Chapter 18: May I Kiss You?
1220words
I glanced at Ethan, thinking I should go to bed quickly to avoid an awkward encounter.
"I'm going to bed," I said.
But to my surprise, he turned off his computer. "I'm done too."
I'd never seen him rest this early before.
I headed to the bathroom while my mind raced.
Was tonight going to be the start of something? But I wasn't ready yet...
Sure enough, we both ended up lying in bed.
"Click!" The light went off.
Darkness enveloped us, and so did my fear.
I lay on my side at the edge of the bed, while Ethan habitually slept in the middle.
I couldn't sleep, nervous and sweating, wanting to kick off the covers but not daring to move.
Somehow, I suddenly felt warmth on my abdomen.
In an instant, my body was pulled backward, colliding with a warm embrace.
I didn't dare move, afraid he might do something, and not knowing what to say. Being this close inevitably meant something else might happen.
He didn't move either, afraid he might lose control, but unable to resist being close to me.
"You..." My voice was faint and tense.
My small hands clenched into fists, my whole body trembling.
That simple word revealed all the fear and helplessness in my heart.
Ethan followed my arm to find my tense little fist.
He caressed it to make it warm and relaxed.
"Don't worry, I won't touch you."
His tone was extremely gentlemanly, but then again, he had always been polite.
Soon, I let down my guard.
Come to think of it, the two of us had only known each other for a short month.
Although we occasionally discussed issues and had brief interactions, we still maintained a certain distance like strangers, sometimes even ignoring each other when we met.
---
I slept exceptionally well that night. With no alarm, I didn't wake up until after ten.
I opened my eyes groggily to find myself hugging a large heat source.
Having always slept alone, I usually hugged a pillow or stuffed animal.
This time, however, I was...
Hugging him! And in such an embarrassing position!
My small hand rested on his chest, rising and falling with his breathing.
My delicate face was pillowed on his strong arm.
Even more outrageous was that my leg was draped over his...
I didn't dare move because my leg was uncomfortably pressed against something.
That thing was in a state of morning arousal!
I was completely shocked by my own behavior!
I opened my eyes, not realizing that my long eyelashes were lightly brushing against his sensitive skin.
My suddenly quickened breath also gently blew against his chest.
"Awake?" Ethan's broken, hoarse voice broke the awkwardness.
Wait, had he been awake the whole time?
"Mm." I felt a sense of panic.
After a long silence, he spoke, saying two words I never expected:
"Want to?"
His arm that I was using as a pillow suddenly bent, circling around me, his hand resting on my slender waist.
I was wearing the silk loungewear he had sent for me. The material was especially smooth, so smooth it almost felt like bare skin.
When Ethan's large hand rested on my waist, I couldn't help but shudder, my whole body feeling like it had been struck by electricity. I couldn't stay calm!
Want to? Want to do what? Did he want to do intimate things this early in the morning?
"No... I don't want to..." I said.
His sudden question had set my whole body on fire.
I tensed up, wondering if I should get off him now.
"Then..." he swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing loudly.
The sound was so clear I could faintly hear it.
"Shouldn't you move your leg?"
Hearing this, I hurriedly flipped over, burying my head deep in the covers.
So he was just waiting for me to move away!
Making it seem like I was the one who wanted to be close to him!
He sighed softly, carefully lifting the covers, making sure to pull them over me to cover the exposed area behind me.
Then I heard him walk out and the sound of running water in the bathroom.
And those faint, muffled groans...
Oh my God! What was I hearing!
---
He went downstairs first, and only then did I slowly get up to wash.
By the time I reached the first-floor living room, I heard voices talking.
Looking closer, I saw it was Elizabeth!
I thought I was seeing things, but as I approached, I realized I wasn't mistaken. Ethan was sitting on the sofa chatting with Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth?" I stood beside the sofa.
Ethan's gaze shifted from Elizabeth to me.
I was wearing loose casual pants and a fitted T-shirt that perfectly outlined my figure.
"Oh, Alia!" Elizabeth quickly stood up and walked toward me, giving me a big hug.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
I hugged her back, and we soon knowingly let go of each other.
Ethan slowly stood up.
"You should call her Mom."
I was stunned for a moment, looking at them both and noticing they did indeed look somewhat alike.
"Mom?"
"Yes, dear!"
I awkwardly looked at Ethan, who pressed his lips together in a smile.
Who would have thought such a coincidence was possible in this world!
Elizabeth held my hand and said meaningfully:
"I never imagined it would be you! My Ethan doesn't talk much, but he's very considerate. From childhood to adulthood, he's never given us any worry. With a lively girl like you by his side, Ethan will surely be very happy!"
Her string of compliments left me at a loss for words...
This scene was like a delayed meeting with the in-laws—
My heart felt like it was on a roller coaster, suspended and thrilling!
The three of us chatted for a long time.
We wanted her to stay for a meal, but she said she had prior arrangements and couldn't stay.
After seeing Elizabeth off, Ethan and I sat at the table by the open kitchen to eat breakfast.
"I heard you picked out all my clothes?" he asked.
"Mm." I didn't dare look at him, remembering the scene from this morning, my face turning red.
"I like them very much."
Oh no, someone save me! How should I respond? How should I answer this?
"Is there anything else you haven't prepared?" Ethan asked, picking up his milk and watching me as he drank.
I thought for a moment, but there didn't seem to be anything else to prepare.
"I think that's about it."
"Come find me upstairs after you finish eating. I have something for you," Ethan said.
"Okay."
I dawdled, afraid to be alone with him. By the time I went upstairs, an hour had passed.
When I returned to the room, I was stunned.
Ethan had already packed all our luggage—one suitcase each. From outerwear to socks and shoes, he had prepared everything.
"You..." I couldn't believe it. Could this man have been sent from heaven to save me?
"Check if there's anything on the list that hasn't been prepared."
Ethan handed me a list.
I felt embarrassed looking at it—it even detailed how many sets of underwear and bras were needed.
It was truly impeccable!
