Book 2: What Happens Here - Chicago (What Happens Here Series)

Chapter 42 - Ethan

It had been close to two weeks since Jasmine had flown back with Ethan to Chicago, and the time they'd spent together had been incredible. Finally having the ability to fall asleep with her in his arms each night after making love to her, and then to wake up to her beautiful face each morning had been indescribable. They'd spent time touring his city, and to his surprise, Jasmine had even inquired about their local school system. Hope had filled him, and he'd tried not to get overly excited as he'd shown her a few of the local schools near his home. Trying not to be too obvious, Ethan had casually mentioned that he could personally introduce her to the school superintendent, because they were both board members for the Chicago Botanic Garden where Ethan had worked during college. Jasmine had smirked at him, clearly knowing what he was doing.

Speaking of the love of his life, Ethan smiled as he watched Jasmine in his kitchen. Since her arrival, she'd spent a great deal of time cooking the most mouthwatering meals for him that he'd ever had. And to his chagrin, he'd had to increase his workouts to twice a day. The best part about his increased workouts were the times that Jasmine had joined him. After Jasmine had claimed his sauna as her own, he'd chuckled when she'd shared her horror story of the "nasty-ass naked sauna dude" that she'd encountered during her last and final trip to the YMCA.

Ethan smiled as he leaned against the wall of his kitchen and watched as Jasmine's hips swayed side to side as she hummed while she chopped veggies to add to the stir fry that she was making. The mouthwatering aroma filled the room, and had his stomach growling in anticipation. Jasmine Ellis was indeed a great cook, and as his eyes drifted over to the red velvet cake with the homemade cream cheese icing that she'd placed inside of the glass cake dish his mother had bought him as a housewarming present, Ethan was tempted to grab a plate and cut himself a huge slice. But Ethan knew that Jasmine would not allow that, because he'd tried it once before. A couple of nights prior, his parents, his sister Carmen, his brother Caden, and even Giorgio had stopped by for dinner. With Giorgio being new to the city, and after he'd had dinner with Carmen the week before, it had been somewhat of a surprise when it had been Carmen's idea to invite Giorgio to dinner. When Carmen had finally met Jasmine, Ethan was pleased when the two had hit it off immediately. They'd even planned to go shopping this week so that Jasmine could buy a dress for the auction that his mother was hosting in New York that weekend. When Jasmine had looked as if she were about to decline Carmen's offer to take her shopping for a dress, Ethan had lifted her hand to his lips, and placed a kissed to her palm as he'd said, "You're my date baby, and I have no doubts that you will look incredible that night. So, go and enjoy yourself....my treat." Ethan smiled, because he'd known the moment that he'd gotten his way when all Jasmine had done was smile as she'd narrowed her brown eyes at him. But later that night, she'd made him pay for it by withholding his orgasm until he'd damn near begged her to finish what she'd started after she'd taken him into her mouth in the shower.

The stir fry dinner that Jasmine had made had been amazing, and Ethan had smiled when she'd had insisted they eat dinner in the dining room. Since moving into his home, Ethan had only had dinner in it a handful of times, but he'd decided that they'd make it a regular thing going forward. Jasmine had prepared a feast the night that they'd invited everyone over, which had truly impressed his parents. In addition to baking the red velvet cake that was currently calling his name as it sat tempting him beneath the glass dome, she had made gumbo, with sausage, chicken, and okra, with collard greens on the side. His father had chuckled, but had acquiesced when she'd insisted that he "hit it with a couple shots of hot sauce." But the cornbread is what had done Ethan in. Hell, if he were being honest, he could have just eaten the cornbread as a meal all by itself, and in the future, he'd make sure to ask her to make a pan that he wouldn't have to share.

When Giorgio had mentioned that he'd never had homemade gumbo, Jasmine had been pleased when he'd asked for a second helping. He'd even complimented her on the delicious cake, which had clearly been a hit, because both Giorgio and his father had eaten two slices that night. His father would have eaten a third if his mother hadn't stopped him, but that had not stopped Caden from eating three slices and even taking a piece home for later. Ethan would make sure to throat punch Caden later for that, the next time he saw him, but for right now, Ethan found himself eyeballing the delicious cake that sat just feet away.