The Lottery (16 page)

“I told you she was a good painter, although I am sure my opinion
doesn’t count for much. But the first day I met her I told you that, Bailey.”

Karlyn thought back to that first day and looked at Ethan. “I
thought my work was just passable?”

Ethan looked at her and smiled. “I wasn’t in the mood to be nice
to you at that moment. But I thought then you were talented and have learned
since just how talented you really are.”

“This is exactly what I meant about him being a jerk but really
being a softy on the inside, Karlyn. Wow, I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Your smile and kind words are more than enough. But wait; let me
sit it up on the dresser so you can see it. I can’t hang it from the walls; I
doubt the hospital would appreciate me pounding nails into the plaster. And I
have one more.”

Standing the painting on the dresser and leaning it against the
wall, it faced Bailey. Karlyn pulled the second canvas out and faced it towards
them and listened to the wonderful praise once more. She sat the piece on the
table to the left of Bailey, and Ethan went into the bathroom to fill the vase.
Together they added the flowers to the water, Ethan grasping her hands often as
she attempted to help.

Once they had arranged the flowers, Karlyn walked up to Bailey
and gave her a gentle hug. “I need to get back to the studio and work on my
commission piece, plus I want to give the two of you time to talk.”

Bailey held on to her tightly and pulled her down a bit more so
she could whisper in her ear. “Promise me something?”

“What am I promising?” she whispered back.

“Come here tomorrow with him. Hold his hand and keep him calm. I
don’t know which way it will go, and I want someone who cares about him to be
there.”

“Of course. If he will have me here.”

“Silly girl. He will want you here. There is no doubt about
that.”

Karlyn rose back up and looked at Bailey. A knowing twinkle was
in her eyes and a perceptive smile crossed her lips. Confused, she stepped back
and glanced at Ethan, who wore a quizzical look. She smiled at him and threw
her satchel strap over her shoulder. “I must be leaving.”

“You really don’t need to rush off.” Bailey smiled and then
yawned mightily.

“Yes, you two need time to talk and you need to rest. And I don’t
want to be in the way. I shall see you soon enough.” With a smile for them
both, she turned towards the door. As she was about to exit the door, an older
woman entered. She eyed Karlyn from head to toe and back again, her nose
squished as though she smelled something awful, her brows furrowed deep.

Karlyn stepped back into Ethan’s wide chest, he apparently had
planned on walking out into the hall with her. He stepped closer to Karlyn and
seemed to let out a disgruntled sigh. “Hello,
Grandmother
.”

The word was filled with distaste. Even Karlyn could hear the
sarcasm rolling off each syllable.

“I see that you associate with all the right kind of people, just
like your father.”

“Not that it matters, because you do not matter, but our friend
Karlyn here is a wonderful painter and graciously took the time to bring a
couple of her pieces down as gifts to brighten up my sister’s room. She needs
to get back to work, so if you could allow her to exit?”

The older woman puffed her chest up, as if she would say
something to tear them both down, turned and looked at the paintings and
deflated a bit. Turning back to the pair, she shrugged her shoulders and stepped
aside to allow them passage. Ethan grasped Karlyn’s hand in his and led her out
into the hallway.

****

Once clear of the door and down the hallway a few steps, Ethan
turned around and whisked Karlyn into his arms. He pulled her against his front
and ran his fingers through her hair, pulling her mouth to his in a primitive
kiss. Feeling herself melt into him, she succumbed, not caring who watched
them. After a few moments, Ethan pulled away, looking down into her face with a
smile.

Still holding her close, he smiled at her. “I have so wanted to
do that from the moment you walked into her room.”

“I’m glad you waited, although tonight would be better, when we
are alone and can finish what we start.”

“True enough.” Taking a deep breath he stepped back a little as a
passing nurse gave them the evil eye. He smiled at the woman and then back at
Karlyn. Grabbing a handful of hair, he pushed it away from her forehead and
planted a kiss there. “You are more wonderful than I realized. Thank you so
much for the joy you brought my sister today. It was much needed. Especially if
she is having to deal with our grandmother right now. And on that note, I
should get back in there to ensure that woman doesn’t completely ruin her day.”

“Dear boy,
that woman
has left the room. I seriously doubt I completely ruined her day. Morning,
perhaps, but not her whole day.”

Ethan whipped around to face his Grandmother. Moving his body in
front of Karlyn, he shielded her from his grandmother. “Well, don’t let me stop
you from leaving. I am sure you know where the door is.”

Evangeline had the audacity to laugh. “Young man, I believe you
are starting to grow on me.” Opening her purse and riling through, she grasped
a card out and faced Karlyn. “Now you. I am interested in your artwork. Here is
my card, call my secretary and make an appointment. And please ensure that you
wear something appropriate to my home as I do not want to replace my
furnishings due to paint damage.”

She handed a stunned Karlyn the card, and turned toward the
elevators. Turning back to them before entering, she added. “You really
shouldn’t fondle the poor girl in the hallway, there is such a thing as
propriety, although I am sure your father never taught you much of that.”

Grimacing instead of replying, Ethan stared into his
grandmother’s back until she entered the elevator. The older woman entered the
car, turned to face the front and gave them both a smug smile. The doors closed
and Ethan relaxed.

“I hate that woman. With every ounce and fiber of my being, I
hate that woman. Please tell me you aren’t going to make that appointment.” Turning
to face her, he pleaded with her with his eyes.

“Ethan, I have a career I’m struggling to build. A client like
your grandmother could be the shot in the arm I need. I can’t ignore this.”

Lowering his head, his shoulders sagged. “I know you need this. But
I’m afraid she may be doing this to hurt me. Using you to get me.”

“It is a business transaction. I won’t let her get into my head.
I will be careful, and totally professional.”

“Promise me you won’t let your guard down.”

“I promise.”

Lowering his head, he pulled her close for a soft kiss. His cock lengthened
against her stomach. Nipples tightening as she arched into his embrace, she
rubbed the hardened buds against his firm chest. Pulling his lips from hers, he
rested his forehead on hers with closed eyes.

“You had better go before I make love to you right here in this
hallway.” Inhaling her scent, he then pushed her gently away. “I need to go
back to Bailey, and you have work to do.”

Pulling back, he dropped one last kiss on her forehead before
walking away.

Chapter Thirteen

Karlyn went right back into the trenches as soon as she returned
to her studio. The outing had been good for her, and upon putting brush to
canvas, she felt alive. She painted through the day and evening hours, only
stopping to grab a quick bite in the late afternoon.

Painting feverishly, she realized that the sun waned from the
overhead windows, so she flicked the lights on. Knowing Ethan would be home in
a couple of hours and doubting he had eaten, she started a quick spaghetti
sauce on the stove and let it simmer. She never realized how enjoyable it could
be to fix dinner for someone else, to hope they found joy in a simple meal. Or
maybe she simply looked forward to the companionship.

Going back to her work upstairs, hours passed as she neared
completion on the piece. She stepped back to look over her work and backed into
a hard chest. Squealing as she turned around, she smiled when she saw Ethan’s
face.

Observing how exhausted he looked, her smile faded. Putting down
her brush and palette, she grasped his hand in hers and led him downstairs to
the dining room. Sitting him down at the table, she kissed his forehead and
poured him a glass of wine and started boiling water for the noodles, running
into the bedroom to change out of her clothes. Afterwards she strode to the
table and pulled him into an embrace, running her hands through his soft hair
and rubbing his stress filled shoulders.

Within a few more minutes she threw together a plate of food for
them both. He consumed more wine than food, and she quickly cleaned up the mess
after opening a second bottle to enjoy. Afterwards, she bade him to stay at the
table while she started a warm bath. Once the tub was full, she led him to bathroom
and helped him undress, pushing him into the tub.

Rubbing a warm soapy cloth over his shoulders and back, caressing
his chest and arms, Karlyn felt his body relax some, but she was sure Bailey’s
impending surgery still laid heavy over him. Worry filled the creases around
his eyes and mouth, and hints of tears shimmered in his eyes. She refused to
cry, wanting to be strong for him.

Ethan reached a hand to the back of Karlyn’s head and pulled her
to his lips. Feasting on her mouth, she felt the ache, the need, the anguish inside
of him. He needed release to forget, to focus on her so the pain could be
pushed aside or he would go insane with worry. She subconsciously knew what he
needed and succumbed when he began to pull her clothing from her body.

Lifting her easily over the edge of the tub, he sat her astride
him, rubbing his erection along her mound, never breaking free from the kiss. His
lips moved from her mouth to her ears, her neck, her chest and finally he
captured one hardened bud in this mouth as he lifted her slightly and drove
himself into her body in one thrust.

Once seated within her, he paused, pulling her so close she could
barely breathe. His hands entwined with her long locks and pulled her head far
back as he nipped at the soft skin of her neck. Leaving a trail of bites up to
her chin, the pleasure-pain he left in his wake made her pussy ache with need,
yet he stayed motionless, savoring the heat of her body.

She began slow movements on his cock, trying to spur him to
motion within the confines of her body. His strong hand moved to her hip to
still her actions as his teeth bit into the curve of her lower lip. Forcing his
tongue into her mouth, he began anew the plundering of her mouth. Her hands,
caught within the space between their bodies, needed to feel him under her,
every muscle, every sinew. Pulling them free, she touched him everywhere,
exploring his tight flesh.

His kisses becoming more fervent, he stood straight up from the
tub, with her wrapped around his body. She jolted, and he steadied her with a
slow, soft hush, as he pulled her legs around his waist. Stepping from the old
fashioned tub as if he carried nothing but a child, he walked from the room
after grabbing a soft towel.

Laying the towel down, he lowered her to the bed. He kneeled
between her legs and began to feast on her labia.

“I want to taste you too.” She expelled on a sigh.

Standing up, he moved, laying down on the bed alongside her, his
cock inches from her watering mouth, as he faced her pussy and began tasting
her again in earnest. His cock lay heavy against his stomach as she watched it
pulse. Running one finger along it, from base to tip, she reveled in the soft
feel of his skin. Warmth bled through her finger, and she wrapped the rest of
her fingers around the organ’s base. She moved her hand slowly along the
length, unsure of the pressure. Squeezing slightly more, she was spurred on by
his moan of bliss.

Knowing she gave him pleasure granted her an incredible sense of
strength, and she wanted to savor him as he experienced her. Leaning closer,
she smelled his musky scent and rubbed her cheek against the velvety skin. Opening
her mouth, she ran her tongue along the bulbous head and tasted the pre-come
that had beaded along the opening in the tip. Salty, yet slightly sweet, she
liked the taste of him and pulled the head into her mouth, running her tongue
along the underside.

Groans of pleasure escaped his mouth and reverberated through her
pussy. The vibrations rippled through her pussy. She fervently licked his cock,
feeling his fervor escalate as well. Kneading the flesh at the base of his
dick, she took as much of him into her mouth as she could and suckled his
flesh.

Sticking one of his long fingers into her wetness, she sighed
around his cock, bringing a long moan from his mouth that whispered around her
clit. A second finger entered her, and she bucked from the pleasure. Moving her
hips to match the rhythm he created with his hand, she neared orgasm and sensed
he was close as well when he stiffened further in her hand. When one more
finger was added to her, she immediately felt the explosion from her core, and
moaned loudly along his length.

He followed her in orgasm and as he tried to pull from her mouth,
she grabbed his hips tight, not allowing his cock to slip from her lips. The
first jet of come slid down her throat after a thick pulsing came from his
phallus. She had felt that pulse before, but in her pussy, not her mouth, and
it often caused her own orgasms. Swallowing each following jet until he was
complete, she licked his softening cock before allowing it to pop from her
mouth.

Twisting and turning to face her, his kiss swirled their combined
flavors of lovemaking within her mouth. Seating himself in the cradle of her
thighs, she felt him begin to harden again. The man was completely insatiable
and she was glad, because Karlyn felt the same in response to him. She knew
while she milked the come from his cock that it would not be enough this night.