~*~Chapter Seven~*~

Kristina awoke the next morning cuddled in Ethan's strong embrace. She found herself blushing as he gazed deeply into her eyes. The memories of their passion the night before sent quivers through her tummy. "Good morning, Kristina. Would you like some breakfast?" he asked.

"Breakfast? I ... uhhh... yes, breakfast would be very nice," she said as a tiny smile played upon her lips. Lying there naked in Ethan's arms made her feel flustered. She wasn't sure she could concentrate on anything with his delectable body pressed against hers.

"Alright, we'll go to Kelly's to have breakfast, then we'll go over and talk to your mother," he said as he crawled out of bed stark-naked. He didn't seem the least bit embarrassed about his nude state, but Krissy blushed a deep crimson.

"Ohhh yeah... Yes, we were going to talk to my mother," she stated. She had forgotten all about their chat with Alexis in the heat of their passion. She was suddenly worried. How would her mother take the news? Even though Krissy was nineteen, her mom was still very much on the controlling side. She might not like the fact that Ethan was "seeing" her daughter.

"Everything will be fine, love," Ethan said, seeing the worry upon her face. "I'm going to take a nice hot shower now. See you soon... unless you'd like to join me?"

He gave her a sexy wink as she stared at him entirely breathless. "No?" he said as he let out a devilish chuckle. "I know I will melt all your inhibitions soon enough. For now, we'll worry about our stomachs... and then your mother's reaction to our... relationship."

As he walked away, Kristina thought about what he had said. She and Ethan were in a relationship! Her heart was on fire with the knowledge that she FINALLY had Ethan to herself. They were dating! Yes, he was working for her father, and he had promised to protect her from harm, but there was so much more. Ethan was hers! She was blissfully happy as she crawled out of bed and wrapped up in the sheet.

Ethan came out minutes later wearing a clean pair of boxers. He kissed her softly before she went in to take her shower. "I saved some hot water for you," he told her teasingly.

"Last night was wonderful for me," he stated. "And I promise you, it's only going to get better."

"Ohhh Ethan, you say the sweetest things," Kristina said as she stared into his eyes. "I want to be with you so much. I don't care what anyone says."

"I hope your mother approves of us," Ethan said. "But even if she doesn't, I still want you here with me... in my arms every night. Not just because I want to protect you, but because you mean so much to me."

"Ohhh Ethan," she said in a whisper. She wasn't able to say anything else because his declaration had melted her heart. She was so happy in that moment, she felt tears gathering in her eyes.

"Are you crying, Kristina?" Ethan asked as he softly stroked at her cheek and looked at her with tenderness and concern.

"It's just because I am so happy. I have waited so long time for us to be together."

Ethan smiled. He hugged her for a moment, then he set her free. Krissy took her shower, then she got dressed. She emerged, ready to go to Kelly's for breakfast with Ethan.

"You look beautiful," he said when she came out fully dressed. He too had gotten dressed while she was in the shower. He was wearing a black form-fitting t-shirt and a pair of tight black jeans.

"I'm wearing the same outfit I had on yesterday," Krissy said with a little laugh.

"It looks good on you," he stated. "Very sexy. After we talk to your mom and gather up your things, we should come back here to the Star... and we can..."

"We can what?" she asked with a little smirk.

"We could dance again."

"Dance. I like the sound of that," she said as she placed her hand in his and they left his stateroom.

~*~o~*~

After a delicious and filling breakfast at Kelly's, they arrived at the lake house, holding hands. Molly was sitting on the couch reading a book as Kristina walked in with Ethan. "Krissy, where you were you last night?" Molly demanded.

"I was with Ethan," Kristina stated.

"You were with Ethan?" Molly repeated. "Does this mean you are a couple? Are you two dating?"

"Yes... yes, we are a couple," Kristina answered as she looked into Ethan's eyes.

Just then Alexis walked in from the kitchen and overheard Kristina's statement. "Over my dead body!" she cried out. "Kristina Adela Corinthos- Davis, you are NOT dating Ethan Lovett! He works for Johnny Zacchara! He's his henchman!"

"For your information, Mother, Ethan does not work for Johnny anymore. He quit!" said Kristina. "He works for Sonny now. He works for my father."

"What?" Alexis asked in confusion.

"Why in the world would you work for Sonny?" Alexis asked Ethan.

"Sonny asked me to look out for Kristina and protect her. It would seem that Anthony Zacchara has taken an unhealthy interest in her, so Sonny hired me to be her body guard," Ethan explained.

"Ohhh my God!" Alexis gasped.

"I will be staying with Ethan at the Haunted Star so he can keep me safe," Kristina told her mother. "And there's nothing you can do about it, Mom. I'm nineteen now... and I want to be with Ethan. Either you support me or I have nothing more to say to you."

"Kristina!" Alexis cried out.

"I think it's romantic," Molly spoke up. "I can't believe it, Kristina. Ethan finally admitted he had feelings for you... and he's going to protect you from Anthony Zacchara."

"That's right," Kristina said. "He already saved me on the docks when Anthony tried to grab me."

"Kristina, were you hurt?" Alexis asked in concern.

"No, Mom, because Ethan protected me... but if it weren't for him - if he hadn't have been there, who knows what might have happened. Crazy-Zacchara might have..." Kristina shuddered as her voice trailed off.

"I don't want you to go... but I know that deep down Ethan is a good guy. I know that Sonny wouldn't have hired him if he wasn't worried about your safety," Alexis stated.

She then turned to Ethan and said, "Take care of my little girl."

"I promise I will," Ethan responded. "I would never let anything happen to Kristina."

~*~o~*~

A man stood outside of the lake house, bidding his time. He wanted to get revenge on his enemy, Sonny Corinthos, and he knew just how to do it. When Sonny's daughter least expected it, he would strike. This time he vowed he would get the job done. Miss Prissy Pants would pay for rejecting him and having him beaten to a pulp. He was going to make the spoiled little bitch sorry for what she had done. Very, VERY sorry.