.”

  “I have been busy and it appears so have you,” Harper teased as she looked at the woman’s extended belly.

  “My third child,” she said with a sigh as she placed her hands over her belly. “I was firmly set on two but I have no idea what happened. Bruce on the other hand is thrilled.”

  “I am sure he is,” she said with a smile. “Pregnancy agrees with you. It gives you that special glow on your skin.”

  “Thank you darling,” Sheryl said with a smile. “Now tell me what have you been up to? Any special man in your life?”

  Harper glanced quickly over to where Ethan was surrounded by his associates and Samantha and shook her head. “Not right now.”

  *****

  He excused himself from the group of men and made sure Samantha was with someone who knew her and went forward to look for her. He had spent the time at intervals during the conversation looking up to see when she entered the room. She had not confirmed whether or not she was coming but she had not told him no either. He was beginning to know her very well and if she was not coming she would have said so. His dark blue eyes scanned the room and noticed that she was engaged in conversation with an associate of his. Ruel Lee was a womanizer and had the idea that he was irresistible to all women and he had his hand on his woman! With a set look on his face he strode over there. “Lee,” he said with a forced smile. “Harper.”

  “You two know each other,” the blonde hair man exclaimed. “I was just telling Harper how I admire her complexion. It reminds me of chocolate and cream.”

  “Would you excuse us for a moment?” He asked politely. He was finding it hard put not to slam his fist into the man’s face! “I have something to discuss with Harper.”

  “As long as she comes back.” He took Harper’s hand and kissed it slowly before moving away.

  “Let’s dance,” Ethan gritted and without waiting for her to consent he pulled her onto the dance floor and started moving to the music. “He had his hands on you.”

  “He barely touched me while you on the other hand you had Samantha glued to your side. Isn’t she going to miss you?” she asked him sweetly.

  “I was looking out for you,” he muttered as he swung her around.

  “And you decided to align yourself to your ex-girlfriend or is she your current girlfriend?” she asked him coldly.

  “You know very well that I am not seeing anyone else but you.”

  “Do I? You have been known to have women lining up for your favors and from what I saw when I just came in it looks like you two were very cozy.”

  “I was merely talking to her, Harper.” His fingers dug into her waist as he pulled her closer. “Just say the word and I will go right up to that podium and announce to the room the status of our relationship.”

  “Would that change anything?”

  He stopped dancing and pulled away from her. “Let’s see if it will.”

  She hurried after him and caught his arm. “What are you doing?”

  “Revealing the status of our relationship.”

  “You would not dare!”

  “Want to try me?” he asked her arrogantly, his brows lifting.

  “Please don’t do that.”

  “Why not? Give me one good reason.”

  “I am not ready.”

  “That is not one.”

  “Damn you Ethan I am scared!”

  He turned to face her. “Let’s go somewhere private.”

  Samantha watched them together and it became clear to her immediately. Their movements and the way he touched her told her everything she needed to know!

  He led her into an empty conference room and closed the door. “Please explain,” he said quietly as he stood before her.

  She looked up at him and then walked to one of the chairs and sat down. He came and pulled up a chair in front of her. “I have feelings for you.”

  “I already know that.”

  “You are the first man who makes me want to forget everything I stand for and just go whatever you are offering,” she twisted the small silver rings on her fingers. “You make me want to look past who you are and just be with you.”

  “And something is wrong with that.”

  “Yes!” she cried. “I am antiwar and I hate the shallowness of the wealthy. I hate everything they stand for and how uncaring they are to the sufferings of others not as unfortunate as they are. There are children being abused and suffering from hunger and people living on the streets, hungry and cold and afraid while they have meaningless parties and behave as if it is business as usual.” She stopped abruptly and got to her feet.

  She had her back turned and felt when he walked up behind her. “I am not like that.”

  “Aren’t you?”

  He turned her to face him. “No and I promise that when we get married I will support whatever cause you have.”

  “Married?” she asked him frowningly.

  “I jumped the gun.” He said wryly. “But yes I want to marry you.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Because we are so different and because I am so rich.” He sighed at that. “Do you want me to get rid of my wealth?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous!’

  “I am not going to give up baby,” he told her softly, his hands cupping her cheeks. “I have found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with and I am not going to give you up.”

  *****

  “I was jealous.” She said in wonder. They had come back to his apartment and he was helping her to take off her dress.

  “You have no need to be,” he murmured as he ran his hands over her naked body. “If I had known for a fact that you were not wearing anything underneath this dress I would not have been able to control my desire.” He took the pins out of her hair and ran his fingers through the strands. “You have no need to be jealous.”

  “She was all over you.”

  “She has cancer,” he told her suddenly.

  That gave her pause as she stared up at him. “I am sorry to hear that. Is it life threatening?”

  “She is going to have to do a mastectomy.”

  “I am sorry she is sick Ethan but I have a feeling that she is using her illness to get back into your life. There is a picture of you holding her in your arms and I tried to ignore it.”

  “That was when she asked to see me and told me the news. It meant nothing Harper; she was the one that initiated the hug. I told her about you.”

  “I bet she took that well,” Harper said dryly as she helped him to take his sweater off and then his undershirt, before splaying her fingers over his muscled chest. “I can’t blame her for wanting you back,” she whispered as she bent her head to touch her lips to his skin.

  “Is that so?” he asked her huskily as the heat of her touch radiated through him.

  “Hmm,” she busied herself unbuckling his belt. “But I will not put up with her touching you.”

  “Noted,” he whispered hoarsely as she reached in and touched the warmth of his sex. �
�Baby,” he groaned.

  “I want you.”

  Without responding he lifted her and took her to the bed. Her admission of jealousy uncoiled something in him so strong that he found himself impatient to be with her! To take her and let her be his and to show her that they belonged together. His erection was aching and full, ready to delve into her warmth but he had to wait. His hands spanned her small waist and for a moment he visualized her big with his children. He looked up at her face and was spurred on by the parted lips and the moans coming from her mouth. One touch, the simplest touch from him caused her passion to spike and he knew it was not just because of his expertise. He bent his head and touched one pebble nipple, his tongue swirling over the hardened bud, tasting before pulling it inside his mouth. She arched against him, her fingers digging into his muscled shoulders, her body ripe for the taking and trembling without inhibition. He was her first and she was pretty sure he was going to be her last. She cried out sharply as his hand went between her legs and his fingers found the core of her, rubbing against the mound before slipping inside her, going in slowly at first and then deeper as she moved against him. She was already wet and slippery to the touch and he felt his body shuddering! He pulled out suddenly leaving her feeling bereft but not for long. She watched as he used the moisture from her to slowly lubricate the reddened tip of his penis. The movement spiked her blood pressure and she could not stop looking at it. His dark blue eyes met hers and he knew where her thoughts were. He delayed the movement, rubbing the tip of him as her mesmerized eyes took it in. But she could take no more of it! “Please!’ she gasped, unconsciously reaching for him. He heeded her plea and came over her, sliding into her tightness gently at first and then thrusting deeper as she wrapped her feet around his waist. His lips met hers and plundered as his thrusts brought them both up and over the edge, the fall exquisite and overwhelming!