Moth to Flame

CHAPTER 8

Mia

I awoke to the sounds of heavy rain outside. I tried to get up out of bed but something heavy was over my waist making it impossible to move. The room was bathed in blackness. The clock next to the bed indicated that it was a little after five in the morning. I was warm.  I didn't want to get up, but I really had to pee. I blinked a few times and tried to clear the cobwebs out of my mind, and that's when it all came back to me.

This was Ethan's bed, and I had spent the night with him! When I looked over, I saw that his eyes were still closed and his breathing was regular. My angel was sound asleep. He looked so peaceful laying there in all his glory. 

Ethan only wore boxers to bed, and in the shadows I could see his pale hard chest rising and falling with every breath he took. His lips were in a perpetual pout and one of his big hands rested low on his toned stomach. His silky blond hair was a mess. I had to bite down on my lip to stop myself from caressing it.

Just thinking about the things Ethan and I had done last night caused a deep blush to creep up my cheeks. No one had ever touched me there, but Ethan's hands felt familiar, like they belonged inside of me. And when his sweet mouth had joined his hands, a fire had been lit inside of my body. I had seriously thought I was going to spontaneously combust right in the middle of the bed. Ethan had been so patient and kind with me. I still couldn't believe I'd given him a blowjob.

In college, Joanne and I had wanted to learn more about s*x, so we did some research. Joanne's father was a minister, so she hadn't gotten a lot of education in s****l intimacy. Of course, with my mother being dead and my father being Chief of Police, I hadn't managed to learn that much about s*x either. I mean I knew what happened, but I had no idea about the actual act and how to make it enjoyable. 

One of our research opportunities had in the form of a class. We had been looking at the student boards and saw a handout announcing a class for 'Everything you ever wanted to know about sex.' We’d thought that the class would be perfect for us, and it was being held on campus. The class had been full of both males and females, and the lecturer was a s*x therapist. To say that the class had been enlightening would be an understatement; it had been mind blowing. 

We had watched porn, discussed proper blow job etiquette, established how to find the G-spot, watched a live s*x session, and read the ‘Kama Sutra”. If Wyatt had known I'd taken that lecture, he would have probably made me move off campus and back in with him. Luckily, he had never found out.

About a month after the s*x education class, Joanne met Greg. It was pretty much love at first sight, and she then had an actual man to try all of our research on. Judging by how happy Greg had  looked all the time, I would say what we learned had been very helpful.

Unfortunately, I hadn't found a boyfriend that year. I got set up and went out on a few dates, but nothing felt right. I definitely hadn't wanted to sleep with any of the guys. 

For a while, I thought something was wrong with me for not having a s****l relationship in college. Everyone else had seemed to be alright hooking up and having fun. I realized the reason I had never done it was because I had been waiting on my soulmate.

I never thought sucking a man's p***s could be erotic, but it was. Ethan tasted amazing, and although he was big, I could get most of him in my mouth. Last night, he made the most beautiful noises when I was blowing him. It made my chest swell to know that me, a shy innocent, could make a man like Ethan feel pleasure. 

He had come in my mouth, and I’d swallowed because I wanted as much of Ethan inside of me as possible. I knew soon we'd be actually having s*x, but hopefully we'd work up to that slowly. I needed to know more about my lover before I gave him the last piece of me.

Pulling myself from my overactive brain, I paddled across the hall to the bathroom. It was still a little strange to use a black toilet. After I used the restroom, I decided to look around a bit. I wasn't going to snoop. But if I came across something, then I would likely find out more about Ethan. 

I started in the living room, where I saw his jacket from yesterday was on the couch. I picked it up so I could hang it in the closet. It felt heavy so I decided to look in the pockets to see what was weighing it down. Inside the pocket was a shiny black gun and a holster.

Even though Mitch had been Police Chief, I didn't know much about guns. Sequim was small and there wasn't much crime, so dad didn't always carry his gun. The piece of metal in my hand as nothing like my dad's service pistol.

I knew Ethan was a dangerous man. I had seen the way people looked at him. I'd seen him beat up guys just for touching me, but it still was surprising to see that he carried a gun on him so openly. I didn't know if I should remove the gun and hang the jacket up or just hang the jacket up with the gun still inside. In the end, I decided to just leave the jacket and the gun where I found them.

I was still feeling a little uneasy about what I just learned about Ethan, so I decided now would be a great time to start breakfast. I was going to make fresh blueberry waffles, sausage, and eggs. 

Seeing Ethan's gun was not the only thing that had me feeling nervous. Tonight was the dinner party, and I would be meeting his family. He had already told me a little about them. I knew they were rich, and I didn't want to embarrass him by doing something stupid. 

Also, I was worried for Wyatt because he had been stressed out about making a good impression on the parents. Wyatt and Abigail were serious, and he was going to introduce himself as her boyfriend. He knew he would be getting grilled by the rest of her family. I just hoped I don't trip, and that Ethan's mother wouldn't call me a w***e or something. I couldn't imagine what they would think of me if they knew I was sleeping with my boss.

After I put the sausage in the oven, I went back into the room to grab my cell phone. I made sure to stay quiet so I wouldn't wake up Ethan. I closed the door behind me and stepped back into the kitchen. My phone display said I had four missed text message. I scrolled through to see who they were from.

Text 1: “Are you sure you want to spend the night with him? Call me back. I can come upstairs to get you if you change your mind.”

Text 2: “Obviously you didn't change your mind, so Abigail and I are leaving. I love you.”

Text 3: “Please, please, please use protection. Do you need me to take you to Planned Parenthood?”

Text 4: “Mia, tell Sodero I'll kill him if one hair on your pretty head is harmed.”

Apparently, Wyatt had lost his mind. I was almost twenty-four and a college graduate with a full-time job - yet he thought I needed him to take me to get birth control. I reread his messages again and couldn't help but giggle. It was sweet of him to be so worried. If I had to have a conversation about reproductive health with my brother, I was going to be sick.

I erased all of his messages and sent him one back letting him know I was okay, and that he wouldn't have to kill Ethan. I also told him we would see him at dinner tonight, and to make sure he got flowers for Mrs. Mitchell. I was just about to start pouring batter into the waffle maker when I felt a pair of arms snake around my waist.

“Hey, babydoll. Why the f**k are you up so early, and why didn't you stay in bed with me?" His voice was gravelly from sleep - it sounded like liquid s*x.

A low moan escaped my lips before I could stop it. I felt Ethan's body grow tense, and then he lifted the hem of the nightshirt and touched my stomach. I felt myself getting hot. I needed to finish breakfast, so I stepped away from him.

“Not now, Ethan. I got up to make breakfast. You looked tired, so I was going to let you sleep in longer."

Ethan's breathing had picked up, and I could feel his morning erection. I chanced a glance at him and saw that he was staring at me intently.

“What?" I asked, hoping that he would let me finish breakfast before he jumped me.

“Nothing, you just look so f*****g beautiful standing there in my shirt cooking for me. I want to wake up with you every f*****g day. You're mine, Mia. Promise you won't ever leave me." Ethan looked concerned as his eyes were pleading with me.

I put the spatula down and walked over to him, pulling his lips down to mine in a hungry possessive kiss. "I won't ever leave you, Ethan. You're mine, too. Forever. I will be with you for as long as you want me."

He kissed my eyelids, my forehead, and my cheeks. "I'll want you forever. Even when our souls no longer inhabit the earth, we'll roam somewhere together."

I felt tears falling down my cheeks. Ethan leaned over and kissed them away and we just stood to hug each other for a long time.

“What brought that on?" I asked, hoping he would tell me why he looked so scared a minute ago.

He was rubbing circles on my lower back, and I could feel those tingles spreading all over my body already. “Nothing, baby doll. It's just that you may find out some s**t about me at dinner tonight. s**t that would make you question me or our love. I just want you to be prepared.”

"I tried to look at him, but he wouldn't make eye contact. "You know, if you told me the truth about yourself, you wouldn't have to worry about what someone else might tell me. I already saw the gun, and…" That's all I got out before he pushed me away.

“Mia, you had no f*****g right to look through my goddamn things! Are you f*****g spying on me now? Do you not trust me? Don't you ever touch my f*****g gun again. Do I make myself clear?"

I was angry. Why did he always have to assume the worst and lose his temper? Any normal person would have just explained, but no, he had to blow a gasket and curse at me. I was sick of it and wouldn't put up with it again. 

“Christ, Ethan! You lie to me. You tell me to trust you, but you hide important things from me. You fly off the handle and yell at me instead of talking to me like an adult.

“No, I wasn't spying on you. I was going to hang up your jacket when I noticed it was heavy. I reached in and that's when I saw the gun. I didn't touch it, and I left the jacket where it was.

“Don't worry, you have made yourself very clear; it's clear you don't trust me. I'm going to call a taxi to take me home." 

I left him standing there while I went to the bathroom to change into the dress I had worn yesterday. I couldn't believe Ethan. He said all those sweet things to me, and then turned around and ruined our moment by being an asshole. I needed to get away from him for a while. I still had the dinner to go to tonight, but I wasn't looking forward to it anymore.

He began pounding on the door. "Mia, get your ass back in here right now, and I'll forget about your disobedience. You are not leaving, and you're definitely not taking a taxi home.”

I couldn't believe Ethan was commanding me like I was a child and making demands. "I am leaving. You don't own me, Ethan Mitchell. I am free to come and go as I please.”

"Damn it, Mia. I will break down this goddamn door if you don't come out here and apologize to me. You have five minutes." I could hear his footsteps retreat from the door.

I put the blue dress back on. Since my pantyhose had been ruined last night, I had to go with bare legs. I looked slutty. I had on last nights clothes, my lips were swollen, and my hair was a mess. Hopefully, the cab driver wouldn't say anything. I ran a brush through my hair. Then I found an Uber, and told them I needed a pick up in fifteen minutes, which would give me enough time to argue with Ethan and get out of here.

When I got out of the bathroom, he was at the kitchen island brooding. A pang went through my heart looking at him sitting there practically naked. I had to stick to my decision, though, and not let temptation get in the way.

“My taxi will be here in fifteen minutes. Say what you need to say and then let me out of here." I looked at the ground and played with my necklace while I waited for his answer.

He turned around to look at me and I saw it in his eyes. He was really angry. His hands were balled into fists and his nostrils were flaring. For the first time since I met him, I was truly afraid of Ethan.

"I told you not to f*****g call the taxi! Why don't you ever listen to a goddamn word I say? Do you enjoy pissing me the f**k off!? You just told me that you would never f*****g leave me, and here you are doing it again. You're just a goddamn liar, just like all the other cunts.”

First of all, no one called me a cunt. Second of all, I wasn't a child or a piece of property Ethan could order around. My feet were moving before my brain could catch up. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of him. He had called me a slur and hurt my feelings. I wasn't going to take that lying down. I balled my fist up and then I hit him square in the jaw. Hard.

“Don't you ever call me a cunt again, Sodero! I am not leaving you. You are being an asshole and yelling at me. You were clearly worried about something. Instead of talking to me, you ask me to trust you when you don't trust me enough to tell me the truth. I'm sick of your mood swings. You're only happy with me when I'm cooking or getting naked for you. Being in a relationship is about more than that. Until you figure out your mess, stay away from me!”

I felt drained and nauseous. The smell of the breakfast in the kitchen was turning my stomach. Ethan was still rubbing his jaw and staring at me with a look of disgust on his face.

“f*****g fine! If that's the way you want it… Get the f**k out and stay out! You had your fun trying to change the bad boy. Too bad you couldn't get me to f**k you. We could have had fun, baby doll. It's your f*****g loss. I don't want to see you unless it's at work. I'll have my lawyer add an appropriate workplace attire clause to your contract. If you ever come into work with any of those f*****g skimpy clothes on again, I'll fire your ass. Have a great life, Mia Watson." With that, he walked over to the door and entered the code.

There were so many tears in my eyes that I couldn't see straight. I had to get away from him now. He had just dismissed me like I was nothing but last week's trash. We've always fought before, but this was different. He sounded final, and he refused to look at me.

“Ethan closed the door behind him and I was left staring at the bookcase. I was all out sobbing now and my chest was heaving with the effort. I shouldn't have let him get to me like that. What if he never talked to me again?

I gathered my things and went outside to meet the Uber. I hopped inside as quick as possible. Thankfully, the driver refrained from conversation.

I cried the whole way home and left the driver a large tip because he had been so nice not to comment on my predicament. As I was leaving, he told me I was too pretty of a girl to cry so much.  I thanked him and went inside our apartment.

It was empty because Wyatt was spending the night with Abigail. She had an apartment in Ethan's condo building, and Wyatt slept over there a couple of nights a week. I was glad he wasn't home because I wasn't in any mood for ‘I-told-you- so's’ and other lectures.

I drank a glass of orange juice. Then I crept upstairs to lie back down. I felt exhausted, and I thought it would help me to get a nap before the dinner party. Despite what had occurred between Ethan and I, I felt it was my duty to still show up as his guest and support my brother.

I called Wyatt and asked him to give me a ride. He was curious to why I wasn't riding with Ethan, but I told him I didn't want to talk about it. Abigail was able to calm him down so I could hang up my phone. Then, I fell into a restless sleep.

The alarm woke me up at four, which meant I would have an hour to get ready before Wyatt and Abigail came by to get me. I reached into my closet and removed the white long sleeved silk trim babydoll dress I'd bought for a special occasion. It was short, shorter than the dress I had worn yesterday. I was going to pair it with jewel tone blue tights. The dress had a gathered bust line that drew attention to my breasts, so I put on a dark blue push up bra.

Originally, I had purchased this dress with Ethan in mind, but with the way things were with us now, he probably wouldn't even notice me. I felt awful about what had happened between us. I went to my phone and texted him because I was weak. I needed to keep the lines of communication open.

Mia: “Ethan, are you all right? I'm sorry for leaving.”

Well, if Ethan wanted to act like a child, he could go right ahead. I was done with it. Loving someone should not have been this difficult. If he wanted me, he was going to have to come get me. I was tired of trying to make us a couple when he wouldn't even contribute.

I threw down my phone angrily and went back to curling my hair. I decided to put it all up on top of my head and add some blue and silver clips. I left a few tendrils hanging down to complete the look. 

Next, I put on small round diamond earrings. They had been my mother's, and I only wore them on special occasions. I paired my babydoll dress and tights with my blue and silver flats. I did my eyes in a smoky look again and added nude lipstick and gloss. I had to use foundation to cover up Ethan's love bites, and when I was done they were unnoticeable. After checking myself out in the mirror, I decided I looked good enough to eat with the Mitchells.

When I got downstairs, I grabbed my small evening bag from the storage space in the den, and put on a blue cardigan. My phone buzzed, it was Wyatt letting me know they would be there in five minutes. 

I locked up the door and stood on the porch to wait for them. I heard the engine purr, and then the Mercedes was in the driveway. I knew the car was a gift from Ethan to Wyatt for doing such a great job. Even though my relationship with Ethan was probably over, I didn't want Wyatt to get caught in the middle. My phone buzzed again and I realized it was a text from Ethan.

Ethan: “Coming by to get you now. Wait for me.”

Mia: “Don't bother. You told me to leave you alone, so I am. Abigail and Wyatt are here, and I'm riding with them.”

Ethan: “I'm sorry. See you at dinner.”

I was tired of playing Ethan's little games. He had pissed me off and I didn't plan on riding with him in uncomfortable silence. Hopefully, he would ignore me at dinner tonight, and I would do the same to him.

Wyatt made a move to get out of the car, but I motioned for him to stay inside. I opened the back door and breathed a sigh of relief. Abigail was giving me a sympathetic look while also keeping an eye on Wyatt.

"Mia, you look absolutely gorgeous. I will have to take you shopping with me sometimes. I'm so glad you're coming to meet my family. I know they'll love you and Wyatt.”

Abigail looked great, too. She had on a purple tunic with white skinny jeans and stacked heels. Her hair was extra cute, and with her makeup, she looked like a runway model.

I smiled weakly at her, clearly not in the mood to talk. That didn't stop Wyatt from badgering me, though. "Mia, you've been crying. I always know when you're hiding something from me. Tell me what that bastard did so I'll know what to yell at him while I'm kicking his ass.”

Abigail gasped and turned around and looked at me again. "I'm so sorry, Mia. Ethan throws these tantrums, and I can imagine what he said to you. He didn't mean it. I'm sure. Are you okay?"

I felt like a child being chastised by her parents after running away in the park. "I don't want to talk about Ethan or what happened between us. I don't want to hear about how you told me this would happen, or anything else regarding the subject. Let's just get this dinner over with so I can go sulk in bed." 

Wyatt's hands were gripping the steering wheel hard, and I could see the anger in his eyes through the mirror. Abigail grabbed his hand and he calmed down. When I saw their intertwined fingers, a sense of sadness pierced my stomach. Less than twenty-four hours ago, Ethan and I had been doing the same thing. The fact that he could dismiss me so easily showed me that he wasn't in love like he had claimed to be.

Well I don't need him, and he definitely doesn't need me.

Then why did my heart hurt so much to think of him never talking to me again? I laid my head on the leather seats and dozed while Wyatt made his way to the outskirts of Seattle.

We arrived at the Mitchells a little over an hour later. I knew they were rich, but my god. The mansion was huge. It was white with stone overlays. It had huge colonial columns also done in white, and there looked to be at least three floors. The house was surrounded by the most beautiful garden I had ever seen in my life. The back area led out into a meadow, and I could see squirrels running in the trees. There were lots of cars in the garage area. I saw Ethan's Phantom, so I knew he must already be inside.

Wyatt looked really taken aback by the opulence, so I took his hand and squeezed it to let him know I was here for him. He looked over at me and hugged my shoulders. Abigail led us up the stairs. The door was answered by a beautiful woman with a gorgeous face, light chestnut hair, and warm hazel eyes.

Mommy!" Abigail squealed as she jumped into the woman's arms.

Wow.

I couldn't believe this gorgeous looking woman was Ethan and Abigail's mother. She looked more like their older sister. Abigail introduced Wyatt and then me. Eleanor gave us both hugs, and I noticed Wyatt relaxed after that gesture.

Eleanor was dressed in a green and blue flowing dress which showed off her gorgeous arms. Already I liked her. She seemed warm, motherly, and kind. She smelled like sunshine and Dior. I wondered how such a beautiful person could raise someone like Ethan, but I refrained from asking that question.

Someone came up behind Eleanor and gave Abigail a hug. "Hey, Tinkerbell. Are these the Watsons you've been going on so much about?" 

The man was absolutely gorgeous. He was tall with light blond hair and baby blue eyes. His body looked like it got regular exercise. He was wearing an expensive looking sweater and slacks combo. I must have been staring at him for too long, because everyone was giggling and prodding me when I looked around.

“Sorry, I'm Mia," I said, blushing.

“Dr. Jeff Mitchell at your service, dear. You have the most beautiful blush, Mia," he said, winking at me. I blushed harder and looked down at the ground.

Eleanor slapped her husband on the arm and told him to stop flirting. He apologized, and then they shared an intimate kiss. You could see the love that radiated between them. I felt sick, not because they were happy, but because I was never going to feel that again.

I was broken out of my private thoughts by a booming laugh coming closer. I looked up, and one of the biggest men I had ever seen was in front of me. He was holding two small boys who looked enough like him for me to deduce they were his sons. He had dark curly hair and light brown eyes. The boys had his hair color, but their eyes were a sparkling blue. They were all laughing, and he had them over his shoulders. He set them down so he could introduce himself.

“Hi, my name is Ian. I'm Ethan and Abigail's brother. These are my sons Collin and Brady." He shook both me and Wyatt's hands in between retrieving Collin and Brady before they could make a run for it.

A beautiful woman came out of the room he had just exited. She had gorgeous blue eyes, like the little boys. She was curvy with large breasts. Her blonde hair was hanging in curls down her back. She had on a beautiful red cocktail dress.

“Babe, I could hear you all the way from the second floor. Try to keep it down." She then turned to me. "Hi, I'm Valerie, Ian's wife. You must be Mia.”

I nodded. She looked me up and down and then gave me a small smile before turning to introduce herself to Wyatt.

Brady started to cry, so I reached into my purse and pulled out one of the emergency cookies I carried for when I needed a sugar rush. I looked at Valerie to see if it was okay and she nodded her head yes. 

Not to be outdone, Collin began crying a minute later, and I produced another cookie for him. Valerie told them to thank Mia for giving them the cookies. Neither one of them could say 'Mia' correctly, it came out sounding like "Meeba". They were both really cute. I began to like them immediately. Valerie looked over and gave me a genuine smile after that. I felt like maybe I had made a friend.

Eleanor and Jeff led us into the sitting room. I had begun to wonder where Ethan was; surely he was still in the house. Valerie and Ian went to put Collin and Brady to sleep, and Eleanor turned to chat with me. I told her about my home life, the death of my parents, and how Wyatt was adopted. Eleanor had a genuinely compassionate heart, and I enjoyed talking to her.

I was just about to ask about Ethan’s whereabouts when I heard his voice. "Sorry, Mom, I just wanted to show Lena the gardens. I see you've met my new secretary. Hello, Mia."