Exposure

Chapter 1. Hide and Seek

Ethan felt badly that their early lunch date had been postponed into a late dinner date but at least it was a gorgeous Indian Summer evening for a picnic, "I'm sorry I've been so busy lately."

Simone looked over at Ethan and paused before asking, "Is there anything wrong at Cambias Industries?"

"Yes," grumbled Ethan. "The board has been hounding me relentlessly." Ethan was visibly frustrated as he threw the dishes into the picnic hamper, "I've been wanting to do more charity work and I have a series of fundraisers I wish to pursue but they've been keeping me buried, busy with other projects."

"Well I love a good charity event. Pine Valley hasn't hosted anything significant since the Crystal Ball. Is there anything I can help you with?" Simone asked. "I think Fusion could do more too."

"I haven't been able to even start on anything yet, but I'll let you know. Right now others are handling all of the charity work for CI. The board wants my attention fully focused on an upcoming merger."

"Mmmm…mmmmerger." Simone laughed murmuring softly, the lilt in her voice causing Ethan to turn his full attention to her, "Tell me more."

Ethan reached for Simone pulling her to him and kissing her, "Mmmmerger."

Simone pulled away from the kiss slightly exasperated and slightly amused, "Ethan, tell me what's been keeping you so busy. If it's been bothering you I'd like to know."

Ethan's eyes grew soft as he looked over at the beautiful woman in his arms. "Simone, I'll tell you all about it later. I promise. Right now I don't want to think about Cambias Industries I just want to be with you." He drew her to him for a kiss slowly lowering her to the blanket. Simone thought about how much she loved the feel of his body pressed upon hers. As she wrapped her arms around him her hands slipped beneath his shirt. She gently drew her fingertips along his spine and began to gently stroke his back. Whisper soft she explored every aspect of his torso, barely touching his skin she drew goose bumps to the surface of his flesh.

Ethan paused and looked at Simone before kissing her again; softly just brushing her lips he caught her gaze. Simone pulled Ethan to her and forced his kiss to deepen. She wanted to get closer to him to draw him into her. As her tongue sought his she felt his hands go from her hair to the front of her blouse. He stroked her flesh, the fullness of her breasts heavy in his hands. Tugging her top open Ethan bent his head to her and after brushing his raspy cheek across each breast he took her in his mouth and with his lips, tongue and teeth he brought her to a breathless wonder. Simone instinctively raised her hips to press closer to his body. She could feel him straining against the confines and was reaching to unbutton his pants when Ethan was suddenly pulling away. His voice husky as he murmured, "It's almost dark. Maybe we should pack up and head back to the car."

Simone laughed tenderly, "I can see our car from here. The road is just up hill under the light post. We can't get lost." Simone whispered in his ear while softly caressing him. "Just sit back."

Simone stood and walked around Ethan. As she drew behind him she untied her scarf and lightly dusted his face with it before starting to blindfold him. Ethan's hand went instinctively to his eyes and he felt the warmth of her flesh left on the fabric. Simone lightly smacked his hand away, "Don't touch! Count to fifty and then you can take it off."

"Simone…" Ethan began.

"Play with me Ethan," Simone implored bending down to whisper and taking the lobe of his ear gently in her teeth, "Lets stay…I want you to play with me." Her voice was soft and her warm breath on his ear sent a shiver down his spine. Ethan sat still as she tied a knot in the scarf and then she knelt down and kissed him at the base of his jaw. Her nose pressed to his neck she breathed deep, "I love the way you smell. Your cologne is nice but I love your scent."

Ethan reached for her and pulled her to him once more, ready to make love to her with the blindfold. He kissed her hard his hands spanning her waist but this time Simone was the one to pull away. "Stay Ethan. Stay and count," she whispered softly as she stood up and turned to leave.

Slightly confused Ethan began to protest but changed his mind and decided to play along. As Ethan began to count he could hear the sound of her running through the brush. Slightly alarmed he quickly counted to fifty and he removed the blindfold. Looking around he noticed Simone's yellow blouse on the blanket. "Simone!"

"Bring the blanket…Find me." she called.

Ethan grabbed her blouse and the blanket and turned to the sound of her voice. Running behind her he followed the sounds of her footsteps only stopping to pick up items of strewn clothing along the way. Simone was running fast and the sky was almost dark. Instinctively he knew that she was doubling back and was not far from the hill where the car was parked when he found her thong resting on the grass.

But there was no sound of her laughter. No sound of her footsteps. Ethan waited another moment. The sound of his own breathing obscured the sounds of the night and uncomfortable with the thought of her alone in the dark with no clothes Ethan called out to her, "Simone!" Ethan turned and looked around and called again but louder, "Simone!"

Ethan spun at the sound of her laughter, her slight shape barely visible in the dark. Ethan dropped the clothing and the blanket and ran to her. Breathing fast and laughing nervously, Simone impulsively turned and tried to run away.

Simone was barefoot and it was only a moment before Ethan caught her in his arms and lifted her off her feet. Simone wriggled and laughed briefly before turning toward to him. They faced each other, lips parted wanting to kiss, but still too winded. Their lips barely touching they paused to catch their breath. Unwilling to wait they clung to each other and as Ethan bent his head to Simone he took her mouth into a deep kiss.

Simone was frantic to have his skin next to hers and with shaking hands she tore at the last of the buttons on his shirt as Ethan struggled to kick off his shoes and unbutton his pants. Still standing, once again Ethan picked Simone up holding her pressed against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. Poised just at her very entrance Ethan caught Simone's gaze and whispered, "Say yes."

Simone wriggled against the hands that held her at her hips trying to get lower but Ethan held her fast and shook his head, "Not until you say yes."

Simone was desperate to feel his body in hers but something made her say, "No."

Ethan cocked an eyebrow and smiled crookedly at first and then broadly. One hand released Simone's hip and reached to stroke her back and then her thigh before seeking where she was the most vulnerable. Simone gasped and found herself pressing upon his fingertips and moving her hips in time to the motion of his hand. Ethan waited until Simone's breathing grew harsh and smiling Ethan withdrew his hand and placed it once more upon her hip. Lifting her once again so his body was suspended just beneath hers he whispered, "Say yes."

Simone could barely breathe. "Yes Ethan" she gasped, her lips pressed to his.

Relieved to finally hear what he had been waiting for Ethan plunged into her. Despite Simone's readiness she found she was grasping at his shoulders to contain the sensation. Ethan paused for a moment and let Simone relax. Unconsciously her body arched and he felt her softening to allow him to enter her fully. With Simone's name on Ethan's lips he lowered her to the grass and whispered, "You're mine."

Coming up Chapter 2 'Running from the Mob'

In the morning Simone and Ethan wake up, nude (camera view blocked by bushes) and surrounded by ogling boy scouts with binoculars and cameras.