“You should be very proud of yourself.”
“Thanks, Aubrey.” I glanced over at her. “Did you have a good time today?”
“I did. Your family is wonderful. I think it’s great that your sister is an editorial assistant over at Elle magazine. Since she works in the city, do you see her a lot?”
“Not really. Occasionally, I’ll run into her at a restaurant. Sometimes, if she’s over by my office, she’ll drop in and say hi.”
Finally, we arrived back at my town house. After parking the car, I got out and opened the door for Aubrey, took her hand and helped her out. Stepping into the house, I placed my hand on the small of Aubrey’s back.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” I asked.
“Maybe just a half of glass.”
I told her to stay put while I went into the living room and walked over to the bar, where I grabbed a bottle of wine and two wine glasses and brought them to the kitchen. I had sex on my mind all day long and thoughts of her underneath me aroused me on more than one occasion. I found myself needing her and wanting her more than I should have. After pouring a half of glass, I walked up behind her, took her hand, and placed the wine in it.
“Here you go,” I whispered in her ear as I moved her hair to one side.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” My lips lightly pressed into her neck.
She slightly tilted her head to the side to allow me full access. That was her way of telling me not to stop. Taking the glass out of her hand, I set it down on the counter. My cock was getting harder by the second as my fingers took hold of her straps and pushed them off her shoulders, letting her dress fall to the floor. Unhooking her bra, I tossed it to side and wrapped my arm around her breasts, feeling her hardened nipples pressed against my skin while my tongue traced circles around her soft neck. She gasped as I placed my other hand firmly against her stomach and my fingers traveled down the front of her panties, not stopping until they reached her wet opening and dipped inside her. I felt her body tremble as I firmly held her against me, pressing my hard and throbbing cock against her. Several moans escaped her lips while my fingers explored her and my tongue devoured every inch of her neck.
“Do you want to come?” I whispered in her ear.
“Yes. God, yes.”
I tightened my grip around her as my fingers moved in circles, hitting the right spot that sent her body into an explosion. Her cries of ecstasy heightened as her body stiffened in my arms and she orgasmed. I smiled as I turned her around and explored her breasts with my mouth, making my way down her torso before getting on my knees and tasting the sweetness that emerged from her.
“I need you right now,” I softly spoke. “I need to be inside you.” I lifted her up and placed her on the granite countertop.
Wrapping her legs around my waist, I thrust inside her, hard and deep until my cock was enshrouded by her warmth. Placing my hands on each side of her face, I tilted her head slightly up so our eyes met. I wished she could see how unraveled I became when I was fucking her. To see the pleasure she gave me each time I thrust in and out of her. The pressure was building and I was getting ready to explode. She placed her hands on the counter and leaned back as I grabbed her hips and held her steady, pounding into her at a rapid pace. Both of us moaned in excitement as our bodies synced together and we came at the same time. I halted and strained to pour every last drop inside her.
I picked her up, her legs still tight around my waist. She wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder in exhaustion while I carried her to the elevator and took her up to her room. Laying her down on the bed, I pulled out of her and stroked her hair as I rolled on my side.
“I have a confession to make,” she spoke as she turned her head towards me.
“What’s that?”
“You are the only man that I’ve slept with who has given me orgasms during sex.”
Hearing her say that made me smile, but also an unbearable rage of jealousy crept inside me knowing that she’d slept with other men. I knew I had no right to feel that way, but I did and it bothered me.
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Of course it is.” She laughed as she brought her hand to my cheek. “You’re an amazing man.”
“Not that amazing, Aubrey.”
“To me you are.” She smiled.
Things were getting heated between us and I was too frightened to continue this type of conversation.
“I should go to my room now and let you get some sleep.” I sat up and placed my feet on the floor.
“Please don’t go. Just stay with me tonight. Please, Ethan.” She placed the palm of her hand firmly against my back.
I sat there, clenching my fist while I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I wanted to stay with her and feel her body wrapped around mine all night. But what if I had another nightmare?
“I know something is going on with you and I know you had a nightmare last night. I don’t need to know what it was about and you don’t have to tell me. I just want you to stay.”
“You don’t understand, Aubrey. I don’t do this. I don’t stay. I fuck and I get out. It’s best that way for both you and me.”
“So is that what we just did? We fucked? Because I know it was more than that. I felt it from you. In the way you touched me.”
“I do that to all the women I fuck. I’m sorry if you read anything more into it. It’s just sex, Aubrey. I’m a man and I have needs. You’re a woman and you can fulfill those needs. I can’t, nor will I ever give you anything more. I don’t have it in me.” I stood up and walked towards the door.
“My Aunt Charlotte was right about you,” she spoke. “And so was Ian when he told me that people call you ‘The Iceman.’ Now I understand why. But if you want my opinion, I think you’re hiding. You’re carefully guarding yourself because of Sophia.”
I whipped my head around and spoke in anger. “How the hell do you know about Sophia?”
“Your sister accidentally mentioned her. She didn’t mean to; it just slipped out. What happened to her, Ethan?”
“I don’t discuss that and you are to never speak of her again. Do you understand me?” I spoke in a commanding and angered voice.
“No, actually, I don’t understand and I’m not going to lie to you and say I do. We all lose the people we love, but life does and still has to go on.”
“Enough!” I shouted. “This discussion is over.” I walked out the door.
Chapter 18
Aubrey
I lay there, naked and exposed on the bed as he just walked out the door, leaving my heart broken. A perfect day turned bad because he was too afraid to get close to me. Getting up from the bed, I dressed myself in the clothes that I wore to the party the other night. I needed my phone, but it was down in the kitchen where my purse was. Leaving was the best choice for both of us and I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. If I took the elevator, he’d hear me, so I took the stairs, remembering that I was on the third floor. I counted the floors as I made my way down each set of staircases until I was on the garden level where the kitchen was. Feeling my way around, I placed my hands on the island where Ethan and I had just made love. I remembered setting my purse down on the table while I was waiting for him to pour me my glass of wine. Making my way to the table, I found it and placed it over my shoulder, and as I was making my way to the door, I heard Ethan’s voice behind me.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to stay with Penelope for the night.”
“Why?” he abruptly asked.
“Because I think after our last conversation, it’s for the best.”
“Why do you think it’s for the best? Because I told you it was just sex and nothing more to me? Seriously, Aubrey? We’ve known each other for what? A week and a half? Or is it because I won’t talk to you about something that’s extremely personal to me?”
“I’m done talking about this, Ethan, and yo
u’re right, we’ve only known each other for a very short time and I’m sorry that I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I meant a little something more to you than just a fuck buddy.”
Silence filled the space between us. Having this conversation with him was slowly tearing me apart and I needed to leave because I refused to break down in front of him. Maybe the other women he had similar conversations with did just that, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that he broke me. The makeup session, the dress, the donuts and coffee, taking me to meet his parents—all of that made me feel like he saw me as something more. But I was wrong and I would tuck my tail between my legs and quietly leave.
“I’m sorry, Aubrey.”
“I am too, Ethan.”
“At least let me drive you to Penelope’s.”
“No. I can get there on my own. I don’t need any more of your help.”
“Then at least let me walk you out and hail you a cab.”
“I can get my own cab.”
I stepped into the elevator and took it up to the Parlor level and walked out the front door. Pulling my cane from my purse, I tapped each step in front of me as I held on to the railing and made my way to the sidewalk. Standing on the curb, I pulled out my phone and called for a cab.
“Sure thing, Aubrey. Actually, Jessie is over that way. He should be there in about five minutes.”
“Thanks, Glenn. I’ll be waiting.”
For me, in my current situation, five minutes seemed like an eternity. I wondered if Ethan was watching me from his window. While I waited for the cab, I dialed Penelope.
“Hello,” she sleepily answered.
“Hey. Did I wake you?”
“Umm. Maybe. What’s wrong?”
“Can I stay with you tonight?”
“I thought you were staying at Ethan’s.”
I tried so hard to hold back the tears, but I couldn’t do it anymore as I started to stutter into the phone.
“Things didn’t work out.”
“Oh, Aubrey. What did he do to you? I’m on my way.”
“No. A cab will be here in a few minutes. I already called for one.”
“Of course you can stay here. I’ll see you soon. I wish you would have called me first. I would have come over there and kicked his pompous no good rich ass.”
“I think the cab just pulled up. I’ll see you soon.”
Opening the door, I climbed inside.
“Hey, Aubrey.”
“Hi, Jessie.”
“You okay, hon?”
“Not really. 425 East 66th Street, please.”
As I sat in the back of the cab, the tears streamed down my face. I was a fool to think that he could even remotely feel something for me, and I was also a fool for believing that I could probably fix him. His words felt like a dagger through my heart and even now, I could still feel it inside me.
“We’re here, Aubrey,” Jessie spoke.
“Thank you. Just put it on my card. It’s on file.”
“I know, hon. Feel better, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
As soon as I climbed out of the cab, I heard Penelope’s voice.
“Come here.” She wrapped her arm around me as we walked into her building. “What happened?”
“We made love and I asked him to stay with me and he wouldn’t. I practically begged him. I’m such a loser.”
“No you’re not.” She opened the door to her apartment and I stepped inside.
“He told me that it was nothing more than sex and that all he does is fuck and leave. I made the mistake of telling him that I felt it was more than that by the way he touched me and he said that’s how he does it to all the women he sleeps with. He basically told me that I was nothing special.”
“Aw, sweetie.” She hugged me tight and led me to the couch. “I warned you about him and now do you understand why?”
“Yes, and I was so stupid to let my guard down. I thought he was different. Do you know what he did for me today?”
“What?”
“He took me to Bloomingdales and I had my makeup done and then he bought me a dress to wear to his parents’ house. Who just does that for someone they don’t care about?”
“Unfortunately, a lot of loser men with big egos. He wanted something in return for his kindness and you gave it to him.”
“His sister told me that his ex-girlfriend, Sophia, died in a tragic accident nine years ago, and ever since then, he hasn’t been the same. They barely see him anymore.”
“Did she say how she died?”
“No, and they aren’t allowed to talk about it. In fact, she told me not to tell him that she told me, but I sort of did.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Oh no. What did you say to him?”
“I just told him that I thought he was guarding himself because of her.”
“And what did he say?”
“He instantly became angry and told me never to speak of her again.”
“Wow. So apparently, Sophia is the reason he is the way he is.”
“I guess so.”
“Then you have to stay away from him, Aubrey. He’s not the type of man you need to become involved with. Look, you’ve only known him for a week or two and he’s already said some pretty bad things to you. Those are what are called ‘red flags’ and believe me, they’re flying high for you right now.”
“I can’t forget him and the time we spent together.”
“Let me ask you this. Did he kiss you on the lips yet?”
“No.”
“There you go. Drop him like a hot potato. He’s toxic, Aubrey, and you don’t need that in your life. You’ll meet someone without all the baggage who will love you because he can’t help but to love you. A man like Ethan Klein isn’t capable of love, especially if he’s damaged from a past relationship. If it’s been nine years like you said, and he still isn’t over it, then he never will be.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I am. Now come on; you can sleep with me in my bed.”
“Why were you sleeping earlier? You never go to bed that early.”
“I wasn’t exactly sleeping.”
“Oh God. Was he over?”
“Yeah. After you called, I kicked him out.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I could have just gone somewhere else.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re my best friend and you come before any guy.”
“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll sleep on the couch.” I smirked.
“I just want you to know that I’m rolling my eyes at you. I’ll go get you a pillow, blanket, and a nightshirt to wear.”
“Thanks. I owe you big time.” I reached over and gave her a hug.
“No you don’t. Just being my best friend is enough. Promise me no more tears over that douchebag.”
“I promise.”
Chapter 19
Ethan
I drank myself into oblivion after Aubrey decided to leave and passed out on the couch. My sister had no right to bring up Sophia, and now, Aubrey knew a piece of my past I wanted to keep secret. She said she didn’t need to know about her, but I knew damn well her curiosity at some point would get the best of her and she’d start asking questions. I hurt her feelings by what I said and it bothered me. Another reason why I could no longer continue to see her. I was getting too close and everything I had fought to keep buried down inside me was starting to emerge.
I opened my eyes as the sun beat through the windows of the living room, blinding me and making the pounding headache I had intensify. I rolled off the couch and stumbled up the stairs to my bedroom. I reeked of alcohol and it was making me sick. Stumbling into the bathroom, I turned on the shower, stripped out of my clothes, and stood under the warm water, placing my hands on the tiled wall for support. I hadn’t been this hungover in years. But that hadn’t been what I was thinking about as I kicked back several glasses of scotch. I drank to stop thinking about her and to stop thinking
about the pained look on her face after our conversation.
The day had come and gone. I attended a few parties my friends were throwing in honor of Labor Day and then strolled in around midnight. I thought that by staying out all day it would help to get my mind off of Aubrey. But it didn’t. Even the numerous women hanging all over me and trying to get me to fuck them didn’t take my mind off of her.
****
I awoke feeling like I had been hit by a truck. Another night, another nightmare, and a bad mood took hold of me. I stumbled out of bed, showered, dressed, and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
“Good morning, Ethan.” Ingrid smiled as she poured me a cup of fresh coffee.
“Morning,” I mumbled.
“Uh-oh,” she spoke.
She always knew by the look on my face what type of mood I was in.
“Don’t ask me any questions. Not today, Ingrid. I’m in no mood.”
“I can tell. So I won’t ask.”
“Pour this coffee in my travel mug. I need to get to the office.”
“What about breakfast?”
“I don’t want any breakfast.” I scowled.
After taking my travel mug from Ingrid, I grabbed my briefcase and headed towards the door.
“Have a good day, Ethan!” she shouted sarcastically.
“It won’t be!” I snapped.
Climbing into the limo, I slammed the door shut. Harry turned around and looked at me.
“I suppose it’s not a good morning.”
“Just drive.” I pulled out my phone.
I heard him sigh as he pulled away from the curb and drove me to the office.
“Holly!” I shouted as I passed her desk. “In my office, now!”
She followed me inside and shut the door.
“Good morning, sir.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed as I turned around and looked at her.
“Actually, it’s not a good morning and I don’t want you to ever assume it is. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.” She gulped as she took a seat across from my desk.
“I want the last six months of financial reports on my desk in an hour. Also, I want you to get the product development team up here for a meeting at noon.”