The Art of Ethan (7 page)

Ethan will only be here a couple days. If I'm going to seduce him
... Her mind stopped.
Seduce him, no, no, no.
“Grace get it together,” she said aloud and surveyed the videos. While they talked at dinner, Grace formulated a plan. She just hoped Ethan would play along. Even with the extra pounds, she looked pretty good.
Confidence? Where have you been hiding?

Grace was already in the living room when Ethan got downstairs. From the kitchen, he could see her long red braid stretched down her back over a fitted white T-shirt stopping an inch above what appeared to be a pair of blue short shorts. He was glad he just took his shoes up and didn't change into pajama bottoms, which would have given away the sudden level of excitement he was showing.

Down boy,
he thought to himself. He hadn't been excited by a woman without reason in a long time. Sure he had been with a woman or two since his fiancé left him but nothing serious. He wanted something; they wanted something. No one got hurt. Grace had him jumping out of his skin at every turn, doing anything for a reaction.

He had to feed her from his own spoon just to watch her lips open and curl around it. If she had any idea how much he enjoyed her mouth ...
Down boy!

Ethan approached the living room with the bag of Oreos he fished from the cabinet and two glasses of milk. He set the items on the table and took his place on the couch. Following the trail of that long red braid, he realized, he could enjoy this view all night.

"AAAAAhhhh.” He stretched aloud. “Nothing like a girls’ night in.” No time like the present to get a reaction.

Grace would either stay and hang out with him or bolt for the bedroom feigning sleepiness. He couldn't say he enjoyed chick flicks, but he was a sensitive guy, and a good old fashioned movie was always good to make a woman swoon. For the first time in his life, he needed help with that.

"What?” She turned from the DVD player to find Ethan had made himself right at home. It surprised her how much she enjoyed that fact. He seemed to be comfortable no matter where he was. She, on the other hand, was sowing the seed of doubt. It may not be a good idea to pretend like they are an item. It could lead to lots of questions, and she wouldn't have answers. After all, she didn't really know him.

"Nice,” he said and nodded his head. The surround sound filled the entire room. She had chosen
Casablanca
, one of his favorites. He tried to focus on what he could see on the screen behind her, but her breasts were emblazoned with the word COACH and screaming for attention.

"Excuse me?” She couldn't believe he was ogling her. Of course, she wanted him to but not so overtly.

"The system.” He smiled. “Surround sound, you can hear it all over.”
And nice shirt too by the way
, he caught himself in his thoughts,
don't stare at her boobs make eye contact.

"Oh, yeah, I guess it's all right.” She sat next to him, not close but not all the way to the other end. The only good thing she got out of that lousy Mitchell was this system.

"What's keeping them?” She peered over her shoulder at the kitchen as if expecting to see Megan and Chase appear from the stairs anytime. Butterflies were building in her stomach. The old less confident Grace was fighting to get to the surface. She had to stuff her back down.

"Uhum.” He cleared his throat. “I don't think they will be joining us."

"Why not?” They said they weren't tired. Grace couldn't believe Megan would do this to her. She wanted to hang out, enjoy a movie, and get to know Ethan.

"Well, when I passed the room, it just didn't
sound
like they would.” He rubbed his forehead now focused on the screen.
How do you say my brother is banging your cousin like a gentleman?

"Oh,” Grace said with a faint blush. “Well then, what do you want to do?"

She looked at the screen and pushed play on the remote. She hoped he would just stay and watch
Casablanca
, her favorite movie.

Grace was going to stay, but now second thoughts moved into his mind. Ethan began the ticker tape of reasons to get up and go.
This is Megan's cousin. If I do anything I might regret later, I will have to live with it the rest of my life.

He looked at Grace, who was focused on the screen, but her foot was patting the floor quietly and quickly.
She's nervous, and her eyes seem so sad. I can't just leave her. Just watch the movie and go to bed
.

Ethan decided right then, as long as he didn't touch her, no harm would be done. He really just wanted to get to know her anyway. Since he seemed to be the only one trying to touch, he could keep his hands off.

"Whatever is good for me, I'm not really tired.” He dipped a cookie in his milk. He was a little tired, but he wasn't going to miss the chance to talk to her. “I slept most of yesterday."

"Good.” She began biting her lower lip. Her eyes had wandered to his agile fingers, which held a single Oreo. The cookie was between the index and middle finger on his left hand. Gently he dipped the cookie into the milk.

"Do you like old movies?” She gulped. It was such a high school thing to say, and Grace felt like she was seventeen again, nervous and flirty. Her foot moved independent of her thoughts to stop tapping. She remembered how those fingers felt on her shoulders. It had been so long since a man had touched her.

"Yeah.” He shrugged.
She keeps looking at the cookie. Maybe she's afraid to eat. She seems self-conscious for some strange reason.
“This ones my favorite though."

"Mine, too.” Grace smiled. Her eyes fixed on the motion of the cookie in the glass as it pulled out and headed to his mouth. God, he had great lips.

"Would you stay or go?” Ethan loved dipping cookies. It reminded him of a simpler time. A time when the only women in his life were related to him. He missed simple pleasures—easy living. He wanted to escape, but the gallery was too important to let go of. He loved art, loved the work but hated the party scene and the fanfare that came with it.

Escape, he bet Grace felt like an escape; no, she would feel like a grand adventure. She seemed so uptight and cautious. Like he should be after this last incident with Chloe, but somehow being around Grace he felt safe. He wanted to feel more of that.

"What do you mean?"

"If you had the choice, like the movie, would you stay with the man you loved or leave with your second choice?”
Don't say leave.

"I don't know. I've never been in that kind of love before.” What a weird question to ask. It's a movie not real life. “What would you do?"

"If you were in that kind of love, what would you do?” When he asked the question, he wanted to see if she was a passionate woman not get a real life example. He only loved his art that passionately. When Emma made him choose, he chose New York. He stayed. “I'd stay."

"Even to your doom?” Grace lit up. Was Ethan a romantic? It couldn't be true.

"If I ever lost the love of my life, it would be because it was taken from my cold dead hands, not because I walked out on it.” Of course, the love of his life was art.

Grace sat silent for long seconds. She watched the screen, trying not to look at Ethan. She really wanted to talk to him, to know him. He was a passionate man. She had never really met one before. She had to clear some things up, but Megan was right. They may hit it off after all, as friends at least. Yeah, she was convinced they could be really good as friends. Though deep down in a dark place, she wanted to hope he may drop his standard a bit and think about being lovers, but she was a lousy lover. Mitchell had told her as much.

Ethan broke the silence. Maybe he was too strong in his convictions. She shut right up again. He watched her as she began chewing her bottom lip again. She did that a lot.

"Well, I don't really know much about you, and we are about to be family.” He took a long drink of milk. Watching her bite on that lower lip was making him thirsty inside, and he didn't know why. He never let a woman have this kind of effect of him. He was not about to start. He had resolved firmly over dinner that he was going to stop chasing her, but then she looked sad, and he held her hand.

"Fair enough.” Grace faced him and folded her legs meditation style. This will be a great way to get to know him better. With a deep breath, she said, “I go, you go, honest answers."

"Okay.” Ethan turned the volume on the movie down. She was actually going to talk to him. YES!
How many ways can I make love to you? What's your favorite position? Is that your natural hair color?
“What's your favorite food?"

"Chocolate, you?” Grace smiled. This is fun, easy.

"Potatoes.” He shrugged. “Your turn."

"Why would someone spike your food?” It just slipped out. She had been thinking about it since Chase laughed, but Ethan only asked questions. He never offered any information.

"Excuse me?” He really looked confused and sat up straighter in alarm. This is not what he was expecting. Miss safe and reclusive just launched an attack.

"Chase said you were probably sick because of the restaurant lady.” It was too late to turn back now.
Way to take it nice and easy, Grace.
The thought of Ethan being some awful womanizer just didn't fit her thoughts of him. Especially now, so she needed to clear it out of her mind right away.

"Oh that, well I can explain that.” He began shaking his head. The thought made him angry, but he was getting used to women making him angry. Grace had already witnessed him aggravated, and he didn't want to scare her away. After a deep breath, he relaxed again.

"I'm all ears.” Grace looked at him seriously and raised her brow.
I'm a good listener, unlike you.

He looked at that left eyebrow and her expression and realized he had a captive audience. She really wanted to know, and he really wanted to tell her. That was strange. He kept his personal life very private. He didn't like to open up to people. Certainly, he never opened up to women. They would use any information to their advantage.

"What color are your eyes?” He couldn't help but think they were changing again. Before he drove himself mad, he needed to know. Especially now, he had made mental sketches to put on canvas when he got home.

"Hazel. Don't dodge the question, honest answers remember?” Her eyes flickered green. Her heart began to race as her whole body was hanging on his every word. She was inching closer to him unaware of it.

"Well, Min, the chef, had invited me there. I told her I didn't care for sushi.”
So they do change colors, probably with clothing as well as her mood. Is she getting closer or is that my imagination?
“She then invited me to dinner anywhere. I told her I wasn't looking to get involved with anyone."

Grace nodded and stared.

Her eyes were getting greener by the word. He took a deep breath. “She said she didn't want to get involved either. She just wanted dinner. That seemed fair enough, right?”
Fair, let me tell you about fair. It's not fair that you're Megan's cousin, and I can't just grab you and kiss you like your lips are begging me to.

Grace nodded.
His voice is deep not Barry White deep but solid, thick, long. Pay attention, Grace!
He seemed to be getting closer.

Why doesn't he just kiss me? No, you can't initiate this first. He is going to be Megan's brother-in-law.
Grace smiled and tried to focus on his words. She really was a good listener, but she couldn't seem to hear anything he said.

"So, against my better judgment, I go to dinner with her. After dinner, I suggest we go our separate ways since we lived in opposite directions, right. Wrong. Min was mad. She thought that during the course of dinner, she had changed my mind somehow. So basically, I had made her eat at some Italian restaurant when apparently she hates Italian food, and expected her to go home alone."

"That was enough to get you sick?” Grace didn't understand, but she wasn't really listening either. She was swimming in sweet chocolate eyes that were enthralling. Her ears were soaking in the sounds of his voice, but her mind didn't comprehend a word he said. Probably because all she could think about were his lips.
Don't stop talking.

"It is when you brag to everyone about a date that doesn't go as you plan.” He shrugged.

"I've given up on what constitutes the rights for revenge when it comes to women, but reputations are apparently fragile. Just ask your PR cousin sometime.”
Cousin, she is Megan's cousin. You will see her at the wedding. She will be there for dinners on holidays. Do not touch.

"No, I know firsthand.” She actually processed that last one.

Reputations are impossible to live down. Like hers, the prudish school teacher, who will die a lonely old maid. She sure didn't feel like a prude right now. Instead, she found herself within inches of making contact with him. Had he moved closer while he talked?

"How so?"

"I'm the prudish school teacher, who will die a lonely old maid, can't you tell?” Grace forced a smile and inched again unknowingly closer to him.

Ethan couldn't process her words. It was utterly ridiculous what she had just said. She couldn't possibly be serious.

"So, how many colors do your eyes turn exactly?” His smile came with a lick of his lips. She had slowly moved within inches of where he sat.

She wanted it just as much as he did. He could feel the heat rolling off her body, and a hunger in her eyes that needed to be satisfied. She was kidding about the prude routine; she had to be. What nut job would leave this woman at the altar?

"Oh my God.” Grace caught a glimpse of the television in her peripheral vision. The movie had ended. She broke her gaze and looked at the clock. “It's one in the morning."

Suddenly, she was aware that she, not he, had moved across the couch.
What is going on with me?
This was not old Grace, or self-conscious Grace. No, no, this was a new Grace, a carnal Grace.
Where the hell did she come from?

"Shit!” Ethan cursed low not because of the time but because the moment was lost. She had all but climbed into his lap.
Oh well.
“What now?"

"Ethan ... you wanna do something ... dirty?” Grace lifted her brow and bit her lower lip. It was against her nature. It was against everything she ever imagined, but something else had taken her over. Determination, adventure, she wasn't sure. She was very sure that she really wanted to kiss him though.

"Yes,” he said immediately.
Down boy,
he said to himself again.
Be cool.
“Well, what did you have in mind I mean?"

"Well, it's no secret that the two of them are trying to hook up the two of us for the wedding."

He nodded. Though it was news to him, he thought he was just fulfilling an obligation to his brother and doing a favor for his cousin.

Thank God Joshua didn't come on this trip. He would have wooed her by now for sure. Ethan needed to get away from Chloe while his lawyer handled the pregnancy thing and a restraining order. That's why he agreed to come. Not to ... why was he arguing it? If they wanted them to hook up, hell that took a lot of stress off. Grace was talking. Something changed after dinner, and she was open. Hell yeah, he wanted to do something dirty!

"What if they wake up in the morning and find us in bed together?” She was desperate. Grace desperately needed him to play along in public. Deep down, she felt a little pang of desperation she wasn't expecting. She desperately needed to touch him.

"I like where this is going.” He nodded.

Grace was full of surprises, the little minx. All this innocent, caring, prudish school teacher business was an act. It lured a man in.
Ha! I got your game now.

"Stop playing around, I'm serious."

"Me, too."

"Ethan, listen to me. You may not want to do this."

"Oh, I'm sure I do."

"Ugh, we can stay in my bed. In the morning, we'll sleep in and let them come find us.” Grace smiled, her hazel eyes turning in a kaleidoscope of brown and green as she plotted. She was excited and nervous. He teased at every turn.

"Why do you want to do this, Grace?” Ethan looked at her green eyes and saw a pang of desperation. He didn't like it one bit. He didn't want her to be desperate. Not unless she was desperate to get him inside her.

"Because I need to shake things up around here. People saw us together today. I can break the old maid curse, and well, I thought it might be fun to give Megan a taste of her own sugar sweet medicine.” Grace lowered her head. She was horrible. Selfish and mean, she wanted to use him, and she barely knew him.

"So, it's not because you find me irresistible?"

YES!
“No, please. You're a nice guy and all, but I barely know you.” Grace felt the blood rushing to her face. Ethan was very irresistible.

No. Did she just say no?
“Okay, say I sleep with you, they will expect us to ... you know be more together after."

He gathered the glasses and the empty bag of cookies. This plan could work. After all, even a pretend affair would give him the rights to kiss her lips, play with her hair. He watched as Grace bent over and placed the DVD back in the cabinet below the television.
It would give me the chance to grab that ass. No sex, just flirting. At least until she admits I am irresistible. And I am.

Besides, dethroning Megan was a damn good reason. Chase and Megan were always on display. He liked that Grace wanted to knock them off their lily white pedestal as bad as he did.

"So, we will act more together. I mean even a brief affair leaves a couple
intimate
, right?” Grace followed Ethan to the sink. The farther he was from her, the more she could think clearly, and clear thinking would tell her this was a bad plan.

She was inviting a man she barely knew into bed, with her. Asking him to pretend that they were lovers, yet she had never kissed him. Could she kiss him?

"We're both grown-ups, and besides it's only a couple days then you go back to New York, and we have something to laugh about at the wedding.” Yes, she could definitely kiss him, now. Now, would be a good time. God, she must be crazy.

Ethan turned to face her. She was right there within his reach, but he was not going to grab her and lift her on that counter like her body was telling him to. No, this was now his game. Two can play hard to get. He chased her all day, and that was more chasing than he ever had to do in his life. She wanted to sleep with him in more ways than one he just knew it. “So, after they find us, we give up the hoax, right?"

"No way!” She couldn't afford to give up the hoax. She needed to be seen as a couple. They needed to go out for lunch and dinner, walk around the neighborhood, something, anything to make the old maid jokes go away.

"So, what do you say, you want to sleep with me or not?” Grace stood in front of him then pulled out a Megan stand by, her lashes fluttered.
Please say yes.

"Well, when you put it that way, how can a guy refuse?” He looked down at her batting those lashes. He wanted to laugh.

This could be trouble, but somehow he didn't see any malice in her. For the first time in a long time, he didn't want to tell a groveling woman no. She needed him. “Is there something in your eye?"

"No, I was giving you the blinking eye thing.”
Shit, I overplayed my hand.

"How long has it been since you put the moves on a guy?” Ethan said in a low deep voice with a wink. He will play along. This little game could prove to be handy for the wedding. Indeed, he plays now, she plays later.

"Over a year, is it obvious?” His eyes were concentrating on her. Grace could tell he was in deep thought. Hopefully, he was thinking about kissing her. It felt strange to look up at him. Mitchell was an inch shorter than she was. At five-six, a girl doesn't feel overwhelmed by many men, but almost any woman would feel overwhelmed by Ethan.

"We have some work to do, yes.” There she goes again, a year. There is no way that body has been untouched in a year. “I can teach you some new moves if you want me to."

"Moves? When you leave, I will be fine on my own thank you. This is a hoax. I'm not interested in putting the moves on any other man.” Grace wasn't being very successful in putting the moves on him.

"Then, I'll teach you how to put the right moves on me.” He tapped her on the nose and started toward the stairs. Grace stood there shocked for a moment and started behind him. Ethan had to get up the stairs first.
You are not actually sleeping with this woman and can't follow that lush behind up another flight of stairs today without biting it.