Chapter twenty seven

Chapter twenty seven
Chapter twenty seven

Heather

Ethan stopped in front of my apartment door and put me down on my feet. I stared at the ground, trying to figure out how to tell him that I had forgotten my key card at the bar. I had been too busy with…other things since I moved in and I hadn't installed a passcode yet.

To be honest, it was his fault that I forgot my purse. If he hadn't barged in and acted like a possessive asshole, I wouldn't have had to storm out like that without my purse.

But I didn't say any of that. I just leaned on my door, my gaze fixed on the floor, and waited for him to leave. But of course, he didn't do that.

“You should go in, get some rest.” Ethan said, showing no sign of leaving.

I didn't give him a response or even acknowledge his presence. I needed him to leave so I could think of what to do next.

“Alright. I guess, I should get going then. Good night.”

Again, no response.

He hesitated for a few seconds before turning around and disappearing into his apartment. I slumped to the floor and blew a shaky breath. I closed my eyes and tried to think of the next step.

The logical thing would be to go to the lobby and ask the receptionist to call the apartment maintenance for a spare key, but I was too tired and drunk to make the journey downstairs. Or I could just ask Ethan to help me call the maintenance since he was the landlord.

But all I did was sit down on the bare floor, clutching the jacket tight around me, and stare into space. I didn't know how long had passed since I sat down there. I only stood up when I felt the urge to throw up.

I clutched my stomach and tried to rein in the vomit, but the urge was too strong.

Why did I think it was a good idea to drink so much when I could barely keep my alcohol down?

I couldn't get into my apartment without doing either one of the two conclusions I came to. I didn't think I could go down fourteen floors at this moment without throwing up in the elevator. Which left me with only one option, my least favorite.

I didn't let myself contemplate it much before rushing to Ethan's door. I rang the doorbell impatiently while still clutching my stomach. It was getting very hard to keep the vomit down.

Ethan opened the door a few seconds later, his face pinched with worry like he already knew I was the one. He'd taken of his shirt and he had a towel around his neck. He was clearly going for a shower. Icouldn't gawk over his shirtless body due to my pressing needs.

“I need to use your bathroom.” I blurted.

He stepped aside and gestured for me to come in.

“It's over there.” he pointed to a small door at the far end of the living room.

I gave him a simple nod and rushed towards the place. I managed to make it to the toilet before my control slipped and I threw up.

I hauled my guts out for a few more seconds before slumping to the floor, exhausted. I released a sigh of relief.

God, that was embarrassing. I'd came to ask him to call maintenance and I ended up throwing up. I hope he didn't hear anything.

But since luck seem to always be against me, I heard Ethan's voice from the other side of the door.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

“Mmhmm.” I muttered.

“Should I come in there?”

My eyes widened when he said that. I immediately answered, “No, don't! I'm fine. I'll be out in a bit.”

I flushed the vomit, washed my hands and rinsed my mouth at the sink. I opened the door with a wide smile on my face.

“Hi!” I tried my best to hide my embarassment, but it didn't even seem like he noticed. His eyes were filled with worry.

“Do you feel fine? Should I get you some hangover pills?” he moved closer to me and placed a hand on my forehead.

“I'm fine. No need for the pills, I threw everything up. I'm sober now.”

He was so close that my vision was filled with the sight of his muscled chest. They seem more defined than they were eight years ago. I felt the urge to touch him and feel the hardness beneath my skin. I wanted to do more than just touch him. I wanted him to touch me too, and not just in a casual way.

“Do you always receive your guests like this?” I chuckled.

Okay, maybe I was still a bit drunk. Completely sober me would have never flirted with Ethan like this.

His lips tilted slightly like he was trying to fight a smile.

“Only the drunk ones. You know what they say about alcohol. The shit loosens your inhibition and let you get tempted easily.” he shrugged in a casual way, but the tension emanating from him says otherwise.

I found myself leaning forward just a little bit. His eyes flared slightly but he stayed still, he was so still I wasn't sure he was breathing.

“Are you trying to tempt me then?” I breathed, my voice low and daring.

He leaned so close that his scent filled all my senses. I breathed in the earthy scent. I didn't realize I was moving backwards until my back hit the bathroom door.

He dipped his head until his breath was caressing my ear. Then he whispered, “That depends. Are you tempted?”

He stared into my eyes, his gaze filled with passion and lust. Heat scorched my cheeks, traveling straight to my core. I traced the firm slopes of his chest without breaking his gaze.

I felt him shiver under my touch. I placed my hand on his heart and felt the erratic beating. He placed his hand on mine and entwined our fingers together. He didn't say anything, but his tender gaze told me everything. This wasn't just about lust anymore. It was something more.

And it was that thought that made me retreat my hand and step away, the haze of alcohol disappearing.

“Millie, I…”

“I left my purse at the bar and I can't get in ‘cause my key was inside.” I cut in. “I was hoping you could help me find a spare. My phone is in my purse so I can't call maintenance.”

He stared at me for a few seconds before nodding, his gaze hardening. The lust filled atmosphere dissipated within seconds.

“I'll go wait outside my room then. Thank you for letting me use your bathroom.” I turned to leave when he stopped me.

“You can wait here till they arrive. I'll can get you something to eat while you wait.”

“Oh no, I’m fine with waiting outside. I don't think your girlfriend will appreciate another girl waiting in your apartment this late.” I didn't mean for the words to come out so harsh, but I couldn't help it.

I wanted so bad to establish that boundary, to remind myself that he wasn't single and I couldn't flirt with someone else's man, no matter how drunk or not drunk I was.

Ethan seem like me wanted to say something, and I really wanted him too, but he just shook his head.

“You have a little vomit on your dress and you reek of alcohol. Do you really want to go sit outside in the freezing cold with that short dress?”

I stared down at my dress. True to his words, there was a line of vomit on my dress. I hadn't noticed it before. A quiet curse slipped out of my mouth.

“You could take a shower in the bathroom if you want. I'll get you some clean clothes to change into.” he said.

He must have sensed the contemplation on my face because he added, “Before you say anything, I'm not going to try to make a move on you while you're in the shower. I'm not like that.”

His eyes flashed either hurt after those words. I suddenly felt bad for implying he was a cheater when I was the one who made a move on him first.

“Thank you.” I said.

He simply nodded and walked away. I waited until he showed up again with some clothes in his hand, this time he had a shirt on.

“You can leave your dress in the bathroom. I'll have it dry-cleaned and sent back to you.” he said as he handed me the clothes.

“No need for that. I'll just that them with me when I get my key. Thank you though.”

He nodded. “I called the club manager. Fortunately, the bartender saw the purse and kept it. They'll send someone over with it tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, thank you.” I said because I had no idea what to say to that.

Thankfully, he didn't hang around much for me to find out. He went to what I assumed was his bedroom later.

I took a long shower. When I was done, I had sobered up entirely. I wore the clothes, a long hoodie and some pants.

He'd really meant it when he said he had no intentions of making any move on me. I didn't know why the thought made my chest tightened.

I tied my hair into a loose bun, a few strands falling in my face, and stepped out of the bathroom.

I took a deep breath and silently prayed I didn't take anymore bad decisions before the night ended.