47 — Sex on the beach.

Dad and Julian have really been generous in their choice of the pub to celebrate the successful closing of the deal. This is one of the fanciest pubs in New York City and, of course, one of the most expensive. The staff probably wouldn't come here if the drinks weren't paid for. This is also my first time here since when I reached the age of 21, I was already in a relationship with Eric.
As soon as we arrive, a VIP room has been reserved for us, with a bar attached to the side and a small dance floor for those who wish to have fun moving their bodies — something that's definitely not for me. So, I just keep myself close to the long table with various snacks, as do most of the other employees.
“What are you drinking?” Ethan asks, taking a seat next to me.
I raise my eyes to see him move his body towards me, slipping his arm over the back of the chair, holding mine close to my shoulder. The flirty smile is still on his lips, something so natural I can't imagine him without it.
In these last two weeks that we've been working together more often, I've gotten a little more used to his gallant ways. I can say that I've even built up an extra resistance against the charm that trances the other employees… like Deborah.
Yes, it's really obvious that she has a crush on Ethan. Even now, she's looking at me like she could kill me with a single glance. Not that I mind… I mean, isn't this the perfect opportunity to make her swallow those mean words?
I moisten my lips, and that gesture seems to catch his eyes.
“Sex on the beach.” I say slowly, noticing that he keeps his gaze on my lips, unraveling each word, “What about you?”
Ethan lifts the bottle, adding with a low chuckle, “Just good old beer.”
I bring my lips to the straw and suck lightly, feeling the strong taste of alcohol mixed with the discreet flavor of the fruit. I'm really not used to drinking, but this one is really tasty. And just as I'm turning my eyes to Ethan, I notice Julian approaching the table, wearing a dark shirt, different from the one he wore during work.
“So... can I ask you something?” Ethan asks, forcing me to turn my attention back to him.
“Sure, what is it?” I say, trying to ignore the fact that Julian is getting closer and closer, sitting in the chair exactly opposite mine… next to Deborah and Naomi, who pretend to be chatting about something interesting when, in fact, they're watching us.
“I don't want to be intrusive.” He pauses and turns his beer over to take a sip, then adds as his Adam's apple moves seductively, “But I heard the rumors and I've been wondering... did you really break up with your boyfriend?”
The question takes me by surprise, and I open my lips to answer him, but the loud clink of a glass attracts my attention. Julian is pouring himself a shot of… whiskey? He doesn't look at me; his eyes are fixed on the liquid plashing on the ice cubs….
“Oh, yeah.” I turn my eyes back to Ethan and force myself to smile, “Yes, I did.”
“So you're single now?” He sends another question, and the hand resting on my chair rubs lightly on my shoulder.
Again, the clink of glass sounds loudly at the table. I cast a harsh glance at Julian, seeing that he put the bottle back without any care. Now he's looking at me, picking the glass and throwing his body back, relaxing his back into the chair.
“Yeah.” I turn my eyes back to Ethan and tilt my body slightly towards him, tossing my hair behind my shoulders, “I'm single.”
Honestly, when it comes to Ethan, it's hard to tell if he's asking out of pure curiosity, or is actually flirting with me, since his charm is natural and spontaneous. But the smile he gave me right now tells me that *yes, he's interested in me…*
Well, he's not bad at all… he's also quite good to the eye. Although his physique isn't as big as Julian's, his muscles look shapely under his shirt… he also mentioned that goes to the gym regularly. Besides, his face is handsome… he could fit my type.
“What about you, Ethan?” I ask slowly, keeping my eyes on him. Because of our proximity and the height difference, I need to lift my gaze to look at him properly. “Are you single?”
Julian slams his empty glass down on the table, making me jump suddenly. I turn sharply to him, annoyed, but his disinterested posture breaks me in the same instant, especially when he starts pouring himself another — exaggerated — shot of whiskey and says huskily, “Sorry, my bad.”
Ethan looks surprised, as do the girls… it's certainly strange for them to hear Julian say something informal like that, but he doesn't seem to mind because he gives me a sharp look, putting the bottle back on the table.
The tension is suffocating us when Laura appears with an evidently alcoholic drink in hand, causing me a sudden awkwardness; but when she sits down next to Julian, leaning slightly towards him, my chest is seized by a conflicted and painful feeling that bitters my mouth.
I suck all my drink through the straw.
Julian takes the drink from her hands without a word, setting it on the table… and says, looking at her with a frown, “You shouldn't be drinking.”
*And why should that be any of your business…?*
I squint my eyes, seeing that Laura is smiling and leaning even closer to him, brushing her arm against his.
“Mr. Adams is right… it's not good for your baby.” I say strongly, raising an eyebrow.
“Are you pregnant?” Ethan almost chokes on his beer, grinning from ear to ear, “Wow, congratulations! I didn't even know you were with someone!”
I feel Laura's eyes erupting, and I'm certain that if she were able to cast a laser through them, I'd be in pieces right now. But I don't mind one bit, after all… seeing the expression on her face of pure despair and annoyance is enough to get my night back.
Besides, the way Deborah and Naomi look at me annoyed tells me that today's victory is mine. They're swallowing all the words they don't have the guts to say in front of me.
“I'll get a new drink.” I say to Ethan, with my voice sounding lower and more seductive than I intended.
I stand up quickly, but before turning around completely, I see that he's moistened his lips, drinking the entire beer in a single gulp… then stood up and added, “I'll get a new beer.”
Even if I don't turn around, I can feel that he's following me very closely…. And when stop at the counter, resting my crossed arms on it, I feel a firm hand under my back. Ethan stops beside me, keeping his palm on me.
“Can I buy you a drink?” He asks playfully, and I can't help but let out a small giggle.
“Oh, no… let's just enjoy that we can drink for free tonight,” I say with a wink and lean slightly on the counter, catching the bartender's eye to order a new Sex on the Beach. This small movement makes me realize that the alcohol is already starting to spread through my system, making me more light-hearted and unrestrained than usual.
“What about I pay you one another day?”
Before I can answer, the bartender approaches.
“One more beer and a Sex on the beach,” Ethan orders it for me, and I feel his hand move a little further down my back. His hand gives me a strange sensation… it's different from when Julian is exploring my body with his big, firm hands-
I close my eyes tightly.
Why am I thinking about Julian…?
The bartender places the orders, and Ethan approaches me, leaning on the counter. He's looking directly into my eyes, sliding his hand down to my hip.
“Can I confess something?” He asks almost in a whisper, removing his hand from my hip to tuck a lock of my hair behind my ear. I nod, keeping my eyes on his… “I've always wanted to kiss you.”
I hold the air in my lungs… wait, what?
I'm shocked — evidently shocked — because he laughs, running his hand down my arms in a strange caress… strange to me.
And inevitably, my eyes search beyond the two of us, beyond the bar… finding Julian sitting in the same spot, staring at us with a serious expression… so serious it makes my stomach twist.
I look away, suddenly breathless.
“We can take a walk… What about calling it a day?” Ethan suggests lowly, looking at my lips.
Inflating my lungs to the peak, I clear my throat, trying to get rid of this knot….
“I… I just need to go to the lady's room.” I pull away from his touch, giving a subtle smile, glancing one last time at Julian before disappearing from the VIP room.
With quick steps, feeling an intense heat run through my body, I search for the restrooms. And when I spot the small hall with sinks and mirrors, I breathe a sigh of relief, heading towards the doors… However, as I'm entering it, I feel a firm hand on my arm pull me inside.
And I would be able to recognize that touch and that smell even if I'm blindfolded.
Pushing me against the wall, he also enters the bathroom, closing the door and using his broad back to prevent me from leaving.
Slowly, he retracts his hand; however, his green eyes shine with a fierce intensity.
With trembling lips, and the voice almost failing, I ask… “What are you doing, Julian?”