Ethan's POV:

"Fuck off!" I yell, throwing my gloves down in frustration. I run both hands through my hair, sweat dripping from the ends. I'm on the end of my tither, and Luke is only winding me up further.

"Kane, get those gloves back on!" Luke yells, and I let out an annoyed breath, glaring at him as my chest heaves. "Do you want to win this match? Want to look good for your girl? Or fucking weak? A fucking embarrassment? Get those fucking gloves back on."

"Shut the fuck up, man." I take a swig of water, and he snatches the bottle out of my grasp.

"Treat me with fucking respect!" He pushes at my chest, and I clench my jaw, taking it because I deserve it. "You're lucky I can tolerate your ugly ass attitude. I may be pushing you, but you need this. Get those fucking gloves on and fight me like the Kane, I know, not the pussy that I just fought. I've seen a fucking girl hit better."

That's it. I swing my left fist at his face, and I hiss as the burn immediately travels through my already sore knuckle. He deserved it though – no one disrespects the women in this field of work, they're fucking badasses.

"That's more like it." He grins, teeth in tact, yet there's blood pooling. He spits on the floor and uses my bottle to swill his mouth out, and I groan at his actions. Fucking cunt.

I miss Francesca. She's been on my mind constantly since we parted ways in the parking lot outside her dorm. It's been two hours.

In those two hours, Luke has pushed me to the end of my tither. At first, I didn't mind – this is how he is and I'd take this over someone soft and loving. Tough love is how I learn, and as he said, I'm lucky he can take my attitude because he gets the brunt of everything I pent up. He may seem... harsh, but it fucking works.

You're probably wondering what happened for me to take my gloves off, throw them down and get so annoyed, right?

It was honestly just the usual things – that I need to hit harder, that I need to be faster, that my hits aren't good enough for him. Usually I'd take it on the chin, work from them, but as you know, I'm feeling insecure about this match as it is, and I finally snapped. Somewhat.

Luke grips my shoulder, and I look up at him as I clench and unclench my fist. "Clear your mind. Ice your fist. Have five minutes, come back and be the Kane that wins due to knock out. You're here physically, you're ready. But you need to clear that mind of yours."

"Yeah, I know." I respond, taking another breath as I gather myself.

"Insecurities... we all have them. Just don't let them win, Kane." He slaps me on the back as I look at my knuckle. "You've got this. Now, five minutes, you're on the clock. I want you back here, gloves on and ready to fight."

I exit the ring, and make my way to the front entrance where the freezer is. My mom's at the front desk, eating a salad sandwich it seems, and she gives me a smile when she sees me.

"I'm gonna kill him." I mutter, reaching into the freezer.

"Baby." She says softly, and I turn around, not expecting that nickname from her, and when I do, she's looking at me with pity. "Boxing is your life, you love this. He's just pushing you, and you know he truly doesn't mean it. Just keep your mind strong, you've got this."

"I know, I'm just... insecure?" I question my words, not really liking my honesty. I move her legs from atop of the desk, and take their place, leaning on it. "It's been so long, and I don't want to disappoint dad on Saturday."

"Dad?" She whispers, tears forming in her eyes.

"Oh, fuck. Please don't cry." I beg, shaking my head at her.

"Sorry. Sorry, it's just... I can't believe you just called him dad." She croaks out.

"Then you're not going to believe me when I tell you I've referred to you as mom, will you?" I chuckle, and she looks at me like I've said the most heartbreaking thing in the world as tears start to flow. "Don't fucking cry, please."

"I'm not." She shakes her head, and I roll my eyes, reaching and wiping the tears she claims aren't there. "I love you so much, Ethan. So does, Tony. You won't every disappoint us, son."

"Okay, I'm not crying too, shut up." I say and she chuckles, grabbing my left hand and the ice.

"What did you do?" She asks, subtly changing the subject.

"Hit Luke... without gloves." I say and she groans, pressing the ice on my knuckle.

"Such an idiot." She mutters.

"As are you." I flash her a smile.

Suddenly the door behind me opens, and when I look back, I frown when I see my girl walk through, hood up from the rain.

"Wha- Are you okay, darling?" I'm confused to why she's here so soon. Did something happen? Did someone happen? Who the fuck happened?

"Yeah." Francesca nods, pulling her hood down, and I smile at her pretty face. "Um, are you busy? We can speak later. I'll just read in your room."

"I have a few minutes." I tell her, hoping it's enough. I don't want her to keep things to herself for too long.

"I'll wait." She gives a tight-lipped smile, it not looking at all convincing.

"Nope, come with me." I push myself up from the desk, and gesture my head over my office. I look back at Maria, and stop. "Tell Luke I'll be... well, I'll be as long as I am."

"Will do." Maria tips her head as if she's wearing a cowboy hat.

I grasp my darling's hand, and she leans into my side as we walk through to my office. My mind is somewhat spiraling with the 'what if's'. She's freaking me out.

"You always have a way of getting me in an office." Francesca chuckles, and I round my desk, smiling at the memory from this morning when we were at the beach house.

"What happened?" I whisper, sitting down in my leather chair, and I pat my lap for her to take a seat also.

"Seriously?" She raises her brows at my lap.

"Yes, take a seat and tell me what happened." I demand nicely, and she hesitantly does so, but quickly gets comfortable yet still doesn't speak. "Do I need to taunt it out of you? I didn't think sex would be on the agenda for a while."

"Karen... I quit. I don't work there anymore." She says, and I stare at her in shock.

"You quit?" I question.

"Yeah... I missed eighteen hours of work this week, and she didn't know, and I just couldn't stand being there. She didn't believe I was sick, or whatever." Her words hit me like a bus, and I wince, not ready for this. "Did you forget? I won't be mad. I know that after Felix came in, told us about the trip that it was very... fast paced from there, so I don't blame you."

There's two ways to answer this. The truth, or a big, fat lie. "I, um, I didn't forget. I just chose not to call in."

"What?" She blinks at me, and I purse my lips, hating my decision further. "Ethan, this was my fucking job. You- what?"

"You quit, you just told me you quit, so it's not a big deal." I point out, and she shakes her head. She goes to stand, but I grip her hips, stopping her.

"Get your hands off me! Don't fucking touch me." She grits out, and my heart sinks as she gets up.

"Darling, I-"

"No!" She yells, spinning around to face me. "Don't. She was going to fire me anyway, which is why I quit – I wanted the upper hand, so I quit before she could. That was my job. I needed that. I need the money, you know that!"

"You can work here." I tell her, and she scoffs, shaking her head. "I can borrow you the money."

"Vaffanculo!" She spits out, her Italian sounding way hotter than needed. "Was this your plan? To keep me closer to you?! Do you know how toxic that sounds? You've just jeopardized my job, Ethan. You could have told me you didn't ring, so I could have."

"I did it because you deserve better." I argue, and she narrows her eyes at me like I'm stupid.

"So, you get me fired?! You could have spoke to me, talked to me about what I wanted. How the fuck is this better? You know I'm looking for a job, you know that. So why the fuck couldn't you just wait for me to officially get a new one? I'm out of work, and I needed the fucking money!" She stresses and I stand, wanting to calm her. "No, sit back down. I don't want you to touch me! Please don't touch me."

"I won't, I won't." I repeat, holding my hands, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. That's the last thing I want to do. "Darling, you hated that job, and don't lie to me because you did. You deserve a job you like."

"Does anyone like their job!?" She retorts, almost laughing at the question.

"Darling, please." I plea, hating to argue with her.

"This is something my ex would do. This is exactly something he'd do. Then he'd act all innocent, persuade me into bed, fuck me and it'd all be better because I was stupid and naïve. But I'm not letting this go. You said you'd ring for me and you didn't – something I'd forgive you for if you had forget – but you didn't. You purposely took the opportunity to jeopardize my job." She has a point, but relating me to her ex rubs me the wrong way.

"I'm nothing like that cunt." I grit out.

"You are a fucking cunt!" She yells.

"Please, don't do this." I whisper, not ready for the heartbreak we went through last time.

"Are you even sorry? You haven't said you're sorry yet." She asks, crossing her arms, closing herself off from me.

"Yes." I lie – I'm not sorry, not about this – and it's not convincing.

"Fuck you." She whispers, shaking her head. "Fuck you, Ethan! Fuck you. Fuck us. I don't care. I'm not having this... this controlling thing."

"Darling, you're overreactin-" I try to comfort her, but what I don't expect is her next move. Her hand raises, ready to slap me, but I'm stopping it before she can, pulling her in tightly against my chest, clenching my jaw.

Oh, she wants to play it like that?

"Try that again, I fucking dare you." I warn her, and she glares up at me. "You want to fucking hit me? Don't slap me like a little fucking bitch, Francesca. Hit me how I fucking taught you."

"I'm the little bitch?!" She laughs manically, not happy at all. "Shut the fuck up. If anyone is a little bitch, it's you, Ethan."

"You need to calm down. So, I didn't call? I know you're upset, but it's not the end of the world, Francesca." I try to reason.

"Ethan, you don't fucking understand. You won't open your mind to understand my argument. This is not okay, and I won't put up with it." She says, and I'm grateful her voice has lowered a tad, but rage is still definitely radiating off her.

I'm so confused right now. I understand I did her wrong by willingly not calling into work, even when I told her I would. But, she has come home nearly every day drained, sometimes in tears, and this was a chance. I recognize I've took the wrong route, but I don't see much of a problem with it, especially since she knows she has a job here.

"Please, darling. I'll borrow you the money, use my card, you can use it whenever you need." I say, hoping to bring this argument to an end. I fucking hate arguing.

"We're done!" She screams, and my heart drops to my balls. "We're fucking done."

"No! No, you are not doing this." I grab her wrists, pulling her in closer to me. I'm going to fight for us.

"Get the fuck off me!" She yells, and I drop my hold on her wrists, exhaling an annoyed breath. She steps back, distancing us. "Out of everyone, you know how much I wouldn't want that. You, out of every single person I know, knows how much I hate borrowing money. I don't want your pity handouts. I don't want your fucking card. I don't want... this. I just want a job where I work for my own money, and you've... you took that away from me, Ethan."

A sob ruptures through her, angry tears starting to stream down her cheeks, and my heart breaks for her. I don't know how I fucking forgot about that. "Baby, please. I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I really didn't."

"Ethan, put yourself in my shoes. You've told me to ring someone about a match of yours, someone that could take your career from you, and I just don't. I know the consequences but I do it anyway, knowing that you have no backup plan. I do that because it's 'better' for you, that you aren't 'happy'. I don't care how you try to justify this, but it's not right, Ethan. I want an apology, and I'm leaving if I don't get one." Her words sink in, and instantly I feel bad – not that I didn't before, but only now do I realize how bad this is.

"I'm sorry, I am. It's not fair of me, I know. But I promise these were good intentions, not jealous and controlling ones." I stress my point.

"How?! How were these good intentions?" She pulls at her hair as she runs her fingers through it.

"You've gone through so much, darling. You're going to therapy, you're getting better. I'd argue you're at one of the best places mentally. And the only thing holding you back was that fucking job. You'd come to the gym stressed, you'd cry over it and it was awful watching that. You hate going, and Karen is a right bitch. You deserve better, and when I saw the opportunity to get you out of it, I jumped and I'm sorry." I apologize once again, and this time, I really do mean it. I'm such a fucking jerk.

"It wasn't your decision to make, though, Ethan." She stresses, and I nod, stepping towards her, testing the waters. "I'm so mad at you, and I understand what your intentions were. They aren't acceptable, though, you can't be doing this. I believe that you're sorry, but this isn't okay. We've been boyfriend/girlfriend for less than twenty-four hours, and this has already happened. I'm worried, Ethan."

"Please don't be worried. I promise... fuck, I promise I won't do something like this again. I promise." I cup her jaw and she closes her eyes, leaning into my hand. "I love you so much, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't leave me, Francesca, please. I can't live without you. I can't."

"I won't. But I am sleeping in sexy lingerie – very sexy – and you aren't allowed to touch." She mumbles, and I smile at my sweet girl, knowing the argument's over. "Might even bring my vibrator. You know the better boyfriend that doesn't talk back to me?"

"Shut up." I mutter, pulling her in for a hug, and she chuckles against my chest.

"I'm sorry for getting mad and nearly hitting you. I wasn't actually going to hit you, and I'm sorry." She apologizes, voice mumbled.

"Don't be. You have nothing to apologize for." I assure her. Yeah, going to slap me was the wrong move, and if gender roles were reversed, she'd be fucked, but I don't blame her at all.

"Chris..." The name makes me cringe as she pulls back. "We argued a lot, and in those arguments, I was always pinned as the bad guy. He couldn't do anything wrong. Whether it was gaslighting, manipulation, guilt tripping – he did it all to make himself look like he was the good guy. I always find myself needing to apologize because of that, even if I'm not in the wrong. And I'm sorry that I may have overreacted, but this kind of stuff is what he used to do."

This makes me feel even worse, and as it rightfully should. I've literally brought up old shit that her ex did, and her reaction was more than valid. "I'm sorry. You don't deserve that. I won't do this shit again. I won't be him."

"You never could be." She shakes her head slightly, wiping her cheeks from the tears that left, along with her anger. "Um, did I tell you that he ruined my chance at going to Yale?"

"He did what?" I frown down at her.

"I asked Abby, Chris and my parents to write... like recommendation letters? I don't know what they're called. I found out, after we broke up, after I found out I didn't get in, that he trashed me throughout the whole letter, calling me a cheat, saying I wouldn't do well – everything you could imagine. He wanted me to go with him to Berkeley, and I refused to apply because I wanted to stay close to home. So, he jeopardized Yale. He didn't expect to get into Yale himself, and shockingly, it was the only school that took him, so more fool him, right?" She lets out a little laugh, but it's not at all convincingly happy.

"This guy... what the fuck is wrong with him?" I shake my head in disbelief.

"He picked up his behavior from his parents, so it's not his fau-"

"No, you're not defending him." I cut her off. "He was an adult at the time. You have your own thought path as an adult. I suffered years of abuse, and I'm not like them – it's the last thing I'd want. What he did was his own fault, and don't try to sugar coat that with his childhood problems."

"Okay." She whispers, and I press my lips to her forehead, letting out a sigh.

"I'm sorry, baby. I really am." I murmur, and she wraps her arms back around me into a hug. "I'm gonna read more of the Relationship For Dummies book. I need to."

"Maybe an hour or so." She agrees.

"I know it's a bad time, but I need to get back to training with Luke. Please don't leave, though." I plea, hoping she won't.

"I need to go get a few things from my dorm, but I'll be back home in a few hours, as planned." She tells me with a smile, and I nod, letting out a sigh. "Please stay focused. I'll come back. I always will."

"I love you; you know that, right?" I ask, gently running my thumb over her cheek.

"Yes. And I love you too, even when you do stupid shit like this." She says, and I wince, giving her another sorry look. "Don't. I know you're sorry. Let's not bring it up again. Put a line under it. But, Ethan, this can't happen again. I won't let it."

"I know." I nod, speaking softly.

"I mean it, Ethan." She whispers, looking torn with the underlining meaning to those words.

"And I don't blame you." I murmur.

"Now, pass me your hand. What the fuck did you do?" She rolls her eyes, grabbing the ice from my desk.

"Nothing." I purse my lips, and she narrows her eyes at me. "Okay, I hit Luke without gloves."

"How come?" She whispers, grimacing at the soreness of my knuckles before she covers them with the ice.

I bite back a wince, and she looks up at me, awaiting for me answer, so, I grumble out my response. "Stupid insecurities."

"You're going to be perfect, Ethan." She tells me adamantly. "Don't let the things Luke says get to you. You know they're just words to get you amped. Maybe tell him?"

"Yeah, no." I shut down that idea straight away, and she pouts up at me. "Darling, I'm not good with this feelings shit. I can't and won't."

"Okay." She whispers, not wanting to push.

"I'll be fine. And anyway, it works. The words, they work, even though they make me a little insecure." I try to explain, but honestly it's confusing. "I'm fine, darling. Don't worry."

"I aren't. I just don't want you hurting your knuckles." She rolls her eyes playfully.

"I was going to make a fisting joke, but I don't think it's appropriate." I mutter, and she gasps, letting out a few giggles as she rests her head on my chest.

"It wouldn't fit, you bastard. Have you seen your fist?" She asks, and I chuckle. "It's bigger than a baby's head, and it's not happening."

"There's lube." I point out as a joke, and she shakes her head in disbelief.

"Not happening." She says adamantly. "That counts for my ass, too. No-go zone."

"Didn't hear you saying that this morning." I sing-song close to her ear, and she giggles lowly. "Now, kiss me. I need a kiss before you go."

"Such a desperate whore." She rolls her eyes, using my nickname for her.

"Shut the fuck up and kiss me." I demand, not liking her teasing behavior, even though I deserve it after my fuck up.

"Nah." She shakes her head, amusement clear on his face. "You don't deserve it. I meant it when I said you aren't touching me."

"I-" I begin to protest, but instead, she puts her finger to my lips.

"I have a set of lingerie at my dorm. It's a black set. See-through lace bra, it has a garter belt, stockings, and crotchless panties." My mouth simply drops open, a beautiful vision of her coming to mind. "And I'm going to wear it tonight. I'm going to bring my vibrator, get myself off in front of you and then fall asleep."

"Darling." I warn, swallowing harshly.

"I've never bought lingerie for a guy. Every piece of lingerie is for me and only me. This is what I'd usually do. Only you're getting the pleasure of watching, so count yourself lucky." She says, and I shake my head. This is the worst kind of torture. "Keep your fist iced for five more minutes. I'll be back in a few hours. I love you."

"I don't know if I love or hate you right now." I mutter, taking over with icing my knuckle, and she grins up at me.

"If you behave, I'll let you help." She says, and I groan, knowing that's not going to work. Like, at all.

"Yeah, yeah." I roll my eyes, and she smiles, awaiting... something. "I love you."

"Thank you." She replies, putting her hood back up. "Bye, babe."

"Bye." I mutter, watching her leave through my office door.

The last ten minutes has been mental... what the actual fuck happened? I rub my hands over my face and I groan, not ready for the consequences tonight.

~~

Francesca's POV:

Ethan is neither sitting in my good books, nor my bad ones. He's sitting on the wall of both. One more thing, he's tipping into the bad.

Fuming would be an understatement as to how I felt when he told me he purposely didn't ring my work. I never expected him to do something like that. As he said, maybe I did overreact, but in that argument, it felt like I was with Chris again. It brought up old things from that relationship, and I just... spiraled.

Going to hit him was the wrong move, though, and I really regret it. I would never hit him, in fact, I wasn't going to follow through with it. I knew he'd catch my hand.

Using the lingerie and vibrator as a kind of punishment... well, I've never thought of a better idea. I am nervous since I've never done such a thing in front of someone, but Ethan makes me feel comfortable, and nevertheless beautiful to do so.

"This looks... interesting." Matt squeaks out, and I purse my lips as I look at the meal Lauren cooked us all tonight. Matt's usually the person who cooks, and well... I don't think he's ready to give over the responsibilities just yet.

"I think it looks good." I say for good measure, but I do have questions as to what it is. It's pasta and white sauce, but... is that mince meat? "Carbonara, right?"

"Yeah... I mean, I followed a recipe. Someone eat it before me, though because I don't want to harm my baby." Lauren replies and I let out a laugh before doing the honors.

Everyone watches with weary eyes and shockingly, it takes pretty amazing. I raise my brows, giving her a smile. "From an Italian, I approve."

"Seriously?" Hanna blurts out, and Lauren whines, sending her a little glare.

"Yes. It's really good." I say to Lauren and she smiles in response.

"Good because I burnt the first lot of pasta." Lauren adds, and I near choke on a mouthful at the information.

"You burnt the pasta?" I ask.

"Not enough water in apparently." She grumbles, and I just stare at her dumbfounded. Only Lauren could burn pasta, I swear.

"Anyway, let's eat. Lauren, how's the baby?" Matt asks her, starting a new conversation for us all. I still can't believe that Lauren – our little one – is pregnant with her and Felix's child.

"Um, good, I think?" She winces in confusion. "Until the scan, I guess I won't know, but I think he's okay."

"He?" I catch on.

"I have this weird feeling." She chuckles.

"Will you be finding out?" Hanna asks, and Lauren stops eating, thinking about it for a second.

"Honestly, I don't really want to. I know the pregnancy is a surprise in itself, but how nice would it be to find out just as you give birth? I'd really like that. But it's not just my decision. If Felix wants to find out, we'll argue and come to an agreement." Lauren answers, and I have to bite back my laugh at how normal it is for them to 'argue'. Honestly though, it's just harmless bickering with them.

"They will be treated like royalty, I can see it now." Hanna chuckles.

"Most likely." Lauren agrees with a smile.

"Please don't name it something like Sal though." Hanna adds, and Lauren laughs, shaking her head.

"Don't worry, no Sal in the cards as of right now." Lauren assures.

"I can't believe your mom called your little sister Sal." Matt says and Hanna nods, swallowing her food.

"Setting her up to be bullied, I swear." Hanna says, and I burst out laughing.

"Did anyone have, like, baby names in their notes growing up?" Lauren asks.

"I did." Hanna says.

"Even I did... Edwina was going to be my first daughter." Matt says and I laugh, tilting my head back at the name. "So, I was a hardcore Twilight fan for a good year or so, sue me."

"What about Bella?!" I laugh even harder.

"Basic." He shakes his head. "I like unique names."

"I hate the names I used to have." Hanna says, wiping a stray tear from her cheek from laughing so much. "Like, there was Lily, Poppy, Rose... these are all fucking flowers."

"Mine were either related to music or Italian." I shrug, and they all raise their brows, most likely surprised I had any at all. "So there was Giuliana, Sofia, Aurora – all Italian. Then, Stevie, Florence for girl musicians. Boy names were like Bowie, Jackson, Prince, Cobain. They're unusual but I still like them."

"See, they're all nice. Mine were like Genevieve, Sharpay, Gabriella." Lauren says and I chuckle, loving the High School Musical references.

"Gabriella is still nice." Hanna says, and I have to agree, it is.

"What is your sister's full name?" Lauren leans over to ask me.

"Oh, I got to pick her middle name, so she's called Emma Giuliana Salatino." I smile.

"Perfect." She points out, and I smile over at her. "I will legit leave you to pick my child's middle name."

"I feel honored." I put my hand on my heart.

"I can see us all in like ten years time, Lauren has about five kids, Hanna's got a few, and then there's me and my Frankie girl sipping sex on the beach's in the prime of our life next to the ocean." Matt muses, and we all burst into fits of laughter.

"I mean, he's not wrong." I point out.

"I feel like you'll have at least one. I know you don't want one but I do see it." Hanna says.

"Even if I change my mind, I don't think it could happen." I say, wanting to open up more, especially knowing that they're all going to be supportive anyway.

"How do you mean?" Matt asks, grabbing a piece of garlic bread.

"Well, um, when I were younger I fell pregnant." I start and all of their eyes widen at the new information. "Yeah, I know; shocking. Um, but sadly I had a miscarriage-"

"What?" Matt whispers in disbelief, cutting me off.

"Yeah. And, um, when I went to the hospital that day, I found out I have fertility issues, and that I have a two percent chance of successfully carrying a child, and that's not even to full term. So, I'm prone to miscarrying." I tell them, and when I look up, Lauren has tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh my God, are you okay?"

"Are you?" Lauren croaks out, looking truly heartbroken, bless her.

"Yeah, I mean... it just leaves me a bit empty?" I question my words because I don't know if I make sense. "Like, it makes me overthink about my body and shit because I know it failed me in a way."

"It's not your fault, you know." Hanna murmurs and I nod, knowing that now.

"I do. And it may seem like my decision to not want children may be affected by this, but it just highlighted something I hadn't really thought about before. Babies were never something I dreamt of having, even before I got pregnant. My mom thought I made myself believe all of this as some kind of protection barrier but it wasn't. I never played with dolls growing up. When my friends and I played families, I was always the aunt. When I got pregnant I kind of embraced what I had at the time and I truly did love them, but I never saw myself as a mom." I hope I'm explaining it properly because it's tough to explain.

"That makes sense. And I think I can speak for everyone when I say we're very sorry you went through this." Matt says, and the girls nod to his words.

"It means a lot because I guess I've gone years feeling ashamed. It's just such a grey area for me." I mumble, eating another bite – the food is only getting nicer with every mouthful.

"Is Ethan aware of any of this?" Lauren asks in a whisper.

"He knows I've had a miscarriage since I was feeling a bit all over the place and needed to speak about it, but he doesn't know about the fertility problems." I answer, and Hanna looks wearily at me. "It's not like I'm keeping it from him or anything, but since we both don't want children anyway, I don't think I need to tell him."

"It's a pretty big thing though." Hanna says and I nod in agreement.

"When the time comes and I have to tell him, I will, but right now... I don't exactly need to. We're on the same track, so until it miraculously changes, I'm just gonna keep it hush." I say with a shrug, because honestly it's the best option. "So, please can we keep this in the circle?"

"Always." Lauren nods.

"Yep, in the circle forever." Hanna says, and Matt chuckles, nodding too.

"I feel like I've put a damper on everything, someone make a joke." I urge and Matt slaps the kitchen island, scaring me half to death.

"How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?" Matt asks, spluttering out a laugh with his words. I look at the girls, and they're as confused as I am.

"I have no clue, Mathew." I say.

"Ten tickles." He bursts out laughing, dropping his head on the island next to his food.

"Fuck my life." I mutter, shaking my head in amusement.

"I think he's broken." Lauren says.

"Yeah, shall we throw him away and get a new one?" Hanna suggests, and he smacks the counter as he continues to laugh uncontrollably.

"Yeah, definitely broken." I add, and the girls and I share a knowing look.

~~

I'm going to regret this. Ethan will make me regret this.

If he thought I had a death wish before, well he's going to certainly think I have one now.

I've specifically put my black and yellow nipple bars in – his nirvana – and you can clearly see them through the black lace bra. The garter belt sits comfortable around my stomach, attached to the black stockings that clad my tanned legs. From the front you can't tell the panties are crotchless, but God, I assure you they are.

I step forward, moving my hair out of way inspecting my makeup in the mirror – I've put waterproof mascara on just in case – and I smile at the sight in front of me. I look so fucking hot, and Ethan won't know how to control himself.

"He's going to kill you." Matt says, lying smugly on his bed, leaning on his elbows.

"He's not allowed to touch me." I correct him, and Matt rolls his eyes. "He's not."

"Sure. Frankie, do you really have the self-restraint for that?" He asks.

"No, which is why I'm bringing these." I grab the black cuffs from on top of my bed, and Matt chuckles, shaking his head.

"You have a death wish, girly." He whispers, and I deadpan, crossing my arms over my chest. "Fine, you have a death wish for your vagina."

"She can handle it." I mutter, turning towards my wardrobe.

"Oh, yeah? You think your pussy is magical?" He asks and I look over my shoulder, flashing him a grin. "It probably fucking is."

"Yeah, when I cum, it's all sparkly and shit." I joke and he bursts out laughing, sinking his head into his sheets.

"I just had like a moment of feeling sorry for him, but then I remember what he did and he totally fucking deserves this. Now, what are you wearing to go over there?" He asks, now back interested in helping me get ready.

"Oh, I'm wearing your clothes." I spin around, taking out a pair of his black joggers, that let's be honest, I've worn more than him.

"So, you're making him jealous as well? Smart." He nods, and then claps excitedly, sitting up. "Spray my hoodie with cologne, too."

"This is one of the many reasons you're my best friend." I point at him, and he chuckles before quickly closing his eyes when I go to put his pants on.

"Could have given me a warning, babe." He grits out, shielding his eyes.

"Sorry. I forgot." I say shyly, suppressing the laugh I want to let out.

After getting changed into his clothes, covering my lingerie entirely, I brush out my long hair and Matt offers to French braid the front, so it's out of the way while still being down.

"You have protection, right?" He checks, and I nod, but he's quick to slap me on the top of the head for moving.

"Rude. But, yes, I have protection, but I'm being serious when I tell you I'm not having sex with him." I say adamantly.

"And the sky isn't blue." He replies back, and I just know he's rolling his eyes.

"We can't anyway. He lives with his siblings and parents – I won't disrespect them like that." I say, and he snorts.

"But you'll get yourself off, handcuff and torture him?" He quips.

"Yes, the bed won't move." I reply back with a little laugh.

"Horny fucker." He mutters.

"And you aren't, daddy?" I tilt my head back and pout up at him.

"Oh, shut the fuck up." He rolls his eyes, holding my head back in place for him to do my hair. "Whatever you do, don't get cum in your hair, these braids are looking nice."

I whack his leg and he lets out a loud laugh. He continues to braid my hair, me sitting still almost the whole time while discussing movie night this week. I also told him I have therapy tomorrow, and he asked how that was going. It's nice being able to just speak openly, no more secrets. It's freeing.

Once he's done, he sprays my hair and spins around me to check if it's okay before finally letting me leave and get on my way.

Knowing I have an English lecture at eleven tomorrow, I bring my bag with my finished assignment, spare clothes and makeup bag, along with necessities for tonight – my black bunny vibrator, the cuffs and the cock ring that coincidentally ended up in my suitcase.

Ethan may actually kill me...

The drive over to his apartment wasn't as bad as I initially expected, but my nerves came and said a nice hello as soon as I parked up in front of the gym. I decide not to let them settle, pushing them aside by grabbing my fake overnight Louis Vuitton bag and climbing out.

Maria greets me with a smile when I walk through the door, and I have to say, she looks tired sat at the front desk. "Ciao, amore." (Hello, sweetheart.)

"Come va? Sembri stanco." I ask, hoping she's okay. (How is it going? You look tired.)

"Si, sto solo aspettando Tony ed Ethan ora." She responds and I give her a sympathetic smile. (Yeah, I'm just waiting for Tony and Ethan now.)

"They won't be too long, though, right?" I look up at the clock, seeing that it's close to nine.

"No. Luke and Ethan are just finishing up. Go through if you'd like, but major warning he stinks." She grimaces and I let out a laugh.

"Don't all boys?" I retorts and she shrugs, basically agreeing. "Where are the twins?"

"Sleepover, so once Scar is done, we're leaving for the night." She smiles.

"Ooh, anywhere nice?" I ask, glad for the two of them.

"A hotel and spa, something nice and relaxed." She says and I smile, it sounds amazing. "You have the apartment to yourself by the way. Felix mentioned going to see someone – he said and I quote, 'don't wait up'. He has a key though, so he won't bother you when he comes in."

"Okay, thanks for telling me, otherwise I would have thought someone was breaking in since I'm irrational sometimes." I shrug and she lets out a little laugh. "Has he had dinner? Shall I make something? I mean, I'm not the best cook but if he hasn't-"

"There's pasta in the fridge that needs warming up in the oven, there's instructions on the Tupperware box." She tells me. "Usually he just eats it cold like a weird goblin though."

"Such an uncultured swine." I roll my eyes and she laughs loudly at that. "I'm gonna go and see him. Have a good night tonight."

"You too. Oh, and no babies." She points at me sternly making me giggle.

"Ditto." I retort, giving her a little wave as I go through the main door.

I can hear him before I can see him. His grunts and the sound of gloves smacking fills the empty, brightly lit gym, and I smile when I see Scar leaning against the wall, watching him in the very end ring.

"Hey." I greet, and Scar gives me a smile as I approach him. Despite his very scary physique, he's one of the nicest guys I've had the pleasure of meeting. "Is he doing okay?"

"Amazing. So proud of him." Scar mumbles, and I smile up at him. "Are you coming to the match?"

"Yeah, me and my friends." I reply.

"How many? I'll make sure there's enough seats spare for you. There will be, but I'll ring and secure them." He tells me.

"There's just me and three others. And Felix, I think?" I find myself questioning this.

"Oh, he'll be down near the ring." He says and I nod, not surprised with the information. "So, four seats?"

"Yeah. Thank you." I smile.

"Well done today. Now, go get a shower, you fucking stink." Luke, I'm guessing, ruffles Ethan's hair, only for him to glare in response, but that soon drops when he sees me waiting next to Scar.

"Thought you wouldn't come." Ethan says, ducking under the rope.

"You think so low of me. Of course I'd come for you." I respond, a slight teasing tone to my words, and he raises a brow as he approaches me. He looks down at my bag, and frowns. "I wouldn't be exactly opposed to it, but are you moving in?"

"You wish. In fact, no, you wouldn't be able to handle my ass." I respond honestly.

"I think I can handle it quite well." He whispers into my ear, and Scar coughs, narrowing his eyes at us.

"At least keep it to yourself while I'm around." Scar says and I stifle a laugh.

"Oh, at least I can get it up on my own, old man." Ethan slaps him on the shoulder, and in a split second, Scar has hit him up the back of his head.

"Go get a fucking shower, you idiot." He responds back.

Ethan grins at me like a child and takes my bag in one hand before grasping my other, leading the way. His hand is sweaty, but being close to him excuses the fact and I don't really care.

"You look beautiful, pretty girl." Ethan presses his lips to the side of my head.

"Thank you." I whisper, smiling up at him. "You look... sweaty."

"Hot, right?" He chuckles.

"Oh, yeah, very." I nod, my tone full of sarcasm. "I've had dinner and everything with my friends, so while you shower I'm gonna heat up the pasta."

"You're a diamond, darling." He says, and I smile as he starts to swing our hands. "I don't deserve you, I really don't. I'm sorry again for earlier."

"Don't. It's okay." I shake it off, not wanting to get back into the argument again.

"So, we're okay? Your evil plan is long gone?" He asks, and I nod innocently.

"Yeah, I actually lost my vibrator, can you believe it?" I scoff, rolling my eyes.

"Thank God, I don't think I could survive to be honest." He mutters, dropping my hand to unlock the door to the apartment upstairs. I purse my lips, looking away to hide my reaction because I'm amused as fuck.

Once we're in the apartment, I force Ethan to get a shower since he was insistent on waiting until his dinner was ready. So, while he showered, I put his dinner on, and in that time Maria and Tony left, which leaves us with the apartment to ourselves.

A smile appears on my face as a certain somebody's arms drape around my waist, hugging me against their body. I look back and almost choke on my saliva when I notice he's only wearing a towel.

"Ethan, you need to wear clothes to eat." I tell him.

"I don't think I do." He says.

"Fine, burn your dick, I won't kiss it better." I say and he chuckles, pressing a kiss to my shoulder blade before he steps around me and grabs a glass out of the cupboard. "Can you poor me some water please?"

"Yeah." He nods, pressing the glass against the pedal in the fridge.

It's weird how easy and simple things like this are with Ethan and I. I'm just so comfortable around him. He makes it so easy to just breathe and relax, even in the tensest of times.

After dinner, which he wolfed down, he tidied up the kitchen before basically dragging me to his bedroom, where he already had a movie set up and paused.

"What are we watching?" I ask, intrigued.

"Okay, a new movie has come out on Netflix." He starts, and I raise my brows. "It's called 365 Days."

"Oh, I've heard of that, it's with a hot Italian guy." I say and he narrows his eyes at me, and I put my hands up in defense. "Hey, you picked it, not me."

"Just get in bed, idiot." He says and I giggle, jumping on the massive comfy thing.

I'm still in Matt's clothes, and I'm glad they're comfortable because I have a feeling I'm going to be in them for a little longer than I initially intended.

The beginning of the movie is actually quite interesting to me but Ethan was just confused, lying next to me, talking over it.

"Wait." He lets out a laugh, sitting up and I smile as the so-called famous (to Hanna) blowjob/vibrator crossover scene starts. Sex scenes in movies don't really bother me, they honestly just make me respect the actors more. The scene itself is just a bonus. "Oh, okay. I'm getting into it now."

"Fucking perve." I roll my eyes, but then Laura turns on the vibrator, perking my interest. "Oh, look, that would have been me."

"Shut up." He mutters and I chuckle to myself.

"Not being funny or anything, but if you refused sex from me, I would literally get myself off in the bedroom and make sure I'm loud as possible." I say and he bursts out laughing.

"Oh, darling, I'll never refuse sex from you. Like, at all. This dude is a fucking blind cunt." He points at the television, and I nod, agreeing with him.

"See, vibrators are better than men!" I exclaim, and he suddenly starts to tickle under my armpits. "Ethan! Oh my- Jesus! Ethan, stop it!"

"Fine, fine." He stops immediately after hearing me say the word, and I sigh, grateful. "But my dick is better."

"Babe, I'll get a new vibrator and run it over your dick, especially at the tip – I think that could change your mind." I smile at him.

"Do it." He says and I hum – okay, Ethan, game on.

The movie actually turns out to be quite interesting, not that I condone Stockholm syndrome at all, but I actually did enjoy it. Maybe because I had read the book previous to this – that only clocked half way through though. Ethan actually got into it but he had a lot of comments throughout, and honestly, I liked the commentary.

It's just ended, the music of the credits still playing as I excuse myself to the bathroom, and I nibble on my bottom lip as I lock the door behind myself.

I'm so fucking nervous.

Exhaling a breath, I shake out my hands and nod to myself in the mirror – I've got this. I have a nervous pee, get undressed down to the lingerie and freshen up... everywhere since I've been in sweats for a few hours now. I leave my clothes folded on the side of the bath, and I give myself a once over in the mirror, turning slightly to inspect from the back. When I'm confident I look okay, I fluff my hair and turn the lock on the door.

Ethan's back is to me, he's sat on the edge of his side of the bed, looking through Netflix. I shut the door and he looks back quickly, but does a double take, his jaw dropping.

"Oh. My. Fucking. God." He only just gets out, staring in awe.

"Hi." I smile, moving my fingers slightly into a little wave.

"Darling." He gulps, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing. "If you have that vibrator, I won't just sit here, especially with you wearing that."

"Yes, you will." I chuckle, walking over and crawling onto my side of the bed, nearest the bathroom door. "Because you've been pretty bad and this is your punishment, pretty boy."

"Francesca." He says in a warning tone, turning around to face me, Netflix now long gone. "Don't test me."

"Or I could go find Felix's room and use that for privacy." I say and I'm quickly swallowing a breath as his hand wraps around my neck, his body now towering over me.

"Francesca..." He sighs, clenching his jaw. "Why do you have to act like such a brat?"

"Why do you act like such a dick? Shall I remind you why I'm doing this?" I ask, and his eyes lower, letting out another sigh, this time a frustrated one. "Back the fuck up and sit at the end of the bed."

He lets a grunt of disapproval but follows through anyway, and I smile. His eyes are on me, burning into me, and I push away every nerve and insecurity I hold when I open my legs.

Smoothing my hands down from the apex of my thighs, I exhale a quick breath, watching every reaction on Ethan's face. His teeth are grazing his bottom lip. His brows are drawn into a frustrated frown. Eyes once fully emerald, now dark and full of lust. His cheeks are flushes slightly, and when I dance my eyes down his body, I notice the bulge he's now sporting underneath his black boxers.

"Darling." He swallows harshly. "Fuck, you're so wet. I can see how drenched you are. Did that movie get you all hot and bothered, huh?"

"Are you going to behave?" I ask, ignoring his cunning question.

"No." He answers.

"Well, then you leave me no choice." I reach down to the floor by my side, and grab the cuffs that I so sneakily got out throughout the movie. His eyes widen when he takes them in. "I need you consent first, though, of course."

"Seriously?" He eyes me, and I deadpan. Of course I'm serious. I mean business right now, damn it. "Fine, yeah. Cuff me, woman."

I let out a low giggle, happy with that answer. I crawl over to him and sit on my heals, and he holds out his hands for me to cuff. "Nope, to the back, mister."

"Are you joking?" He pouts.

"No." I reply back sassily, and he huffs, turning around, putting his hands behind his back. I unlock the cuffs with the key and lock them in place around his wrists, securing him like I want. "Are they tight?"

"No, they're okay." He says, flexing his fingers a bit.

"Okay, good." I respond happily, and he turns back around, narrowing his eyes back at me. "Now, I know you were unsure of this, and you don't have to, we can go without, but..."

"Just ask." He whispers.

"I brought the cock ring." I tell him, and his eyes widen in response.

"Yes." He answers immediately, and I go to speak but he shakes his head. "Do it."

"Are you hard?" I ask, already knowing the stupid question.

"Yeah." He answers before hesitating slightly. "Maybe a strong semi."

"Okay, that'll do." I nod, happy with his answer.

Before I forget and lose it, I put the key down on the table – in a candle holder for good measure because knowing me I'll lose it and we'll have to call the fire department to come free him. That would be, without question, embarrassing.

The cock ring is still in the box since we haven't used, so I lean over into my bag and get it out, as well as the vibrator I brought with me. I put it to the side for now, and rest back on my knees in front of him. I open the box to the cock ring, and he watches me silently – intrigued, though.

I read out the instructions, not exactly wanting to get it wrong – I don't want to break his dick or anything. But once I've got it pretty much mastered in my mind, I put it on him, not before I pull his boxers down though, something Ethan actually helped with.

Once it's around the base of him and turned on vibrate, I look up at Ethan wearily for his reaction. "It's good, fuck- yeah, it's good."

"Okay, I'm happy then." I smile, and get comfortable at the top of his bed, leaning against the head board opposite him. Ethan has a raised bed frame, so at the very bottom of the bed, he can lean against it without falling backwards; he looks pretty comfortable, but also very helpless which is exactly what I intended for.

He's a sight, though, that's for sure. He's so fucking attractive. There's always that question – personality or looks? Well, here I have a double whammy. Ethan has both, and I'm so fucking lucky.

"Ethan, have you ever used a vibrator on someone?" I ask, and he glares at me, which makes me smirk, knowing I have the upper hand – as always.

"No." He answers finally.

"No? How do you know that your dick is so much better than one then?" I taunt, picking up the black rabbit, trailing my finger over the tip of the clit stimulator. "Did you know this has speeds? One. Two. Three. Four. Four speeds, Ethan. Do you think I can get up to number four?"

"Francesca." He grits out and I raise my brows innocently. "Yes. Yes, I do."

"Aww, thank you, baby." I gush a tad bit overdramatically.

His eyes watch my every move that my hands do, my fingers running over the vibrator in a taunting way, and I notice how he shifts uncomfortably in his seat at the action.

I'm teasing him but I'm also teasing myself, the ache between my legs is becoming unbearable and as bad as I want to drag this out, I need to relieve it.

"Want to watch me, daddy?" I ask, pressing the first button, and a low buzz fills the air around us.

He sucks in a breath and nods. "Fuck yourself, darling. Fuck yourself like the filthy fucking whore we both know you are."

My toes curl at his words, in anticipation and built up frustration, so ready for that to eased. I bring my legs up, bending them at the knees, leaving my legs wide open for him to see, and immediately, as soon as the weakest vibrations hit my clit, I suck in a breath.

"Is that nice, yeah?" Ethan husks out, and I nod, swallowing a little moan. I'm so fucking turned on – my thighs are heated, my arousal is more than just pooling right now, it's overflowing, and I'm burning to be touched. By him.

After running the main part of the toy back and forth over my clit for a minute or so, Ethan watching me as I do so, I sink the toy into my wet cunt, the clit stimulator finding it's perfect place. A moan rattles through me and my toes curl into the sheets, my free hand also gripping the sheet at the side of me.

"Look so fucking good, darling. So good." He praises, and I flutter open my eyes, to see him now watching eagerly. "Number two. C'mon, darling, I know you can do it."

"Oh fuck." I moan, the vibrations on the toy getting a little stronger.

I start thrusting the toy in and out of me, the pleasure becoming so mind consuming when I do so. With every thrust that little knot in my lower belly eases, the ache between my legs lessens, and I whimper at how good this feels.

"Fuck, I'm so hard. You've made me so hard, baby." He lets out a little whine, and I smirk breathlessly at him. His dick looks so fucking good with that ring on.

"It feels so good, daddy. Feels so much better." I taunt, knowing my words may or may not bite me in the ass. "So much better than you."

"Such a brat." He tuts, shaking his head at me. "Such a fucking brat. You're gonna wish you didn't say that."

"You say that – fuck – but you're the one cuffed right now. I'm the one with the power. Oh, God- And I'm the only one here that's getting pleasure, not you." I get out breathlessly, through moans when the toy vibrates against my g-spot perfectly. 

"Death wish, darling, that's what you have." He grits out, and I smile, loving that he's finally said so.

"Maybe." I reply, arching my back slightly, choosing to ignore him now as a memory of last night start to play in my head.

"Get on all fours, baby. Want to see you take my cock like a whore when you're cumming around me." He lifts up from the bed and suddenly grips my hips, pulling me to the bottom. I get on my knees, but he doesn't let me follow through by resting on my hands, because the next second, his hand is wrapped around my throat, pulling me up, back to his chest. I crane my neck, looking back at him, dazed and clouded with tears. "So fucking beautiful when you're desperate for me, darling."

"Oh God. Fuck, Ethan." I moan, feeling the familiar stir of my orgasm approaching, and he lets out a groan, which causes me to look up.

"Three. Number three. Right now, Francesca." He demands, and I whimper when I do as he says and the vibrations becoming even more powerful.

"I don't think- fuck." I whine, circling my hips upwards against the toy

"Yes, yes, you can. And you will. You want to taunt me? Get yourself off in front of me? Then you're going to get to number four, you're going to cum for me and you're going to do it all over again." He says, and I toss my head back as my orgasm nears, my legs starting to shake slightly with pleasure.

"You have no voice, Ethan. You don't get to tell me what to do." I just about muster out.

"Number four. Finish yourself off. You're so close. I can see how fucking wet you are, starting to ruin my sheets, filthy girl." His words, apart from the obvious vibrator, have a massive part of how fast my orgasm has snuck up on me. They're music to my ears.

With a few nerves, I click on the last setting and I let out a loud whine, my back arching at the incredulous feeling. I roll my hips upwards towards the toy, my legs squirming and shaking atop of the sheets as I do, and a loud moan ruptures through me when mine and Ethan's eyes meet.

"C'mon, filthy girl. Cum for me. Let me see how fucking good this toy has made you feel." He urges, and again, my toes curl into the sheets.

I'm edging myself now, my orgasm is on the brink and I'm just pushing it away, loving the feeling of pleasure, his eyes – this whole moment.

"I'm gonna-"

"Such a good girl for me. Gonna cum all over your toy, darling?" He husks out, his voice sounding so close to my ear, but he's sat there, urging me on. "C'mon, my filthy girl."

"Oh, fuck, Ethan!" My mouth falls agape, and I thrust my hips upwards as I let the orgasm take over, his name falling from my lips in a hardly audible scream.

My feet involuntarily plant firmly on the mattress, and I push against them as my legs shake violently, and I moan even louder when I feel a gush of relief leave me. The vibrations of the toy only becoming more powerful as I become more sensitive with every passing seconds, and I exhale a breath when I press the off button.

"Soaked the sheets again, darling. Such a filthy, good girl for me." Ethan praises, pulling me out of my little trance. I'm so far gone, I'm not even bothered about the fact.

"Fuck." I mutter, rolling my head to the side tirelessly.

Ethan let's me calm down for a minute or so, whispering kind words to me, but his voice only becomes more and more strained when he does.

"Baby, I need- I need you to touch me." He begs, and my eyes widen at his pleas. I look over at him, my eyes dropping to his crotch, and the tip of his cock looks almost painful. "Please. I'll do anything. Please, Francesca."

"I don't think you deserve it." I say and he closes his eyes, biting onto his lower lip.

"Take the ring off then." He says breathlessly, it obviously effecting him.

"But it's so pretty." I pout, tilting my head to the side and he glares at me.

"Francesca, please." His eyes bore into mine, and I sigh, watching his state. "Touch me. I need you to touch me."

"So submissive, Ethan." I murmur, lifting up slowly.

"Yes. Anything for you." He replies quickly.

I do actually feel pity for me and I know I shouldn't. Why did I fall in love with such a precious idiot?

I reach and take the key out of the candle holder, wanting his hands on me for my next idea. I step off the bed and he watches me closely. I come up behind him and I unlock the cuffs, letting his hands free. "Don't make me regret this, Ethan."

"You won't." He says, quickly letting out a sigh when his right hand comes down to his cock.

"I want to ride you... but, can you like move?" I ask, and I mentally facepalm at how rude that sounds. "I want you at the top."

He chuckles at my attitude, doing as I asked, sitting where I just was, but just above the wet patch – something I'm ignoring too. He grabs a condom out of the drawer to his left, and he rolls off the cock ring, hissing when he does. He gestures me over, rolling the condom on his length, and I smile going over to him.

Tonight has been full of surprises, and I throw him another, just for good measure, straddling him backwards. His hands grip my hips, and he plants a soft kiss to my shoulder blade. "Reverse cowgirl, darling?"

"Yeah, one of my favorites." I whisper, and I smile as his hands start to roam my body. I let out a half-whine, half-whimper when his cock nudges against my sensitive clit, and he presses another kiss to my shoulder in response.

"I've learnt my lesson." He tells me, his voice strained with self control. "I'm never doing something like that again, darling. I promise. I love you. I love you. I love you."

"I love you more." I crane my head back, and his lips quickly find mine.

He palms my tits through the black lace, groaning when he feels the piercings, even though he knew they were already there. He darts his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss, and my fingers run through his hair, pulling on it slightly.

I grind against his cock, my soaking cunt pooling with more arousal, and I whine against his lips. "I need you, Ethan. Fuck me. Please, just fuck me."

He parts from me, breathing somewhat labored. "Lift your hips a bit, darling, then."

His words make me moan itself, and I have to force my weight onto my knees, lifting up for him. Cock in hand, he runs it through my folds, nudging the tip against my clit, and eventually sinks up into me, us both letting out relieved moans.

I settle down and arch my back, craning my neck to kiss him while I start to ride, starting in a grinding pace against him. His tongue tangles with my own, and I don't even put up a fight with the dominance thing, letting him take the lead.

"Feel so fucking good. Oh, fuck." He moans, and I smile against his lips, starting to move a little faster on him. Nothing is sexier than a man's moan. "I don't deserve you. I don't deserve this."

"I love you, Ethan." I silence him with a kiss, but it's short lived, since I have to turn my head forward because it starts to ache.

"I love you too, darling. Forever." He husks out.

"Forever and always." I reply back, and he moves my hair out of the way, starting to kiss and suck at my neck as I start to ride him properly. I rotate my hips in a circular motion while lifting up and down a little, in a way that his cock is gliding in and out of me perfectly.

Minutes pass, him whispering sweets things into my ears as I ride him just like that. He palms my breasts. He bites at my neck. He apologizes over and over again for earlier. It's slow, it's sweet, and fuck me, it's amazing.

"Fran- fuck- Francesca, I'm close. I know it's soon, embarrassingly soon, but just a warning." He says and I stop, looking back at him.

"Circle my clit, pretty boy." I whisper and he doesn't even hesitate, bringing his right hand down between my thighs.

"I don't know if I love or hate this nickname." He grumbles.

"It's cute." I chuckle breathlessly, pleasure swirling like a tornado like storm in my lower belly.

"You're cute." He retorts, and I let out a little low laugh.

Suddenly his left arm comes around my front, holding me close to him and he leans us back against the head boards, immediately fucking up into me, taking total control from beneath me. I'm happy he's letting my legs rest, they're burning so much.

"I'm close, darling. So close. Cum with me, yeah?" He asks and I nod, needy, whimpering as his fingers press down harder on my clit. I buck up into his hand and he chuckles against my ear, starting to thrust even harder.

"Oh, God. Oh, my Lord." I curse under my breath, tucking my chin to look down at where we join. I moan at the sight. Fuck my life, I don't deserve this.

"Filthy, filthy girl." He cups my jaw, and I smile back at him, but my mouth falls quickly agape as his thrusts get more brutal. "Francesca, cum with me. I'm only just hanging on for you."

"I'm close, Ethan." I reply because I am, I just need-

A familiar buzz fills the room, and he hands me the vibrator that he has such a vendetta against, giving me a knowing look. "Don't say anything, just finish please. I don't want to finish before you."

"I love you." I murmur, taking the toy from him. I bring it down between my thighs, and only now do I realize he's put it on number four. I swear he wants to murder me.

"I love you too." He nibbles down on my shoulder blade – the spot where I wouldn't be surprised if I had a hickey lying.

The vibrations against my clit push me into overdrive and in seconds my walls are tightening around Ethan's cock, and I'm letting out a loud whimper. "Oh, Ethan, fuck."

"So good for me. So good." He tucks my hair out of the way, and with one more simple thrust, I feel him spill into the condom and he lets out a low, deep moan. "Fuck, Francesca, I love you. I don't deserve you."

"You do. You do. You do." I repeat the words, needing them to get through to him.

He continues lazy thrusts, the vibrator still humming but now beside us on the bed, and I crane my head upwards to meet his eyes. He smiles, still holding me close, with his hand at the back of my head. "You look so perfect."

"Mhm, so are you." I reply tirelessly, fluttering my eyes open.

"Worn out, huh?" He chuckles, and I nod, nudging my head into the crook of his neck. "You need to pee before you sleep though."

"Fuck UTI's" I mutter, and he chuckles, stroking my cheek with the pad of his thumb.

After staying like that for a further minute, I finally get up and go to the bathroom to pee. I wash my face and brush my teeth, and while I finish doing so, Ethan joins me.

"Sheets are changed. Our Planet is ready to play. And I've put a shirt of mine on the bed, but if you insist on wearing your ensemble, I'll understand." He sends a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, no. I'm taking this off. I don't think I need your shirt though, I'll just sleep naked." I say and he smirks over at me, happy with that answer.

"Wait, before you change out of it, can I have, like, just one photo?" He asks and I look up, raising a brow.

"You couldn't have asked that before I washed off all my makeup? I look like shit." I mutter, spitting out the leftover toothpaste before putting the brush in the holder.

"You look fucking perfect." He corrects me.

"Okay, fine, yeah, you can take a photo of me." I say and he gestures his head into the bedroom. "You want me in there?"

"Yep, get on the bed, lie down." He replies and I purse my lips, following him.

Okay, daddy.

His sheets are now black, no longer white, setting more of a vibe to the theme of the room, and I smile as I lie back on them, dangling my legs off. Ethan comes around with a camera, and I sit up with a clear frown on my face. "Since when have you took photos with that?"

"Guilty pleasure." He answers shortly with a shrug. "Now lie back, left hand up near your face but keep it relaxed. Right hand over your right breast. Keep your legs closed since these are crotchless, but, like, cross them."

"I know. I did buy them." I reply with a chuckle. "Wait, how is the lighting going to be even remotely good – it's dark?"

"I make it work." He mumbles, standing in front of me with his camera, wearing only white boxers. Fuck, I love this man.

He snaps a few photos, my pose staying the same, but he tells me to close my eyes in one, open them in the others, keeping my face neutral or with me smile.

"Okay, all done. You're perfect." He says, putting down the camera.

"Can I see?" I ask.

"Yeah, when I help you out of this sexy little piece." He says and I chuckle, reaching behind me to unclasp my bra. "Oh, she's miss independent, never mind."

"Unclip my stockings from the garter if you insist, please." I giggle, and he crouches down onto his knees. He unclips them and slowly pulls down the stockings, planting little kisses down my legs as he does.

He holds out his hands and I take them, pulling myself up lazily. I turn around and take the garter off, and Ethan grips my panties, toying with the last piece on my body. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave these yet."

"I'll wash them and you can reunite again." I bargain, and he slips either thumb down the sides and pulls them down for me. "Thank you." I step out of them, leaving me entirely naked.

He puts them in the pile with the other garments before rounding the bed, going to his side. I grab my phone from the bedside table, and slide into bed next to him, cuddling up to his side as Our Planet starts. I lift my phone and the brightness of it momentarily blinds me, and I blink, letting out a groan.

"What's up?" Ethan asks.

"My phone blinded me. Can you text Matt and tell him good night?" I ask and he chuckles, taking my phone from me.

"He's already text you. Oh God." He lets out a laugh.

"What's he said now?" I roll my eyes, my vision coming back a little.

"Something about handcuffs, leashes and whips- is he quoting Cardi B?" He asks and I burst out laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. "Your best friend is a weirdo."

"You're a weirdo." I retort lamely, and he hands me back my phone, a message present that Ethan's just sent.

Me:

Good night, Matt. Had amazing sex as always. I love Ethan so much.

"See, this is what I mean." I point at my phone. "You're a fucking idiot."

Me:

That was Ethan if you hadn't guessed yet. I got here safely. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, I love you.

"Bit late to say you got here safely, it's been over an hour." Ethan laughs, and I shrug, going into my alarms to set one for nine, nine-oh-five, and so on, every five minutes for an hour. "I'll be up at five, so when you see me gone, I'm downstairs. Don't worry about me, okay?"

"Wake me before you go, I want a morning hug." I say and he kisses the top of my head, putting his arm around me.

"Always, darling." He murmurs, and I close my eyes to the sound of Our Planet in the background.

"Oh, I still need to see the pictures." I remember.

"Tomorrow, baby." He whispers, amusement still in his tone. "Sleep."

"Good night, Ethan. You're an idiot sometimes, but you're a precious one." I mumble in tiredness.

~~~~~

A/N

THIS IS THE LONGEST CHAPTER YET WTF IS WRONG WITH ME?

Well, this went a little up and down... honestly Francesca's POV was not planned, but I think if I didn't include the smut, people would find where I live and murder me, so here that is.

It's not my best, but it'll do. It's what I had in mind, just the words don't sound right and I feel like it's... meh, but I hope it's okay for you, my horny little devils.

Life update: It's currently 5am on the 5th of September BST and Harry Style's is performing in Vegas and I've never been so jealous. Like, he sounds so perfect. And the OUTFIT. Oh my god, the fucking outfit. I said he wouldn't wear a shirt, I just knew it.

Anyway, I start college so soon, like VERY soon and I'm kinda scared. I don't know how updates are going to be, but I hope they're not too awful. If they are, I'm genuinely sorry.

Um, if there's anyone reading with a nose piercing, using a corkscrew ring, please comment because I have questions! DO NOT SCARE ME.

Question of the chapter:

If you ever get a tattoo, which one do you want first?

I have no clue, but I really want one relating to writing since it's saved my life.

I hope this chapter was okay!

Thank you for reading! Please comment your thoughts, vote by pressing the little star, and if you want, you can follow me too. I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, Spotify, Tiktok, Pinterest – @daisyclouds89 Xx

12,661 words!

~B