Chapter Eight

Closing the door to Ethan's bedroom behind her, Theresa silently cursed herself.

Damn Ethan Crane.

And damn raging hormones that lived inside her little body.

She slid to the floor in front of his door, a torrent of thought swirling in her mind.

What was she thinking, putting herself into such close proximity to Ethan Crane? What was she thinking, perching herself up onto his bed, practically straddling the guy, having her mouth thisclose to his?

Well, obviously, she wasn't thinking.

"Stupid Ethan Crane, and his stupid big mouth," she grumbled, picking at a loose strand of carpet in the Crane hallway.

Why, oh why did have to say, 'I want you'? And why did he have to look so unbelievably sexy, all scruffy and yummy, stretched out in that big inviting bed of his?

"Karma," Theresa whispered, nodding in agreement to her statement.

Bad karma was more like it. Had she really done anything so horrible to have such punishment wreaked upon her?

Well, dumping that Poblano Soup on Ethan probably didn't sit too well with the karma Gods. And taking advantage of the knowledge she held of Ethan wanting her probably wasn't helping her out too much, either.

"But he deserved it!" she almost wailed, casting her eyes upwards towards the general vicinity of the karma Gods.

She closed her eyes, trying to picture anything that might take her thoughts away from Ethan Crane…

But the only image that popped into her head was the image of Ethan laying under her, eyes heavy as she moved her lips closer to his…

Thump!

"Ow!" Theresa cried, opening her eyes only to be staring up at Ethan Crane. Her body sprawled out on the floor in front of Ethan's bedroom.

"Interesting position we find ourselves in Theresa," Ethan mused, smirking down at her. "Don't you have some work to do? Or are you staking out my room, waiting for the opportune moment when-"

"Oh, give me a break, Crane," Theresa grumbled, pulling herself up off the ground, rubbing the back of her head gingerly. She glanced up at him, her heart nearly stopping when she saw that he was clothed in nothing but a towel.

The karma Gods definitely had it in for her today.

"What are you doing out here?" he persisted, placing his hands on his hips.

His cocky attitude was back. Theresa definitely liked him a bit more without the crappy attitude. If only he was always as submissive as he had been just minutes before…

"Um, well…"

He smiled down at her knowingly.

"I know, I know. You came to gloat some more, right? You were sitting here, biding your time, until you could burst into my room and embarrass me more than you already have. Well, face it, Theresa. You can't. I've already admitted it: I want you. I want you bad. There. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Theresa gaped up at him, her pulse coursing uncontrollably.

He wanted her.

The jerk.

"Gosh, Ethan, my mind isn't focused purely on sex like yours. And to raise a better question: why aren't you in the shower, getting ready? We are on a schedule."

Ethan knelt beside her, chuckling softly.

"Save it, L-F. Don't try to dodge the subject at hand. I want you. You want me. There's nothing wrong with that. The only question is: what are we going to do about it?"

Theresa let out a small gasp.

"Er…what are you talking about, um, Mr. Crane? I don't want…"

The soft pressure of his finger on her lips silenced her.

"Theresa, lets be adults about this. If you don't want me, then why was your pulse racing earlier when we were laying on my bed? Why was your heartbeat so loud that I could hear it? And why, now, is your breathing heavy and your body trembling? Don't try and deny it. You want me. I want you. And now that it is all out in the open, what should we do?"

His hand began tracing small circles on her back. This gentle touch was sending tremors of want, rather need through her like no touch before. A soft whimper escaped from her mouth, and the next thing Theresa knew, she and Ethan were on the floor, mauling one another like there was no tomorrow.

Kissing Ethan Crane was pure bliss. The kiss was soft, urgent, and it was filling her body of the void that she had not even realized was there.

Theresa raked her fingers through his hair, over his body, trying to memorize every nook of his body.

After all, who knew how long this semi- truce would last.

Ethan's hands freely roamed her body, causing Theresa to gasp as he traced the outline of her breast with a single finger. Slowly- oh so painfully slow! - he slid his hand under her shirt, fumbling with the clasp of her bra, eagerly taking a soft breast into his hand, flicking a finger playfully over her nipple.

"Oh, GOD!" Theresa moaned, not caring if anyone heard. And when Ethan lowered his lips to the piqued nipple, she found herself writhing beneath him in pure ecstasy.

Ethan pulling his lips from her tortured body to inhale a deep breath gave Theresa enough time to control her breathing. And to think about this rationally.

What was she doing?!? She was acting like a crazed woman, making out with Ethan Crane like her life depended on it! While she couldn't deny the attraction she felt, that gave her no excuse to behave like a…like a… whore!

After all, other than this annoying lust she felt for him, she didn't even like the guy!

Ethan's mouth had now found her other nipple, causing Theresa's pulse to race once again.

"Ethan… we-can't-do-this!" she gasped, her breathing labored.

"Yes, we can do this," he murmured in response, moving back up and claiming her lips once more. Theresa realized then that resistance was futile, and gave herself up to the luxury of kissing the gorgeous man.

Why fight it? Why deny herself this wonderful feeling that was spreading through her veins?

"Mmm, Ethan…"

"Theresa…" Ethan's voice was husky, lusty. Followed by a trail of gentle kisses from her lips to the hollow of her lips.

"Oh, God, Ethan," she sighed, raking her nails down his back.

"Theresa!" His voice more urgent, laughing.

"Mmmm…"

"THERESA!"

______

Theresa's eyes popped open in shock. She was no longer laying in the Crane hallway, wrapped in Ethan's arms. The plush carpeting in the hall had given way to the velvet loveseat in Ivy Crane's office. And Ethan himself had given way to a small pillow that was clutched between her hands.

She looked up with a groan, knowing exactly who she would see as she raised her eyes towards the ceiling. Ethan Crane, in the flesh, smirking down at her like a cat that had swallowed a canary. She sat up hastily, wiping at a string of drool that ran down her cheek.

"Sweet dreams, Theresa?" Ethan taunted, his eyes lighting up with laughter. Glaring up at him, she snatched at the small white sack he had in one hand.

"I don't think so, Lo- Fitz."

He swiftly jerked the bag up out of her reach, letting out a quick laugh.

"Oh, God, Ethan!" His voice mimicking. As he sat down beside her, he opened the bag and pulled out the warm apple pastry that she requested earlier.

He closed his eyes as he took a bite, sounds of pleasure escaping from his mouth.

"Oh, this is soooo good!"

Groaning, Theresa scooted away from him, mentally killing him in her mind.

It had been a dream. A wonderful, delicious dream that had left her craving the real thing. Craving Ethan Crane, in all his lustful glory. And to make matters worse, Ethan Crane himself had been witness to the dream.

"Want some?" he asked through a full mouth, shoving the apple thing in front of her. She shook her head no, and dropped her head into her hands.

She had definitely done something to piss of the karma Gods.