"The dynamic is about care. About creating a space where both people feel safe to be vulnerable. The aesthetics are just... roleplay. Surface level." He pauses. "Does that make sense?"
"Perfect sense. And with me?"
"With you, it feels real. Natural. It felt very right when I was spanking your cute little butt last night. It feels like this is who we’re meant to be together."
My heart swells. "I feel that too."
"Good." He signals for the check. "Now let's get out of here. I have something I want to show you."
He drives us back to his house, and I'm surprised when he leads me not inside but around to the backyard.
The garden is lit with string lights, creating a magical glow. In the center is a blanket spread out on the grass, surrounded by pillows. This is a little’s dream. I keep myself from rushing forward and tossing myself on the ground.
"What's this?" I ask, delighted.
"I thought we could stargaze, maybe I could see some more of your little." He guides me to the blanket. "Is this okay?"
"It's perfect."
We lie down side by side, looking up at the sky. The stars are bright tonight, scattered across the darkness like diamonds.
"I used to do this with my dad," Ethan says quietly. "Before he died. He'd take me out to the backyard and we'd try to find constellations."
"Did you ever find any?"
"Not really. We mostly just made up our own." He points up. "See that cluster? Dad called it 'The Raccoon.' Said it looked like one stealing trash."
I laugh. "I don't see it."
"You have to squint. And use your imagination." I giggle.
"I see a squirrel and a butterfly!" I’m giddy as I point them out.
"You are so damn cute." He rolls over until he’s on top of me, but braces himself on his elbows. He looks down at me before lowering his lips in an incredibly claiming kiss. After a minute, he rolls back off and pulls me over to him. My head is resting onhis chest, and I continue to point out different designs in the sky. An elephant, a seal with a ball on his nose and finally an octopus.
"Lily," Ethan says eventually. "I need to tell you something."
My stomach tightens. "Okay."
"My family is going to have questions. About you and about us."
"Because of the age gap?"
"Partially. But also because they're protective. They've seen me in relationships that didn't work. They'll want to make sure you're different."
"Am I different?"
"Completely. You aren’t a gold chaser. You aren’t after me for the clout of being with a doctor." He rolls onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow. "But they'll need to see that for themselves."
"When?"
"Claire texted me this morning. She wants to have lunch with you. Just the two of you."
My eyes widen. "She does?"
"She liked you, a lot. She asked for your number at the party, and she's curious about the woman who managed to get me to smile more in one week than I have in the past year."
"That's sweet and terrifying."
