Making a Mark
Summary: Despite med school exams, Ethan and Tatum plan on spending time together for their first Valentine's day; but their plans take a different course... literally.
Word Count: ~2450
Warning: 🔞 For Mature Audiences Only 🔞 language; smidge of angst (couples fight!); 🍋 (these are iddy-biddy lemon seeds, but I guess technically this needs a NSFW label); brief mention of an injury
A/N: ❤ Happy Valentine's Day, fandom! ❤ This is one of those fics that started out as one idea, and I just allowed it to unfold as I typed and, well, here it is, and I hope you enjoy it! Some characters and plots belong to our friends at Pixelberry. This is not beta'd; please excuse my errors.
A/N 2: I am participating in @choicesflashfics week 20 prompt challenge! I'll be using prompt #3: "Are you flirting or starting a fight?" It will be in bold.
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The faint waft of black coffee and leftover Chinese take-out infiltrates the sterile setting of the education building, the tell-tale sign of one thing: mid-quarter exams. With a massive pass/fail immunology exam staring at her the following week, Tatum is taking advantage of every moment to study with several classmates–even though it cuts into her first Valentine’s Day with Ethan.
They both agreed that the holiday wasn’t something they particularly wanted to fuss about with expensive gifts or acts of grandeur–not to mention, they were more concerned with the other person doing well in the upcoming slew of exams; but still, they wanted to spend a little time together.
Ethan and Tatum are in separate classes this quarter, which forces them to work a little harder in finding time to enjoy each other’s company; at least before, studying was an excuse to be together. But, they had a mutual respect and understanding: doing well in school takes priority.
“Okay, Drew… treatment plan for MG. And go–!”
“Jesus, Lauren,” the tall, broad-shouldered blond groans, dragging his hand down his face. “We’ve been at this for almost six hours. It’s Valentine’s. Can we please reconvene tomorrow?”
“Shit,” Tatum glances at her watch, “has it really been six hours?”
“Time flies when you’re having fun, huh, Erikson?” Tobias chuckles, leaning back in his chair.
Tatum flashes a sardonic smile. “I’m not sure I’d describe any time spent with you as ‘fun’, Carrick,” she claps back as he pops his gum loudly in her direction.
"That's only because we haven't been able to spend our time together properly."
Tatum rolls her eyes as she piles her notebooks into her bookbag and pulls out her phone. "Six seconds is hardly proper," she bites, earning her several snickers from the rest of the study group. "I better get going."
“Oooo-oooo!” Lauren singsongs. “Are you and Ethan doing something fun tonight?”
Tatum shrugs, stifling her smile as a soft pink swirls on her cheeks. “Not really, but he is supposed to pick me up."
"Oh!" Drew tugs on his jacket. "Are you going to his place? It's on my way, if you need a ride."
"You don't have to do that," Tatum smiles kindly, appreciating the offer.
"I know I don't have to," he titters. "C'mon. It'd be a waste of gas on his part."
Tatum knits together her eyebrows in consideration. Drew makes a fair point, not to mention she trusts him. "Okay… let me text Ethan so he's not sitting there, waiting for my call."
Ten minutes later, Drew and Tatum were walking the three blocks to where he parked his truck. Even though it was fairly late into the evening, the walkways were illuminated by the street lamps and the bright silver moon.
They were chatting about the previous week's lecture when a pair of headlights blinded them, slowing down to park next to the street curb where they were walking. Being chivalrous, Drew protectively stepped in front of Tatum, shielding his eyes with his hand in an attempt to see the driver behind the wheel. Treading closer, they both instantly make out the figure.
"Oh, hey, Ramsey," Drew waves, relief in his voice. "I was worried there for a moment."
"Me too," Tatum giggles along with her colleague as she approaches the passenger door, waving at her boyfriend. "Hey," she smiles curiously, "what are you do–?"
"Get in."
Tatum halts. Hearing the gruff tone, she turns up an eyebrow as her eyes roam over Ethan's surly expression. "You okay?"
He gives a curt nod, his gaze unable to meet hers.
"Oh… okay," Tatum quietly mumbles, turning to Drew. "Thanks anyway," she offers a crooked grin as he opens the door for her. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"See ya, Erikson," he nods, shutting the door as his hazel eyes flicker over to a brooding Ethan. "Uh… good seeing you, man. Will you be at the next poker night?"
Ethan glares at Drew, his nostrils flaring. "We'll see," he mutters as he begins to pull away.
"Ethan," Shocked irritation seeps from Tatum's whisper. "That was rude."
He remains silent, his attention fixed on the road as his jaw ticks tighter.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
Ethan continues to drive in silence, his lips pursing to hold back unspoken words.
"Did… did I do something wrong?" Tatum probes further. "Are you mad at me?"
Ethan glances briefly at her, an indiscernible heat forming in his gaze.
“Are you flirting… or starting a fight?”
When he still doesn't speak, she sighs, slumping back into her seat. She props her elbow on the door before resting her head in her hand to look out the window. "You could at least talk to me."
The silence between the young couple grows painfully haunting as they are left with only the rhythmic rapping of rubber meeting the pavement. Each block they travel, Tatum's face contorts as her anger festers.
They had never fought before– not like this. Ethan and Tatum were fairly reasonable people with clear heads, and while they can irritate each other, they've always been able to be thoughtful, be logical and discuss their problems. What was different now?
"You know what?" There's a sudden sharpness in her tone. "Just take me home, Ethan."
Ethan continues to drive, the car remaining at its current speed with no signs of changing direction.
"Did you hear me?" She raises her voice, staring at a stoic Ethan. "Stop being such an asshole and take me–"
Tatum suddenly screams as the car jerks off the side of the road into a grassy wooded area. Kicked-up dirt billows around them as the brakes screech to a halt.
"Have you lost your goddamn mind, Ethan Ramsey?" Tatum unclicks her seatbelt, reaching for the door handle–that is until a large hand grips snuggly around her wrist, yanking her back into her seat. She instinctively turns her head, glaring at Ethan, wrestling her arm away from him. "What the hell is wrong with–?"
Her words fall silent as Ethan pulls her against his chest, pressing his lips to hers with a searing kiss. He slips his hand behind her neck, deepening their touch, but with her hands on the firm planes of his chest, she pushes him away. Shock and confusion rest in her eyes. "Wh-what was that–?"
Ethan is left breathless from their kiss, a predatory, yet conflicted glint in his smolder. "I don't know what the fuck you've done to me, Tatum Erikson," he growls.
"Me–?"
"I am logical," he interrupts, "I've always been. And level-headed." He pauses, looking out the window as if searching for the right words. "I am not that guy–you know I am not that guy, Tate. I don't dream about futures and marriage and babies and-and meeting your family and taking you to meet mine. I–" he stumbles into silence.
He slowly turns towards her, his crystal gaze instantly meeting hers. A sudden crackle of electricity ignites in the stillness as they stare with hunger baited on their quickened breaths. "Tate," his voice softens, "I don't get unreasonably angry, not over a girl. And I especially don't get jealous." He cups her face tenderly as he continues. "But you… you're not just a girl. You're the–" he stops himself, feeling a sting of warmth growing behind his eyes.
He swallows thickly as he draws closer to her. "The thought of you… being alone with any other man–”
"Ethan," her breathing becomes ragged. "You have nothing to worry about, baby. I–"
"It's not you I worry about, Tate," he sneers. "Guys like that are biding their time to touch… to take… to fuck what doesn't belong to them." A weighted groan clings to Ethan’s exhale, his eyes growing dark, possessive. His thumbs press more firmly into Tatum's cheeks, more protectively as if claiming a prize.
"Tatum," he growls from behind his gritted teeth. "You. Are. Mine. Do you understand?"
A heat coils in Tatum's lower belly at her boyfriend's confession. They had become exclusive before Christmas, but she knew well before that she was falling for him. And this new, overwhelming sensation terrified her; sure, they were committed to one another, but did he feel the same butterflies, the same bundle of nerves, the same vulnerability? Or was she alone?
But just like that: Tatum knew. They weren't just exclusive; they were in love.
With her head in Ethan's hands, she tenderly grabs ahold of his wrists before closing her eyes. She leans her forehead into his, the frustration from moments ago melting away.
Ethan's breath shudders at the feel of her soft skin pressed against his own. Embers of feral heat kindle his growing length as his lips crave another crushing kiss.
This woman… Somehow without notice, without even trying, without even believing things like this were possible, she had become his everything.
His thumbs trace the curves of her cheeks before dragging across her supple bottom lip.
Tatum's eyes flutter open, Ethan's lustful gaze piercing through hers, desire pooling between her legs. She turns her attention to his intimate touch, pressing her mouth to his hand. She plants sweet kisses along his palm before taking his fingertips into her mouth. A glimmer of dow-like innocence permeates her stare, her tongue playfully swirling around his knuckles.
"Tate," his breath hitches, a spark of arousal coursing through his veins. "You… you're teasing a dangerous line… and I'm not sure I can control myself…" His words are dark, ominous, warning.
"Maybe I don't want you to control yourself…" Her words drip like sweet honey, yet ignite like kerosene.
He pushes his large fingers further into her mouth, an abrupt choke rasps as he reaches the back of her throat. A corner of his mouth curls deviously as he watches her eyes glitter with tears. He pumps his hand again, the sound of her gag causing his jeans to tighten further, his eyes swirling into a deep obsidian. "Are you sure this is what you want?" He spreads his fingers apart, allowing her tongue to glide back and forth in between his knuckles.
Tatum hums as he pulls out his fingers, licking her lips as an invitation for more. Keeping her hooded gaze on him, she pushes Ethan back into his seat before lowering his head. She straddles across his lap, his large hands finding her hips before caressing the thick curves of her ass.
"You know what I want?" A Cheshire grin crawls across her face as she roughly combs her fingers through his soft, espresso waves. "I want you to show me what belongs to you."
Ethan's eyes grow curiously large as Tatum grips the hem of her shirt, discarding it quickly before unhooking her bra. "Touch me, Ethan."
His hands slide up her bare back, his fingertips hungrily digging into her skin as he pulls her into a crushing kiss. She wraps her arms around his neck as his tongue swipes to deepen the kiss.
He finally nips at her bottom lip, giving it a tug before tracing kisses down her chin to the delicate lines of her jaw.
Soft moans escape her mouth with tickled giggles as his mouth dips lower across her delicate skin. She grabs his hands, guiding them to her pert breast, his grip suddenly eager and rough. His thumbs tease the ache of her hardened nipples, stars of her own arousal dancing before her eyes in bright glitters of white.
And then bright lights of red.
Then blue.
And then red again.
And suddenly, there's a gentle tap against the window followed by the intruding strobe of a flashlight.
"Alright, kids, take it home."
"Oh, fuck," Ethan mutters as Tatum lets out a stunned scream. He abruptly grabs Tatum to hurry her back into her seat; but with his jerks pulling against her own attempts to hide her nakedness, she tumbles off of his lap, landing on the floorboard with a loud thud.
He sits his seat up while trying to adjust the obvious and painful bulge in his jeans. Wiping his mouth, he rolls down the window. He clears his throat and fixes a charming smile to his swollen red lips.
"Evening, sir."
"License and–" The police officer stops, hearing whimpers coming from the passenger side of the car. He shines a light and notices a crumpled Tatum, her shoe stuck behind the gear shift and trying to crawl into her seat from the floor. "Son, I highly recommend that if you want to–" he dramatically coughs, "continue the rest of your night, you fix that."
"Y–yes, sir. I will–uh… right now?"
"Right now," the cop gives a wry smile. He glares at Ethan as he sucks on a lollipop. "As for you, young man, in the spirit of Valentine's day," he scoffs into a snicker, "I'm letting you off with a warning." He sighs, shoving a small notebook in his pocket. He turns on his heel to leave, but stops to inspect Ethan one more time. "Get a room."
As the officer returns to his car, Ethan breathes a sigh of relief… then he jumps out of the car to race around to the passenger side.
"Tatum! Shit, I'm sorry!" Ethan gently helps her up, positioning her into the seat before taking off his jacket to drape across her bare chest. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she quietly answers, holding her head in her hand. "I think I'm fine." She moves her arm to pull the jacket over her shoulder when Ethan gasps.
"Oh God," he hisses, "you hit your head!" He gently takes her chin into his hands, turning her neck to get a better view of her face in the light. A large, purple knot was growing along her hairline, several blonde strands now stained a deep rouge. "Shit. We need to get you to the ER–"
Suddenly, Tatum cups her mouth with her fingers, stifling her laughter.
"What could possibly be funny? You might have a concussion–"
Tatum lets out a snort before a bubbly tirade of giggles fills the night air. "I was hoping you'd leave a mark on me tonight… I just… I didn't picture it quite like this."
Ethan rolls his eyes, but is glad she can see the humor of the moment. He snickers under his breath, fastening his girlfriend's seatbelt. "I'll keep that in mind." He shuts the door, hurrying back to his seat. He starts the car, but before driving away, he glances at Tatum with a mischievous smile.
"What?" She questions, dabbing away her tears from laughing so hard. He chuckles, licking his lips. "What? Tell me!"
"Oh, baby," he smugly croons, "trust me; that contusion is nothing compared to the marks I have planned for you later."
~🖤~
Thank you so much for your support! Every like, comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤
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