Ethan's Song by Jan Carol Read Free Book Online Page A

wondered if he would ever tire out.
"Would you like something to drink?" He asked during a lull in the music. At her nod, he walked her to the dining area. "I’m afraid everyone is off duty."
"Let me get our drinks." Going behind the bar with him, she felt almost naked without his arms around her. "Your favorite martini? Or would you prefer something else?"
"What I’d prefer doesn’t come from bottles." He leaned against the wall, watching her. "Fix what you like, I’ll have the same."
"If it’s all the same to you, I’ll settle for cream soda. I don’t feel I should be drinking any more tonight." Her eyes remained on the two glasses she had taken out from under the bar.
"Don’t trust me, or yourself, Jenà" He didn’t move. "Cream soda would be fine." He accepted the glass from her when she held it out to him, holding her hand beneath his a little longer than she felt necessary. "Should I have the music turned off now?"
"I’m enjoying it. Care to sit outside?" The lights had been turned out, everyone gone downstairs but them. "I like to look at the stars out here. In the city they aren’t as bright."
Taking her arm, he walked outside with her. The chill in the air concerned him. "Will you need a jacket?"
"I’ll be all right for a little while yet." Her words were sighed. "Isn’t it so beautiful out here?" He sat in a lounge, pulling her onto his lap. "Ethan, I really don’t think..."
Her words were stopped by his fingers. "Sh-h-h. Listen to the night." The sounds of the waves hitting the yacht were as comforting as a river rushing down its bed. He let her get comfortable, then wrapped his arms around her.
"Is this part of my job, too?" She smiled, turning toward him with her hands on his shoulders. "I could grow to like this job, you know."
"Could you, now?" His eyes seemed to be devouring her. "I think I’ll hire you permanently. Would that suit you, Jenà?" To his surprise, but delight, she didn’t answer, but reached up and started a kiss, which he immediately took over.
She knew better than to start that, but it was something she couldn’t help, something she had been wanting to do since they had began dancing. His kisses were something she had quickly grown to enjoy.
Setting his glass down on the floor beside his chair, he reached up, taking the one out of her hand. His free hand began to touch places on her that caused her to stiffen. Changing his tactics, he placed his hands on her bare shoulders, pushing her away from him.
"Jená." His voice held a warning. "If you’re going to start something..."
With a hand to her puffy lips, she closed her eyes. "I’m sorry, Ethan. I don’t know what got into me." Trying to get off his lap, to move to safer grounds, she found him pulling her back against him.
"I think you could use a good stiff drink. You need to learn to relax." His words caused the opposite effect than the one he was talking about. "You see? You’re so tense."
"Well? What do you expect?" She pushed against him, being allowed to sit up, to look in his eyes. "I’m not ready for what you’re demanding of me."
"Demanding? That’s almost what I’d say about the way you’re kissing me. I feel you demanding more of me. I’m just complying, Jenà."
"I think I should go to bed." She was let up, but was he beside her before she could leave.
"I agree." His arms were in the right places without her realizing what he was doing, and before she knew it, he had her up in the air. "Off to bed we go."
"That’s not what I meant, Ethan." She kicked and squirmed, holding back a scream. "Is this all you have on your mind? Getting me in your bed, then dumping me when you’re through?"
Ethan’s footsteps stopped inside the door, beside the stairs. "Dump you when I’m through?" His voice had a touch of anger. "What else have you heard about me that I should know?"
"You aren’t denying it." She pouted, hoping she wasn’t right in listening to the others. "You’re the love ‘em and leave ‘em type, from