CHAPTER SEVEN
We walked up George Street, headed for nowhere in particular, Sunday was different in the city, there were no men dressed in their dapper business suits rushing from building to building or women dressed in their killer heels and power suits . Instead funkily dressed people walked casually around making the city such an eclectic and diverse mix of cultures.
Family’s were out, kids exploring the young history of the City, The War Memorial came into view. It was a quiet place for contemplation of our forefathers. Many people were taking pictures of the cenotaph and reading dedications left.
I still wasn’t sure of what planet my brain had left for. Much less what was I thinking spending the day with this man that I hardly knew.
“Were are we going now?” I asked Ethan, not really caring so long as he kept hold of my hand and was happy to spend it with me I was good.
“Wherever you would like,” he said smiling and relaxed. I got the feeling he didn’t take time out just to be. I felt good about this, for once this is living life in the moment...enjoy it I told myself. I knew exactly where I wanted to go.
“Tiffany & Co it is then,” I said looking straight ahead, I could feel Ethan still smiling.
“I’ve never been there before Addison”. Oh say my name again...
“Thats ok Ethan, lucky I have and I can talk you through it”.
The building sat on two floor’s, the door was opened by the Maitre D, who was security in disguise. There were rows and rows of glass encased jewelry counters. All gold and glittery, sparkling with diamonds and precious stones. Ethan let go of my hand and headed towards the cabinets.
I loved coming here, if only just to browse, as a young girl I was fascinating with all things that sparkled. My mum had always brought me into the City and Tiffany & Co was always one of my pilgrimages when I came to Sydney. Yes there were Tiffany & Co’s all over the world but this one meant the most to me.
I forgot Ethan was with me but felt his presence close by. I was quite taken with one of the gold rings in the cabinet. It was one of their most delicate pieces with diamante encircling the entire thin band, it looked very dainty and would only suit a slim hand. Owning it was more of a fantasy for more and its price sat somewhere over the ten thousand dollar mark.
I sighed and walked on, this was the same ring that was here a year ago and I wondered how many women had accepted happily this gift from their loving man?
I saw Ethan heading up the stairs and admired the way he moved in his jeans and jacket, I guess he was curious. I knew upstairs only housed the silver jewelry, sunglasses and handbags...they didn’t interest me.
The sales lady was happy to show me the ring I was admiring. I almost didn’t want to touch it, she placed with well jewelled fingers, the ring onto a teale velmet mat and pushed it nearer to me. With a deep sigh I placed the light piece onto my middle finger, I held my hand out to admire it from afar. I must have been in another world as a two hands sat low on my hips. I gasped in shock at once and almost bowled Ethan over.
“Addison, I didn’t mean to shock you, are you OK?” Came Ethans warm concerned voice.
I turn to look sheepishly at him, he’d caught me in a day dream and fantasising about this silly ring that was still on my finger, it suddenly felt as heavy as a rock.
“I’m fine, you just surprised me, I thought you were still upstairs,” giggling to try and cover up my embarrassment.
“I was and then I realised that everything of worth was downstairs,” He said turning me to fully face him, still feeling a little foolish I really didn’t want to look up at his too blue eyes. As if on cue Ethan tugged at my chin with his forefinger hence making it impossible not to meet his gaze.
His expression wasn’t at all what I expected, his searing blue eyes were invariably searching my own. At that moment I felt the connection between us, no words were necessary to convey. I saw it then, Ethan looked vulnerable, he’d been hurt before,
scorching blue on blue eyes he had made an indelible impression on me.
Breaking the spell Ethan uttered my name. Shaking my head to free the zinging feelings inside me I scrambled to remember what exactly I was doing and then it came flooding back. Tiffany & Co, pretty sparkly ring...still on my finger!
Turning back to the sales lady and thus reluctantly releasing myself from Ethan’s arms at my waist, she was watching us with quiet jealousy.
“Want me to wrap it up,” She said looking hopeful at a sale.
“No...I was just looking, thank you,” And I pulled the ring off and placed it back on its teal colored velvet carpet. I abruptly walked away from Ethan and the ring and through the exit door where the crisp autumn air hit me in the face and cleared my head.
********
Headed back to The Grand, the sun was starting to sink closer to the horizon. It was late afternoon and the autumn chill was in the air. The days were beautiful and warm but as soon as the sun went down it was cool.
“Addison,” Ethan said my name questioningly.
“Are you going to ask me out to dinner tonight Ethan,” being bold and brazen felt good and so unlike me.
Ethan’s grin could light up the Opera House. “I don’t want this day to end”. He looked at me and his midnight blue eyes burned straight down to my belly where I could feel my sexual tension simmering.
“Me neither.” And we stopped out the front of The Grand, turning to each other and leaning in until our lips met, kissing hard...like it was the most natural thing in the world. He broke away first and left me bereft and breathless.
“Pick you up at eight, what room are you in?” He voice was a soft growl as if he was left wanting more.
“201...Penthouse,” I said smuggly letting my hands fall from his chiseled chest. Ethan raised that perfect eyebrow at me again.
“Seems we are neighbors...shall we,” he said grabbing my hand once again leading me inside the hotel.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Once inside the tranquility of my room, away from Ethan and his intoxicating presence, I started to doubt what it is I was trying to accomplish. Kissing this man all over Sydney, walking hand in hand like lovers do, made me ask the question why am I so drawn to him?
Apart from his handsome features and the way he carries himself, even the clothes he wears attracted me to him. Black v-neck t-shirt and levi’s with a brown worn leather belt holding them up. Worn in brown leather shoes that looked purposefully distressed. Silver aviator sun glasses covering his midnight blue eyes. Scruptuous and sexy rolled into an irresistible package of man candy, I could lick it all day long and still want more.
How could I not be drawn to him! I never would have guessed that just going to breakfast this morning would result in me spending my day off with my beautiful Knight in shining armour. Luckily I had put some effort into what I threw on today. My favourite pair of Bettina Liano jeans and a simple white shirt tucked in lazily with leapard print belt cinched just below my waist. I had debated on a pair of wedges or flats...the flats won out in the end and for all the walking out I had done today I had made the right choice.
Showering and carefully washing my hair twice and leaving the conditioner in for longer than I needed I thought about Alex. He was the last real relationship I’d had. There were some holiday daliances in different parts of the world. Although I wasn’t in the habit of one night stands but I had afew of these on my foreign journeys. Back at home in Manhattan I really didn’t let anyone get too close for very long. I would only be getting sent off my another assignment soon enough, there was no time for anything serious.
Ethan was different...I could see him being the exception to my rule. And that rule was to never let any man get too close as hurting someone the way I had Alex I could never do again. I was a selfish human being, choosing my career over a man. Finding love again wasn’t of mad importance, having true friends was and I cherished them like crazy.
Dismissing all negative thoughts I would allow the night to unfold organically, tonight I would allow myself to break all the rules. Tonight I felt like I had the world at my feet and I was going to live it to the fullest.
......
I decided on the light blue bodycon dress that stretched over my body like a glove, just resting a couple of inches above my knees. It had one wide shoulder strap, my other shoulder was left bare, I wore my hair down in light waves sweeping it over my exposed shoulder. I only even wore light make as my olive skin didn’t need any foundation, but tonight I decided to wear some eyeliner and blush. Of course I never went anywhere without my trusty lip gloss and this season red was my color of choice.
I was slipping my feet into a pair of black stilettos when I heard a light tap at the door. My heart jumped into my throat. I was so nervous for this moment, for the night to begin. Just knowing Ethan was only a few feet down the hallway had me feeling giddy for the last two hours without him.
I would have to reign in my excitement when I saw him. The eagerness I felt was evident in the soft ache I felt in my lower stomach. Was I anticipating tonight as much as Ethan might be? God I hoped so...I had never know a man where our attraction was instantaneous and so electric you could light up Times Square with it.
Hearing a faint knock on the door broke my crazy thoughts. My Midnight Blue was awaiting me to open the door.
Opening the door, Ethan looked taken aback and lost for words for a second, then he smiled sweetly and shook his head taking me in from head to toe, he let out a low wolf whistle.
“You like?” Oh hell yes he liked, that was obvious. I turned and walked into the suite, he followed in after me. I picked up my dangly earrings off one of the side tables putting them on whilst I glanced Ethan from head to toe, it was hard not no look only at his eyes, they were undoubtably his best feature.
Black dress pants and light grey shirt open at the neck. Sleeves rolled up to his forearms...mmmmm those strong sexy arms. I mentally slapped my forehead for ogling him.
“Addison, you look lovely...,” he took a step towards me “Your hair’s down...” He took both of my hands in his one and with his other hand he picked up a wave of my hair and twirled it around his finger. It was as if he was remembering something.
I wasn’t breathing, being so close to Ethan, my hands in his, loving the contact. There was that electric spark again as we both looked at each other. I finally took in a deep breath inhaling his unique masculine scent. He was assaulting all of my senses at once and it was almost too much to bare.
Pulling me to him so quickly Ethan kissed me hard and fast, I met him with the same amount of force. I wanted his tongue in my mouth and opened up to allow him access. I let out a soft moan and Ethan kissed me harder with more fervor.
"Jesus Addison," he was always pulling away first. "If we keep this up were not getting further than this room," he leaned his forehead and rested it on mine.
Surprising myself I lifted my face up to his and said. "Maybe I'm not hungry for food".
"Sweatheart", he whispered..."Let's not rush...the night is young." His breath whispered softly above me as Ethan was at least a foot taller than I, even with killer heels on.
His words surprised me, shouldn't I have just said that. I felt like I was leading him astray. Conceding to his suggestion, I kissed him lightly on his soft yet firm lips and with reluctance said, "Ok Romeo lets go...where are we going anyway?"
"Addison where we end up no body knows". And with that we linked hands and headed for the door.
......
Ethan had taken me to eat at a new Japanese restaurant just out of the city. Apparently everyone was raving about it and after dining there I can say it was world class cuisine. Was if awful that I was still working as I could include this in my report?
The driver opened the limo door for us and we climbed in. A limousine was so unnecessary. Ethan said it was the only car they had available...I wasn't quite so sure.
He gave the driver instructions for our next stop. I was surprised that we weren't headed back for the hotel. Looking sideways at Ethan trying to gauge what he was thinking. His devilishly handsome smirk caused me to have visions of ripping his shirt open in this very limo...oh but I would never. Instead I sat patiently and allowed the night to be...