Author's Note: Sorry this took so long. I had the idea in my head, but didn't write it out until now. I'm not entirely pleased with it, but I'm tired of looking at it lol I'm hoping it doesn't come across as completely inappropriate for the occasion. You'll see what I mean. This one's for the July 31st word. I'll try not too be so far behind on the word next time! Also, it's super long. I could've cut it down, but figured I'd keep the length since it's been a while since the last one. Let me know what you think?

ambsace: the smallest amount or distance

"Please allow me to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Dante Falconeri!" As the singer from the wedding band enthusiastically announced the newly wedded couple, Dante entered the ballroom carrying his new wife in his arms, both grinning like fools. At least, that's how Ethan interpreted it, but he was incredibly happy for his little sister and her new husband.

So, he'd wait until they got back from their honeymoon before he killed her. It was the least he could do. Inviting his ex-wife to the festivities and seating her at the table next to him warranted immediate action. Great brother that he was, he was willing to postpone it in deference to her happiness.

Ethan supposed he should've been prepared for her appearance. During their brief marriage, Maya developed a close friendship with his sister, something he'd supported at the time. Apparently, keeping the heartbreaking details of their divorce less than a year ago to himself was not serving him well tonight. His sister believed the decision to split was mutual. He'd been too proud, too hurt to admit to her that Maya had actually broken his heart for the first, and if there was a God, only time in his life.

Standing with all the other guests as they applauded the new Falconeri couple, Ethan let his eyes wander back to Maya. In a sapphire blue strapless dress that skimmed her knees, she still made his heart beat a little faster. She looked so effortlessly and unbelievably sexy. Without looking his way or doing anything at all, she managed to turn him on, which angered him. His body evidently didn't care about what she'd done to his heart. It just wanted her.

Committed to pretending as if she wasn't in attendance, he set out to enjoy the rest of his sister's wedding. His plan worked amazingly well. He spent the night being the most charming version of himself, stepped out onto the dance floor more than a few times, and reveled in celebrating this momentous occasion of Lulu's life. Everything was going perfectly. Until tradition intervened.

"Ok, people. It's about that time," the singer announced after the band finished an upbeat number that had most of the guests dancing. "We need all the single guys out there to gather 'round. You know what's coming." Amidst the jokes, laughter, and groans, he cajoled a nice amount of men into joining. "It won't kill you. Let's help the groom out here."

With no plans of adding himself to the group, Ethan stood off to the side. His hope was that no one noticed or cared that he wasn't participating. It proved futile as his brand new brother-in-law spotted him and pointed him out, directing him over to the crowd. Fine. He'd play along, dodge the garter, and watch how the rest played out from the sidelines. It was the perfect plan. Until Dante aimed straight for him and the garter landed on his shoulder.

It now seemed he would be committing a double homicide in a few weeks.

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If there was one thing Maya was not expecting, it was her body's visceral reaction to seeing Ethan again. Obviously, she knew she would see him and she would be lying if she said she hadn't agonized over what she would wear when she saw him for the first time in eight months. However, she hadn't counted on how he would look. How had she forgotten how sinful he looked in a suit? Any time he dressed up, he brought to mind the most decadent dessert imaginable. The contrast of his scruffy facial hair and often unruly hair with tailored suits… She sighed to herself. Time away from him hadn't lessened that appeal at all.

It was nearly impossible for Maya to keep her eyes off of him, watching as he flirted his way through the women and danced with his sister. She laughed when he got pulled into the garter toss and somehow managed to end up with it. She couldn't help the wayward thought that whoever caught the bouquet would be a lucky lady. Then Maxie came over and literally dragged her into the group of women awaiting Lulu's bouquet toss. She went along easily, figured in the crowd of rowdy single female guests, she would be fine. To lower her chances of catching the flowers, she stood to the left of the stage Lulu was on. It was a fantastic plan. Until the flowers came flying through the air straight towards her. She lifted her hand to avoid getting hit and caught it. The sneaky smile on Lulu's face confirmed Maya's belief that Ethan still hadn't told his sister the truth about their divorce.

Immediately, Maya found him on the other side of the ballroom. His eyes never left hers as he grabbed a chair from a neighboring table and brought it to the center of the dance floor. Playing up his role as if there was nothing negative between them, he twirled the garter around his finger while she sat. Ever dramatic, Ethan bowed a bit as she settled in the chair. Though his customary playful smirk was present, his eyes exuded heat. His gaze was hot, smoldering, laced with a touch of anger, and so intense she thought she might melt in the chair.

He knelt at her feet and lifted her left leg from the floor. He slid his fingertips softly down her calf, then pulled the garter over her shoe. The first part went quickly. Hardly taking any time, the lacy garment went up her lower leg and over her knee. That's when Ethan slowed it down just a bit. He pressed what looked like a chaste kiss to her knee, but felt like his lips branding her. His eyes stayed on hers the whole time. This part, the chemistry, the heat, the attraction, the incessant need that neither could shake… this was what scared her away. But tonight, she couldn't have run if her life depended on it.

Certainly aware of how he was affecting her, Ethan turned towards the crowd, comically shooting his eyebrows up and down. They wanted a show and that's exactly what they would get. But when he looked back at Maya, she knew neither of them found this remotely amusing. Being in this position was equal parts tempting and painful. To be reminded of what they would never have again… It wasn't what either had in mind for this night. Her fingers gripped the sides of the chair so forcefully that her hands were beginning to hurt. But the challenge in his eyes when he leaned forward and whispered, "Tense?" had her loosening her hold. Ethan knew precisely what he was doing. He was armed with the knowledge to get her right where he wanted her, right where he was - near to bursting with wanting something he couldn't have.

Two could play that game. Maya put one hand on the side of his face, his five o'clock shadow delightfully rough against her palm. Moving her hand further into his hair, she pulled him closer. She saw his eyes darken, the lids lower just enough for her to notice. "No, not tense at all."

All the while, his nimble fingers were moving the garter further up her thigh inch… by inch… by inch. His thumb brushed her inner thigh during its travels, the resulting hitch in her breath bringing the smirk back to his face. In retaliation, she gently scratched a particularly sensitive spot on his neck. At his quiet groan, she smiled and fanned herself with the other hand for the crowd that was unaware of how high his hand actually was. The fingers of said hand spread out, digits rubbing oh so close to her heat. Maya fought the need to scoot forward on the chair. If he moved one half inch higher…

Abruptly, two of the evil offenders pulled the garter and released it with a soft snap. Ethan removed his hands from underneath her dress, those devilish fingers not missing the opportunity to torture her once more on their way out. He rose from the floor, offering his hand to assist her. Smiles plastered on both of their faces, they bowed in response to the crowd's catcalls and whistles.

The entire exchange probably took less than two minutes. Two minutes that felt like twenty. Two of the hottest minutes she'd experienced in too long. Two minutes that she wished had never ended. But that was the way of it, right? All good things, fantastically pleasurable as they might be, came to an end.

So it was with a polite nod to each other that they separated, both heading in opposite directions.