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And it’s completely perfect. In the back of my mind, I know he said fifteen minutes, but I wouldn’t mind staying here half the day. The combination of water jets and billows of steam envelops my entire body with sweetly scented fragrances. The handmade cakes of soap lather my skin in luxurious, velvety foam. It’s almost a tragedy to get clean. I’d rather just stay here and play with all the sensations and smells .
But a promise is a promise. I get out and towel dry my hair on one of those throw-rug-thick towels. Twisting it on top of my head, I decide to take at least a few seconds to throw on some mascara and arch my eyebrows with a pencil. Just because I just got out of the shower doesn’t mean I have to be completely naked the rest the day, right ?
In the closet next to the shower, I notice some of my clothes. Apparently someone unpacked my luggage for me, taking over this medium-size closet. My small selection of dresses seems pitifully inadequate in this large room, fitted with trays and drawers and rows and rows of hanging spaces with matching hangers. I pluck a flowing sundress off the hanger and flip it over my head. Someone was nice enough to put my underwear away too, and I figure a pair of dark pink panties will be just fine .
Giving myself a little twirl in the full-length mirror, I decide I look perfectly acceptable for the beach. The dress is gathered under my breasts and then swishes fully over my hips, feminine but comfortable, casual enough that I can just change shoes and fit in most situations. For some reason I feel like I need to be ready to hop in an airplane or jump on a yacht at a moment’s notice with Ethan .
Isn’t that amazing? Just thinking about it fills my belly with bubbles .
Thirteen and a half minutes. Not bad if I do say so myself. I grab my phone as I’m leaving the room, and it buzzes immediately in my hand. I flip it over. I’ve got four messages from Aden, just two from Bea. I look at hers as I’m descending the stairs. She wants to know if I’m okay. She wants me to check in. Normal stuff .
Four messages from Aden .
The preview on the last one says something like you hear me ?
I do not have time for this right now .
I see Perry at the kitchen counter out of the corner of my eye as I cut across the living room toward the patio. The whole room is filled with the scent of baked goods, bacon, and something tangy like a fruit salad .
“You look beautiful,” Ethan says appreciatively as I step out into the sunlight .
He flashes me that million-dollar smile again. Even as I blush under his approval, I also know he has said that to at least a thousand other girls. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t mean it, I know. It just means no matter how much fun I’m having, I have to remember this is Ethan Mercer we’re talking about here. I’m sure a man like him has had a lot of practice acting like Prince Charming .
But there’s no trouble in playing along, I figure .
“Thank you, Boss,” I smile, giving him a little pirouette. I notice the way his eyes immediately flit to the hem of my skirt, which lifts as I turn .
The table is set with two plates, silver flatware on linen, and crystal stemware with champagne bubbling to the top of the flutes. Coffee. Pancakes. Some kind of pastry, plus a giant pile of bacon and eggs .
Suddenly I’m famished. My mouth is watering, my knees are trembling. I sink gratefully into the chair, hoping that I can be maintain some semblance of ladylike manners before I just go bananas and stuff my face. To camouflage myself, I delicately pick up the champagne flute. He raises his at the same time, clinking the rim against mine .
“Here’s to more orgasms,” he announces without a hint of irony or shyness .
My heart catches in my throat. “Oh my!” I giggle, but sip
the champagne anyway .
“What? Does it bother you? It’s the truth .”
“Oh it’s definitely the truth,” I chuckle, “I just didn’t know we were going to… you know… keep talking about it .”
“Oh, we are going to do a whole lot more than just talk about it, Ava,” he says in a low voice, suddenly serious. I’m melting into a puddle. I meet his eyes, forcing myself not to look away. His lust is clearly displayed on his features, and again I feel that intimidation, that thrill of fear. I know my body wants him, but can I? Can I really take that last step ?
“Well, dig in,” he invites me, easing the pressure slightly. “I think Perry went a little overboard, but it sure looks appetizing, don’t you think ?”
“Oh, absolutely!” I agree, grateful that we’re going to start eating now. I pile up my plates, forgetting my ladylike aspirations and just going for it. I feel him smirking at me but I refuse to acknowledge it. He has seen me eat hundreds of times. He knows I like food. I’m not going to pretend to be the sort of girl who doesn’t .
My phone buzzes again, the double chirp that indicates another text message. I’m pretty sure I know who it’s from, but I don’t look .
“Do you need to get that?” he asks, jerking his chin toward my facedown phone .
“Not right now,” I say breezily, biting cleanly through a thick slab of perfectly cooked bacon. “Wow, this is delicious !”
“Artisanal and organic,” he nods. “There is a small farm not too far from here. I like to shop locally whenever I can. Helps to offset the greenhouse gases used during meat production .”
“Oh, I thought meatless was supposed to be better for the environment or something?” I stammer, staring at the bacon. I mean, it’s bacon. I’d rather not have too much guilt about the breakfast I’m enjoying .
“I’m not the sort of person to deprive myself,” he shrugs. “Everything comes at a price… meat production comes with a price… flying in a jet… but I’m willing to make compromises. This way, I get better quality product and lower carbon footprint. It’s a win-win .”
