Chapter 04

Holding her slim waist, Ethan made his way through the small crowd until he reached a table at the far end of the bar. He waited for her to settle down and sat down opposite her.

“ So let's get down to what brought you here! “ he asked, wanting to cut the preamble short. That way, they could move on to something more interesting.

Alexis took the other envelope from the bag and handed it to him.

With a sigh, he began to read. Seconds later, he laughed, shaking his head negatively. He realized that he loved to see him smile. It made her insides churn and the muscles in her much”needed sex contract. Badly, Alexis! Too bad!

“ She doesn't give up! Would you like to read it? “ He held out the sheet of paper to her, seeing her look of interest.

“ No. I don't think so.

“ Why not?

“ It's personal and involves my boss.

“ Well, as soon as you gave it to me, it was mine. So I can do what I want and I don't mind you reading it.

Alexis was still a little afraid. So:

“ So…

“Darling, why are you torturing me like this? Don't you miss me?”

“Don't be cruel and look for me.”

“And that's my final offer.”

The amount involved was astronomical. She handed the paper back to him and crumpled it up:

“ Would it be indiscreet of me to ask why she's offering you so much money? She regretted asking as soon as she had finished. It might have seemed like an intrusion on her part. 

“ No, of course not. Shepherd wants to buy this building.

Alexis heaved a sigh of relief.

“ It is mine, I live upstairs. “ Ethan concluded.

“ I see! “ So that was that. Curiosity satisfied. “ May I ask you another question? “ With his consent, he continued. “ Why does she send it to me? Why doesn't she call, email or even come in person?

“ It's because she knows I don't answer her and I don't receive her. Amanda should have understood by now that I'm not interested in any of her offers.

She could only imagine what other offers her boss made…

“ But something good came from this situation…

“ What?

“ It brought you to me. “ Saying this, he bent his body over the table, staring at her intensely.

Alexis was embarrassed and again grateful for the semi”darkness of the place, which didn't allow her to see the blush take over her cheeks once more. He was blatantly flirting with her. And worse, she was loving it.

It was incredible how she reacted to his words. With a shyness, she hadn't seen in the women she knew for a long time, and that was also very charming.

“ This place is pretty lively, isn't it? “ she tried to change the subject.

He realized her tactic because he smiled:

“ Yes, it's very lively here.

“ Is that why Amanda wants to buy the place?

“ I think she told me she wanted to build a restaurant for her father, or something.

“ What's it going to be today, Ethan? “ a waiter stopped by the table.

“ A nice cold beer, Charlie. Will you join me? “ he asked her. “ Or would you like something else?

A beer! She wondered. It had been a long time since she'd had one. She salivated.

What would be wrong with sharing a drink with him?

“ Beer is fine. “ She turned to the waiter, who then headed for the bar.

“ How long have you worked for Shepherd?

“ A few years.

“ A few years is too long to put up with a woman like that, he snorted.

Alexis laughed.

“ Amanda is difficult, but I love my job. I want to grow in this business, you know?

“ I understand…

Charlie arrived with two bottles of beer and two glasses. Ethan drank straight from the neck. Alexis imitated him. She sighed with pure delight. That cold liquid coming down his throat was delicious.

“ I haven’t tasted one of these in a while!

“ You look more like the kind of sophisticated girl who likes expensive wines.

“ What makes you think so? “ She frowned.

“ I don’t know, I think it’s his delicate, polite way. Rich girl way.

Alexis laughed again, with taste. And Ethan loved the sound of it.

“ Couldn’t be more wrong! Step away from being a rich girl! I practically had no childhood. I studied like crazy, not to have the same fate as my mother, who worked in two shifts to be able to give me a good education.

“ What about your father?

“ I didn’t know him…

“ Sorry.

“ No problem! As a child, it was more difficult, but nowadays, I don’t even think about it.

“ But did he know he was going to be a father?

“ Yes. My mother informed him of the pregnancy, but only for information. She says it was an unimportant flirtation, and no longer had high expectations of him.

“ What was his reaction to the communiqué?

“ Disappeared!

“ Typical! “ Concluded, taking another sip.

“ And your parents? Do you also live in New York?

“ No, unfortunately they are already dead.

“ Um… now I’m the one who should apologize!

“ Nothing! I was the early son of three brothers. They died of old age, naturally.

Alexis was astonished to notice that his drink was almost over.

After examining that doll’s face and stopping in her mouth, Ethan decided to go on the attack. Taking advantage that she looked more relaxed:

“ Tell me something, do you have a boyfriend, Morgan? “ He asked suddenly.

She almost choked. He remembered her last name. And why the question, so personal?

“ Oh, no, no, no.

Ethan smiled again, ready for another sip:

“ Great! Listen, have you eaten yet? There's a nice place, right here on this street," he tried to be careful, not to show his anxiety, not to scare her away. “ Where my jeans and your serious dress wouldn't make a difference.

Oh, God! He was asking her out on a date? Did I hear him right?

“ No!” she was alarmed.

Damn it! There was that serious look again! Ethan whined.

“ No way! I can't stay. “ Even though I really wanted to... she could have added. “ I shouldn't have even reached for the beer.

“ Well, what's this? “ He gave her his best smile. “ It's just dinner! “ She slipped through his fingers. No, no, no! He had to do something!

“ I really can't accept this! “ She looked away. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to resist that smile. “ I was just about to leave.

Ethan looked disappointed. He was probably not used to being told no. 

“ Well, that's too bad!

Okay! She was immune to his smile. This was a novelty. Not an excellent one.

“ I'll walk you out. “ She offered as she stood up.

Alexis took a last sip of her beer and got up as well.

Ethan took her by the waist again to lead her, this time holding her a little closer so that their legs brushed against each other. He was sure it was on purpose. And she couldn't avoid the touch. Well, actually, she would rather not shy away. She just hoped he wouldn't notice her goosebumps.

She thought he would leave her at the door, but he led her outside.

“ You're not even going to give me your phone number, are you? “ Ethan crossed his arms over his broad chest and made one last attempt.

“ I shouldn't. “ She almost muttered.

“ Why do I get the distinct impression that this has something to do with Shepherd? What is it? She told you not to come near me, is that it?

“ I don't think she had to. It was implied!

“ You should know that I have nothing to do with Amanda or any other woman! “ he explained in a deep voice. “ And she shouldn't have that kind of authority over you.

“ It's complicated... " was all he could say.

He stared at her, very quietly. He studied her face with an undefined expression:

“ Exactly. If it's going to be like this, at least leave me one memory of you. “ he asked quietly and took a step towards her.

Alexis felt his mouth go dry when he saw him approaching:

“ How?

“ A kiss, that's all I ask... – She needed to taste that mouth.

He was so close and stared at her with an expression clouded with desire.

She was disarmed. It had been so long since a man had stared at her like that! As if he wanted to devour her.

Especially such an attractive, handsome, big man. Oh, God!

Now he tilted his head and moved closer. He was so close that the manly scent of his cologne hit her, leaving her intoxicated.

It's just a kiss, she thought, moistening her lips, drawing a sensual smile from him.

Ethan tasted her upper lip first, then her lower lip. He repeated this several times. It was good, good.

The only part of their bodies that touched were their mouths, and Alexis had to clench her fists to stop herself from clinging to him. That would make her look desperate. As indeed she was.

He was going slowly. He didn't want to risk scaring her.

Alexis was eager for more, so she brushed the tip of her tongue against his lips. It was enough to make him lose his grip.

Well, if that wasn't a sign, what was? With a groan that sounded more like a grunt, Ethan grabbed her slender waist and pulled her into a corner, hiding her large body from prying eyes.

He pulled her so tightly against his chest that Alexis stood on her tiptoes, submitting her mouth to his delicious thrusts.

She had forgotten the pleasure of simply being kissed.

She had given up a social life for work. But how good it felt to be caressed.

Now their bodies were glued together, as if they were one. Her softness against the wall of muscle that was him. A perfect combination.

Now he was sucking on her tongue, as if it were a juicy fruit. Then he was putting his tongue between her lips so that she could suck him off, and she was quick to imitate the gesture and savor it.

She was so receptive! It drove him crazy.

How could a kiss be so exciting? His hands ran down her back until they reached her nape, stopping at her ponytail. He didn't know when, but at some point, he let go of her hair and his fingers were now tangled in the dark strands.

“ I knew,” he murmured, as he paused for breath. “ That that mouth of yours tasted delicious...

“ Ethan... " she protested... She had to get away.

“ Shhhhhh!” he silenced her, holding her head between his hands. “ Don't talk, don't think, just kiss me!

How could I resist such a request? Ethan took possession of her mouth again, and she simply couldn't resist.

Now there was urgency, possession. He seemed to want to tear everything out of her in that kiss. His chest gasped against Alexis' aching breasts. His tongue again seeking hers, tasting, demanding.

It was impossible not to feel his erection throbbing against her belly. It was hard as stone, and she found herself arching against it, rubbing against it. Good God! What was she doing? She was burning with desire for him.

Ethan put his hands on her hips, pulling her even closer to him. The movements she made were making him harder and harder. Alexis gasped against his kisses, trembling, her fingers in his hair, her head swinging from side to side to better receive him. If they were in a more private place, it would be impossible for him not to try to undress her. To run his mouth over every curve of her hot body, to taste her breasts, which he could already imagine were hard, waiting for his mouth.

He was about to suggest that they go up to his apartment when Alexis stopped and pushed him.