Make Me Series

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

VADA

I wake up refreshed and happy with my word count for the night. It wasn’t my personal best, but the few thousand words I was able to type bring me closer to my goal.

The morning starts off hectic with a call from my agent. Hannah is one of those ladies who is all business, and for most of the call, she hounds me for my manuscript, but it’s still in draft mode, so I can’t send her what she wants just yet. She really has my best interest in mind, but considering I’m already behind, it all adds to my stress level. I’ve never been late sending a book to my agent, and I don’t plan on starting now. By the time I get off the phone, I’m a bit deflated and realize how badly I need coffee. The day just started, and I can tell it’s going to be a long one.

After I brush my teeth, I head over to Ethan’s house to grab a cup of coffee. Before opening the door, I look through the window and see he’s standing at the stove scrambling eggs and frying bacon, and it smells so divine.

Unfortunately for me, he’s wearing nothing but a pair of jogging pants that are hanging off his hips. Muscles cascade down his back, and I can’t help but admire his biceps. Realizing I’m staring just a little too long, I make my presence known.

“I didn’t realize you were so domestic,” I say, entering like I own the place. He watches me as I walk to the cupboard, grabbing one of his beautiful mugs from the cabinet and pouring myself a hot cup of coffee. As soon as the caffeine hits my lips, I can’t help but let out a moan. It’s hot and strong, just the way I like the heroes in my books.

His brows shoot up as he continues studying me. “Do you always moan so loud in the morning or do you reserve that for when the sun goes down?”

I roll my eyes as I take a seat at the bar. I don’t know what the hell he’s referring to, but I’m not taking any of his crap this morning. Soon he’s plating the food, sets it in front of me, then proceeds to cook himself more.

“You didn’t have to. I was going to go out and grab some breakfast,” I tell him, forcing myself not to devour it with my hands like a savage because it smells so good.

He looks over his shoulder and speaks. “Down here, we just say thank you. Now eat it. Swear it’s not poisoned.”

When he turns back around to flip the bacon, I can’t help but smile. You don’t have to tell me twice. “Fine.” I swallow hard, forcing my eyes to look away from him. “Thank you.”

The eggs practically melt in my mouth, and the bacon is the way I like it, not burnt but crisp. By the time I’m halfway done eating, he finishes cooking and sets his food down across from me at the table. As he walks over to pour himself a cup of coffee, his bare chest and the muscles on his stomach taunt me. Seriously, this man should be on the cover of a book. Hell, he should be in a book.

“So’d you have a late night last night?” Ethan asks as he takes a bite of his eggs. The tone of his voice makes me narrow my eyes at him. After being a complete ass yesterday, I’m trying to not let out every thought that’s on my mind.

“Actually, I did. Finished a chapter I’ve been working on for a few days. I think the fresh air and country living atmosphere is really helping me,” I say honestly, trying to keep it cordial.

“Hmm.” Ethan snaps a piece of bacon in half and takes a bite. “Want to know what I think is helping you?”

I roll my eyes again, knowing some smart-ass comment is about to come from his mouth. “Please, Casanova. Enlighten me,” I say, taking a big gulp of coffee.

“Maybe it was that intense o****m you gave yourself that helped you write all night.”

I almost spit my coffee out all over him and hurry to swallow it down. My eyes nearly bug out of my head, and I’m tempted to slap that smirk right off his face. I’m shocked and somewhat embarrassed.

“What?” I shake my head at him, trying to deny it. “What are you talking about?” I act dumb, hoping he’s just messing with me and trying to get me all riled up like usual. I try to pretend last night never happened. But what the f**k? Does he have cameras in there or something? Sometimes when the words aren’t flowing, having a release helps loosen me up. When I get tense or stressed, I tend to get blocked. So, last night it really helped.

“Come on, Vada. You don’t have to get all uptight.” He continues eating, his eyes meeting mine. “Honestly, I thought it was pure f*****g perfection. So damn hot.”

My body is on fire because no one has ever watched me touch myself. Often when it comes to s*x, although I write about it all the time, I’m a private person. Heat rushes to my face. Ethan saw me completely exposed and vulnerable.

I stand, getting ready to walk away when he comes around the bar and grabs my hand. With strong arms, he spins me around until my body is close to his bare chest. He smells like vanilla and holds me in place, not allowing me to move.

“You’re an asshole for watching. Do you have a spy cam in there or something? Are you some sort of perv who likes to watch his renters?”

Ethan tightens his grip on me, and his arms fall to his sides. “Did you feel the sun beat down on your body this morning?”

That’s when the skylight above the bed dawns on me. “So you played Spider Man and was climbing on the roof? That’s so creepy.”

Shaking his head, he smiles. “My work area is in the tower on the third floor. There’s a direct view into the cottage. I couldn’t take my eyes away from you. The look on your face as you came; so f*****g hot. But I couldn’t help noticing that you could’ve used some help. There’s nothing like the real deal, sweetheart.”

“And what, you’re the real deal?” I bark out a laugh. “You’re a dickhead for watching.” I glare at him and wait.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” he finally says, sincerely. I can tell he means it, but it still doesn’t take away what he saw. I never would’ve imagined I could be seen from a distance like that. Otherwise, there’s no way I would’ve put on a show. Especially for him.

“That was private and not for you.” I poke my finger hard into his chest to really get my point across. “Southern gentleman, my ass. A gentleman would’ve walked away.”

He laughs out loud. “No way. No man would’ve turned a blind eye to that unless the ladies aren’t his thing. That’s the only way. So yes, even a gentleman would’ve watched. In fact, if I weren’t a gentleman, I would’ve stalked over and joined in.”

I gasp at his words, so bold and honest. Though I’m pissed that the moment wasn’t as private as I thought, knowing he watched and enjoyed it is doing unusual things to my body. Tingles rush through me, and I feel exhilarated from it all, but even so, I want nothing more than to escape from his presence. He’s way too close for comfort, and the way he’s looking at me with soft eyes is…different.

“I said, I’m sorry. Accept it or not,” he tells me before walking back to his breakfast.

I suck in a deep breath and go back to my plate of food and finish eating without saying a word while Ethan’s eyes are glued to me. When I look up at him, he’s smiling, chewing with his mouth open.

“Have some manners, at least. Not only are you an ass, but you’re disgusting, too.” As always, my words don’t faze him. He stands and places his plate in the sink then walks around and grabs mine. His arm brushes against my skin and goose bumps trail up and down my body. Tucking my arms in my lap, I don’t dare give him any fuel to add to his country bumpkin bonfire because he’s enjoying this way too much.

I’m intrigued, but I don’t say a word. Sometimes the silent treatment is more powerful than saying what’s on my mind.

Turning around, he gives me a smirk as he leans against the counter. “So one more question for you. What time should I be in the tower tonight? Same as last night?”

“You’re seriously one of the biggest douchebags I’ve ever met.”

“Oh, come on. That can’t be true. I’m sure you’ve met bigger ones.” He grins, knowing he’s getting under my skin.

“Sometimes I get anxious or restless, and I need a release to help me relax and concentrate so I can get back to work. It clears my mind, so I don’t overthink while writing. There’s nothing wrong with it. Nothing at all. So quit bringing it up. It happened, and it’s over. Get over it. Next time, I’ll make sure to take a nice long bath instead. There’s no spy windows in there.” I’m so annoyed, I walk across the kitchen to pour coffee in my cup that I plan on taking to-go.

“s**t, you must get yourself off several times during the day then, because uptight seems to be your middle name.” Ethan chuckles.

I roll my eyes so hard they might actually fall right out of my head.

“Shut up, Ethan.” There are too many words to write, and I’m wasting too much time with him. Just as I head to the door, he speaks up again.

“Vada.” He walks to me, allowing himself into my personal space. I take a step backward, which only causes him to take another step forward. “Any time you need to be unwound, just let me know.” His voice is low, rough, and so damn sexy that my mouth falls open.

I look into his eyes and can tell he’s actually f*****g serious. My face contorts, and I look at him like he’s lost his damn mind. “Seriously? Is this the part where I’m supposed to fall on my knees for you?”

“You’re the author here. Tell me how you’d write the story,” he quips.

I pretend to throw up in my mouth.

“Goddamn, you’re always so feisty. I kinda like that, you know.”

I huff. “I don’t know you, and you sure as hell don’t know me. I’m not some w***e at your service. That’s not who I am. But then again, I’m paying you, so that’d make you my w***e if we were to get technical here.”

Slowly, Ethan brushes his fingers across my cheek and tucks my messy morning hair behind my ear. Those stupid tingles creep across my body, and it takes everything I have not to lean into his touch.

Leaning over, he whispers in my ear. “s*x doesn’t have to be like one of those romantic scenes in your books. Sometimes it can be purely physical with no strings attached.” His breath runs along my skin, and his mouth barely grazes the shell of my ear causing me to shiver. As he pulls away, I feel as if I’m unable to move, glued to the floor, holding my mug as tight as I can so I don’t drop it. Swallowing hard, I try to catch the breath he somehow stole.

Snapping out of it and finally finding my words, I think of the perfect response. “So do you offer your d**k to all the women who rent your cottage? If so, you should really update your Airbnb listing. Country cottage comes with amenities, such as beautiful views, flower gardens, and gigolo services. Probably could get double your rate.”

Ethan crosses his strong arms over his chest and smirks. This time, the way he’s looking at me with those honey-colored eyes practically make my panties melt off my body. Seriously, I’m surprised there’s not a line of women waiting at his door. However, he’s probably screwed and scared them all away.

“Actually, sweetheart,” he starts, sucking in a breath. “You’d be the first.” Ethan chews on his plump bottom lip before taking a sip of coffee.

Dead. I’m dead, but I have to pull it together before I do something stupid and spontaneous. Like accept his ridiculous offer.

“Right. I really believe that. It’s been real fun, but I gotta go, Casanova. Try not to offer your d**k to too many women today while you’re out and about. It might fall off or something.”

Before I close the door, I hear him loudly chuckling, and it drives me absolutely insane. He’s enjoying this way too much, and it’s bothering the s**t out of me because nothing I say remotely affects him. It takes everything I have to not turn around and give him a piece of my mind, but he’d probably like it. Considering I’ve dealt with his type before, and I don’t want to end up having rough, crazy s*x on the kitchen floor with him, walking away is the best decision.

Once I’m in the cottage, I sip my coffee while sitting back at the desk and turn on my laptop. I reread the previous chapter, trying to get back into my headspace, but I’m drawing nothing. At this point, I’ve gone completely off my outline, and no words are coming to me. There’s nothing but a cursor on a blank page. This chapter and two others have to be written today, which is thousands of words. I stare up at the ceiling, trying to concentrate then c***k my fingers and place them back on the keyboard.

Blink. Blink. Blink.

That stupid cursor is mocking me.

A few hours pass and I write a lousy paragraph that I end up deleting. Hannah's words are repeating in my mind, and I remind myself that she’s rooting for me and my career. Basically, I just need to get my s**t together. My last book didn’t sell as well as I had hoped, or my publisher expected, so if I don’t knock it out of the park with this new project, my writing career may be doomed. There’s no way I’m going back to the corporate world. Writing is my calling, my passion, and I have to make this work. Closing my eyes tight, I hope the words will just flow through my fingers like magic.

Blink. Blink. Blink. I’m two seconds away from banging my head against the desk, and after six long hours of getting nothing done, I’m becoming more desperate. This day cannot be wasted. I need words at this point like I need air.

All my anxiety and stress about this deadline is mixing with Casanova’s words. He basically presented me his d**k on a gold platter. Probably all hard and thick with bulging veins and a velvet-soft shaft. f**k. Maybe he was kidding or baiting me, but when I looked into his eyes, I knew deep down he was serious.

There was no joking.

No animosity.

That man meant what he said with every fiber of his being. But the truth is, girls like me don’t go for guys like him. Our types clash. Always.