Page 5

5

NATALIE

I arrive at Micomonicos at 6:50 pm, and the host, dressed in all black, leads me over to the table. The place is incredibly familiar—I worked here for a whopping five weeks about six years ago—but thankfully, the staff has entirely turned over, and no one recognizes me.

Our table is in the center of the dining room, surrounded by dozens of other tables, all with a single burning candle in the center. The chatter of the other diners is soft, and the lights are low. Very romantic, indeed.

I’d gone with a sheath dress, midnight black and form-fitting. I even opted for contacts so he could see how careful I was with my makeup. As soon as I sit, my phone buzzes with a text.

Ethan: I'll be five minutes late. Stuck in traffic. Order whatever expensive wine you want as an apology. See you soon.

I sigh and put the phone back in my purse, signaling a server. It's totally understandable. Boston traffic is a nightmare, but I'm just so anxious to see him.

The wine gets delivered, and I'm in the middle of a sip when someone sits across from me. The glass obscures my vision at first, so I assume it’s Ethan, and I smile as I set the glass down.

That smile dies the second I recognize Jason. Holy shit. He must have followed me.

He leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. I try to sit back to get more distance from him, but it's pointless. One wrong move, and I'm going to make a scene because anything is preferable to being near him.

"Natalie."

I swallow. "Jason. How did you even find me?"

His lips curl up in a smile. It makes me uncomfortable because he seems too calm. I'm looking around, wondering where the staff are, but he grabs my hands before I can get up. "Don't you miss me, babe? You've been avoiding me all this time."

I want to retort, but his hands tighten. "You're hurting me," I say softly. He looks down and releases me.

"I just want to talk," he insists, "but you keep ignoring me. I thought I'd show up and see what was going on." He leans back, studying me. "I saw him leave your place this morning. That prick from last night."

My eyes narrow. "That's none of your business. Get the hell out of here."

"It is my business! We had a connection! We had a relationship!" He's shouting now. A couple of the other tables look over. "You didn't want to give me a second chance, but now you'll give it to that guy?"

Before I can respond, a hand lands on Jason's shoulder, and he freezes. I look up, relief pouring over me when I see Ethan's face, even if it is contorted in anger. His fingers tighten, and I see Jason flinch.

"I think it's time for you to leave." Ethan's voice is calm. Quiet. Dangerous.

"It's none of your business." Jason's jaw is set, his hands clenched into fists on the table.

"I'm making it my business. If you don't walk out the door in five seconds, I'll personally drag your ass to the police station and file a restraining order."

Jason doesn't respond, his gaze flicking over to me. I try to keep my expression even, but I'm terrified he'll lash out, and it feels like all eyes are on us now. "Four cameras on you, asshole," I whisper, glancing around, and I see several phones pointed at Jason, recording him. The color drains from his face, and he slowly gets to his feet. Jason turns to leave, but before he can, Ethan grabs his shoulder again, his voice low and ominous. "Apologize to Natalie. Now."

His grip tightens, and Jason winces. "Fine. Natalie, I'm sorry," he mumbles.

Ethan squeezes even harder. "Like you fucking mean it."

I can't believe it, but my heart warms. Ethan has never looked so protective, so scary, or so hot.

"I'm sorry!" Jason blurts, pulling away and leaving. I exhale as soon as he's out the door. The room returns to its former quiet murmur. I see Ethan's jaw is still tense, and I stand, going up to him and resting my hand on his arm. His muscles relax beneath my touch, and he pulls me into a hug, kissing my forehead. Never has a man stuck up for me like this ever, and knowing it's my Ethan, my childhood friend, my forever crush, has me reeling.

I feel hot all over, and even just the gentle touch of his lips on my forehead has me coming undone.

I grab his hand, pulling him towards the back of the restaurant. "Follow me." He doesn't question it. His fingers squeeze mine as we duck into a side hallway used for storage. There's a coat room in the back of the hallway that wasn't used when I worked here six years ago, and must be basically abandoned now.

It's the perfect place to show him my appreciation because my mind isn't on dinner anymore. It's on Ethan, and there's no way in hell I can wait until we're back at my place to show him how much he means to me.

Nearly kicking the coat room door down, I drag him inside and shut us in. As soon as the door clicks shut, I’m on him, kissing him like I’m starving, and he’s the only sustenance I need.

"You're insane," he laughs against my lips but doesn't pull away.

"I know," I tell him. "But I've never been so turned on in my life."

The coat closet is dark, but I don't need a light with Ethan. No one uses coat checks anymore, so the room is nearly empty, with a few old pea coats hanging in the very back.

Ethan's back hits the wall, and his hands come up, cupping my face. I feel a thrill of anticipation as he kisses me deeper, pulling my bottom lip between his teeth, and it drives me wild.

"Fuck, baby," he growls into my neck, his hands sliding up my thighs to cup my ass.

"I want you to fuck me right here, right now," I tell him.

I feel his grin. "Yeah?"

I press closer, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Yeah.”

I want him so fucking much it hurts. I reach for the buckle on his pants, and Ethan curses softly. His cock is hot and heavy in my hand when I free it, and I love the way it pulses, growing harder with each stroke. I run my thumb over his tip, spreading the slick pre-come over him.

He thrusts into my hands. "Natalie..." he hisses. "If we get caught?—"

"We won't," I promise him. "I worked here for a few weeks as a hostess. Everyone forgets that this room exists."

Ethan lets out a shuddering breath, surrendering. I drop to my knees and lick his cock from root to tip. It jerks in my hands, making him groan. He likes this. Good. So do I. I don't suck him off immediately, teasing him until his fingers thread through my hair, and he growls, "Fuck, Natalie, please."

I drag my tongue down to the base of him and lick along the vein, savoring the low curse that slips past his lips. "Natalie, come here and fuck me, or I'll bend you over and make you come so hard you see stars."

"Don't make threats you're not going to follow through with." I tease his balls with my hand while my lips close over his cock, and then swallow as much as I can in one motion, all the way down to his base. His grip on my hair tightens.

I moan, sucking him deep before pulling off completely, looking up to meet his gaze. He looks almost feral, using his hands to coax me down again. I go happily, swallowing his length again and again. When he fucks my mouth, I don't hesitate, letting him take what he needs until he's so hard I'm sure he's about to come down my throat.

But he pulls me back, thighs trembling.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing, baby. I'm just ready to make good on my threat." His grin is wicked, and my heart hammers in my chest, pussy aching from emptiness. This is an entirely new side to Ethan, and I can't get enough. "Bend over."

I scramble to do as I'm told, and he's behind me, pushing my black dress up until my entire ass is exposed, and pulling my lace panties down my thighs until they're nearly at my knees. He uses a foot to knock my legs wider apart, my knees burning from the rough coat room carpet. I barely feel it. All I can focus on is the ache between my thighs and the way his zipper drags over the bare skin of my ass as he pushes down his pants and boxer briefs.

The blunt tip of his cock is so thick, and when he pushes in, my whole body clenches. I grip the metal pole the coats are hanging from, desperate for something to anchor myself on, and cry out his name, so fucking wet that it only takes a few thrusts for him to fill me completely. I whimper when he's fully inside, his chest brushing my back as he leans down over me to whisper in my ear, "You feel so fucking good, baby."

"Please, Ethan," I gasp. "Fuck me hard."

Ethan wraps a fist in my long hair and pulls my head back. He bites down on my ear, making me moan. "That what you want? You want me to fuck you hard in this dark closet, where anyone could find us?"

"Yes. Fuck yes. Please." I'm going to be so goddamn loud, but I don't care.

"Fuck." The sound is strangled, and he yanks my hips back to him. "Say my name, Natalie."

"Ethan..." I cry when his hips snap forward, the slap of his hips against my ass loud even over the buzz of the restaurant outside of this dark, empty closet. He fucks me so deeply that I forget everything, every single damn thing. I cover my mouth with my hand, my whole body shaking as he drives me toward an orgasm so intense I’m going to fucking blackout. I feel the scrape of his teeth against my neck, and I'm right there on the edge.

"I'm going to fill you up, and you're going to have to walk out of the restaurant full of my come, Natalie," he growls, thrusting so hard my thighs shake.

"Yes," I gasp, letting go. The orgasm crashes over me, making me shudder and shake so hard my legs threaten to buckle. It's so intense that I fall to my elbows, pussy spasming so hard I see stars. It's the most incredible, mind-blowing thing I've ever felt.

He fucks me through my orgasm, making sure I've gotten every bit of pleasure before he grabs my hips hard, and after three more thrusts, I feel the hot splash of him coming inside of me. I let out a little sigh of satisfaction.

I stay on the floor, legs like jelly, as Ethan leans in, kissing the side of my neck. "That was the hottest thing I've ever done."

"Mmmm..." I sigh and tilt my head to give him more access, and he grins against my skin. His stubble is a little scratchy but feels wonderful.

"Now, Ms. I-worked-here-before, how in the hell do we get out of here without having the cops called on us?"

I bite back a giggle, the thrill of almost getting caught and the euphoria of an amazing orgasm still racing through my veins. "Easy. We walk out and leave. It's all in the confidence, baby."

I rise to my knees, pulling up my underwear before standing and adjusting my dress. I know my hair is insane, but it'll have to do for now. Ethan tugs up his pants and runs a hand through his hair before doing up his zipper and buckle. He's definitely rumpled, and it makes my heart do a funny little skip. He's mine now.

"Do I look presentable?" he asks, quirking a brow at me. I'm still in his arms, and it makes me feel a little thrill of possession when he smiles down at me.

I smile and tug him closer. "Not even a little bit. You look thoroughly fucked, Hayes."

"Damn."

I grin and kiss him again. "I don't mind a bit."

The kiss is brief but deep, and he releases me. We exit the closet and the room together, walking calmly toward the exit. He puts a possessive hand on my back, and it sends another thrill down my spine.

I give him one more flirty smile before we walk outside together. It's started raining again, a steady, misting drizzle. I look up at Ethan, smiling. "You still owe me dinner, you know."

"I'll order you any takeout you want. Let's just get to my car and back to my place."

"Agreed." I let him take my hand, fingers linking together as he leads me towards the parking lot. "Can we shower while it's being delivered?"

Ethan makes a pleased sound in his chest. "Hell yes, we can. Just don't complain if we take so long the food gets cold."

I give him a look, which I hope communicates my total willingness to do just that. He laughs, and I don't think I've ever seen him so happy.

I can't wait to get to the shower and finally take off this damn dress. And I can't wait to have the rest of my life with Ethan. It’s a little soon for that thought, but who cares? I made the mistake of letting him walk out of my life before, and it’s never happening again.