ELLIE
"Then... what do you think?" I asked, finally stepping out of the bathroom after finishing getting dressed.
Sitting on the sofa in the corner, arranged in a deliciously irresistible way, he remained silent as his eyes roamed over my body.
"What? Do you think it's a bit much?" I insisted, still uncertain about the white dress, especially because of the slit that ran almost all the way up the front of my left thigh.
"Come here," he said simply.
"For what?" I questioned, hesitating a little before approaching.
I stopped at a safe distance, anticipating his intentions.
"Are you scared?" he teased, with a wicked smile. "Closer."
"If you're not going to tell me what you think, we better go. I'm starving."
"So am I," he said suggestively, devouring me with his gaze. "If you want to know what I think, I need to see more up close."
"Will you keep your hands to yourself?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"You know I can't promise that."
"Then let's go." I turned toward the exit.
"That wasn't a request, Brown," he said authoritatively, making me stop again.
Pressing my lips together, I tried to hide my smile before turning to face him again.
"What?"
"I said closer. Obey." His firm and seductive tone almost made my legs give way.
Swallowing hard, I tried to stay strong.
"And if I don't obey? What will you do?" I challenged, entering the game.
"I'll delight myself all night, knowing that the marks of my fingers are under that dress. So, make your choice."
*Hmm.* Did he intend to punish me? That was so tempting. I stared at his hands, imagining the sensation of his fingers pressing into my skin.
"So... will it be the easy way or the hard way?"
"You know I always prefer the hard way," I teased, threatening to turn my back on him. "But..." I faced him again. "On second thought, I'd hate to have to kill you for dirtying my dress," I teased.
Unable to resist, I slowly approached until I stood before him.
"Good girl," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over every inch of me.
Raising his index finger, he twirled it, signaling me to spin around. Sighing, I obeyed, but only after rolling my eyes.
A deep, velvety sound escaped his throat in response, a mix of a purr and a moan of satisfaction that sent a soft shiver down my spine.
"Beautiful and delicious," he said in the same tone, extending one of his hands to me, which I took. "Now, let me see what you're wearing underneath," he teased, pulling me onto his lap abruptly, making me lose my balance.
Laughing, I wrapped an arm around his neck as I fell into his lap.
"We're late," I argued, admiring his perfect face.
"We just need to lift a little..." he murmured, sliding his fingers along the slit on my thigh.
Holding his face between my hands, I forced him to look at me.
"There's nothing to see... because I'm not wearing anything," I revealed in a provocative whisper.
"Fuck..." he growled softly, closing his eyes. "Now, I really need to see."
"Maybe you'll see later, if you behave," I teased. "Now let's go, everyone must already be downstairs."
✽
Hand in hand, Ethan and I descended the entrance stairs and followed the stone path until we stepped onto the expansive lawn of the hotel's front garden.
Small lights had been placed on the grass, forming a trail that led guests to the edge of the garden, where a structure had been set up to serve the New Year's Eve dinner.
It was possible to see tables covered with white tablecloths and many lights and hanging lanterns, giving the environment a magical and enchanting atmosphere.
As we approached, a soft melody became clearer, revealing the live music.
Feeling the chilly night breeze caress my face and the skin exposed by the dress made me feel even more alive. Smiling, I tightened the stole around my shoulders, almost managing to ignore the cold.
When we finally arrived at the location, I was amazed at the view. The lights and lanterns scattered around reflected in the water of the small lake at the edge of the lawn, creating an almost ethereal setting.
"Ellie, over here!" Rosie's voice sounded, drawing my attention to the surrounding tables, filled with people.
Quickly, my eyes scanned them, finding her, and also our other friends, at one near the edge of the lake.
Smiling and waving back, I headed toward them, pulling Ethan between the tables.
"We were starting to think you got lost in the hotel," Rosie teased after we greeted everyone.
"I think you meant in bed," Phillipa added, pretending to cough as we sat in the empty chairs, opposite the lake.
I shot an accusatory look at Ethan, making it clear that it was his fault we were late. If it were up to him, we'd really be in bed right now.
"So? Have you ordered anything yet?" Ethan asked, sitting to my left.
"Not yet, we were waiting for you," Jason replied.
"They did a great job here," I commented, still admiring the decoration around and feeling the soft music envelop me.
"Yes, it's beautiful," Phillipa agreed, staring at the lights hanging above us.
"Yes, it really is," Ethan whispered beside me, making me smile as I met his gaze focused on me.
"I think we can order dinner now, since there are only three hours until midnight," Neil observed.
"Yes, otherwise I'll be drunk before that," Jason said, raising his wine glass, and prompting smiles around the table.
After placing our orders, the conversation continued animatedly and nostalgically, with memories and stories from the past, and continued the same as we enjoyed a delicious dinner and plenty of wine.
It made me wish all our friends were present, like on our trip to France. But this longing, in particular, was greater for Anna and Will, because they always treated me as if I were part of their family. I needed to remember to call them later.
"A penny for your thoughts," Ethan said after refilling my glass once more, placing his hand on my thigh.
"I was just thinking about our friends, and how they're five hours behind now," I joked.
"Yes, we'll call to wish them a happy new year when we wake up tomorrow, at noon," he teased, leaning in to kiss my temple as his hand slid dangerously up my thigh. "I love your scent," he whispered, making me shiver.
"How much have you had to drink?" I asked, staring into his brown eyes with a dangerous gleam.
"Probably not enough. How many hours until the new year?" he asked, turning to Neil.
"Twenty minutes," Neil replied after checking his watch.
"Almost there..." Ethan murmured, sighing as he slid his hand to the inside of my thigh under the table.
I swallowed hard, feeling a wave of heat spread across my skin. Not wearing any panties didn’t help.
Clenching my thighs together, I tried to push his hand away as I leaned forward to grab my glass, but just when I thought he’d remove it, he went even further, grazing his fingers over my sex the moment I brought the glass to my lips.
The sensation nearly made me choke on the drink. Struggling to keep my composure, I pinched his arm, forcing him to pull his hand away.
"Just as I thought," he murmured with a smug smile, probably proud that I was wet.
For the next few minutes, my only task was to keep his hands off me. So I was grateful when everyone stood up for a toast, just before midnight.
"To love..." Ethan began, raising his glass before anyone else and holding my gaze. "And to friends!" he continued, offering a look to the others around the table.
*"To love and friends!"* we all repeated, moved, raising our glasses.
A moment later, all the other guests began to rise from their tables, getting ready for the countdown.
Standing behind me, Ethan wrapped his arms around me as the voices and buzz around us grew louder. I allowed myself to be enveloped by his scent, his warmth, and the strength of his embrace.
I’m not sure if it was the effect of the wine, but everything seemed to happen so fast after that. The countdown, the cheering, the hugs and kisses among our friends, the lanterns being released into the sky above the lake. The moment felt so magical and surreal that I felt slightly dizzy.
"Happy New Year, my love," Ethan whispered, finding me again and hugging me from behind. "Our first of many," he said, kissing my neck.
Turning my attention away from the mesmerizing lanterns still rising into the sky, I turned to meet his gaze.
"Happy New Year," I whispered back, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning in to kiss him.
But unlike what I intended, our kiss, which started soft, quickly turned deep and hot, almost wild, with his grip tightening around me, igniting my whole body.
I was already breathless when I pulled my lips away, against his will.
"I can’t wait any longer," he said, letting go of me to grab my hand.
Pulling me through the crowd, he made me follow him across the lawn, getting farther and farther from the lights, leaving everyone behind.
"Wait... where are we going?" I asked, trying to figure out what he had in mind.
Suddenly stopping, he turned around and bent just enough to grab my thighs and lift me over his shoulder, making me laugh and let out a little squeal.