Chapter Six
The next day passed excruciatingly slow for Lizzie, as she waited for night time to roll around and a chance to be alone with her boyfriend. The group was going to another stupid Science Olympiad gathering, this one a formal, in the evening, but there was no competition, and a good 3 hours for them to go back to their rooms and relax before the event. Lizzie was determined to confront Gordo then, and figure out what the hell was going on.
Her plans fell by the wayside, however, when Gordo was held up late at an honors meeting, finally returning to their room a scant hour before they were supposed to appear at the meeting. "Hey," Lizzie smiled at Gordo when he finally walked into the room, putting the hairspray bottle in her hand down on the table. She stood expectantly in her formal gown as he looked at her, waiting, hoping he would make some sort of comment.
"Hi," he walked to her and kissed her forehead, before turning away and pulling off his shirt. "I need to take a shower and get dressed, I'm running late."
Lizzie's heart sank, as she sighed, "yeah, you are." Fine. Don't notice. She thought she looked DAMN good, but evidently not good enough. She watched him disappear into the bathroom and sank down into a chair, smoothing out the satin of her dress around her legs. This dress was the best one she had, so she thought, a sheath of nearly skin tight green satin with a long slit up one side. The sort of dress that short girls could never wear, she thought to herself, carefully arranging the fabric around her legs. The v-neck of the dress was just deep enough to show the beginnings of her cleavage, and was only accentuated by the emerald and diamond necklace she wore.
"Dammit," she muttered, her hand clasping around the necklace. He hadn't even noticed she was wearing it. He'd given it to her for their first anniversary as a couple, emeralds and diamonds in a small heart. Once upon a time, he would always comment when she wore it. Not now, though.
Sighing heavily, she put on a pair of matching diamond earrings, before examining herself in the mirror. What more could she possibly do? Her hair was swept up high on her head, her makeup suitably dramatic, and the color of the dress was one that she thought, anyway, looked really good on her, making her eyes appear more hazel than their normal brown. She turned around as Gordo emerged from the bathroom behind her, watching him make his way across the room to pull out his clothes.
"I know, I know, I'm late, I'll be ready in a few," Gordo said quickly, shooting a smile at her. "Ok?"
"I wasn't going to say anything," she murmured, shaking her head.
"Oh." He removed a suit from the closet, and looked at her curiously. "What, then?"
"What do you mean?"
"You look like you're dying to say something," Gordo said, drying himself off with the towel as he spoke.
Lizzie's eyes trailed over her boyfriend's body, a familiar stirring beginning in the pit of her stomach. God, she wanted him so much…how could he not know? "Nothing," she shrugged.
"Lizzie," Gordo walked towards her, smiling when her eyes remained fixed on the lower half of his body. "Baby, what's up?"
Lizzie wanted to laugh at his choice of words. She could clearly see what WASN'T…. "I said nothing," she repeated, standing up and sighing. "Just get dressed." She was feeling claustrophobic in Gordo's presence, somehow, the proof of his lack of desire for her was far too much for her to take right now.
"Ok," Gordo said in confusion, shaking his head as he returned to getting dressed.
Lizzie slipped into her heels and walked into the other room, grabbing her purse. "I'm going to go make sure the other guys are getting ready," she called, before leaving the suite, not hearing Gordo's reply, if there was one.
One at a time, she checked on her boys, making sure they were prepared for the night ahead. Miranda and Parker, ever the dutiful teammates and friends, were completely dressed and waiting for her signal to head downstairs. Danny was next, while not completely ready, he swore up and down that he would be in another five minutes time.
Last was Ethan, who didn't answer the door at her initial knock. "Ethan!" She called, knocking again, and waiting impatiently. "Come on, we need to head downstairs soon."
The door flew open, revealing a still dripping wet Ethan pulling up his pants, "Hold your horses, I'm….holy shit," his mouth fell open when he saw Lizzie standing in front of him, and he stopped in the middle of buckling his pants, his eyes wide as saucers. "Shit," he repeated, staring at her in awe.
"Shit?" Lizzie raised an eyebrow curiously, looking him over much as he was her. "Did you get dressed IN the shower, Ethan?"
"Huh?" He looked at her in confusion, before realizing she was referring to his wet clothes. "Oh, no, just wanted to get dressed fast so," he smiled meekly. "Didn't quite dry off enough."
"Gotcha," she nodded in false understanding.
"Lizzie, you look," Ethan shook his head as he openly stared at her, his mind racing for the proper words to describe her. "Breathtaking."
Lizzie squirmed under Ethan's gaze, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Thank you," she said softly, all of a sudden feeling strangely uncomfortable in the tight dress.
"Now," Ethan took a deep breath and returned to buckling his pants as he spoke. "Don't you tell me Gordo didn't notice you looking like this."
Lizzie bit her lip hard, and looked down at the floor, "don't ask, then."
"Jesus," he shook his head in amazement. Lizzie looked like something he would have dreamt up in a fantasy, not like a living, breathing woman standing in his doorway. How could Gordo not have reacted to her? How could Gordo keep his hands off of her? "I don't get it, Lizzie," he said mournfully, turning away from her to grab his shoes on the floor of the room. "He's gotta be exhausted, I guess, because I can promise you, every other man at that party tonight is going to notice you."
"I guess," Lizzie pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and smiled. "Anyway, I just came by to make sure you were getting ready. I'll see you downstairs in ten minutes?"
"I'll be there," Ethan replied, his eyes trailing over her body as she walked back down the hallway to her room. God, with Lizzie looking like that, he'd go anywhere she was.
He smiled to himself as he closed the door, his eyes narrowing wickedly. Tonight was going to be one hell of a party.
Ethan had a sneaky feeling he was about to win his Game.
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A few hours later, Lizzie was thanking the gods for Ethan deciding to be her companion for the evening. She'd made the mistake, early on in the party, of burying her hurt over Gordo's lack of response to her in a good deal of Danny's vodka stash, and had gotten rather drunk, rather quickly. Ethan had been the only one to notice her state, and had been spending the night with an arm slung around her waist, not only for emotional comfort, but to keep her upright as she struggled to act as sober as possible.
"Honey," Gordo walked up to them, smiling widely at the grin on Lizzie's face. "Having fun?"
"A wonderful time," Lizzie slurred, leaning into Ethan as she swayed on her heels.
"I'm going to head up to bed, I'm…"
"Don't tell me," she looked at him, her eyes narrowing angrily. "Tired."
Gordo nodded slowly, not understanding her sudden anger. "It was a long day, baby…"
"The party's not over yet, Gordo, you still have work to do here," Lizzie reminded him.
"Ethan and the guys can handle it," Gordo looked at Ethan hopefully. "Can't you?"
Ethan wanted to punch Gordo for being so blind to his girlfriend's pain, but just nodded his agreement. "Sure."
"I'll see you later," Gordo kissed Lizzie's forehead before walking out of the room, not seeing the tears that filled her eyes as she watched him go.
"Goddamn son of a fucking bitch," Lizzie cursed, whirling away from the sight of her boyfriend leaving, and nearly falling over.
"Woah," Ethan grabbed her tight as she tripped, pulling her back up. "Maybe we should go sit down for a while?"
"I want another drink," she said firmly, trying to walk towards the bar. She glared at Ethan when he refused to move, and smacked at his hands surrounding her waist, "goddammit, Ethan, I said I want another drink!"
"You're drunk already, Lizzie."
"No shit, Craft!" Lizzie shot back, rolling her eyes. "You're right, Ethan, you're not so blonde after all. Now let me go."
"No," Ethan said stubbornly. "You've had enough to…"
Lizzie elbowed him in the ribs, taking off across the room to the bar when his arms released her. "Bastard."
"Lizzie," Ethan groaned in pain, but followed her just the same, one hand rubbing his stomach. "Dammit, that hurt!"
"Aww, poor baby," Lizzie cooed sarcastically. She reached the bar and smiled at the bartender, ordering a double shot of whiskey, straight up, slamming her fake ID down on the bar.
Ethan's eyes widened as he heard her order, and he stared at her. "Are you nuts?"
"Nope," she winked at the bartender when he brought her the drink, before throwing it back straight. "I'll take another, sweetie," she told him, grinning when he told her she could have anything she wanted.
Ethan glared at the bartender, shaking his head. "Lizzie, what are you doing?"
"Flirting. Getting as drunk as possible. Not necessarily in that order," Lizzie said coyly. "Thanks hon," she accepted the drink, and turned to Ethan, holding the glass in the air. "Want one?"
"No," he scowled at her, then at the bartender, who was staring at her chest. "Don't you have some other people to help?"
"He's just being nice, Ethan," Lizzie said, smiling at the man. "Isn't he."
"He's ogling you," Ethan dragged Lizzie away from the bar, groaning when she downed the shot before letting him pull her away. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" She asked, craning her head to look back at the bartender, who was still watching her. "Bye," she waved at him with a small giggle.
"Out of here," Ethan replied.
"But, Ethan, at least he wanted me," Lizzie said in frustration, bumping into Ethan when he stopped walking. "What now!"
"Goddammit, Lizzie," Ethan turned around and looked at her, shaking his head. "I swear to you, he's not the only one who wants you, ok?" He said quickly, before grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the room.
"Who does, then?" Lizzie asked, sighing when he didn't reply. "Right. Nobody."
"In," Ethan shoved her into the elevator and waited for the doors to close before looking at her. "Lizzie, Gordo's a fool, how many times do I have to tell you that?"
"But if he doesn't want me, why would anyone else?" She shot back, tears filling her eyes. She leaned back against the wall of the elevator, her feet sliding across the floor. "Oh shit, I'm gonna fall…"
"I got you," Ethan grabbed her before she hit the floor, pulling her up against his body to steady her. "Now I see why you don't drink very often."
"I'm a fun drunk," Lizzie told him, giggling as he struggled to walk both of them out of the elevator. "It's Gordo who's the boring drunk."
"Sure, this is fun," Ethan muttered, propping her up against the wall while he dug in his pocket for his room key. "In," he pushed her into the room once the door was open, maneuvering her to the couch and sitting her down.
Lizzie lay back, watching him while he walked across the room and bent down to examine the mini-bar. "You've got a great ass," she remarked, giggling when he stood up and whirled around to stare at her. "What?"
"Don't say things like that," Ethan stammered, turning back around uncomfortably. Not when he was trying so hard to be a gentleman, not when she was acting like this…jesus…
"You do, though," Lizzie outlined his rear in the air with her hands. "A nice bubble butt. Probably really good to grab onto while you're…"
"Lizzie!" Ethan threw a bottle of water at her, laughing when she just let it fall on her lap. "That's water."
"I can see what this is," she looked down at it dimly. "I'm not thirsty."
"You will be," he replied. He took off his coat and threw it on a chair, raising an eyebrow when he saw Lizzie still staring at him. "What?"
"You are so beautiful," she breathed, her mouth hanging open as she looked him over. "I don't get it, Ethan, how can you be so…so…"
Ethan's heart was pounding in his chest, and he knew full well he should stop her, but he just had to know what she was trying to say. "I'm what?"
"Perfect," Lizzie finally finished. She slipped off her heels and pulled up her legs, reaching up her dress to unhook her stockings. "I'm hot, don't mind me," she said as she pulled down a stocking, laughing when the garter belt tried to come down with it. "Oops."
Ethan groaned and turned his head away. God, didn't Lizzie know what she was doing to him? "I'm not perfect," he finally said, right as one silk stocking landed on his head.
Lizzie giggled, and shook her head. "Yes, you are," she argued. "You're so nice, sweet, you understand me, you're just the right amount of smartass to keep things interesting…" She flung the other stocking at him.
"Shit," Ethan felt the other stocking land on his shoulder and threw it on the floor, turning around to look at her. "Lizzie, what are you doing?" He asked her cautiously, a strange feeling creeping over him.
"I don't know," she admitted, sliding down the garter belt and pulling it off. She twirled the lacey belt between her hands, smiling when she noticed Ethan's eyes locked on it. "You like these?"
"Yeah," he said softly, before sighing. "I'm sure Gordo does too."
"Gordo doesn't like anything I do these days," Lizzie threw the belt at him, smiling when he batted it away. "Your face is red," she remarked.
"So's yours," Ethan replied. Of course his face was red. Lizzie was driving him crazy, didn't she realize that? He wanted her so badly, but…something about what she'd said was just sitting very wrong with him.
"I'm drunk."
"I'm hot."
"Take your clothes off, then," Lizzie said bluntly.
Ethan's eyes widened, and he shook his head slowly, "no, Lizzie, I can't."
"Sure you can," she said coyly, pushing herself up off of the couch and standing up. She swayed unsteadily as she walked over to Ethan, "I'll help you, even, since you won't come over to me."
"You don't want to do that," Ethan said in a shaky voice, his body frozen in place as she closed the distance between them.
"God, Ethan, how come I never realized what a wonderful man you are?" Lizzie asked breathlessly as she reached him, reaching up and sliding her hand over the back of his neck.
"I'm not…" Ethan argued, his words catching in a moan as Lizzie's other hand slid underneath his shirt, creeping up over his back. "Lizzie…stop…"
"Kiss me, Ethan," she whispered, pulling his head down to hers.
Ethan's lips were on hers before he consciously knew what he was doing, his hands tangling through her hair to hold her head in place. He gasped when he felt the softness of her lips move to take his, his heart soaring from the heat he could feel radiating from her.
Lizzie gave herself fully to the kiss, leaning into Ethan's body as her mouth opened, moaning from the first hesitant touch of his tongue against hers.
Ethan's initial hesitation quickly gave way to passion, his need for her sending him into a tailspin of lust. He groaned with pleasure as he brutally took her mouth, in a poor imitation of the way he desperately needed to take her body. His hands slid down her body to her chest, his fingers finding a breast and squeezing it roughly. He dimly was aware of her cry of pleasure, and felt her body sway against him. This was it. He'd done it. Lizzie was his…
"Oh god, Ethan, please," Lizzie gasped as she felt his lips move down to her neck, her knees buckling under the intense onslaught. "I need you…I need this…"
Ethan stopped and pulled away, looking into her eyes. "Lizzie," he whispered, his heart sinking when he saw the expression on her face. Shit. He couldn't do this…not when she trusted him, when she thought he was this amazing person…not when Lizzie thought he truly was the person he'd been pretending to be for her. He couldn't do that to her. Not when she cared…not when he cared…
"Ethan please, make love to me," Lizzie begged, grabbing his hands and pulling them around her back.
"I can't," he choked out, pulling his hands out of her grasp and backing away. This had to be the hardest thing he'd ever done, stopping her like this, but…he had to. He couldn't do this to her.
Lizzie's eyes widened, and she stared at him in amazement. "What?"
"I said I can't," Ethan repeated, falling into a chair and running a hand through his hair. "FUCK."
"But you said…" Lizzie whispered, unable to believe what he was saying. "I thought you wanted me?"
"I do, Lizzie, christ I do," Ethan said in a pained voice, staring at the floor in front of him.
"Then why won't you?"
"I'm not who you think I am," he said sadly, shaking his head.
"You called me beautiful," Lizzie said softly, tears filling her eyes. "You said…"
"You are beautiful, Lizzie, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever known," Ethan looked up at her, his heart breaking at the pain on her face. "Beautiful, and sexy, and…" He reached out for her, biting his lip when she backed away.
"And you still won't touch me," Lizzie said angrily. "You lie, just like Gordo," she spat out, shaking her head. "God, how stupid could I have been," she looked around the room and picked up her shoes as tears rolled down her face. "Why would you want me? I'm such a fool."
"Lizzie, stop, you don't get it," Ethan pleaded with her, chasing her as she ran to the door. "Don't go."
"Leave me alone, Ethan," she said quickly, disappearing out the door and slamming it behind her.
"FUCK," Ethan shouted as the door closed, falling against it as his own tears began. This was not how the Game was supposed to work!
Lizzie had wanted him. Lizzie had been throwing herself at him. Lizzie genuinely seemed to care for him, even.
Except, what was killing him, was that Lizzie had no idea that the person she liked so much wasn't really him. Just a charade, just part of the Game.
He'd totally screwed things up.
He'd gone and fallen in love with Lizzie. He wanted Lizzie to want HIM…not the fake him that he was pretending to be.
She wasn't supposed to believe in him, she wasn't supposed to have cared…it was just supposed to be about sex!!
"FUCK THIS STUPID GAME!" Ethan screamed, glaring at the garter belt and stockings still strewn across his room. He covered his face as hot tears burned down his face, shaking his head. How could this have happened? Why?
"I love her, goddammit," he moaned, banging his head against the wall.
And what the hell was he supposed to do now?
***********************************************************************
The next day passed excruciatingly slow for Lizzie, as she waited for night time to roll around and a chance to be alone with her boyfriend. The group was going to another stupid Science Olympiad gathering, this one a formal, in the evening, but there was no competition, and a good 3 hours for them to go back to their rooms and relax before the event. Lizzie was determined to confront Gordo then, and figure out what the hell was going on.
Her plans fell by the wayside, however, when Gordo was held up late at an honors meeting, finally returning to their room a scant hour before they were supposed to appear at the meeting. "Hey," Lizzie smiled at Gordo when he finally walked into the room, putting the hairspray bottle in her hand down on the table. She stood expectantly in her formal gown as he looked at her, waiting, hoping he would make some sort of comment.
"Hi," he walked to her and kissed her forehead, before turning away and pulling off his shirt. "I need to take a shower and get dressed, I'm running late."
Lizzie's heart sank, as she sighed, "yeah, you are." Fine. Don't notice. She thought she looked DAMN good, but evidently not good enough. She watched him disappear into the bathroom and sank down into a chair, smoothing out the satin of her dress around her legs. This dress was the best one she had, so she thought, a sheath of nearly skin tight green satin with a long slit up one side. The sort of dress that short girls could never wear, she thought to herself, carefully arranging the fabric around her legs. The v-neck of the dress was just deep enough to show the beginnings of her cleavage, and was only accentuated by the emerald and diamond necklace she wore.
"Dammit," she muttered, her hand clasping around the necklace. He hadn't even noticed she was wearing it. He'd given it to her for their first anniversary as a couple, emeralds and diamonds in a small heart. Once upon a time, he would always comment when she wore it. Not now, though.
Sighing heavily, she put on a pair of matching diamond earrings, before examining herself in the mirror. What more could she possibly do? Her hair was swept up high on her head, her makeup suitably dramatic, and the color of the dress was one that she thought, anyway, looked really good on her, making her eyes appear more hazel than their normal brown. She turned around as Gordo emerged from the bathroom behind her, watching him make his way across the room to pull out his clothes.
"I know, I know, I'm late, I'll be ready in a few," Gordo said quickly, shooting a smile at her. "Ok?"
"I wasn't going to say anything," she murmured, shaking her head.
"Oh." He removed a suit from the closet, and looked at her curiously. "What, then?"
"What do you mean?"
"You look like you're dying to say something," Gordo said, drying himself off with the towel as he spoke.
Lizzie's eyes trailed over her boyfriend's body, a familiar stirring beginning in the pit of her stomach. God, she wanted him so much…how could he not know? "Nothing," she shrugged.
"Lizzie," Gordo walked towards her, smiling when her eyes remained fixed on the lower half of his body. "Baby, what's up?"
Lizzie wanted to laugh at his choice of words. She could clearly see what WASN'T…. "I said nothing," she repeated, standing up and sighing. "Just get dressed." She was feeling claustrophobic in Gordo's presence, somehow, the proof of his lack of desire for her was far too much for her to take right now.
"Ok," Gordo said in confusion, shaking his head as he returned to getting dressed.
Lizzie slipped into her heels and walked into the other room, grabbing her purse. "I'm going to go make sure the other guys are getting ready," she called, before leaving the suite, not hearing Gordo's reply, if there was one.
One at a time, she checked on her boys, making sure they were prepared for the night ahead. Miranda and Parker, ever the dutiful teammates and friends, were completely dressed and waiting for her signal to head downstairs. Danny was next, while not completely ready, he swore up and down that he would be in another five minutes time.
Last was Ethan, who didn't answer the door at her initial knock. "Ethan!" She called, knocking again, and waiting impatiently. "Come on, we need to head downstairs soon."
The door flew open, revealing a still dripping wet Ethan pulling up his pants, "Hold your horses, I'm….holy shit," his mouth fell open when he saw Lizzie standing in front of him, and he stopped in the middle of buckling his pants, his eyes wide as saucers. "Shit," he repeated, staring at her in awe.
"Shit?" Lizzie raised an eyebrow curiously, looking him over much as he was her. "Did you get dressed IN the shower, Ethan?"
"Huh?" He looked at her in confusion, before realizing she was referring to his wet clothes. "Oh, no, just wanted to get dressed fast so," he smiled meekly. "Didn't quite dry off enough."
"Gotcha," she nodded in false understanding.
"Lizzie, you look," Ethan shook his head as he openly stared at her, his mind racing for the proper words to describe her. "Breathtaking."
Lizzie squirmed under Ethan's gaze, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Thank you," she said softly, all of a sudden feeling strangely uncomfortable in the tight dress.
"Now," Ethan took a deep breath and returned to buckling his pants as he spoke. "Don't you tell me Gordo didn't notice you looking like this."
Lizzie bit her lip hard, and looked down at the floor, "don't ask, then."
"Jesus," he shook his head in amazement. Lizzie looked like something he would have dreamt up in a fantasy, not like a living, breathing woman standing in his doorway. How could Gordo not have reacted to her? How could Gordo keep his hands off of her? "I don't get it, Lizzie," he said mournfully, turning away from her to grab his shoes on the floor of the room. "He's gotta be exhausted, I guess, because I can promise you, every other man at that party tonight is going to notice you."
"I guess," Lizzie pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and smiled. "Anyway, I just came by to make sure you were getting ready. I'll see you downstairs in ten minutes?"
"I'll be there," Ethan replied, his eyes trailing over her body as she walked back down the hallway to her room. God, with Lizzie looking like that, he'd go anywhere she was.
He smiled to himself as he closed the door, his eyes narrowing wickedly. Tonight was going to be one hell of a party.
Ethan had a sneaky feeling he was about to win his Game.
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A few hours later, Lizzie was thanking the gods for Ethan deciding to be her companion for the evening. She'd made the mistake, early on in the party, of burying her hurt over Gordo's lack of response to her in a good deal of Danny's vodka stash, and had gotten rather drunk, rather quickly. Ethan had been the only one to notice her state, and had been spending the night with an arm slung around her waist, not only for emotional comfort, but to keep her upright as she struggled to act as sober as possible.
"Honey," Gordo walked up to them, smiling widely at the grin on Lizzie's face. "Having fun?"
"A wonderful time," Lizzie slurred, leaning into Ethan as she swayed on her heels.
"I'm going to head up to bed, I'm…"
"Don't tell me," she looked at him, her eyes narrowing angrily. "Tired."
Gordo nodded slowly, not understanding her sudden anger. "It was a long day, baby…"
"The party's not over yet, Gordo, you still have work to do here," Lizzie reminded him.
"Ethan and the guys can handle it," Gordo looked at Ethan hopefully. "Can't you?"
Ethan wanted to punch Gordo for being so blind to his girlfriend's pain, but just nodded his agreement. "Sure."
"I'll see you later," Gordo kissed Lizzie's forehead before walking out of the room, not seeing the tears that filled her eyes as she watched him go.
"Goddamn son of a fucking bitch," Lizzie cursed, whirling away from the sight of her boyfriend leaving, and nearly falling over.
"Woah," Ethan grabbed her tight as she tripped, pulling her back up. "Maybe we should go sit down for a while?"
"I want another drink," she said firmly, trying to walk towards the bar. She glared at Ethan when he refused to move, and smacked at his hands surrounding her waist, "goddammit, Ethan, I said I want another drink!"
"You're drunk already, Lizzie."
"No shit, Craft!" Lizzie shot back, rolling her eyes. "You're right, Ethan, you're not so blonde after all. Now let me go."
"No," Ethan said stubbornly. "You've had enough to…"
Lizzie elbowed him in the ribs, taking off across the room to the bar when his arms released her. "Bastard."
"Lizzie," Ethan groaned in pain, but followed her just the same, one hand rubbing his stomach. "Dammit, that hurt!"
"Aww, poor baby," Lizzie cooed sarcastically. She reached the bar and smiled at the bartender, ordering a double shot of whiskey, straight up, slamming her fake ID down on the bar.
Ethan's eyes widened as he heard her order, and he stared at her. "Are you nuts?"
"Nope," she winked at the bartender when he brought her the drink, before throwing it back straight. "I'll take another, sweetie," she told him, grinning when he told her she could have anything she wanted.
Ethan glared at the bartender, shaking his head. "Lizzie, what are you doing?"
"Flirting. Getting as drunk as possible. Not necessarily in that order," Lizzie said coyly. "Thanks hon," she accepted the drink, and turned to Ethan, holding the glass in the air. "Want one?"
"No," he scowled at her, then at the bartender, who was staring at her chest. "Don't you have some other people to help?"
"He's just being nice, Ethan," Lizzie said, smiling at the man. "Isn't he."
"He's ogling you," Ethan dragged Lizzie away from the bar, groaning when she downed the shot before letting him pull her away. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" She asked, craning her head to look back at the bartender, who was still watching her. "Bye," she waved at him with a small giggle.
"Out of here," Ethan replied.
"But, Ethan, at least he wanted me," Lizzie said in frustration, bumping into Ethan when he stopped walking. "What now!"
"Goddammit, Lizzie," Ethan turned around and looked at her, shaking his head. "I swear to you, he's not the only one who wants you, ok?" He said quickly, before grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the room.
"Who does, then?" Lizzie asked, sighing when he didn't reply. "Right. Nobody."
"In," Ethan shoved her into the elevator and waited for the doors to close before looking at her. "Lizzie, Gordo's a fool, how many times do I have to tell you that?"
"But if he doesn't want me, why would anyone else?" She shot back, tears filling her eyes. She leaned back against the wall of the elevator, her feet sliding across the floor. "Oh shit, I'm gonna fall…"
"I got you," Ethan grabbed her before she hit the floor, pulling her up against his body to steady her. "Now I see why you don't drink very often."
"I'm a fun drunk," Lizzie told him, giggling as he struggled to walk both of them out of the elevator. "It's Gordo who's the boring drunk."
"Sure, this is fun," Ethan muttered, propping her up against the wall while he dug in his pocket for his room key. "In," he pushed her into the room once the door was open, maneuvering her to the couch and sitting her down.
Lizzie lay back, watching him while he walked across the room and bent down to examine the mini-bar. "You've got a great ass," she remarked, giggling when he stood up and whirled around to stare at her. "What?"
"Don't say things like that," Ethan stammered, turning back around uncomfortably. Not when he was trying so hard to be a gentleman, not when she was acting like this…jesus…
"You do, though," Lizzie outlined his rear in the air with her hands. "A nice bubble butt. Probably really good to grab onto while you're…"
"Lizzie!" Ethan threw a bottle of water at her, laughing when she just let it fall on her lap. "That's water."
"I can see what this is," she looked down at it dimly. "I'm not thirsty."
"You will be," he replied. He took off his coat and threw it on a chair, raising an eyebrow when he saw Lizzie still staring at him. "What?"
"You are so beautiful," she breathed, her mouth hanging open as she looked him over. "I don't get it, Ethan, how can you be so…so…"
Ethan's heart was pounding in his chest, and he knew full well he should stop her, but he just had to know what she was trying to say. "I'm what?"
"Perfect," Lizzie finally finished. She slipped off her heels and pulled up her legs, reaching up her dress to unhook her stockings. "I'm hot, don't mind me," she said as she pulled down a stocking, laughing when the garter belt tried to come down with it. "Oops."
Ethan groaned and turned his head away. God, didn't Lizzie know what she was doing to him? "I'm not perfect," he finally said, right as one silk stocking landed on his head.
Lizzie giggled, and shook her head. "Yes, you are," she argued. "You're so nice, sweet, you understand me, you're just the right amount of smartass to keep things interesting…" She flung the other stocking at him.
"Shit," Ethan felt the other stocking land on his shoulder and threw it on the floor, turning around to look at her. "Lizzie, what are you doing?" He asked her cautiously, a strange feeling creeping over him.
"I don't know," she admitted, sliding down the garter belt and pulling it off. She twirled the lacey belt between her hands, smiling when she noticed Ethan's eyes locked on it. "You like these?"
"Yeah," he said softly, before sighing. "I'm sure Gordo does too."
"Gordo doesn't like anything I do these days," Lizzie threw the belt at him, smiling when he batted it away. "Your face is red," she remarked.
"So's yours," Ethan replied. Of course his face was red. Lizzie was driving him crazy, didn't she realize that? He wanted her so badly, but…something about what she'd said was just sitting very wrong with him.
"I'm drunk."
"I'm hot."
"Take your clothes off, then," Lizzie said bluntly.
Ethan's eyes widened, and he shook his head slowly, "no, Lizzie, I can't."
"Sure you can," she said coyly, pushing herself up off of the couch and standing up. She swayed unsteadily as she walked over to Ethan, "I'll help you, even, since you won't come over to me."
"You don't want to do that," Ethan said in a shaky voice, his body frozen in place as she closed the distance between them.
"God, Ethan, how come I never realized what a wonderful man you are?" Lizzie asked breathlessly as she reached him, reaching up and sliding her hand over the back of his neck.
"I'm not…" Ethan argued, his words catching in a moan as Lizzie's other hand slid underneath his shirt, creeping up over his back. "Lizzie…stop…"
"Kiss me, Ethan," she whispered, pulling his head down to hers.
Ethan's lips were on hers before he consciously knew what he was doing, his hands tangling through her hair to hold her head in place. He gasped when he felt the softness of her lips move to take his, his heart soaring from the heat he could feel radiating from her.
Lizzie gave herself fully to the kiss, leaning into Ethan's body as her mouth opened, moaning from the first hesitant touch of his tongue against hers.
Ethan's initial hesitation quickly gave way to passion, his need for her sending him into a tailspin of lust. He groaned with pleasure as he brutally took her mouth, in a poor imitation of the way he desperately needed to take her body. His hands slid down her body to her chest, his fingers finding a breast and squeezing it roughly. He dimly was aware of her cry of pleasure, and felt her body sway against him. This was it. He'd done it. Lizzie was his…
"Oh god, Ethan, please," Lizzie gasped as she felt his lips move down to her neck, her knees buckling under the intense onslaught. "I need you…I need this…"
Ethan stopped and pulled away, looking into her eyes. "Lizzie," he whispered, his heart sinking when he saw the expression on her face. Shit. He couldn't do this…not when she trusted him, when she thought he was this amazing person…not when Lizzie thought he truly was the person he'd been pretending to be for her. He couldn't do that to her. Not when she cared…not when he cared…
"Ethan please, make love to me," Lizzie begged, grabbing his hands and pulling them around her back.
"I can't," he choked out, pulling his hands out of her grasp and backing away. This had to be the hardest thing he'd ever done, stopping her like this, but…he had to. He couldn't do this to her.
Lizzie's eyes widened, and she stared at him in amazement. "What?"
"I said I can't," Ethan repeated, falling into a chair and running a hand through his hair. "FUCK."
"But you said…" Lizzie whispered, unable to believe what he was saying. "I thought you wanted me?"
"I do, Lizzie, christ I do," Ethan said in a pained voice, staring at the floor in front of him.
"Then why won't you?"
"I'm not who you think I am," he said sadly, shaking his head.
"You called me beautiful," Lizzie said softly, tears filling her eyes. "You said…"
"You are beautiful, Lizzie, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever known," Ethan looked up at her, his heart breaking at the pain on her face. "Beautiful, and sexy, and…" He reached out for her, biting his lip when she backed away.
"And you still won't touch me," Lizzie said angrily. "You lie, just like Gordo," she spat out, shaking her head. "God, how stupid could I have been," she looked around the room and picked up her shoes as tears rolled down her face. "Why would you want me? I'm such a fool."
"Lizzie, stop, you don't get it," Ethan pleaded with her, chasing her as she ran to the door. "Don't go."
"Leave me alone, Ethan," she said quickly, disappearing out the door and slamming it behind her.
"FUCK," Ethan shouted as the door closed, falling against it as his own tears began. This was not how the Game was supposed to work!
Lizzie had wanted him. Lizzie had been throwing herself at him. Lizzie genuinely seemed to care for him, even.
Except, what was killing him, was that Lizzie had no idea that the person she liked so much wasn't really him. Just a charade, just part of the Game.
He'd totally screwed things up.
He'd gone and fallen in love with Lizzie. He wanted Lizzie to want HIM…not the fake him that he was pretending to be.
She wasn't supposed to believe in him, she wasn't supposed to have cared…it was just supposed to be about sex!!
"FUCK THIS STUPID GAME!" Ethan screamed, glaring at the garter belt and stockings still strewn across his room. He covered his face as hot tears burned down his face, shaking his head. How could this have happened? Why?
"I love her, goddammit," he moaned, banging his head against the wall.
And what the hell was he supposed to do now?
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