Simple Submission

Chapter 4-revision 1

“Care to share?” He said as she plopped down into the deceptively soft sofa sinking in, her body inching closer to his.  He began to unwrap the mystery dessert and was it was unveiled, a rather disappointed look crossed over Aubrey’s features.

Inside the lovely swan shaped foil packet was what looked like a several broken, apparently store bought, chocolate chip cookies. They looked at it then at each other and both began to laugh.

“Guess that waiter was pissed you weren’t flirting with him anymore.”

“Oh don’t start that again, I told you I don’t even know how to flirt.”

“Mmmhmm, sure,” he smirked.

Making the best of it Aubrey grabbed several of the cookie pieces and settled back against the cushions.

“So you won and fair is fair, where are we going on our next date?”

“I think, for now, I will let the where and when be a surprise but I promise to give you fair warning.”

She started to argue, she was extremely curious as to what they would be doing but simply shrugged. “Okay, sounds good”

While they ate the crumbled cookies and talked about everything from childhood experiences to who had the worst boss. Aubrey couldn’t help but notice that Ethan had moved closer to her with every topic; his fingers caressing her hand, then her arm, then her neck.

Her back was comfortably nestled against his chest as she tilted her head to look up at him.  Even from a skewed vantage point he was amazing. 

How was it that she was more comfortable around this man than she had ever been with anyone of the male gender? Considering the kiss they had shared earlier, this really astounded her.  In high school she’d had one boyfriend. Nathan had held physical affection and intimacy over her head in a game he liked to call ‘win me’.

“Lose five pounds and I will hold your hand in front of people.”

“Lose ten pounds and I will wrap my arm around you.”

“Lose twenty pounds and I will give you a kiss.”

She had never made it to twenty.

Ethan seemed to have noticed the far off look as her memories had come to the forefront.

“Where’d you go Bree?” Ethan said softly as he squeezed her hand.

She shook her head and smiled wanly, “sorry, memories rearing their ugly head.” 

His thumb was making small circles on her collarbone. 

Her stomach fluttered at the gentle touch now that they were quiet and she could just feel.  Aubrey exhaled slowly and looked up at Ethan then, he was gazing at her as though she were the only person on earth.  He’d known her for little more than a day, yet he showed more emotion for her than anyone, besides maybe her cousin Cheryl, ever had.

Aubrey thought back to the restaurant and how he had kissed her to show her that he wanted her.  She decided that she should reciprocate.  She slipped her hand from his and shifted her body around, straddling his lap.  She grinned when she saw his eyes go wide, she wasn’t really sure what had gotten in to her, but she liked that she surprised him.

His hands fell instantly to her hips as she placed her fingers against his cheek.  She gently ran her thumb over the rough stubble then leaned in and placed a soft kiss to his lips.  There was barely any pressure just a brush of her lips against his.  She pulled back and then slid her smooth cheek against its rough counter part and whispered against his ear.