Chapter 2: Movie Marathon Night

The living room was cozy yet spacious, designed for comfort. A large flat-screen TV dominated one wall, flanked by shelves of books and a sleek soundbar. Directly in front of the TV was a double sofa, where Lila and Ethan were seated. To the left and right of the TV, a little further forward, were two armchairs—her dad on the left and her mom on the right. The sofa was positioned in such a way that her parents would have to turn fully to see what was happening behind them, creating a subtle sense of privacy.

The opening credits of The Fellowship of the Ring played softly in the background, the familiar score filling the room. The Carter family was gathered for their monthly Movie Marathon Night—a tradition her mom had insisted on since Lila was a child.

“Isn’t this nice?” her mom said, her voice warm as she glanced at Lila and Ethan from her armchair. “A proper family night.”

Lila rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, Mom. Super exciting.”

Her mom laughed, tossing a piece of popcorn at her. “Don’t be a smartass. You’ll miss these nights when you’re older.”

Her dad sat in the other armchair, his attention on the TV. He didn’t say anything, but his presence was impossible to ignore, his silence somehow heavier than words.

Lila was dressed in her favorite casual outfit—a soft, oversized hoodie and a pair of light grey cotton leggings that hugged her legs. She’d chosen the hoodie because it was cozy, but also because it was easy to slip her hands under if she wanted.

She and Ethan were squeezed together on the double sofa, a shared blanket draped over their legs. Lila’s heart raced as she shifted slightly, her shoulder brushing Ethan’s.

As the movie played, Lila leaned closer to Ethan, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re so nervous. Relax.”

Ethan’s cheeks turned pink, but he didn’t pull away. “I’m not nervous.”

Lila grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Yeah, sure. You’re totally calm. That’s why your hands are all sweaty.”

Ethan laughed nervously, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, maybe a little.”

Their voices were louder than they realized, and her mom glanced over at them, a soft smile on her face. “You two are awfully cozy over there.”

Lila groaned dramatically, her cheeks flushing slightly despite her playful tone. “Ewww, Mom! Get your mind out of the gutter! We’re just watching the movie!”

Her tone was playful, but her heart was pounding.

Ethan chimed in, his voice earnest. “I’d never, uh ... you know. Mrs. Carter.”

Her mom chuckled, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Just making sure.”

Under the blanket, Lila reached for Ethan’s hand, intertwining their fingers. The warmth of his palm sent a shiver through her as he squeezed her hand in response, his fingers trembling slightly.

“Is this okay?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Ethan nodded, his voice shaky. “Yeah ... it’s nice.”

Lila smiled, her heart racing as she shifted slightly, her hip pressing against his thigh. The warmth of his body against hers made her feel both excited and nervous. She glanced over at her parents, but her mom was engrossed in the movie, and her dad’s gaze was fixed on the TV.

Her dad’s jaw tightened as he glanced at Lila and Ethan, their heads close together as they whis~pered and laughed. His eyes lingered for a moment too long, his expression unreadable but intense. He didn’t say anything, but the tension in his posture was unmistakable.

“Lila,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Don’t slouch like that. It’s bad for your back.”

Lila rolled her eyes, but she sat up a little straighter, her shoulder still brushing Ethan’s. “Yes, Dad.”

As the movie continued, Lila shifted slightly, her back now pressing against Ethan’s chest. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breath, his warmth seeping through the fabric of their clothes. His body was tense, but she could tell he was trying to stay still, to keep his reactions under control.

Under the blanket, she reached for his hands and guided them to her body. One hand she placed on her inner thigh, letting it rest there for a moment before encouraging it to stroke slowly, achingly slowly, up toward the seam of her leggings. His fingers trembled against her skin, but he didn’t pull away.

The other hand she guided under her hoodie, pressing it against her chest over the thin fabric of her tank top. She could feel the heat of his palm even through the layers, and she shivered as his fingers tentatively cupped her small breast.

“Just ... like this,” she whispered, her voice soft and breathless.

Ethan’s hands moved hesitantly at first, but as she leaned back into him, her head resting against his shoulder, he grew bolder. The hand on her thigh stroked higher, brushing against the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, his fingers tracing the seam of her leggings before edging perilously close to the warmth between her legs.

At the same time, his other hand squeezed gently, the pressure sending a jolt of pleasure through her. Her nipple hardened under his touch, and she gasped softly as his fingers pinched it experimentally, the sensation sharp and electric.

Lila’s breath quickened, her chest rising and falling as she pressed the small of her back against him, grinding subtly against the hard outline of his erection. She could feel his heart pounding through his chest, his breath warm and ragged against the nape of her neck.

“Lila...” Ethan whispered, his voice strained, almost pleading.

She didn’t respond, her focus entirely on the sensations coursing through her body. The dual stimuli of his hands—one teasing her nipple, the other brushing dangerously close to her core—made her head swim with pleasure.

Her own arousal was undeniable now, the wetness between her legs soaking through her cotton leggings. She could feel it clinging to her skin, the dampness making her squirm slightly against Ethan’s lap.

Encouraged by her reactions, Ethan’s hands grew more confident. The hand on her thigh moved higher, the back of his fingers brushing against the damp fabric over her crotch. The sensation was maddening, and Lila bit her lip to stifle a moan.

The other hand slipped under her tank top, his fingers finding her bare nipple. The direct contact made her gasp, her back arching slightly as he pinched and rolled the sensitive bud between his fingers.

Ethan’s breathing was ragged now, his chest heaving against her back. She could feel him grinding against her, the hard length of him pressing into the curve of her ass.

“Lila ... I...” he started, his voice trembling.

Before he could finish, his body tensed, and she felt a sudden warmth press against her back as he came in his pants. His hips jerked involuntarily, and she could feel the wetness seeping through his jeans, his entire body shuddering with the force of his release.

Lila froze for a moment, her heart pounding as she processed what had just happened. She could feel the dampness on her leggings, her own arousal mixing with the heat of his release.

“We need to go,” she whispered urgently, her voice trembling.

Lila sat up and turned to her parents, trying to keep her voice calm. “We’re gonna go grab some ice cream. Be back in a few.”

Her mom waved them off. “Alright, but don’t be too long. The Two Towers is next!”

The kitchen was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the refrigerator. Lila and Ethan stood by the counter, their faces flushed, their breathing still a little uneven. Ethan leaned against the counter for support, his shoulders hunched and his face buried in his hands.

“I’m so sorry,” he mumbled, his voice cracking. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her, his cheeks burning with embarrassment as he fidgeted with the crumpled paper towels.