Rare Blend (Red Mountain #1)

39. Ethan

CHAPTER 39

Ethan

MR. AND MRS. LEDGER

L ake Coeur d’Alene shimmers below us under the night sky, reflecting in Marisa’s sparkling eyes, and my chest squeezes at the excitement on her face. When ideas for our first date started floating around in my head, I knew this would be over the top. But for once in my life, I felt like being over the top, at least for Marisa.

In truth, most of life is mundane. We wake up and go to work and come home only to do it all over again, in endless cycles. We’ll pepper in dinners out, weekends away, the occasional vacation, and all of those things are fine, because that’s real life. But to truly wow her, to spoil her, to give her experiences beyond the norm, I want to be the one to give that to her. I want to give her the world. This vivacious, funny, caring, whirlwind of a woman crashed into my life in the best way possible, and now I can’t imagine my world without her at the center.

She’s deserving of so much more than the average first date dinner. We’ve already done the dinners and the movies and the car rides. Any man can do those things with her. Tonight is about proving how unlike any man from her past I am. I want to ruin her for anyone who should try to follow. Because as far as I’m concerned, this will be the last first date she ever goes on. As soon as she agreed to this date, my mind skipped through all the hesitation and the fear regarding her move back to Seattle, and I decided that I’m not giving up without a fight. If that means making some changes of my own to be with her, then I’ll gladly do it. I know we’re not in the same spot. I know my feelings are more intense. This is my attempt to catch her up to speed.

The look on her face when she saw the helicopter eased any doubts I had that I was coming on too strong or pushing her beyond her comfort zone. At first she was nervous, watching our pilot like a hawk, but I would never risk her. He’s a professional and very experienced. I would never put her in danger. But being Marisa, she’s proceeded to remind me of the number of celebrities that have died in private plane and helicopter crashes.

“The Kennedys!” her loud voice bursts through my earpiece.

“What about them?”

“Dead. Mysterious plane crashes.”

“They’re cursed, so they don’t count. Besides”—I point to the helipad on the rooftop of The Coeur d’Alene Resort—“we’re here.”

When the helicopter lands smoothly on the bullseye, I let out a steady breath of relief that we made it safely.

After the pilot powers down, I unbuckle myself and then turn to Marisa, grabbing her knees and spinning her to face me. I make slow, calculated movements as I unbuckle her, my fingers skimming along her waist. She lets out a faint gasp, her eyes turning hazy. Fuck, she’s beautiful. I feel like the luckiest son of a bitch getting to share this with her.

I remove our headsets and hand them to the pilot, who’s already reaching for them. “You keep looking at me like that, and we’re not going to make it to the rest of the date.”

“Says the guy who was just feeling me up.”

If not for the pilot and the resort staff waiting for us to de-board, I would be tempted to give in.

We give our thanks to the pilot and crouch down to exit the helicopter. Marisa clutches onto my hand, tightly gripping it until we’re back on solid ground.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ledger.” The man shakes my hand firmly and Marisa straightens next to me. I’m getting dangerously ahead of myself, but I really liked the sound of that and do nothing to correct him. And neither does Marisa as he shakes her hand too. “I’m Joel, your concierge for the evening. I’ll be escorting you to your dinner reservation.” He grabs our bags and hands them to another staff member. “Your luggage will be placed in your suite.”

We follow Joel as he guides us to the private dining room I reserved. It only took offering a couple hundred cases of our latest vintage to get it booked at the last minute. Thousands of dollars in lost profit, but completely worth it.

The private dining room is a 180-degree view of the lake. Despite the darkness, the water glows beneath the cloudless sky and full moon. Joel thanks us for coming and informs us our server will be with us shortly.

Once we’re settled in our seats, Marisa regards me curiously. “Is this the Ethan Ledger special? Do all your first dates include helicopter rides and ritzy resorts and private dining?” She’s smiling, but the smile doesn’t reach her eyes, telling me she’s genuinely worried I make a habit of this.

“Just you. I’ve never done anything like this for anyone. Ever. Only you.”

Her forced smile falls, replaced with softening eyes. “I don’t need anything fancy or extravagant.”

“Need and deserve are two very different things, and you deserve the best.”

“I don’t know what to say.” She looks around, taking in the room and the view before her gaze returns to mine.

“Don’t say anything.”

Footsteps approach, and a young blonde woman wearing a crisp white button down and black slacks greets us with a smile. “Good evening, folks. I’m Addie, and I’ll be your server for the evening.” She sets a stack of menus on the table. “Can I get you started with anything to drink?”

We both opt for water, Marisa wanting time to peruse the cocktail menu. When Addie returns with our waters, Marisa orders a fruity martini, and I order an old-fashioned.

“No wine tonight?” she teases.

“I drink more than wine,” I defend.

Her lips tilt up as she runs a hand through her hair. “True. You had whiskey at the bar.” She continues messing with her hair, twirling the ends of it absentmindedly.

And I’m struggling. I don’t know what it is about her hair, but my hands always want to be in it. I could stare at her all day and never tire of the sight. Her hair, her eyes, her lips.

Her eyes flash to mine, lit with amusement. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I swallow down the liquid pooling in my mouth roughly, salivating over her like a dog. “You look beautiful.”

“Oh.” She turns her head, looking away with a nervous giggle, and her cheeks take on a pink hue. “Thank you.”

Every time I compliment her, she looks startled, like she’s not used to it. I make a mental note to do it everyday, multiple times a day, until she believes it. And even then, I’m never going to stop.

She continues browsing the menu, occasionally taking in the view of the water.

“I can’t believe I’ve never been here,” she says. “It’s not even very far.”

While she admires the view, my mind is already imagining all the places I want to take her. All the experiences I want to have with her. I’m getting way too ahead of myself, but I can’t seem to stop.

“Just so you know,” I tell her. “The suite I booked us has two bedrooms. I don’t want you to think this was all a ploy to get in your pants. I want you to feel comfortable.”

She peers at me over the menu. “Good thing I’m not wearing any pants.”

Fuck me.

Her smile is all innocence, but her foot running up and down my leg under the table is just the opposite. She puts the menu down and sets her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her palms, and regards me with a question in her eyes.

The waitress drops off our drinks and says she’ll return shortly to take our orders. Marisa takes a sip of hers, releasing a little moan that hits me right in the dick. I take a sip of my own drink to calm down.

“So, you’re like rich, rich?”

I nearly choke on my whiskey. “What?”

“It’s just that I didn’t realize…” she starts and then falters. “Which is silly, obviously you’re well off, you’re the CEO of a successful winery…”

Her face is etched with worry, brows furrowed, eyes downcast. We’ve never discussed money, so I’m only now noticing her discomfort with it.

“I wouldn’t say I’m rich. There are plenty of people better off than me and my family. We have good years and bad years like any other business.” Outwardly, I’m trying to remain calm, but internally, I’m scrambling. I’m not sure what the right thing to say is.

She looks away, breathing deeply, before her eyes look back at me. “I don’t want to be that person that brings up an ex on a first date. But my ex…Brandon”—her face twists saying the asshole’s name—“he’s wealthy. Very wealthy. And I got kind of lost in it all, and in the end … Well, let’s just say it pretty much screwed me.”

My stomach sours at the thought of her with some other guy. One who clearly didn’t treat her right. I’m reminded of that night at The Jackalope when she mentioned how she ended up in Red Mountain. Everything she’s told me about him only makes me despise him more. He didn’t realize what he had, but I sure as hell do. “This is the same guy who evicted you, right?”

She nods, avoiding my eyes. “Sure is.”

“He sounds like an asshole.”

A sharp laugh escapes her. “Yeah, and the worst part of it is we lived in a luxury waterfront condo. The mortgage payment was insane, and he made me pay half, and in return, he covered most of my expenses. So, here I am, making pennies compared to him and it’s his name on the mortgage, but I’m paying half. By the time he kicked me out, I was broke. I couldn’t build a savings, because I was paying so much of my income toward his place.”

My fists ball at my sides, and my jaw tenses. I can’t believe what I’m hearing right now. Who the fuck is this guy? Because I’d love to find him. Maybe get him alone for five minutes in a windowless room.

“What’s his last name?” I grit.

Her brows shoot up. “I’m not telling you. Looking at you, I can tell you want to kick his ass. And as much as I would enjoy that, he’s not worth it.”

I shrug nonchalantly and take a gulp of whiskey. “Maybe I only want to Google him.”

She shakes her head with a small smile. “Liar. But it’s very sweet of you.”

My head tilts. “Just what every guy wants to be…sweet.”

Her smile broadens. “You’re actually very sweet. You act like you’re a big ol’ grump, but you’re really a softy.”

I can’t help but beam at her. “Only for you.” And it’s the truth. She makes me want to be better, to be the kind of man deserving of a woman like her.

The waitress returns and takes our food orders. Marisa orders the mussels, and I order a steak. I’m not entirely sure steak was on the menu. I was too distracted by the incredible woman across from me to read the words on the page.

After dinner, we take a walk along the boardwalk. It’s cooler by the shoreline, so I pull Marisa in close to me with an arm around her. I can only imagine how cold she is in that thin peacoat.

We walk in silence as our breaths fog in front of us. I love having her curled around me, encased in my arms. I’ve never been the touchy feely type, and in the past I’ve had girlfriends complain they felt I didn’t like them because I’m not overly affectionate. Maybe they were right, because if Marisa is around, I want to be touching her. I need to be touching her. And she fits against me like she was always meant to be there. I think I’m way past the like stage. I’m falling in love with her. Maybe I have been since she stepped out of her car on that very first day. Maybe that’s why I tried to create distance.

She sighs deeply, hugging me close, as if she wants to dissolve into me. “I’m sorry for ruining dinner,” she says quietly.

I let my hand play with the ends of her hair and look down at her. “What? You didn’t ruin dinner. What are you talking about?”

Her head flops a little to the side, and she groans. “I brought up my ex. That’s like the number one rule of dates. And now you’re being all quiet. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

I stop walking and put both arms around her, fully caging her in. Her chin rests on my chest, and she peers up at me.

“Baby, the only reason I’m quiet right now is because I’m so fucking happy. Do you have any idea how much I like you? How lucky I feel to even get to touch you like this?”

Her breath trembles, vibrating against my chest. “You do?”

I tuck one of her silky strands behind her ear. “Like a lot. Like an amount that would probably make you want to file a restraining order.”

She snorts and buries her face in my chest, giggling. When her laughter eases, she tilts her head up and our gazes lock. “I like you a lot, too. Maybe not restraining order levels, but it’s up there.”

I tip my head down and place a light peck on her lips. Well, it was supposed to be a light peck, but she grabs my face and keeps me there, deepening the kiss.

We make out, right there in the middle of the darkened boardwalk, and we don’t pull apart until a couple walks by and whistles at us.

Marisa laughs against my mouth, and her kiss-drunken eyes meet mine. “Maybe we should go up to the room?”

I swallow before nodding slowly. I think part of me had been avoiding going up to the room because I meant what I said. I’m not going to pressure her into anything she isn’t ready for. But it’s going to be pure torment sleeping in one room, knowing she’s in the next one. Close, but too far away. I need to think with my head up top, though. She’s too important to fuck things up with. And I already pushed it, getting a taste of her the other day. I should’ve waited and taken her out on a proper date before burying my face in her pussy, and I definitely shouldn’t have let her suck me off. With this, I need to remain strong. She calls the shots, she’s in the lead.

“Okay, let’s go up.”

“Holy shit,” Marisa exclaims when we get inside the suite. “This might be the nicest room I’ve ever stayed in.”

Not if I have any say.

She grabs my hand and drags me through the room. “Come on, let’s explore.” She jostles her eyebrows, and I can’t help but smile at her unadulterated excitement.

The suite is large, but it’s only slightly bigger than one of the cottages, so it’s not necessarily the longest exploration. The kitchen, living room, and dining room are one great room and then one bedroom is the primary, while the other is more standard sized. The primary is the last room we go into.

Marisa flops down on the bed and sighs. And of course, my dick decides to wake up.

She pats the spot next to hers. “Come on,” she pats again. “Come lie down next to me.”

I’m definitely not saying no to that. I loosen the collar of my shirt, undoing the top two buttons, and join her on the bed. She props herself on one elbow, resting on her side, and looks at me.

“I like this.” Her fingertips come up to my neck and skid down to the uncovered part of my chest. “I remember the first time I saw you. I thought this open, exposed, little piece was so hot.” Her cheeks blush, but her eyes stay on me while she licks her lips.

My own cheeks heat at her admission. I was such an asshole that day, I can’t believe she had one positive thought about me, let alone checked me out.

“Yeah?” I breathe, suddenly feeling overheated.

She dips her head and places a soft kiss where my neck meets my chest. She pulls back slightly, her lips hovering over the area. “So sexy,” she whispers, and her breath sends a jolt down my sternum and straight to my hardening cock. And then her lips go back, pressing another kiss to me, but this one is wetter, and I just know her tongue is poking out.

“You’re killing me,” I sigh, sensing my restraint fading. “I am merely a weak man.”

She laughs and moves off the bed to a standing position, and I sit up to watch her.

“Listen, Ethan, I get that you’re trying to be a gentleman and wait.” She pauses and slips a strap off that sexy little dress, letting it fall down her shoulder. “But could you maybe stop being so polite?”

The second strap falls, exposing more of her cleavage. She reaches around her back, and I hear the zipper being pulled down.

“I didn’t wear this uncomfortable bra for nothing.”

The dress falls, gathering at her feet before she kicks it away, standing in front of me in nothing but a black, lacy bra and thong, and strappy black high heels.

Fuuuuuck.

She walks up to me, closing the distance between us until she’s nestled within my legs as I sit on the edge of the bed, very close to losing my goddamn mind. Her hands rest on the tops of my shoulders while mine stay tightly at my sides. With our height difference, her full tits hang heavy in my face, begging to be touched.

Her hands trail from my shoulders, down my arms, and the movement presses her tits even closer, close enough to take in my mouth.

“Ethan,” she sighs. “I want you to touch me.”

I can’t deny her. I would never. As long as she knows she’s in control. “Is this okay?” I ask, running a hand up the side of her torso, landing on the edge of her breast.

“More,” she groans. “I need more.”

God, that soft, sexy voice of hers, begging to be touched, is almost enough to make me come.

I slip my hand under the cup of her bra and grab a handful of her tit, lightly massaging it and then giving a firm tug to her nipple. Her back arches to me like she wants more of my touch.

Roughly, her hand grips at my chin, forcing my face up to meet hers. “Stop treating me like a delicate flower. I want you to be rougher. I want to be consumed.”

Her words snap something inside of me, and my hesitancy flies out the window. I wanted her to take the lead tonight, and this is what she wants. If she wants to be consumed, I’ll gladly devour her.

Standing, I encircle her waist with my arms, picking her up. I gently toss her on the bed. I’ll be a little rougher, but I’m not going to treat her like she’s not the most precious thing in the world to me. She lands with a relieved groan, and I crawl over her body, pressing my weight down on her.

“Yes, just like this.”

Her hair splays out, wild and tangled, as her chest rises and falls rapidly. I pull down her bra, freeing her breasts. Her nipples are hard and pointing at me, her skin is flushed, and her eyes are glazed with desire. Starting at her neck, I work my way down, kissing and sucking at her soft skin until I reach her puckered nipples that are begging for my attention. I flick my tongue across one peak before pulling it between my teeth and giving it a gentle pull. She writhes, curving against my touch.

“Oh, God,” she gasps.

I open my mouth wider, licking and sucking on her hardened nipple. The sweetest whimpers escape her parted lips.

“Such a needy girl,” I tell her before swirling my tongue.

As I continue to shower her breasts in attention, my hand slides up her thigh and then cups her lace covered pussy.

“Touch me,” she cries, letting her thighs fall open.

I pull her panties to the side and dip two fingers inside.

She’s fucking dripping.

“Baby, you’re so wet.”

“I know,” she breathes. “Make it better. I need to come.”

My fingers curl inside her, fucking her tight little pussy like my life depends on it, while I kiss and suck, nipping all over her perfect tits. She starts tugging at my shirt, trying to free me of my clothes. I pause just enough to take off my button down, likely ripping off a few buttons in the process.

“I love your chest,” she says, digging her sharp nails down my torso, pinching some of the hair.

“Not too hairy?” I joke. My chest hair would probably be out of control if I didn’t maintain it.

“Never.” She sits up on her elbows and removes her bra, throwing it over my shoulder. “It’s just right.”

I pause, taking in the view. She’s stunning, laid out before me topless with her legs spread. Every dream come true, and it’s right in front of me.

“You’re fucking gorgeous, a goddamn dream.”

She swallows, and her eyes slightly ease out of their lustful glimmer. “Thank you,” she says under her breath.

My hand reaches out to cup her jaw, and I lean over to kiss her. She meets my kiss and then some, snaking her arms around my neck and pulling me flush to her.

We’ve never been like this, skin to skin. Why the fuck have I not been doing this the whole time? How have I gone so long without feeling her nearly naked body against mine?

Apparently on the same train of thought as me, she starts tugging on my pants while I tear off her panties. I don’t give a fuck. I’ll buy her hundreds more pairs.

Soon we’re both free of any clothing, completely vulnerable and exposed to each other.

I kiss her, and her body grinds beneath mine.

“I need— I need..”

I press my forehead against hers, my breath ragged. “What do you need, baby?”

“I need you inside of me.”

I don’t have to be told twice.

I start to move, to grab a condom, but her hand grips my arm. “I have an IUD, and I’m clear. I got checked recently.”

I would love nothing more than to not have any barriers between us, but I have to double check. “Are you sure? I’m clear, too, but I have condoms.”

She laughs quietly. “So much for sleeping in separate rooms.”

“Hey, a man can dream. I didn’t come with expectations, just a hell of a lot of hope.”

“I don’t want anything between us.” Her hand wraps around my hard cock, and she gives it a firm pump.

“Fuuuck,” I moan.

She does it again and grabs the back of my neck, pulling me down to her lips. I hover there, holding her stare.

“Are you sure?” My voice comes out strained.

She nods, breathing into my mouth. “I’m sure.”

Her lips capture mine, and I grip her waist tightly, changing our positions, so she’s on top of me. “You’re in control.”

She adjusts herself, straddling me, her pussy just barely touching my cock. I take her hand in mine and place it over my cock.

“It’s all you, baby. You take the lead.”

She nods and, with our eyes held captive by one another, she rubs the tip of my cock between her pussy lips, spreading around her arousal. “I have to go slow,” she breathes. “I don’t know if you’ll fit.”

I can’t help it. My chest swells when she talks about how big my dick is. “It’ll fit.” I smirk.

She rolls her eyes while slowly sinking down over the tip. Her breath hitches, and she pauses, adjusting.

My hands are gripping her hips lightly, but I strengthen my hold and press her down to take more. “You can take it, baby. Your pussy was made for me. Now prove it.”

She lets out a huff, and her eyes narrow in challenge as she continues to ease me inside her. My breathing quickens. The further she goes, the less I’m able to form a coherent thought.

So tight.

So wet.

Fucking perfect.

When she’s fully seated, we both groan. Her head falls back as she sighs.

The room fades, the world ceases to exist, all I feel is her. My name falls from her lips, and my heart thunders loudly, only beating for her.

“You have to move, baby,” I saw out between clenched teeth.

She nods, breathing deeply. “Just give me a sec.”

A beat passes before she rises slightly and then sinks back down. The movement forces my eyes back, and my vision blurs.

Holy fuck.

“Do that again,” I beg with my jaw tight.

She does it again, but this time she rises up higher and instead of slowly easing back, she slams down, and I watch my cock disappear between her legs.

“Just like that,” I praise. “So fucking good.”

As much as I enjoy watching her above me, seeing those full tits of hers bounce as she takes my cock, I need to feel her. I want her on me. I’ve never felt such an intense desire to hold someone against me as I do now. My hands wrap around her lower back, pulling her down to me, and our bodies melt together. Her hair falls like a veil, cocooning us, and I’m enveloped by sweet vanilla.

Her forehead presses against mine. “Ethan,” she whimpers.

I thrust my hips up, filling her deeper, and she shudders, her thighs trembling as they lift.

“Kiss me while you fuck my cock.” I crush my lips to hers, and she moans into my mouth while bouncing her ass and riding me like her body was made to do it.

Heaven. This is pure heaven.

I place a hand between us, circling her clit. Her body jerks at the contact, but I keep my rhythm. “Come all over me, baby. I love your messy pussy. “You take my cock like such a”— thrust— “good”— thrust— “fucking”— thrust— “girl.”

She loves when I talk to her like this. I can tell by the way her pussy spasms around me every time I tell her something dirty. My filthy girl.

Soon she’s crying out, quaking above me, unintelligible words escaping from her lips as her pussy squeezes around my cock. My own orgasm builds, and for a split second, I’m rational enough to think that I should pull out, birth control or not, it’s probably smarter. But that idea is quickly squashed when she moans, “Fill my pussy up.”

I guess my filthy girl has a mouth on her, too. I’m not one to disobey a direct order, so I do as I’m told and spill every last drop of cum inside of her.

I wake up with long, dark, silky hair brushing against my chest and the woman of my dreams nestled beside me. The warmth of her body is overheating the hell out of me, but I don’t dare move. Not a fucking chance.

She’s completely naked, with the most adorable little snore humming softly out of her. If I could bottle the feeling of this moment and drink it for the rest of my life, I’d be drunk every day. Drunk on Marisa and smiling like a lovesick fool.

Last night was the best sex of my life. After the first round, we showered. I meant to be sweet and wash her, take care of her, but soon her legs were wrapped around my waist and I was fucking her against the glass shower door. After that, Marisa wanted chocolate cake, and I aim to please, so we ordered room service. Somehow, that turned into eating the fudge frosting off her nipples and bending her over the kitchen counter. She told me if we went again, her pussy would be too sore, so I dragged her to bed and massaged her pussy with my tongue until she came, screaming my name.

I should still be fast asleep, but there’s too much adrenaline pumping through me and my dick is as hard as a rock.

Her ass wiggles against me. “How are you hard right now?” she murmurs into the pillows. “That monster should be exhausted.”

“Baby, it hurts my feelings when you call my dick names.”

She giggles, and I pull her closer, nuzzling her neck.

“What time do we have to leave?”

I take a breath. The thought of leaving has me wary, knowing we’ll break the bubble as soon as we do. But we can’t stay here forever and pretend reality doesn’t exist.

“I requested a late check out, so we don’t have to be out of here until three o’clock.”

She nods, peering up at me through her thick lashes. “What happens when we get home? What does this mean?”

I try not to let her use of the word home affect me, but it still does. The selfish, greedy man in me wants Red Mountain to be her home. I want to be her home.

“How about you’re mine and I’m yours, and we take it one day at a time?”

“Okaayyy,” she says, with a smile on her face. “I like the sound of that.” Her eyes shift, looking away and then back to me. “Not to sound juvenile, but would that make you my boyfriend?”

Boyfriend. Fiancé. Husband. Baby daddy. I want every label in the damn book.

I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Yeah. As long as that means you’re my girlfriend. Because in case it’s not explicitly clear, I don’t share.”

Her smile widens, and her cheeks flush a light pink. “I’m all yours.”

We stay in bed for the next few hours, exploring each other’s bodies, a mess of tangled limbs. But this time, when I take her, I go slow, savoring her. I make gentle love to her body, worshiping her the way she deserves.