Unforgettable (28 page)

 
“I want to hit the slots.” Okay, it wasn’t romantic, but damn it was fun. I wanted to pull some levers and have a few cocktails. I was in Vegas after all.

 
Ethan rolled his eyes but he did it with a smile. “Okay, but let’s get a room first.”

 
“Sure honey, I’m flexible. Every hotel has a casino downstairs.” I winked at him as he grabbed my hand. We thanked Elvis and went back out to the car.

 
We ended up staying at the Bellagio because the water show happened to be going on as we drove up the strip. My squealing had Ethan turning into the parking lot a few seconds later.

 
Check-in was completed in minutes and they even upgraded our room when they found out we were freshly married. We carried our bags up to our room and I found myself less ready to gamble than I thought. I was feeling pretty frisky.

 
I pulled Ethan close as we surveyed the room. “You know, Ethan, I think I’ve changed my mind. I want to see if married sex is any different than what we’re used to.” He raised his brow and paused as if to check if I was serious before pulling his shirt over his head. I caught the glint of his wedding ring as he moved and my hooha started tingling. He was mine, mine, mine.

 
I hurriedly yanked off my own shirt and started to shimmy out of my jeans. Why did I decide to wear skinny jeans today? They were like a second skin and I couldn’t shed them as quickly as I wanted to. Ethan was gloriously naked before I was able to peel them off, so he graciously helped me by popping the snap of my bra for me.

 
The second his lips grazed my neck I knew there was no time for the bed. I turned around and threw my arms around his neck as he hoisted me up and onto his waist. My bra was still dangling from my arms, but I wasted no time in wiggling myself into position as he moved us up against the wall. Seconds later he was pounding into me and my back was scraping against something hard.

 
“Ow babe, ow.”

 
“Am I too much for you?”

 
“No, I think you’re grinding me into the light switch.” He immediately took a step back and held onto my butt as he moved us to a flatter area.

 
“Sorry babe.” He looked remorseful and he stopped all movement from his nether regions. I obviously couldn’t have that.

 
“Don’t stop. Everything else is perfect.” I tried to lift myself up and down on top of him but I was sadly lacking in upper body strength. Luckily he got the message and a second later we were back on. I was extra glad he was still holding me up a minute later because I came faster than I had ever come before. I couldn’t even keep my grip on his neck.

 
“Oh
god
.”

 
“I’m not god, honey,” he ground out as he continued to hammer himself into me. He came moments later with a loud growl.

 
“You are to me.” I was barely able to get the words out I was breathing so hard, but he heard them because his arms tightened and he pressed me harder against the wall.

 
“I love you, Mrs. Ross.” The sound of my new names gave me fresh goosebumps.

 
“I love you, Mr. Ross.” He kissed the tip of my nose before setting me back down on my feet. “Now, get your clothes back on, Double Diamonds is calling my name.”

 
“Is there not a drop of sentimental blood flowing through you right now?” he asked while shaking his head. I could tell he wasn’t mad so I didn’t feel bad.

 
“No, I’ve got gambling fever, now hurry up.” I opted for a different pair of jeans, comfort was my goal, but I did put my white blouse back on. It
was
my wedding day after all.

 
He dressed almost as fast as he had undressed, so after I checked my appearance in the bathroom mirror we were ready to go.

 
“Let’s go lose some money,” he said while taking my hand and leading me out the door.

 
“Are you kidding me? I’m on the luckiest streak of my life.”

Prequel as Sequel

Juliet and the IT Guy

 
Okay, what do you think about this one?” I had to snap myself back into the present and stop my mind from wandering into forbidden territory.
Bad Juliet.

           
“That looks good.” I had to get my eyes off of Ethan’s body and back to business. To be honest, all three of the layouts Ethan had shown me so far had been great. I was feeling extra smart for taking Carrie’s advice and asking her brother to set up my website. He really was good at it. I mean, I already knew that, he had made the website for her party planning business and it was fabulous. This
other
thing, however, was becoming a problem.

           
I had been practically mooning over him since he walked in the door an hour ago. Of course I had always noticed Ethan was good looking. Carrie’s whole family was gorgeous, but Ethan was looking
hot
. Yes, I said it. I think Carrie’s little brother is hot. I can’t help it; I have eyes, don’t I?

           
“Well, which one do you prefer?” I was sitting here acting like a stooge while Ethan was all business. Damn. Why did he have to look so fine? I had a real problem interacting with good looking men. I liked to think it was some kind of genetic glitch, but hot guys made me stupid.

           
“Um. I guess the second one is my favorite.” God, I couldn’t even sound decisive. This was unacceptable. I had to get out of here and clear my head of the sexy images that had implanted themselves in my brain. Ethan was in my office making the tiny room seem even smaller. I figured now was a good time to leave him to his own devices and make us something to eat. I had promised him a meal when I called him to ask for his help.

           
“If you don’t mind, I’ll get started on dinner while you’re working in here. I’m not really much help in the computer department.”

           
“That sounds great.” He turned his head and smiled at me and my stomach seemed to drop to my feet.
He was turning me to mush.
I had to get to the safety of my kitchen, I was in control there.

           
“Fried chicken sound good?” I don’t even know why I asked him, that’s what I had bought for tonight and that’s what I was making, but like I said, I turn stupid.

           
“Homemade fried chicken? That sounds great.” Omigod. Was it possible his voice just made me wet? Holy smokes. This was worse than I thought. I absolutely could
not
harbor these feelings for him. For one thing, he was way too young for me. At least five years younger. More importantly, he was Carrie’s brother. I just couldn’t even go there. It was wrong on so many levels.

           
“Awesome. Let me know if you need my opinion on anything else. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Awesome
? Was I in high school? I turned and fled to the kitchen before I could say anything else that was likely to make Ethan think I was mentally stunted.

Stop right there, woman. What the heck do I care what Ethan thinks of me? I’m not trying to impress him.
Am I?
Unfortunately, the answer to that question was yes. I was trying to look cool to him. Gack. This is what I get for inviting a man to my house when I haven’t had sex in months.

I pulled out the chicken and everything else I needed for dinner and I was able to lose myself in my task. I was almost surprised when he came walking into the room while I was pulling the second batch of chicken out of the frying pan.

“That smells wonderful.”

“Just like mom used to make?” I smiled at my own joke. His mother was a horrible cook, and I don’t say that lightly.

“I sure hope not.” He grinned back at me and my insides turned to jelly. This was the first time he and I had ever had any one on one time and if this was how I was going to act, it was going to be the last.

“It’s almost ready. Did you need my help with anything?” Duh, he obviously didn’t need my
help
, opinion maybe, but that was about it.

“Nah, I think I’m at a stopping point tonight. I just needed to know what direction you wanted to take in the design. I can work up some things to show you next time. Would
you
like any help?”

“Well, I guess you could put together the salad. I’ve got all of the fixings over there.” I motioned to the counter behind me as I pulled more chicken out of the pan.

“You got it.” He walked to the sink and washed his hands before turning toward the vegetables. Wow, he even made sure his hands were clean before handling food. It made my chef’s heart thump harder.

“So Ethan, are you seeing anyone special right now?” Crap. What kind of brain fart would make me ask him a question like that? Not only was it none of my business, but did I really want to know if he was?

“Nah. I haven’t had the time, really. I’ve been working my butt off since I graduated. I’m trying to make myself indispensable at W&J. Plus, I’ve been doing this freelance work making websites.”

I was inappropriately happy with his answer and I smiled and nodded before I realized he was behind me and couldn’t see what I was doing. “That’s cool.” Kill me now. I can’t believe I sound so juvenile.

“Here you go.” The next thing I knew he was right beside me with a bowl of salad.

“Uh, thanks. We can just eat here on the island. If you want you can get out some plates.” I had to get him away from me when I started noticing how good he smelled. This whole evening was spiraling out of my control. It almost felt like a date.
 

“No problem. I really like your kitchen. It’s so homey.” He said this as he opened up cabinets looking for my dishes. I used this time to drain my potatoes for mashing.

“Thanks, it was one of the reasons I chose this house. You know I’ve got to be able to cook.” He set out the plates and I quickly mashed the potatoes. I needed to feed him and hurry him along before I said something that made me look like a fool.

“So, are
you
seeing anyone?” His question caught me off guard. I shouldn’t have been surprised; I had just been equally nosy. I looked over at him and he winked at me. He
winked.
What the hell was going on here?

“Uh, no. I, uh…no.” He had done it. He had officially robbed me of my powers of coherent speech. Not only that, I could tell I was blushing from my head to my toes. He continued to look at me and he smiled at my answer. Well, maybe he was smiling at my blush, I don’t know. All I knew for sure was that he was making me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling towards him.

Thankfully the food was ready so I slid the platter of chicken closer to where we were going to sit. I walked around to the other side of the island and plopped down next to him. “Dig in.”

“Wow Juliet, this looks and smells great. I can’t thank you enough for making dinner.”

“It was the least I could do for dragging you over here. Anyway, I love cooking for an appreciative man. I mean person.” Stupid, stupid, stupid.

He smiled and we reached for the chicken at the same time. When our hands brushed I felt a zing go up my arm. I jerked my hand back at the same time Ethan said, “Ladies first.”

“Thanks.” I mumbled it so I’m not actually sure he heard it, but I grabbed a thigh and dropped it onto my plate.

“I’m a breast man, myself,” he said cockily as he picked up a piece. I looked over at him but he gave me an innocent look as if to say “What?” so I turned my eyes back to my own food.

We ate in relative silence, Lucy begging and getting morsels from time to time. By the time we were finished I was in a state of high arousal. I could hardly believe the effect he had on me. This was not good at all. I decided that next time he came over I was going to invite Carrie over as well. I needed the buffer.