Inferno (6 page)

Chapter Eight

It’s Thursday.  I haven’t gotten any more creepy calls, and Ethan is due home tomorrow afternoon.  It has been a long four days without him.  He had a business meeting in Atlanta and took the opportunity to spend some time with his brother and nieces while he was there.  We have texted a few times, and he called me once.  I had to find other things to occupy my time so I wouldn’t be tempted to stalk him from afar.  I know I haven’t done a stellar job at hiding my crazy thus far, but still, I couldn’t give into the impulse to talk with him constantly.  I refuse to become
that
girl.  You know the ones who always have to be informed of their man’s every move.  No, I am playing it cool.  Letting him have his space and enjoy his time with his family.  It is absolutely killing me. 

“Hey Lex, wanna grab some lunch?”

That’s Sara.  She is a few years younger than I am and in her last semester of college.  She is a bit quirky with her purple hair and retro style wardrobe, but she has a killer smile and an infectious laugh.  I have become her unofficial mentor since our cubes are next to each other.  She has a great eye for capturing and expressing what I like to call the soul of a business.  With a little more experience, she is bound to become one of the major players in the marketing industry. 

“Absolutely, I’m starving.”

We walk across the street to the little deli that, coincidentally, was my first promotional job working at Bridgestone, and grab a seat by the front window.  They have the best sandwiches.  Today I ordered the French Whore, a delightful combination of hard salami and turkey breast smothered in provolone cheese, mushrooms, and grilled onions.  Yummy. 

“You’ve kind of been in a funk this week, troubles with your new man?” Sara asked.

“Ethan?  No, he’s great.  He has been out of town, and I guess I just miss him.  He’s flying in tomorrow afternoon.  By the end of work, you will be complaining about how giddy I am.  It’s going to be bad, like really annoying,” I giggled.  “What about you?  Any juicy tidbits you’d like to share?”

“Ha, I wish, but sadly no.  I’m destined to be a crabby, old, cat lady who mumbles incoherently to herself,” she laughed.  “I am moving up the corporate ladder though.”

“Oh really?  Do tell,” I said conspiratorially.

“Kathleen is letting me work on an ice cream shop with Scott.  It’s not anything spectacular like the club you were handed, but at least I get to do more than watch.  Hopefully, Scott’s not a prick and lets me do some of the design work.”

“That’s great!  Kathleen doesn’t normally allow interns to do more than be a gopher.  You should be really proud.”

We spent the rest of lunch, and the walk back to our desks, kicking around ideas to liven up ice cream slogans.  I really hope Scott lets her have an active role in this campaign.  She has some incredible ideas.

We came around the corner to our work area, giggling like a couple of schoolgirls, when all of the air rushed out of my lungs, and I stopped short.  Sitting on my desk was the largest bouquet of flowers I have ever personally seen. 

“It looks like you aren’t the only one missing someone,” Sara said cheekily. 

Stunned, I toddled over and gently touched the petals of a peach colored flower.  The sweet smell, from what had to be four dozen pastel roses, engulfed the room.

“I can’t find the card,” I pouted.

“It was probably dropped by whoever had the misfortune of wrestling them through this maze.  You know they are from Ethan.  I mean, who else do you know that could afford to send you those?  I am officially jealous.”

I grabbed my phone and dialed Ethan’s number.  Before he had a chance to say more than hello, I started.

“Oh my god Ethan, the roses are beautiful.  I love them.  Thank you so much.”  The smile on my face was so huge that it actually made my cheeks hurt.  I looked at Sara to see her smile a mirror image of my own.

“No, there wasn’t a card.  It must have fallen off somewhere along the way.”

My smile wilted.  “Oh…  No, no…  It’s fine.  It was probably just a case of mistaken identity…. Ok, I’ll just talk to you when you get home tomorrow.  Have a safe trip.”

I disconnected the call and looked mournfully at Sara.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ethan didn’t send me flowers.  I have no idea where those came from.”

Sara stomped over to the bouquet and began pawing through the buds.  When she came up empty, she looked as confused as I felt. 

I picked up the huge vase and said, “these probably belong to someone else.  I’m going to take them to reception so the rightful owner can claim them.”

For the rest of the afternoon I buried myself in my work, trying to forget that uneasy feeling I’ve had since just after lunch.  Walking out past reception and those damn flowers did not help lessen my anxiety. 

I stopped off at the store to pick up a few groceries, and my paranoia kicked into high gear.  I didn’t see anyone or anything unusual, but the hair on my arms prickled causing me to rush through my normal routine.  I was extra vigilant walking through the parking lot, taking care to check my backseat before getting in.  I pulled into the lot and lucked out finding a parking spot next to the complex entrance.  I lugged my attaché case and three plastic bags full of items up to my third floor apartment, and now that I am safely tucked behind locked doors, I feel like an idiot.  That doesn’t stop me from closing all of the curtains and pushing a chair up against the door though.  What can I say; a girl can never be too careful. 

I throw a frozen dinner in the oven and flip through the channels.  Can I just tell you, television sucks.  There is never anything on worth watching.  I finally settle in with my dinner and an old action movie I found.  I am totally engrossed in the explosions and chase scenes that when my phone rang, I fell off the couch.  By the time I pick myself up and reach it, the phone has stopped ringing.  A quick check of the caller ID gives me zero information since the call came from a blocked number.  Hmmm, must have been a telemarketer.                 

********************

Group Message

Bella – What’s everyone up to?

Lex – We all have jobs.  We’re working

Bella – I’m working!  I’m watching the Victoria Secret Fashion Show

Makayla – I hope all of the VS models get the clap

Jack – My admin assist just told me she would be on Jeopardy if she was smart. Smdh

Bella – Oh my

Jack – I work with a bunch of morons.  Last night they called in a Dr at 2AM for a gunshot wound.  He brought his date with him.  The nurse had to escort the hot mess out of the trauma room 

Lex – I would have loved that convo.  Sorry babe, this was just a booty call and I don’t trust you at my place alone!  hahahaha

Makayla – Dammit, I just dropped my tampon applicator.  It rolled out of the stall

Lex – Are you toilet texting?

Jack – Just wow

Bella – I’m glad that you not only took your phone into the stall, but updated us that it’s your time of the month

Jack – this is why, as the only guy in our group, I have the constant feeling of defeat

Makayla – Oh yeah, because my period is what makes you feel defeated 

Lex – anyway, E’s flight is delayed.  He won’t be home until late and then has to stop at Inferno to check on things and do owner stuff.  I was thinking mani/pedi and pizza tonight?  Anyone interested?

Bella – can’t sweets.  Plans with Tate tonight

Jack – I’ve got dinner with dad & the step monster 

Makayla – Going out with Sebastian, which is prob why E has to be at the club.  Sry

Lex – you guys all suck (full pout, arms crossed, foot stomp)

********************

I jolted up in bed and looked over at my bedside clock, 3:30AM.  My heart was pounding, pumping hard with adrenaline.  My apartment was dark and quiet.  I looked around trying to figure out what woke me.

BANG!  BANG!  BANG!

I disentangled myself from my blankets and attempted to tip toe to the door.  I made it about five steps before I tripped over a shoe and stumbled into the end table, causing a lamp to crash to the floor. 
Goddammit! 

“Lex, open the door.”  A male voice shouted. 

I hobbled over; flipping on a light and looking through the peephole before sliding the chair out of the way and throwing open the door.  Ethan, with slightly tousled hair, stood in the hall.  His body was tense, like a wild tiger seeking prey.  He stepped through the gap, kicking the door closed with his foot.  He wrapped one arm around my waist and the other hand snaked up, tangling in my hair to control my movements.  The heated look in his eyes caused a flood of moisture to pool between my legs.  Never breaking eye contact, his lips crashed into mine, demanding entrance.  After what seemed an eternity, he released my swollen lips and stepped back.

“You didn’t come by the club tonight.”

“You said you had a lot of work to do.  I didn’t want to be in your way, and I really didn’t want to sit down at the bar by myself.”

“I haven’t seen you in four days.”

“Yeah, believe me, I know.”

“I have an office.  There is a couch and a TV, bring a book, take a nap, I don’t care what you do, but when I haven’t seen you, I want you there with me.  Understand?”

“What if I have stuff to do?  You can’t expect me to just jump because you said so.”  Now I was getting a little huffy.  I mean who did he think he was showing up at my house at O dark thirty making demands.

“Stop being difficult.”

“I admit that your possessive, cave man act can be quite endearing.  That doesn’t mean that I am going to let some egotistical, cocky ass, I can have any woman I want, dude dictate to me when I can and can’t do something or where I need to be!”

We stood staring each other down.  Ethan was his usual calm, cool, collected self.  I was not.  My temper was flaring, and I may have been breathing a bit hard, but damn it, he was not going to win.

Ethan’s smirk slowly appeared on his face.  “Did you just call me dude?  Baby girl, I am not a dude.”

“Yes you are.”

“Unless that is prefaced with bad ass and spoken by another guy, I’m not a dude.”

“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and don’t think I haven’t noticed what you’re doing.  Stop trying to change the subject.”  I said sternly.

“You’re adorable.”

“I’m serious Ethan.  Don’t boss me around.”

“Sweetheart, I’m not bossing you around.  I’m…strongly suggesting.”

“That’s the same thing!”

Ethan stepped into my personal space, wrapped both arms around me, and began feathering kisses along my neck. 

“OK, how about if I ask nicely?”  His tongue licked a path up my jaw line.

“You don’t fight fair,” I whined.  I could feel the breath from his chuckle as he nipped at my ear. 

I stepped back and began slowly unbuttoning his blue shirt.  Ethan stood completely still, allowing me to control our pace.  I slid the shirt down his arms and let it fall to the floor.  I took a few minutes to admire his brawny chest and run my fingertips along his abs, causing his muscles to jump.   I traced the outline of the tattoo that ran up his left side.  It is a fierce dragon’s head on a fish’s body splashing through silver blue water.  Black throughout the main piece outlines vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.  The detail on the creature is amazing.     

“What’s this?”

“There’s an ancient legend about a koi that tries to swim up the Yellow River.  The path is blocked by a series of falls known as the Dragon’s Gate.  If the fish can leap up the walls of water, it will transform into a dragon.  It represents strength, perseverance, and courage.  It is a reminder that with hard work I can rise above any doubts and fear to become the ruler of my own destiny.”

“It’s beautiful.”

Ethan pressed his lips against mine, running his tongue, back and forth, along the crease.  My lips parted of their own accord and he began to devour me.  My skin was buzzing with the need to be touched.  I pressed my body against his.  My legs automatically wrapped around him as he lifted me off the floor.  I could feel his erection pressing against my core and heat began to spread outward from my center.

He walked us to the other side of the apartment, gently laying me on the bed.  He took his time removing my clothing before he stood back, staring at me with hooded eyes.  Raw hunger radiated from him as he drank me in.

“God you’re beautiful, and all mine.”

Ethan popped off one shoe, then the other.  He began to leisurely unfasten his pants, and I propped myself up on my elbows to watch the show.  His pants fell around his ankles, and he kicked them off to the side. 
Damn, he’s commando.
  My mouth started to water at the site of his rock hard cock.

Ethan pulled off his socks, tied them together, and pierced me with a blistering look.  “Do you want this?” he asked as he fisted himself.  I licked my lips in response. 

“Look at me Alexis.”  I tore my eyes away from his thick shaft as he commanded.  “Do you trust me?”