Still Into You (46 page)

“About?” she asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

“This,” he said, tenderly brushing aside her hair with one hand and with the other, slowly lifting up her skirt, his fingertips lighting her on fire.

“What were you thinking about?” she asked, her eyes meeting his. His eyelids shuttered but not due to tiredness, but because of her fingers toying with the fastening of his jeans.

“About the things we need to discuss . . .”

“Ask me something,” she demanded, opening his pants. The order scared her, but it needed to be done. Even though her body and mind were at war.

His lips moved back to her mouth and his eyes were focused on hers. He kissed her, slowly releasing her lips. “Did you ever do the therapy?”

She was proud of herself that she could answer that question. “Yes. I did. It wasn’t without some bumps. I did
not
like my first therapist in Chicago. She was a judgmental bitch. But I found one in LA. Simone was amazing. She was patient but she also pushed me. This plan I have . . . she helped me make it.”

That smile flirting with his mouth made her so happy. She did that just by sharing. This could be addicting.

“Did you share about your past?”

“I did.”

“You going to share it with me?”

“I will.”

“When you get back?”

“Yes, Ethan. I promise.”

He nodded once, ending the conversation. “I like you sharing with me.”

“I like sharing with you,” she said, placing a quick kiss to his lips. His hand was on her neck, keeping her to his mouth.

“Wanna keep sharing?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes and a lift of his hips, informing her that his hard cock wanted in on all the sharing.

“Sharing is caring,” she said, grasping his wonderful hardness in her hand and taking him out of his pants. “Will I get
this
every time I share?”

“That can be arranged, suga,” he answered, working his hands beneath her skirt and moving aside her panties. “Let me show you how much I appreciate all the sharing you’ve done.”

Ethan

They still had a few minutes before they needed to head down to the lobby. Mia sat next to him, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, their hands entwined upon his lap. They’d had hot, quick sex, cleaned up, and ate their food before parking themselves on the sofa where silence reigned.

Ethan was tired, absolutely drained, but he didn’t want to sleep. He wanted to spend all his time with Mia, especially now that she was leaving for the next three days. He should use this opportunity to talk with her but his brain was barely functioning. So he held her close to him, savoring her wonderful scent, the feel of her warm body pressed up against his.

Heaven.

“Gimme your phone,” she demanded, waking him from his dazed trance.

“Why?” he asked, opening up an eye to find her looking up at him.

“Just do it,” she ordered with a smile. He did as she asked and she brought up the camera app and snapped a picture of them.

“Not bad,” Ethan said, looking at the photo on his phone. Every time he saw a picture of them together, the first thought was always
perfect.
This one was no different.

“Could you send that to me?” she asked.

“Of course,” he said, typing a message too—‘
Day 1 of new beginnings. <3
’

“Are you going to text me while I’m gone?” she asked, shyly looking up at him while he tapped away on his phone.

He kissed her adorable forehead. “Of course I will. I want to know what’s going on.”

“I’m not going to tell until it’s done.”

“I’ll annoy you until you let something slip.”

“Pfft. Not gonna happen,” she joked.

Mia checked her watch and frowned. Time for her to leave. Sighing sadly, she rose from the sofa. She looked down at him with a tremulous half-smile that made him want to hold on to her forever, and stuck out her hand. He took the offered hand and got up. Mia walked over to the door and grabbed her purse and her small carry-on.

Ethan took her suitcase and they silently made their way down to the lobby. The bellboy loaded her luggage into the waiting limo and turned towards her. “Whenever you’re ready, Miss Devereux.”

“Thank you,” she said, her voice wavering, her eyes glassy, as Ethan stepped forward to tip the bellboy. She stood at the door, waiting for him to come to her, and he did, a confident grin spreading across his face.

“So, dessert on Wednesday?”

“Is that all you want?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.

“No, it’s not,” he said, drawing her into his embrace. “I’d really love to talk with you . . . after dessert.”

She laughed against his chest, the sound going straight to his heart. Ethan was so glad he got her to laugh. He wanted her to leave with a smile and not tears.

“I’ll miss you, Ethan.”

“Same here, suga,” he said, resting his chin on her head. “Text me when you arrive, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Maybe a picture of you in bed?” he teased, his hands sliding up her sides, skimming the curve of her breast.

“Maybe . . .” she answered on a shaky exhale of breath.

“Awesome!” he said, lifting up her chin, his eyes locking on her beautiful eyes. “See you in a few days.”

He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in goodbye. When he tried to break the kiss, she grabbed his face and kissed him again, lingering like she didn’t want to go. Finally, she ended the kiss and stepped away from him.

“Bye, Ethan,” she said, entering the limo.

He put his fingers to his lips and blew her a kiss. He didn’t trust himself to do anything else. Mia returned the gesture as the limo pulled away.
This sucks,
he thought, as he crossed the street to the parking garage to his car. He needed a distraction. Hell, what he actually needed to do was focus on preparing for next Saturday’s game. He started the engine and put the car in gear. No, that could wait until tomorrow. First, he needed sleep.

Ethan

Even though Ethan was finally in bed, he couldn’t sleep. He was too keyed up from his overactive brain processing all that had happened. It amazed him what a difference twenty-four hours had made in his life. He had Mia back. Well, sort of, he thought, looking over at the empty spot on his bed.

Punching his pillow in frustration, he flopped back down, intent on going to sleep. He shut his eyes, hoping to fall asleep, but then his phone chirped.

Mia

March 6, 2011 1234 AM

I got the picture. I love it and what you said. <3

Does this mean you made it to LA?

Yes, in my house right now.

Where’s my picture?

Here.

Ethan opened the attached picture. It was just her sitting in bed, fully clothed and smirking at him. He smirked back at the picture and laughed.

Not what I had in mind.

:( What did you have in mind?

For one, a lot less clothing . . . and that’s really about it.

LOL like this?

He pressed the small picture and smiled. Her body rested against the plush pillows. Her skirt and jacket were off and she was in her tank top and those turquoise panties that he had been thinking about since she put them on earlier. With her hair piled high in a bun and her glasses on her face, she was more beautiful than the day he met her, sexier, more confident. He couldn’t get over it.

Ethan saved both pictures to his camera roll and then texted her back.

Yes. Much better. Ready for bed?

Yes. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was preoccupied ;)

Same here. I’m exhausted.

Are you in bed?

Yeah.

Go to sleep. I’ll text you tomorrow, ok? For now, sweet dreams.

Sweet dreams, suga. <3

<3

Now . . . sleep could come.

The next morning had him up bright and early and at headquarters, sitting in the film room, going over tape after tape of the Boston Storm defense. His eyes and mind focused on the films for hours, making occasional notes for the offensive coach, but mostly learning cues the defense made.

When his phone buzzed mid-morning, his eyes were in desperate need of a break. Ethan picked up his phone and smiled when he saw a text from Mia. Unlocking his phone, he read her message.

Mia

March 6, 2011 958 AM

I’m already up and showered. Allie is a mean woman. She wouldn’t let me sleep in. :( She was pounding on my door at 5 this morning!!!

If it makes you feel any better, I’ve been at work since 6.

It’s Sunday. Why are you at work?

Watching films.

Falling asleep? Because I would be.

LOL No. Wide awake.

I think Allie is mad at me. She keeps pulling my hair.

That text was quickly followed by a bunch of nonsensical gibberish. A few moments later, he received another text that had him laughing out loud.

This is Allie, I stole her phone. I pull hair because she keeps nodding off and that’s your fault.

My fault?

Yes—your fault. ;) I better give her the phone back before she really throws a fit.

Good idea.

A few minutes later, he laughed at the text that came his way.

Why do I pay her so much? She’s evil!

She’s the best manager out there.

She is . . . but don’t EVER tell her I said so. She’ll only want more money . . . and then she’ll be even meaner to me. Did I ever tell you about the time she slapped me?

She what?

His phone buzzed with an incoming text—another garbled one. He closed his eyes and imagined Allie and Mia fighting over her phone. Then another text from Allie came through.

I DID NOT SLAP HER! BUT I WILL!

Hijinks so early in the morning. Mia must be nervous. Ethan wondered if they were at the meeting or still getting ready.

HAHA! Allie’s pissed.

That text was immediately followed by a picture. He touched the thumbnail size picture to make it larger and found himself laughing yet again. The picture was of the two of them: Mia in an office-style chair and Allie standing next to her, pretend-choking her. Todd and Marty were in the background, laughing. Behind them was a large wall of windows, downtown L.A. framed to perfection. Hmm . . . so the meeting was with the entire band.

Ethan zoomed the picture on to Mia. Though the picture captured her often-childish sense of humor, she still looked gorgeous. At that moment, she was far-removed from her rocker style and seemed every bit the business woman in her smart sleeveless dress.

God, I need more sleep.

You look beautiful.

Send me a picture of you.

He took a picture of him wearing a Flash baseball hat and a hoodie. He hadn’t bothered to shave that morning. Nothing too special.

A few minutes later, Allie texted him, “
What did you send her?
” This was quickly followed by a picture of Mia grinning at her phone. He couldn’t help the smile that came to his face. He loved seeing a smile light up her beautiful face.

She looks pretty happy, huh?

She does. Good job.

You gonna tell me what’s going on there?

It’s major, that’s for sure.

That’s all I get?

Lots of suits. And that’s it!

He was going to try another angle, but a text from Mia stopped that.