Kiss Me at Midnight(17)
Author: Diane Alberts

“Hey, you,” she said, smiling up at him. “Come in.”

“Hey, yourself.” He bent down and kissed her cheek as he passed by. “You look lovely, as usual.”

“Thank you.” Her heart skipped a beat. “You look pretty great, too.”

Ethan chuckled. “Thanks, babe.”

He walked inside and handed her a bouquet of white carnations. She took them and watched him closely. Carnations had always been her favorite, but she hadn’t expected him to know that. It had been years since she told him. “You remembered?”

“Of course I did.” He bent down and kissed her temple. “They’re your favorite.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her entire body humming with life and lust at the small touch. It was time to admit it. She didn’t want this to be their last night together. That’s not to say she didn’t accept it for what it was, but it still sucked. She wished he could stay another day or two. As a matter of fact, she didn’t want him to leave her at all. Her eyes flew open at the thought.

What. The. Hell?

Where had that come from? And how could she shut that voice in the back of her mind up, once and for all? It had no place being so…there. She smiled up at him even though she was panicking inside at her inner thoughts. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re perfect.”

“You’re welcome.” He ran his finger over her lower back. “But tell me. What is that delicious smell coming from the kitchen?”

She grinned and followed him toward the kitchen. “I cooked for you. I thought it might be nice to have a quiet meal inside instead of going out, since it’s your last night home.”

He turned to her, his brows up. “You cook? The same girl that burned toast—and almost my house with it—in tenth grade cooks?”

“Ha. Ha. You’re real funny. Yeah, well, I learned. I figured if I could accurately diagnose most common ailments and, oh yeah, save a life, then I could manage a cooking class or two.”

He lifted a pot lid and peeked in. “Spaghetti and meatballs? My favorite.”

“I know. You told me in high school. If I was going through all this trouble,” she waved her hands towards the pots on the stove, “then I might as well make sure it was for something you liked.”

He didn’t seem to hear her. Bending over, he popped the oven open and looked inside. “And apple pie? I can’t believe you remembered all my favorites, too, after all this time.”

“Well…yeah.” She leaned against the counter, setting the flowers down. When he closed the door and turned back to her, his eyes intense and his mouth pressed tight, she went on the defensive. “What? You remembered, too. I’m not the only one.”

“I know.” He closed the distance between them, lifting her chin up to him when he got close enough. He pressed her against the cabinet, his erection pressing into her belly. “But I was half in love with you and everyone knew it. I’m supposed to remember.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she’d had feelings for him, too, but what was the point? Her phone rang, breaking the staring contest they’d been having. She scrambled for it, flinching when she saw it was her mother. She sighed. It was the fifth call today alone. She held her finger up to Ethan and then raised her phone to her ear. “Hey, Mom. Now’s not—”

“I forgot to take my medicine again, didn’t I?”

She closed her eyes. “No, Mom. Remember? I came over earlier and gave them to you. You didn’t forget.”

Her mother made a weird noise. “I think I did. I think I need to take more.”

“No.” She rubbed her forehead, wanting nothing more than to scream. “I gave you the medicine, Mom. Trust me. Besides, I have it all here at my place, remember?”

“Bring them back to me,” her mom said, her voice pleading. “What if you forget?”

Ashley shot Ethan an apologetic smile, then turned her back on him. He was watching her way too closely, and the pity in his eyes was loud and clear. “I won’t forget, Mom. I’m a doctor.”

“But—”

“Mom, you’re missing the news. Didn’t you say you wanted to watch that tonight?”

Her mom shuffled the phone, and Ashley heard the TV click on. “Yes. You’re right, of course.”

“Don’t forget about Dancing with the Stars tonight, too.”

Her mom turned the TV up. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, right?”

“Yes, and I’ll bring the medicine with me. Don’t worry, okay?”

“Okay.” Her mom sighed. “I love you, dear.”

“Love you, too, Mom.” Ashley hung up, taking a second to brace herself. Then she turned back to Ethan and forced a smile. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.” Ethan stepped closer, his eyes still on hers. “Is she always that forgetful?”

“Yeah. She’s always thinking she forgot about her meds, but the truth is she just can’t remember anything anymore. That’s why I go to her house twice a day to give her the meds she needs.” Ashley shrugged. “That way, it gets taken care of and she doesn’t OD. She almost did a few weeks ago. Took her meds three times.”

Ethan pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

Why would he? She didn’t whine about it. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Yeah, it is.” He cupped her chin. “If you ever need any help, let me know.”

But he wouldn’t be here to help. She knew it and so did he, even if he was pretending otherwise at the moment. So instead of saying anything in return, or thanking him for the kind offer…she kissed him.

He let her have control of the kiss for all of three seconds before he turned it around on her, slanting his head just right so he could slip his tongue inside her mouth. As he kissed her, his hands roamed all over her body. Her br**sts. Her hips, her butt. Everywhere he touched burned with desire, with need. The kind of need she’d only ever felt for him.

He lifted her onto the edge of the counter, and positioned himself between her legs, pressing against her. She curled her hands into his hair and yanked him even closer, sliding her legs around his waist.

He broke off the kiss and rested his forehead on hers. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

“I have a good idea.”