Page 66 of Masquerade Mistake
“It’s okay,” he says, “I’ll take it from here.”
“Ethan.” There’s a warning in Maren’s voice.
“I’m fine, both of you,” I say, moving to stand. But the room spins around me and I moan, afraid I’m going to throw up again. Ethan pulls me to him, and I bury my face in his chest, inhaling. God, he smells so damn good. I could lick every part of him. Just the thought makes me cling to him tighter, hoping he’s the one to put me to bed.
“She’ll be fine. And safe,” Ethan assured Maren.
“Hm.”
I hear Maren’s keys as she heads to the door.
“Call me tomorrow, Claire.”
I make some kind of noise that must sound like an agreement, because the door clicks closed soon after.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” Ethan says.
“Are you coming too?” I peer up at him and grin, my heavy head flopping back. He shakes his head.
“I’m helping you get into your bed without waking Finn or breaking an ankle.” He leads me through the living room and down the hall, then to my bed. I sit on the edge and then collapse backwards. The room is still spinning, but it feels good to lie down. I close my eyes and it helps to keep the room still. I feel him take off my shoes.
“I have to pee,” I say, my eyes still closed. I tug at the jumpsuit, realizing there’s no easy way around this. He chuckles, then grips my hand to pull me up again.
“Don’t get any ideas,” he says. He places my arms on his back for support, then pulls the jumpsuit down so that I’m wearing nothing but my underwear. I hear him take in a sharp breath. His warm hand rests at my waist, and I feel his pinky finger tugging at the hem of my underwear. I hold my breath as I wait. But when I run my hand along his back, he clears his throat.
“Hold on to me, and I’ll get you to the bathroom.”
I lean on him for support as we walk. I know I should be embarrassed, especially when I sit on the toilet completely naked while he stands nearby to make sure I don’t fall. When I’m done, he helps me back to my bed, pulling the covers over me.
“Stay,” I whisper, my eyes closed.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I can hear the longing in his voice though. I smile, peeking one eye open to him.
“Please? Just for tonight?”
He doesn’t say anything for a few moments. Honestly, I think I fall asleep for a second. But I jerk awake when he says, “Okay.”
He disappears, then comes back with a pot and a glass of water.
“Just in case,” he says, placing both on my nightstand. I hear him undressing before he slides into bed with me. I scoot up to him, feeling that he’s still wearing a t-shirt and his boxers. I also feel him harden against my backside. He starts to scoot away, but I inch closer. Finally, he sighs. He slips an arm around my waist, drawing my back against his chest.
“We’re just sleeping,” he growls in my ear. I grin, nestling even closer. And in minutes, I’m out.
Chapter 27
The room is too bright when I open my eyes. Blindingly bright. I grumble at the open curtains, shielding my eyes as I search for my phone to check the time. 7:45 a.m.
“Shit!” Finn’s bus comes in ten minutes. I sit up, and my head quickly reminds me that I drank too much last night. I feel like my temples are caving in on each other, and my mouth is a sand dune. I look to my nightstand, noting the water and two aspirin. That’s when I remember Ethan.
The bed beside me is cold, which proves he’s been gone for a while. He didn’t even text me or anything. Then I hear voices in the other room—Ethan’s and Finn’s.
I take the aspirin and sip the water slowly. My stomach seems much better than last night, but I’m not taking any chances. I find a pair of sweats in a heap in the corner, then pull a robe on over it. Unable to stand the taste of my own mouth, I hurriedly brush my teeth in the bathroom. But when I look up the mirror, I stop in my tracks.
I see my mother.
My mascara pools around my eyes and streaks down my cheeks. My lipstick is smeared across my mouth. My hair is ratted in all directions. Even my skin appears sickly and pale.
I sink to the bathroom floor—no longer on a mission to leave the room—and pull my knees to my chest. My shame envelops me like quicksand. Outside the room, I can still hear my son’s small voice, followed by Ethan’s deeper one. I hear the front door open and close, followed soon after by the whining brakes of the school bus. The bus leaves, I hear dishes in the sink, and then Ethan’s footsteps approaching my bedroom door.