7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Lily

M y eyes flutter open, the soft rays of morning light filtering through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Warm, yet annoying to wake up to.

For a moment, I don't recognize my surroundings. It is not my silky pillowcase. It is not my bed. It is not my apartment. Where am I?

"Hello?" My voice is very hoarse. I must have drunk a lot last night.

The door creaks open, and a figure slips in. In the soft light, I can barely make out his features. He is shirtless and looks groggy.

"Ethan?" I rub my eyes, trying to grasp the sight in front of me.

"Yeah? What's wrong?"

"Where am I?" I ask, scanning my surroundings.

Ethan's room is unlike his office. It is indeed full of life. Plants line the windowsill and shelves, which are covered with books and trinkets. It is cozy, unlike his entire building. A sense of peace washes over me.

"At my house. You passed out last night."

"What happened last night?"

"Lots of things," he smirks and looks away.

"What do you mean? I remember clubbing."

"On a Tuesday? I didn't know you were the type who clubs during the week."

"Do you have an issue with that?" I ask him.

He grins at me instead. It is like he is enjoying how improper our dynamic got in less than twenty-four hours.

"I don't. I still find it reckless, though."

"Reckless?"

"In fact, you were very reckless last night, so passing out in your ex-boyfriend's bed is not that bad. Your ex-boyfriend who saved you."

"Saved me? Saved me from what?"

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what? Please, stop teasing me!"

"You got yourself into trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"You were dancing on the table. The security guards couldn't get you to stop doing it. You were not even supposed to be there. You yelled at me in front of my employees, and you broke your glass and injured your hand," he says, gesturing at my hand.

As I look down at it, I realize my hand is bandaged. How could I forget this? I was at a club yesterday. I danced with Arial then we lost each other. I suppose I was too drunk because I can't remember anything.

"How did you know? Are you following me?" I glare at him when the realization hits me. The last thing I want is to be stalked by Ethan Rothschild.

"I was not following you, Lily. You happened to pick my club as your go-to destination to have fun."

"What? How?"

"El Diablo is my club, Lily."

"You really do own half this city, don't you?"

"I informed you of that from the very beginning, didn't I?"

"I'm sorry about my behavior. I didn't know I would go to such lengths. It is embarrassing. Please, forget about it."

"You know what's embarrassing, Lily? Having to explain to my employees why you're dancing on a table. It is a behavior that they haven't seen before. It is a good thing my driver didn't recognize you, at least."

"Oh, God," I rub my eyes again, wishing this was nothing but a dream.

"I wonder why? What is the reason for acting so repulsive."

"I'm sorry, all right? I didn't mean to," I mutter, feeling ashamed of myself.

"I know you didn't. I could tell you were not sober."

"I didn't plan to go to your club, you know? I didn't know it was yours. I could have gone to-"

"Nocturna? I own that club too," he interrupts me, smiling. Like it is fun to see the reactions on my face.

I scoff at him. I'm starting to understand why he is so arrogant. How can he read my mind and predict what I was about to say?

"I wouldn't let you make a fool of yourself anywhere, Lily. It doesn't matter whether it is my club or not. I'm the one who will have to deal with the aftermath."

"Why?"

"Because, Lily, we are brought back together once again for a reason."

"Oh, please."

"Don't think too hard. I'm not implying something you don't want. I'm just saying that fate has its ways, you know? And it's time to accept that."

"I'm not accepting anything, Ethan. I will not allow you to ruin my life again," I snap.

"Calm down. "Don't get yourself all worked up," he sighs.

"Don't tell me what to do. I really have to go. Arial is lmustfor me," I sigh.

"Arial?"

"My best friend. We were supposed to go back to my place together."

"Your phone rang a few times while you were sleeping. I am assuming that would be her. Your best friend."

"Oh no! How do I explain this to her?" I gasp.

"It will look like you slept with your ex-boyfriend after all, will it not?"

"Oh, God," I mutter under my breath, trying to hide the blush creeping on my cheeks.

"Here," he offers me his hand. It is pale and strong, a stark contrast against my smaller one.

I take his hand and get up, and for a second, our gazes meet. His eyes are as blue as the dark ocean, a color I could never forget.

"How is your hand?" he asks.

"I barely feel any pain. Thank you, I suppose," I mutter, and try to take off the bandage, but he is quick to stop me.

"Don't," he snarls, his eyes fixed on me.

"What is it?"

"I just don't want you to see what's under there," he says. I can tell his voice is heavy with guilt.

"It doesn't hurt much. Look," I say as I lightly press on the bandage, trying to prove my point.

"Stop it. You don't have to prove anything to me."

"Then why are you making a big deal out of this?"

"It's just not a very pleasant sight in the morning. Plus, you should allow the wound to heal."

"Are you going to give me one of your substances for free?" I tease.

"Well, if I could, then yes. I would. Except they are not meant for you."

"Not for me? What does that mean?"

"It is but a slight wound, Lily. My substances are the very last thing you need."

"Thank you for helping me."

"I had to." His gaze is stern and cold. I can tell he is hiding something. There is a deep emotion, a dark emotion, brewing behind his icy blue eyes. It is the same look he gave me in the car.

"I'll have my driver drop you off at your apartment."

"Thank you."

"But before that, I would like to apologize and make you some breakfast."

"Make me breakfast? You can cook?"

"I can't, but I am going to try. Consider it an apology for the way I talked to you in my office, and last night's call," he says, looking down at my wrist.

I can't believe what is happening. Is he really going to make me breakfast? Is he being nice to me? I wonder what the real reason behind his actions are.

"You really don't have to do that, you know?"

"I know I don't have to, but I want to. It is the least I can do."

There must be a reason he is being nice to me. I wonder what is going through his mind. It must be something deeper than mere kindness, a well-plotted scheme. Or perhaps I am just overthinking.

I place my hand on his shoulder. His skin is so soft, and yet it is so cold.

"Jeez, are you always this cold?"

"Yes, I am, but it is warmer around you," he says as he smiles at me. I look at him with surprise. My heart is pounding. I feel so good hearing him say that.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know, but your face says something else," I say as I put my hand on his cheek.

"What does my face say, Lily?" he asks in a seductive voice. It is as if he knows how his words make me feel.

"I don't know."

"Then maybe you should kiss me."

"Are you always this forward?" I chuckle, my eyes fixed on his pink lips.

I lean forward and touch my lips to his. My hands instantly wrap around his neck, pulling him closer to me. Our tongues play together in harmony. It feels so good.

"Who's being forward now, huh?" he says through the kiss.

"God, what a tease."

"Oh, so you think I am a tease?" He chuckles and kisses me all over my face. His hands work their way to my back and then he grabs my waist.

"God, you have such a perfect body, Lily."

"I like the way your hands feel on me," I moan out as he moves his hands down to my hips. He begins kissing and sucking on my neck.

"Get on top of me. Own me," he whispers in my ear as he lays down and pulls me on top of him. My hands move to his chest.

"You are so beautiful, Lily."

Ethan smiles at me and holds my hands. I have missed his smile. It feels like I haven't seen it in a while. He guides my hand to his crotch and bites his lips.

"You're so hard."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes." I lean in for a kiss, and moan into his mouth as he starts to rock his hips up into me. His cock is hard and throbbing between my legs.

"Oh my God, Ethan."

"Say it again. I love hearing you say my name."

"God, Ethan, I want you inside me."

"Beg for it."

"Please."

"Yes, just like that," he says and rubs his hand on my inner thighs, teasing me, making me grind against him and moan.

"Ethan. Please, I need you. I need you inside of me."

"So eager, aren't you?" he chuckles and lifts my hips. The next thing I know, he enters me in one thrust.

"Oh my God."

"God damn it, you're so tight," he groans and puts his hands on my hips, guiding my body, moving me up and down his cock.

The feeling is unreal. It is so outrageous, yet that's what makes it better. Working with Ethan is going to be a challenge for sure, especially with how improper our dynamic has gotten in just one day.

"Tell me how it feels," he groans and squeezes my hips, marking my skin.

"It feels ravishing, I can't think," I say as he fills me completely.

"You're going to be the death of me, Lily. You know that, right?"

"God, I love the way you talk."

"That's because you're driving me crazy," he says, pushing deeper inside of me. I throw my head back and let out a long moan.

"Do you want more?"

"Yes."

"Beg for it."

"I'm begging. Please, Ethan, give me more."

"Fuck, your begging voice is so sexy," he grabs my thighs and groans as he finishes all over my belly. His groans are so hot, to the point that I can't help but orgasm all over him.

"God, that was perfect. You're perfect," I exhale as I place my head on his chest to rest.

"No, you are," he says and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

We're both sweaty and tired from the session we had, and I can't believe we just did it. It feels risky, yet so right, and I don't want him to let go of me.

"I am going to prepare your food, okay? You can stay here and watch something on TV while I get everything ready," he whispers in my ear and puts a kiss on my cheek.

"Okay. Thank you." I nod at him and genuinely smile. I feel safe with him. This feeling is overwhelming.

I must text Arial and let her know where I am. I know she will react differently to these updates.

When I reach for my phone, I see multiple missed calls and a flurry of text messages from her. Each message conveys increasing concern.

"All is well, Arial. Don't worry."

I hit the send button, but I suddenly feel a knot of guilt tighten in my stomach. I must have made Arial frantic. As soon as she reads my text, she calls me.

"Where the hell are you?" Her voice is loud.

"Guess," I smirk, I can't help but imagine her reaction to the following words.

"Why didn't you call me back? Did you find someone to hook up with?"

"Maybe."

"Lily. I am going to need more updates here."

"I am at his place, Arial. In fact, he is making me breakfast right this second."

"Don't tell me you ended up at Mr. Rothschild's house."

"For once, you guess right, Arial."

"Wait, what? Details, please."

"I will tell you everything when we meet. I must go now, Arial."

"God, you are so unreal," she faintly says as I hang up. She must be so excited now.

The food smells delicious. It does not seem like it is his first-time cooking. I am starving and I should join him in the kitchen.

The whole situation is very awkward, but my recklessness brought me to where I am now.

I put on my shoes and groom myself in the mirror.

"God, you look awful, Lily," I say to my reflection. I don't want to think of last night anymore. It has been tedious, and my hand stings. I wonder how long I will have this bandage on.

As I head out, I receive a notification. It is a message on my blog. As I reread the message repeatedly, my mouth drops open.

"What the hell is this?" I say as I feel my stomach twisting into knots.