Ethan (Face-Off 5)

“Nope, not at all. I don’t date bastards, and I sure as hell don’t let them fuck me.” She says the last part under her breath.

“I’m a bastard for fucking you like I do. Your pussy is too fucking sweet. I can’t control myself with you.”

“No one said you had to. Keep fucking me like that. In fact, never stop.”

The corner of my mouth turns up into a wicked grin. I grab my crotch and adjust my growing erection. “This conversation is making me so hard. Hurry up and try this shit on, or I’ll have to fuck you in this room, and I won't care who hears us.”

Mia chuckles.

I love the sound of her laughter. Being with her reminds of what we had when we were in high school when she trusted me with her secrets. When she looked at me as if I was her entire world. She still does. That scares me most of all because it means I have the power to hurt her.

I never want her to feel the kind of pain I’ve endured for the past twelve years. I never want her heart to ache from the loss of someone she loves. I know she loves me. Some part of me, even the sick and tortured parts, have always loved her. She’s the first and only girl I’ve ever loved.

I take the clothes from Alanna’s arm when she walks into the changing room. “I got a little bit of everything,” she says in her singsong voice. “I wasn’t sure what kind of mood you were in, Mia, but pull out whatever you like. If you need anything, give me a shout.”

I place the hangers on the metal hooks on the wall next to Mia. Alanna exits the room with a gentle wave, promising to check on us in five minutes.

“What do you want to try on first?” I turn around to face Mia with a short, sleeveless black dress with an open back in my hand. “This will look hot on you. My mom says every woman needs a ‘little black dress.’ You should have one, too. Try it on.”

Mia closes the distance between us. “Are you

attempting to turn me into the woman you want me to be?”

“Of course not. You already are the woman I want you to be. I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.”

She throws her hands on her hips. “Except for my clothes.”

“This has nothing to do with the clothes or how you dress. You could wear a pair of beat-up Chucks with ripped jeans and a Warped Tour shirt. You look good in anything. Wear a trash bag for all I care.”

“Then what difference does it make if I have a little black dress or a new shirt?”

“It doesn’t. I want to take care of you. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to give you everything. I was also hoping to take you somewhere nice for dinner, and it’s a ‘little black dress’ kind of place.”

She snatches the dress from my hand with a cheesy grin. “Fine. I’ll wear the dress as long as you pick a good restaurant. Something Italian.”

“That I can do. I thought we could go to Luciano’s. What do you say?”

“Am I your girlfriend?”

I suck in a deep breath and look away from her. “I’m not sure what to call us. We only had sex last night.”

“That’s not what you told Alanna. You said girlfriend.”

“I have to talk to Will, remember? We already talked about this.”

“Maybe I should tell him,” she offers. “I could soften the blow. If I tell him I want to be with you, he’ll understand.”

I shake my head. “No, he won’t. Will asked me if I like you on more than on occasion, and I denied it every time. He was pissed when I accidentally touched your knee or told you were hot.”

She smiles. “You think I’m hot?”

I smile back. “That’s another thing I like about you. You’re gorgeous, smart, and incredibly sexy and don’t even know it.”

“So, what do we do about my brother?”

I shrug. “I have no idea. Ever since the night we kissed, I’ve asked myself the same thing.”

“Either way, we’re lying to him. I hate the secrecy.”