"Close your eyes."
Ethan growled. Grace just crossed her arms and patted her foot on the floor.
"Fine.” He closed his eyes.
Grace opened the door and led him through. “Okay, now open them,” she said and flipped on the light.
"Grace?” Ethan looked around the room. It had an easel with a canvas on it. The whole floor was covered in a drop cloth canvas. Several sets of paint and a bucket with brushes set on a table. “What is this?"
"Paint stuff.” Grace smiled. “You're an artist, so I asked the lady at the art gallery what you wouldn't be able to live without, and she gave me a list."
Ethan's heart swelled. Grace really didn't understand his work, but she understood him. She went to a lot of trouble to make his life easier. No other woman had done that. Grace didn't have to tell him how she felt. He could feel it, read it in every action. Grace loved him. Maybe she wasn't ready to admit it, but her actions shouted it from the rooftop.
"What kind of paint is this?” Ethan read the side of the can—nontoxic, no odor, body paint.
"I don't know. The lady at the supply store picked out the paint for me. I told her you painted people.” Grace smiled in satisfaction that he was happy.
"Indeed.” Ethan looked at Grace. “So, you feel like being painted?"
"Really?” It seemed exciting to sit for a portrait.
"Oh yeah.” Ethan knew she had no idea what he was up to. But this, this was an opportunity of a lifetime.
"Okay. What do you want me to do?"
"Take off your clothes, and stand right here."
The way he said that sent a wave of heat through her entire body. Grace couldn't believe he wanted to paint her naked. Should she?
"I don't know that you want to paint me naked, I mean, I have curves. They don't translate well to canvas.” Grace fidgeted with her shirt now.
"Oh, believe me, there is only one way to paint you, and it's naked. But don't worry. I won't share you with anyone, ever. Not like this.” Ethan handed her the paint can. “This will be for my eyes only."
Grace read the paint can. “Oh my."
"Oh yeah.” Ethan smiled. He pulled his shirt over his head and unbuttoned his shorts.
"Why are you taking your clothes off?"
"I don't want to get paint on them. Look I left my boxers on.” Ethan took the can from her hand, kissed her forehead. “Unless you want to paint first."
Grace swallowed hard. His voice was low and sultry. It brought images of all they had done back to the forefront of her mind in a rush. Ethan was a skillful lover, an amazingly generous lover. How could she deny a request that seemed to fuel that passion deep within? His big, brown eyes were dancing with light and mischief.
"I need to go to the bathroom first, take this makeup off, pull up my hair."
He nodded.
Grace quickly left the room. She headed right down the hall and into her bedroom bathroom. She took her clothes off and looked at herself in the full length mirror. Front then back. If she could shave a few pounds off, she would, but she couldn't, so she took a deep breath then headed back down the hall. He had seen it all before.
"Make yourself comfortable.” Ethan stood with the paint cans open and in a line on the floor. He held the pallet in his right hand and a brush in his left.
"I'm ready.” Grace had her hair pulled back and makeup scrubbed clean. “Where do you want me?"
"Right here.” Ethan pointed to the center of the floor's canvas. The fingers on his left hand twirled a small brush. There she was naked and ready to please him. God, he loved her. “Relax."
Grace stood in front of him, took a deep breath, and felt the cool sensation of wet paint mixed with a silky stroke of the brush hair along her left foot. She watched Ethan. His large masculine frame bowed at her feet. His intensity was arousing. The muscles in his back flexed and stretched as he alternated brushes and colors. His passion was unyielding.
Ethan looked up at her. Grace was watching him work. He had never been this intimate while painting. One brush clenched in his teeth, two more in his right hand, and the one he painted her thighs with in his left. The paint was dripping and sliding on his skin. It was a familiar feeling. The connection he had with Grace; now that was new.
"Are you comfortable?” Grace took a deep breath. She was still, very still.
"Are you?” Ethan removed the brush between his teeth to ask. He was harder than he had ever been in his life. Grace was just as turned on; he could see it. He couldn't help place a lick or nibble along her body before he painted the area. She was his, all his.
"I'm fine.” Grace smiled. The brushes were like little massages, delicate, sensual. The paint had no odor, so there were no fumes. All she could smell was Ethan, the slight scent of sandalwood rising from him into the air. Grace had a whole new appreciation for art.
"Yes, you are.” Ethan's voice was hungry.
Her nipples stood at attention as the tiny brush detailed each little bump on the areola. Her legs quivered, and her heart pounded. She felt beautiful and exotic. Grace desperately wanted to touch him with her freshly painted hands, to see the colors now on her skin against his.
Ethan kissed her neck before coloring in the last of the skin there. This was his masterpiece. The most amazing piece of art he had ever created. As soon as she stepped in the shower, it would be gone.
"Thank you for letting me do this.” Ethan kissed her lips.
It was hard to pull away from them. He could tell by the heat pouring from her chest that he could easily take her right there.
"Thank
you
.” Grace took the brush from his hand. Slowly, she slid it over his massive chest. “Did you want to paint my face and take a picture?"
"So everyone could see this? No way, this is mine.” The brush was teasing; it was too much. Ethan kissed her lips again. The brushes he still held fell behind his masterpiece, and her skin now transferred to him. He slowly lowered her to the canvas. They petted fiercely, kissed deeply. “Grace, we have to get this paint off of you."
"You haven't finished me,” she said breathless.
"There.” Ethan wiped a thumb across her nose leaving a streak of paint behind. “Now, let's shower."
Grace giggled as Ethan pulled her off the canvas and carried her to the shower. He was out of his boxer briefs in no time and uncovering the blank canvas of her body with soap and water.
"This was the most amazing thing I ever created.” Ethan watched as his masterpiece went down the drain.
"This was the best mistake I ever made.” Grace meant the paint, but Ethan stopped.
"Mistake?” His heart slumped for a moment. Did she see him as a mistake?
"The paint, this was amazing, and if I got the right paint...” He silenced her with his lips.
It was the most fun he had had in years, maybe ever. It was erotic, sensual, and Grace was willing to please him, allow him access to her body in a way he never thought possible. The image of her covered in paint would burn in his mind forever. He didn't need a picture. He could paint it on canvas again, by memory.
"FUCK!” Grace stomped her foot.
"Well, hello there, sailor.” Ethan smiled. It surprised him every time she cursed.
"No condoms.” Grace looked up at him, pulling her hands away from her mouth. As soon as she spit out the curse, she slapped her hands over her lips to hold it back. This situation called for it though.
"Oh.” Ethan stepped back a half step. “Well, mine probably all melted in the fire."
"I can't believe this.” Grace touched his chest. “I want you so badly. But..."
"I know.” Ethan slid his hand over her collarbone. He let out a heavy groan. “Well, what do you want to do now?"
"You know what I want to do, but that we can't do.” Grace bit her lower lip. She thought about the risk, the risk of pregnancy. She would love to carry Ethan's child but not like this.
"So, you think I have excellent baby making skills then?” Ethan was trying to make light of the worst situation. His erection stood painfully at attention.
"Okay, I admit, you have excellent baby making skills.” Grace laughed. “But I have a few skills of my own."
Ethan didn't have a chance to respond. She had already bent over to grab him and consumed the head in her mouth.
"Yes, woman, you have skills.” Ethan let her have her way with him. It wasn't difficult to do. He could get used to this. Letting Grace be in charge in the bedroom, or shower, as it seemed to be her domain.
Grace drew on him sucking him hard at the tip and twirling her tongue the way she knew he liked it. Ethan still hadn't come in her mouth. Every time she started out this way in New York she ended up with Ethan inside her. Now, she would finally break him down the same way he had done to her over and over again.
"Grace. Gracie...” he warned and tried to pull her lips away, but she smacked at his hands and drew her brows together when he looked down at her. “God, Grace!"
Grace swatted his attempts to pull away and gave him a look that said—touch my head again and see what happens.
Ethan came with a low guttural moan and such force that Grace was surprised he didn't launch spaceships with that thing. She had to swallow fast and hard to keep from choking, but it was worth it.
"I think I might pass out now.” Ethan felt dizzy and weak. The woman had skills.
"No way. Now, it's my turn. Let's go."
"No seriously, I need a minute.” Ethan chuckled then leaned on her with most of his weight as she stood. Finally catching his breath, he pulled her up to his lips. “You still got that cheerleading uniform?"
"Yes. Why?” Grace frowned.
"Don't look at me like that.” Ethan pushed her lips into a smile that looked more like a snarl. “Go put it on."
"I can't fit that thing. I'll be popping out of the top, and the skirt is too short..."
"Stop teasing me and do it.” Ethan nipped her bottom lip. “I can't have sex I should at least have my way."
"You are so spoiled."
"So make me rotten and put it on.” Ethan trailed a finger down her belly and into the curls on her mound.
"Okay, but don't you dare laugh at me..."
"Gracie, I would never laugh at you about something like that. I love your body, and though I love you naked, I also enjoy playing so play with me.” Ethan pouted.
Grace looked into those puppy dog eyes and couldn't resist him. “Okay."
The phone on the nightstand rang nonstop. “Hello.” Ethan sounded like a grizzly bear, but Grace had worn him out last night. They found ways around condoms that had them both shaking in exhaustion by the time they called it quits.
"Ethan, we got your fire starter.” Joshua's voice came through.
"So, someone actually set the place on fire?” Ethan was on his back now. He kept hoping it was an accident, a freak accident.
Grace still lay next to him sleeping until he said that. “Someone did that on purpose?” Grace was looking at him now.
He put his finger up to her lips shushing her. “Who is it, Joshua?"
"Chloe Westwood, your stalker. She confessed. A man had given a statement about a woman with her description smoking a cigarette and how she just tossed it down.” He took a breath.
"She swears it was an accident. She only meant to scare you, but apparently there was some paint under the stairs, and it caused more than she had bargained for."
"Why would she want to scare me?” Ethan held Grace's hand now.
"Something about she wanted to come to your rescue and give you a place to stay. Get back at an old girlfriend.” Joshua laughed. “She's pretty fucked up, buddy, but I don't think it's all because of you. I think you're the key to whoever she's after."
"Who?” Ethan first thought of Chase, but it wouldn't make sense. Chloe only knew him through Emma. He tried to think of what other man he was close to that Chloe knew. “What's happening to her?"
"Well, she will be charged with arson and sent to jail. If no one posts bail, she will sit there till trial and then, well, whatever the judge says.” Joshua sighed. “Anyway, Stephanie has already had your apartment and the gallery checked out. The stairwell was the only real damage, so you got lucky. It should take less than a week to replace it. You should be able to move right back into the loft when you get back."
"So, the gallery isn't damaged?” Ethan closed his eyes.
"Nope, the outside of the building was scorched, but that can be cleaned up.” Joshua smiled. “You're one hell of a lucky guy. If it wasn't for that delivery of paint, the fire would have been minimal."
"Thanks, Josh, I owe you one.” Ethan relaxed, from head to toe. He was relieved. Turning to Grace with a new sense of purpose, he smiled.
"That was Joshua. Chloe set my stairwell on fire, but the loft and the gallery are fine."
Ethan said it so simply.
"Someone set your stairs on fire?” Grace sat up and looked down at him. “Someone did that on purpose?"
"Apparently.” Ethan tried to pull her back to his chest, but she wiggled free. “It's okay, Grace. They have her in custody."
"Well, they better keep that bitch in custody!” Grace's eyes were hot green as anger seeped from her very soul. “Why would she do that?"
"Joshua thinks she is using me to get back at someone else though I can't for the life of me figure out who. Or how I would play a part in that.” Ethan grabbed at her again. “Come here, woman."
Grace made a face. “Should I start calling you man?"
"You call me whatever turns you on, sweetheart.” Ethan pulled her firmly to his chest. “You are my woman."
"Oh, so now you own me."
"No, I claim you. There is a difference."
"You claim me?"
"Yes, like a dog marking his territory.” Ethan rolled over on her. “I don't want other men to think they can touch you."
"Isn't that a little possessive for a friend?” Grace licked her lips. She hated it when Mitchell tried to be possessive, but she loved it when Ethan claimed her as his own.
"Friends? You think we are still
just
friends?” Ethan couldn't believe his ears. After everything, she still didn't want to move forward.
"I don't know. What do you think we are?” Grace took a breath.
Slowly, don't chase him away.
“Lovers?"
At this point, he would settle for whatever she was willing to give him. “Don't you?"
"I think so.” Grace kissed him light and easy. “But, not this morning."
"Condoms.” Ethan groaned. There was a woman actually out to kill him, but the one in his arms was beating her to the post.
"You don't want another little Ethan running around now do you?” Grace said it jokingly.
"Well, I'm not getting any younger, and neither are you.” He nipped at her lower lip.
"Are you calling me old, pops?” Grace pushed him back to his back and sat up straddling him. “Cause if you're trying to pick a fight, you're going the right direction."
"What are you planning to do about it?” Ethan lifted his hips slightly. She wasn't expecting it, and she gasped.
"I plan to...” If she didn't break the mood, she would surely give in. Grace wiggled her fingers and licked her lips. She had not forgotten he was ticklish. She dove right in, and he wiggled beneath her.
"You wicked woman!” Ethan laughed and squirmed until he got a hold of her, easily turning the tides. Grace squealed and wiggled beneath him, laughing loud and full. Ethan knew he could woo her this week. He just had to make her see how nice it would be to have him around.
Grace drove to Morehead City where Lowe's and Wal-Mart were. Ethan insisted he could drive, but she didn't believe anyone in New York actually had a license unless they drove a cab. Ethan picked out a stove based on his measurements and was satisfied that next day delivery was available. Grace was shocked to learn he had never been to Wal-Mart. It was pretty much her shopping destination.
"I don't know. I guess I never needed anything in here.” Ethan walked into the massive store and looked around in awe. “This place is crazy."
"How can you not need something in here?” Grace didn't grab a cart. She knew if she did she would spend money she didn't have. They were there for one thing and one thing only.
"Well, I need something now.” Ethan smiled. “Why does everyone have the same haircut here?"
"They're Marines. Cherry Point is just down the road.” Grace giggled. She needed to get him out of the house more. All he knew of North Carolina was Beaufort and her house on Ann Street.
"Oh. So you live this close to thousands of men, and you picked weasel, and then me?” Ethan followed her to the aisle that held what they needed.
If his hair were shorter, he would fit right in
, she thought. Surely his body rivaled any of the men she had seen here before. The women in the store made no attempt to be discrete in checking Ethan out. He, however, seemed oblivious to the attention.
"First of all, I didn't pick weasel, I mean Mitchell. We grew up together. It was almost expected of us.” Grace stood in front of the aisle and pointed. “Second, I didn't pick you. You picked me."
"Bullshit. You kissed me first.” Ethan stood in front of the condom assortment and looked back at Grace, who stood in the aisle like a lookout. She was blushing. It amused him. “You have a preference here, sweetheart?"
"Ethan!” She was turning red; she could feel it.
"Are you telling me you have never bought condoms before?"
"Shhhh! People will hear you.” Grace looked at him scornfully. She threw her hands on her hips. “Do you want me to go pick out tampons?"
"I have twelve female cousins. You think I haven't bought a box of tampons before?” Ethan smiled. Grace was embarrassed and assumed he would be, too. “The difference is I don't have to use them. This, we both get use from. Now, come over here and take a look."
Grace slowly walked to stand behind him. It felt like everyone in the store suddenly needed something down that aisle. Ethan seemed unfazed. Not embarrassed in the least. Grace felt like at any minute one of her students would show up and be scarred for life.
"Why are there so many?” Grace looked at them from a distance.
"Forget it.” He laughed. Ethan grabbed a couple boxes and then her hand. “Anything else?"
"No.” Grace shook her head. Nothing rattled him.
"You are always full of surprises.” Ethan shook his head now.
"What do you mean by that?” Grace stood behind him in line.
"I mean, you're a grown woman, beautiful, intelligent. Yet, you have never bought condoms though you insist they be used.” Ethan placed them on the checkout.
"I can't tell if three is your real number or not. I mean, this, yes I can see only three men after this. But last night, damn, I wouldn't believe for a second you just did that on instinct."
"I read. And I don't lie.” Grace blushed. They stepped forward in line.
"What? What does that mean?” Ethan looked at her curious.
"Just what I said.” Grace shrugged. She did read, lots of romance novels. She had to. It was the only satisfaction she got until she met Ethan. Years with no man, not even Mitchell since he was always away and too tired to have sex. When he was around, he left a girl wanting. Yeah, she read a lot.
The girl at the checkout handed him his change and looked him over blushing. Grace wanted to smack her. If he could lay claim to her, how come she didn't seem to affect other women's ogling in the least?