Liz nodded, feeling a little disappointed. She had been dreaming of making love with Ethan since Halloween. He laid her back on the couch and took her pajama bottoms off and threw them on the floor. He opened her legs wide and looked at her pretty pink mound. “Beautiful,” he whispered and she felt her cheeks blush. He touched her lightly with his fingers first. It felt like a feather whispering over her skin, making her shiver. He blew his warm breath on her pussy. Then he inserted first one finger then two into her soaking-wet folds. “Someone is very wet.”
Liz blushed, feeling a little embarrassed at how much she wanted him. “Always for you, Deputy.” Then she couldn’t talk as he found her clit and played with it, making her groan loudly. She grabbed his shoulders tightly, feeling pleasure so intense and so incredible building up inside of her. Her body tightened with the sensations going through her body and she went over the cliff, falling into a deep abyss. “Oh, Ethan!” she yelled out and climaxed in his arms.
They lay there together for a few minutes quietly. “That was good for me but not for you.” She pouted, rubbing his back and loving the feel of his weight on top of her.
Ethan sat up, pulling her with him. He watched her lovingly as she re-dressed. “Tonight was for you but I enjoyed myself, too.” Once she started yawning, Ethan knew it was time to go. One day he would not have to leave her side, he vowed.
“I will pick you up tomorrow for our date,” Ethan reminded her, kissing her softly and gently, keeping it light. If he kissed her with passion like he wanted to he would never have the strength to leave her.
Liz smiled at him. “I am so excited about our date.”
That night she fell asleep feeling hopeful for the future and thinking of Ethan and his hot kisses.
The next evening Liz stood in front of her bedroom mirror looking at her reflection. She stood dressed only in a lacy black bra and matching thong. Ethan was coming to pick her up in less than an hour and she had no idea what to wear. It was a strange thing for a clothes store owner to say. She had plenty of clothes in her closet, but one of Ethan’s complaints had been that she was too sophisticated. Fashion had been drummed into her since she could dress herself. How did one dress down? Ethan said he was taking her to an Italian restaurant that Ryan recommended.
She sat on the bed feeling panicky. Maybe Ethan was right and they had no common ground besides the physical aspect of it. She decided to call Lacy and ask for her advice.
“Hello?” Lacy answered cheerfully.
“Lacy, it’s me, Liz. I have a problem. I’m supposed to be going on a date with Ethan and I don’t know what to wear,” Liz explained, nervously biting a nail and pacing her bedroom floor.
“Liz, that’s crazy. You own a clothes store for goodness sake!” Lacy laughed. “And I hope you are not asking me fashion advice because I like jeans and flannel shirts and if I’m going out I’ll throw a sweater on.”
“Ethan is taking me to an Italian place Ryan recommended.” She went on to explain her worries. “Maybe I should cancel. What if it’s a disaster? What if Ethan is not attracted to me? He might say I’m too skinny.”
“Okay, Liz, stop and take a deep breath,” Lacy suggested. “You’re just nervous and driving yourself crazy with doubts. You and Ethan belong together.”
Liz sat on her bed and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “You’re right. This date is so important. I want him to like me, Lacy.”
“Ethan likes you already, silly. You’ll like Sergio’s. It’s casual but very romantic with candles on the table. Wear jeans and a nice blouse and you’ll be fine, I promise.”
“Thanks, Lacy. I feel better.” Liz sighed. She was just letting her nerves get to her. Either Ethan liked her or he didn’t. She couldn’t force it so she just had to see how the night went.
“Ryan says just kiss Ethan’s brains out and he will love you forever.” Lacy repeated Ryan’s words while laughing. “Men are simple creatures, honey. Remember your advice to me when I was worried about how Ryan felt about me? You said just seduce the guy and it will all work itself out.”
Liz laughed. “I remember. Thanks.” She hung up the phone feeling happier. She pulled out a dark pair of blue jeans and topped it with a green cable-knit sweater and brown suede boots. She added some gold hoop earrings. That was easy. She sprayed some perfume, checked her hair and makeup one more time, and went to wait for Ethan in the living room.
* * * *
Ethan had the radio on but the volume was set low so they could talk. “I hope you like this place. I’ve never been there but Ryan says it’s great.”
“I’m sure I will. I love Italian food and Lacy said it was very romantic. She has fond memories of the place because when she talks of it she gets all mushy,” Liz said with a smile. “This is our first date and I have to admit I am a little nervous.”
Ethan chuckled. “I guess it would ruin my tough-guy image if I said I am, too. We want to make good impressions on each other.”
“I called Lacy to see what to wear,” Liz admitted, feeling silly about her panic attack now.
Ethan laughed. “You, Ms. Fashionista herself?”
“Well, one of your complaints was the way I dressed,” Liz reminded him.
Ethan groaned. “I didn’t mean to sound like I didn’t approve of how you look. I love how you dress. You are sexy and classy. I just thought you wouldn’t want to go out with a small-town deputy who hates suits and parties and doesn’t drive a sports car like Gary.”
“I’m not like that, Ethan. I don’t judge others and I can’t help how I grew up. Do you think spending all my time with various nannies instead of my parents was fun? I would have loved a normal family life where parents take an interest in their kids, and a real home would have been nice instead of hotel after hotel,” she said wistfully, looking into the night. “I love my parents but they are both so busy.”
Ethan felt bad when he realized how lonely Liz’s childhood must have been. He wanted to make her smile not feel depressed. “I’ll introduce you to my family, angel. They are a wild bunch. My sister, Kari, lives with her husband and two rambunctious boys in St. Louis. My parents have a house in Appledale but spend so much of their time with my sister, but they will all be here for Christmas, and you’ll get to know them if they don’t scare you away with all their nosy questions.”
Liz smiled warmly at Ethan. She took him wanting her to meet his family as a good sign. “That sounds nice. I’d love to meet them.”
They chatted casually on the rest of the drive. She told him about her old job in Chicago and how she started her store. He talked about growing up in Appledale with Gabe, Logan, and Ryan and how no matter where he traveled Appledale was home.
The restaurant was small and intimate. It had a romantic atmosphere. Red-and-white checkered tablecloths covered the tables. The lights were dimmed low and candles were lit on every table. Liz loved the food and Ethan was a wonderful date. She enjoyed talking to him, and he made her laugh with funny stories. He listened to her when she talked and asked for her opinion on several subjects and she was surprised they shared the same views on family values. He held her hand while they were waiting for the food to arrive and kissed her knuckles softly.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” he whispered with a sexy grin on his face.
Liz’s cheeks turned a pretty pink. “Thank you, Ethan. I’m having the best time and I’m so glad we came. I see why Ryan and Lacy like this place so much.”
“Me, too. Next time we’ll see a movie. I guess I can sit through a chick flick.” He sighed dramatically as if it would be an ordeal.
Liz laughed. “How brave of you but I have to confess I like police thrillers and action flicks more. I’d rather be sitting on the edge of my seat in suspense than sniffing into a tissue.”
Ethan looked at her in shock with his mouth open. “We might have to get married right now,” he joked.
Liz felt mushy inside at his words even though she knew he was only kidding.
They lingered, drinking coffee slowly and talking until Ethan looked at his watch. “Wow, we’ve been here a while. Guess we’d better go.”
When he took her home that night she smiled at him. “I had a great time, Ethan.”
“I had fun, too, Liz.” Ethan hadn’t expected that they would find so much to talk about, but Liz was funny and smart and so caring about other people. Her honesty showed in the way she talked and the way she treated the people around her. He had been so wrong about her.
“Let me walk you to your door,” he offered, opening the car door for her and helping her out of the car.
Liz’s smile was flirty. “Do we get to kiss on the first date at least?”
Ethan laughed, walking up the stairs behind her. “You bet. That’s the best part.”
They reached the door and Liz looked at him with a flirty grin. “Want to come in?”
“I’d better not, too much temptation, angel. I’m trying to get on Santa’s nice list and you’re not helping,” he joked but he pulled her close into his own body and she snuggled into his warmth. Liz loved the way his big body sheltered hers from the cold temperatures. “I love how I feel so safe and warm in your arms, Ethan. I love how hard and muscular you are. It’s a big turn-on for me.”
Ethan groaned at her words and felt himself getting aroused. “You are a naughty temptress, aren’t you? Maybe I will come in for a minute.”
Liz turned to unlock her door but it was already open. She looked back at Ethan with a scared look on her face. She knew she had locked her door.
Ethan pulled her back and put her behind him. He called Gabe from his cell phone then told Liz, “Stay here while I have a look. Gabe is on his way. If you hear anything, lock yourself in the car.”
Liz nodded and shivered with fear. She had no intention of leaving Ethan until Gabe arrived, but she wasn’t letting Ethan know that. It had to be Gary. Had he finally lost his mind? Gary had to know they were on to him yet he continued to harass her.
Ethan came out and hugged her, feeling her body shiver. It made him angrier with Gary for frightening her. “It’s empty.”
“Thank God,” Liz whispered, comforted by his strength and his presence. She was so glad she hadn’t been alone then gasped when she remembered her security system. “I have cameras all over the building and they’re recording.”
“We’ll go see the footage. There’s a note on your table and the roses are all broken and stomped on. I’m sorry,” he explained angrily, not wanting to hide how dangerous this situation was becoming. Gary was getting sloppy now and that would be his downfall. Ethan wanted Gary’s snobby butt in jail.
Liz insisted on seeing the note first. Instead of being scared she was angered. How dare Gary call her a whore. She didn’t sleep around.
“Liz, will you stay with my aunt Mary for a couple of days?” Ethan asked. “It’s not safe here and I would feel better knowing you are nearby and not alone.”
“Why can’t I stay with you?” she asked.
“I’d love that but I promised you time to get to know me. I have a one-bedroom cottage. I’d never be able to keep my hands off you, angel,” Ethan explained.
Liz hugged him and rested her head on his chest. “I don’t want you to resist me, Ethan. That was your idea, not mine. I want to make love with you. I’ve wanted you since we danced on Halloween and that hasn’t changed.”
“Now you tell me,” he teased her, kissing her lips. “Go pack a bag. I hear Gabe’s car.”
Liz went to her bedroom and packed enough clothes for overnight and for tomorrow. She was excited yet nervous. She had the feeling she and Ethan would be explosive together, and she couldn’t wait to find out.
When she was done, she went out into the living room where Ethan and Gabe stood talking in low voices. Ethan sensed her presence and looked up and smiled.
“Let’s go see the tapes.”
Gabe patted her shoulder and updated her on what was going on. “Ryan had a talk with Gary yesterday at the bank and I thought he was going to pee himself. He looked so scared. Maybe this is his way of telling us he thinks he can outsmart us.”
Liz took them down to her shop and turned the alarm off, letting them in. “I regret not getting an alarm on the apartment now. But at least the store is covered.”
Liz rewound the camera and replayed it. “Right there.” She pointed out a dark figure going up her steps. He was wearing a black hoodie that covered his face. Liz sighed in disappointment.
“Don’t worry, Liz, I’ll take this to the station and see if I can catch his car or any clue that it’s Gary,” Gabe told her. “Don’t worry. He thinks we are dumb hick cops and that will be his downfall.”
Liz nodded and locked the store back up. She was going to do her best to concentrate on Ethan and her tonight and not on her problems. The problems would still be there tomorrow.
Ethan’s house was in back of his Aunt Mary’s bed and breakfast on the outskirts of town. It was too dark to see much but she saw tall evergreen trees lining the road that led to the house. When she walked up to the porch steps, the light turned on automatically. She could then see the house was a small but charming log-style cabin with a rocking chair on the porch but no plants or flowers. Ethan unlocked the door and ushered her inside. He turned a small lamp on inside the hallway. The rest of the house was still dark.