10. Jake

Chapter 10

Jake

I wait until Ethan is asleep before I clean him up and hop into the shower. I’m still buzzing, my every nerve-ending alive.

I’ve never had sex like this. So right and so perfect. But it makes sense—after all, none of the people I’ve been with so far have been my person .

Until Ethan.

Smiling, I tilt my head up and let the hot water sluice down my face and body. Little explosions go off under my skin as I play back the sounds and noises Ethan let out while we were making love. I bristle, my hackles rising. Making love , that’s what it felt like. Not a casual fling or a one-night stand. It was deeper, more intimate, more intense. I wasn’t planning on it; I don’t think he was either.

I pull on my bottom lip, then bite the inside of my cheek. Fuck, what do I do now? I need to figure out a way to charm the shit out of Ethan and make this new and exciting and titillatingly right thing between us work even after he leaves. Long distance would suck, but it beats not having him in my life.

If I up my game and try harder than I have until now, I think I can save up enough in half the intended time. I already have a decent amount of experience as a chef, so I’m not worried about that or obtaining qualifications. Realistically, I might not be able to open my own place immediately, but I am willing to work under someone for a bit more.

As I lather myself with soap, I reconsider my plan. I’d stayed here in North Hut because it made sense—with little distractions and nothing much to do around here for someone like me, it was the perfect location. But the tables have turned. Now that I’ve met Ethan, I’d much prefer to live somewhere closer to him if I am to give my best shot at us.

So, I’ll move. I don’t know how soon or how exactly I can make it happen, but I will.

Done showering, I dry myself off and put on clothes. Ethan is no longer sleeping when I make it back to the room, his willowy but still powerful form draped across the luxurious silk sheets like he’s some ancient king posing for a drawing.

“You still haven’t told me how you managed to organize this,” he poses in a stern but playful voice.

I shrug. It involved a couple of favors from a couple of people. It really isn’t anything exciting. “Are you free tomorrow?”

He raises an eyebrow. I think it’s meant to be in a challenge, but his blissed-out expression kind of ruins the effect. “Hedging?”

I hand him his clothes and sit on the edge of the bed. “Maybe. It’s always more interesting when the mystery remains, no?”

He snatches the clothes from me. His fingers linger as they brush against mine. “I suppose you are right. As for tomorrow…” The corners of his full lips lift in a subtle smile. “I think I can find a bit of time for you. What do you have in mind?”

“It’s a surprise that I am positive you’ll like. I’ll come pick you up in the morning.” I stand up to leave, pausing as I reach the door. He’s put the pants on but is yet to start on his shirt. “I had a great time today, Ethan. Not just at dinner, but earlier, too. For real. I hope you are ready for the consequences of that.”

Giddy and excited, I leave before he can give me a reply.

Ethan has donned my jacket and scarf when I meet him in the morning. He looks irresistible, so I steal a quick kiss. My heart beats faster even though we mostly keep things chaste and there is no one in the hallway.

“You are a little overdressed,” I say, leading him to the elevator. Unlike him, I’m just in a hoody and a pair of pants that I wear when I am off work.

“I assumed we would be going on another adventure with how you voiced things last night,” he explains, following me inside.

I press the ground floor button. “I have something warmer in mind. Exclusive, too.”

We get off. I wave at the reception staff and slink past the blocked-out stairs leading to the underground pool. With the power still out, the area remains off-limits to the guests, but we staff are allowed to go there. It’s to ensure everything is kept clean and ready to open once things are back to normal. Which should be soon… ish. So I am making the most of the situation until then.

“I thought we weren’t allowed here,” Ethan points out once we leave the chatter and clatter of the lobby behind us.

“It’s a one-off exclusive experience for Mr. Ward. Courtesy of the hotel.”

“I almost believed you,” he accuses, claiming one of the lounging chairs. Usually, the custom-ordered overhead lamps mimic the sun, but currently only the regular lighting is on. Even so, the artificial greenery and trees help maintain the jungle thematic even if the ‘sun’ is missing.

“Okay, fine. I wanted to take you on a fun date, so I thought the pool would be to your liking. I saw you heading down here the other day when the electricity fault happened.”

“There are quite a few things to unpack in what you just said,” he muses, taking the slice of melon and honey I hand him. I’ve prepared fruit, coffee and light pastries for breakfast.

I sit cross-legged on the chair across from him, stuffing a raspberry and vanilla pastry inside my mouth. It’s another new recipe I am trying, and it’s come out great. “Such as?”

“This being a date. Or the fact that you have been observing me like some stalker.”

I take off my hoodie and wave him off. “Don’t pretend you weren’t doing the same. I saw you ogling.”

He chuckles, his gaze going darker as it roams my bare torso. “I do not ogle .”

“You do. In fact, you are doing it right now.”

“Am I? Really?” He leans in, snatching another piece of fruit from the bowl I’ve placed on the end table between us. It’s a grape and he does an obscene job of licking it before popping it inside his mouth all the while not taking his shivers-inducing gaze from me.

I decide that retaining some dignity is a futile effort, so I kick out of my pants. My erection tents my swim trunks and Ethan doesn’t miss it. Smirking, he pushes off the chair and removes his jacket and top. The expanse of pale skin pulls my attention, riling me up further as I notice the few marks that I’ve left. Despite living in the south, Ethan has no tan whatsoever, which means he probably spends most of his time indoors. If it was me, I’d be out and about all day. On the other hand, precisely because he doesn’t seem a fan of the sun, it’s so easy to stake my claim on him in this very primal way. I’m not usually into it—or I haven’t been so far—but I couldn’t help it last night. I wanted him to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and remember how explosive our night together was.

“You look really happy for some reason,” he comments, repressing a smirk as he rubs one of the hickeys I left on his collarbone. “I wonder why that might be.”

I stroke the one he left on the side of my neck. It’s a little hard to see unless you look at it from the right angle. I think he was counting on me not noticing it. “No particular reason whatsoever.”

Huffing a laugh, he gets rid of his pants. He’s put on a sexy pair of boxer briefs that hug his ass perfectly. I give it a teasing pinch, wiggling it a bit as he tries to shoo me off.

“Behave,” he warns and jumps into the pool.

I follow suit. We swim for a while. He’s good at it, better than me even. Not that it’s a high bar, but I’ve been making use of the pool and the gym at the hotel, so I pride myself as quite fit. Unfortunately, due to the power issue, I can’t turn on the artificial waves so we can enjoy a bit of surfing, but we make do at the inflatables’ corner. It’s usually for kids, but since there is no one around to laugh at us adults running and jumping and falling, we do just that.

By the time noon arrives, we are both ready for a break. After a long shower during which we mostly make out like horny teens, we head upstairs. My shift doesn’t start until the evening, so I join Ethan for lunch. As a member of staff, I usually eat with the other employees in the staff room, but being the assistant chef allows me to pose as a guest so I can observe and collect feedback.

“I liked your sushi more,” Ethan says when we finish eating. Today’s lunch is Japanese-themed, while the dinner will be Chinese. “The vinegar is a bit strong for me.”

I nod in agreement. Carla must’ve been the one in charge of lunch. She tends to over-spice. Some people like that, but I tend to lean more toward letting the natural flavors of a dish be the star, with the spices only enhancing them. Besides, I might or might not have been paying extra attention to what Ethan was eating the previous days, so I could match his preferences.

For dessert, we have some mochi, then head out. There is still time before my shift starts, but the weather has gone bad again, so going outside is not really an option. I was planning to take Ethan to the nearby woods for deer-watching, but I guess I’ll have to postpone that for another day.

“You can come watch that show you recorded,” Ethan suggests as we reach the elevators. “If you want to. I’ll catch up on some reading, so I won’t get in your way.”

“Sure. Sounds good.”

I tuck my hands in my pockets and lean against the elevator’s wall. I wonder what kinds of books Ethan likes to read. If I had to guess, other than nonfiction about business, economy and the likes, he’s into hard sci-fi. Or steampunk. Maybe dystopian, too. The more technical, the better. Personally, I prefer the lighter genres like soft sci-fi or urban fantasy. Throw in a bit of romance and you have yourself a fan.

That’s not to say I’m not willing to try the books Ethan likes. You learn a lot about someone by the things they like, be it books, series, music or art. Plus, it gives you something to talk about, even if your opinions ultimately differ.

Ethan’s room smells like lemongrass when we enter, telling me that housekeeping has just cleaned it. There was no mess last time I was here, so everything looks exactly the same, neatly organized and pristine. The curtains have been pulled, so the snowy scenery outside is visible from the floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s idyllic, even if it’s caused more than a few inconveniences, but then again, it’s due to those inconveniences that I met this amazing man.

Plopping onto the couch, I accept the cup of chamomile and peppermint tea that’s handed to me and get comfortable. I rewind the recording from last night halfway, then press play. Ethan disappears into the bedroom, carrying a book when he returns. It’s a black hardcover with red and gold foil. Dark fantasy, if I had to guess, though I don’t recognize the title.

Ethan sits on the other side of the couch and takes a sip from his cup. After throwing me a cute little smile and tipping his chin at the TV, he begins to read. I shift my attention back to my show, but it’s kind of hard to focus when half of my brain is still wondering about Ethan’s book.

“So, what is it about?” I toss when the holo girl and her dog slip into one of those comedy gold exchanges every modern show has.

“Hm?”

I hug one of the cushions to my chest and point my chin at his book. “The book. What is it about?”

He blanks, blinking at me. I narrow my eyes, suddenly suspicious. Licking his lips, he swallows, bookmarks his page, and closes the book.

“Oh. You know. It’s a little… obscure.”

I swivel around and face him, more than a little intrigued now. I must find out what the book is at all costs. “I’m very open-minded. Do tell.”

“Are you enjoying your show? Would you like more tea?”

Shaking my head, I grin. Why is he hedging? “You’re being weird. It’s just a book.”

He seems to consider that. “It’s not exactly mainstream.”

“I love non-mainstream.”

“You are being way too nosy,” he accuses, placing the book on the low table in front of us.

“I want to know about the things you like,” I counter, eyeing the book. If I act quickly enough, I think I can snatch it before he can react.

He blushes. It’s adorable and I forget about the book for a few moments as I lean in and kiss him. He opens for me, his tongue welcoming me with greed. I come alive, every fiber of me buzzing. I’ll never get tired of kissing him. He tastes like the tea we just had, but his own sweet undertone is there, too. I’m already addicted to it, chasing it as I devour his mouth.

“Nice try,” I praise him when we pull apart, grabbing the book.

He shakes his head, fighting off a shy smile. “Okay, but don’t laugh. It’s a vampire romance. The author is a friend of Charlie’s.” He pauses, bunching his eyebrows. “Charlie is my little brother.”

Noted. Ethan has a little brother. And he likes to read romance and seems to think I’d find it funny. I wonder if someone has made fun of that in the past, or if it’s one of those cases where it’s the stereotypes society holds that has made him see it this way.

Either way, I couldn’t be more stoked. It’s been hard to find book friends when people’s attention spans are too short for anything other than flashy graphics.

“So, you like to read romance? And you thought I’d laugh at you about it?”

He just shrugs.

I pull out my phone and search online for the synopsis of the books the show I’m watching is based on. “Considering I’m an avid reader of it myself, I’m more likely to hug you than laugh at you, I’d say.”

His smile blooms, still a little shy, but also utterly charming with how openly joyous it is. “I… I honestly didn’t think you’d be into reading. Or at least not romance.”

I cross my arms. “I’m curious now. What genres would you give me?”

His brilliant blue eyes scan me. “Adventure, thriller. Sci-fi. Mysteries.”

I whistle. “Okay. This is awfully accurate. But, as long as romance is part of the book, too.”

Ethan seems to turn my words over in his head. Angling his chin at the book I’m still holding, he says, “I think you might like that one. I’m almost done with it, so I’ll be happy to lend it to you. Now, can I have it back? I just got to the good part.”

“Deal.”

I rewind the portion of the show that I missed, grinning as the action part begins. I just can’t help it. Ethan offered to lend me his book. I eye the object in question. It’s thick, at least 800 pages. Unless I was off work, there is no way I can read it in an evening or two. I know it and he knows it. Yet he still offered.

And that can mean only one thing.

I now have the perfect excuse to contact him after he goes home.