Harlequin Desire January 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Maisey Yates

  Divya’s stomach dropped. Marilyn had just put into words the thing she feared the most. When Ethan told her he loved her, she wanted nothing more than to say it back to him. To tell him that she had been picturing what it’d be like to introduce him to her family, to have him dress up in an Indian sherwani and celebrate the upcoming Diwali holidays with them. She had started thinking of things that she’d never considered before. But she’d never told anyone she’d loved them. Not even Vivek. The best she’d been able to tell him was “ditto” when he’d said it to her, and she hadn’t truly meant it. For her, love was something that happened once in a lifetime. With someone that made her heart explode. That someone was Ethan. But she didn’t want to be yet another girl that he was in free fall with. He’d said that he expected her to break his heart, but somehow she knew he’d be the one shattering hers.

  She heard plates clinking, then the door open and close. She waited a few more minutes, then quietly slipped back into the backyard.

  “Wow, this pie is amazing, where did you get it?” Heather exclaimed.

  “Divya brought it from the Florida Keys.”

  “Mmm, why haven’t you brought this for us before, Ethan?” Matt cut himself another piece. “Did you take her skydiving with Buck?” The way he said it, Divya got the feeling that it was something Ethan did all the time. Maybe it was his standard date for all those girls he’d fallen in love with.

  Everyone pitched in to clear the table, and Divya liked the easy way they worked together. The kids carried the plates to the kitchen while Marilyn and Heather packed up the leftovers, and Matt, Ethan and Bill moved the extra dining room chairs back inside. Divya stood back and watched, listening to their banter, watching Ethan light up from the inside.

  Matt, Heather and the kids left to get the kids to bed. Ethan began loading the dishwasher, and Bill wiped down the kitchen counters.

  “Coffee, Divya? Or do you prefer tea?”

  “Whatever you’re having.”

  Marilyn started the coffeemaker. Divya watched Ethan load the dishwasher, arguing with his dad about the best way to position the dishes. Her brother Arjun liked to cook, but she’d never seen him clean. Rani was working hard to teach him how to wash dishes. Divya and her siblings had grown up with servants who did the cleaning after family meals, under her mother’s supervision while her father and brothers retired to the living room for a nightcap.

  Marilyn handed Divya a coffee cup, and they went to the front porch and sat in the rocking chairs.

  “You know, I really don’t mind you and Ethan sleeping in the same room,” Marilyn said.

  Divya’s cheeks burned. “My parents are very old-fashioned. It wouldn’t feel right.”

  Marilyn smiled. “I can tell your mother raised you well. Thank you helping with the kids tomorrow.”

  “It’s my pleasure. They seem wonderful.” Divya meant it. Two of her closest friends were married with kids, and while she adored her pseudo nieces and nephews, they were spoiled. Matt’s kids seemed to be well-grounded, the way she’d like to raise her own kids. The thought stopped her cold. Why was she thinking about children?

  Marilyn looked toward the Lexus with the bow on it. “I don’t know what Ethan was thinking with that car.”

  Divya bit her lip. She hadn’t heard the full exchange between Ethan and his parents regarding the car, but from the face he carried with him to dinner, she knew they’d rejected it, just as she’d suspected they would. It wasn’t her place to say anything but what did she have to lose? It wasn’t as if she was trying to impress his parents or audition for the role of his wife. She might as well help him as a friend.

  “You know, he was really excited to give you the car. It would mean a lot to him if you’d accept it.”

  “I don’t know how many times we’ve tried to explain to Ethan that we don’t want money or gifts, and yet he doesn’t seem to get it,” Marilyn said irritably.

  Divya’s heart clenched. “Do you know that during the pandemic, he donated most of the money he earned to people who had lost their jobs and healthcare workers? He still pays the salaries of those employees who died from the virus or can no longer work so their families are okay. He goes around giving ridiculous tips. He’s not like the other billionaires in the world who spend their money buying mansions.” Her voice nearly cracked as she thought about how excited he’d been to give his mother the car. “He’s not trying to throw his money around. He feels lucky to have it and wants to share it with the people he loves most.”

  Marilyn blew out a breath. “We don’t want to hurt his feelings. It’s just that the money seems to have changed him. He used to take the kids to the park, and now he wants to take them to Paris and London. That’s not how I raised my boys, and it’s not how Matt wants to raise his kids.”

  Divya chewed on her lip. She didn’t know Ethan’s parents and maybe she should keep her mouth shut and stay out of the whole situation. “Ethan loves the way he grew up. This is not about passing judgment on what you weren’t able to give him. The money is meaningless to him unless he can enjoy it with you. When you don’t accept his gifts, it makes him feel like he’s not a part of this family.”

  Marilyn stared at Divya and she shifted in her seat.

  “You and Ethan really only met a few days ago?”

  Divya nodded.

  “Then, how is it that you know my son so well?”

  Divya shrugged. “Maybe because we met each other at a vulnerable time, or maybe because we’re going to be together for such a short time, we don’t feel the need for any pretenses between us.”

  Marilyn sipped her coffee. “Maybe we’ve been hard on Ethan. But the money seemed to change him overnight. He was never into private jets and luxury condos.”

  “I have never had pot roast, but after dinner tonight, I’m going to want to learn how to make it.” Divya warmed her hands on the coffee mug. “I’ve been around spoiled rich men all my life. Ethan is not one of them. He’d give away all his money if that’s what it would take for things to be right with you.”

  They sat in companionable silence, drinking their coffees, then Marilyn reached out her hand and patted Divya’s. “You’re a good girl, Divya. I hope you’re not just around for a short time.”

  Divya dropped her gaze to the coffee cup. She tried to imagine Marilyn with her well-worn sweater and jeans sitting next to her own mother, who was always in designer clothes. She couldn’t. Nor could she imagine Ethan sitting with her father in his study, dressed in a kurta pajama, with a crystal tumbler of whiskey.

  Ethan’s parents retired to their bedroom and Divya joined Ethan on the couch in the family room. He turned off the TV. “Are you tired?”

  “It’s only nine o’clock. This is usually when we eat dinner at my house,” Divya said.

  He shrugged. “My mom is usually up early to get to the diner before breakfast is served, so we’ve always been an early-to-bed household.” He put his arm around her and she snuggled into him, enjoying the warmth of his body. “Thanks for breaking the tension with my brother. You don’t have to babysit tomorrow. I can take care of it.”

  She touched his arm. “They seem like nice kids. I’d like to get to know them.” And she meant it.

  “I don’t know why my brother has such a chip on his shoulder about me getting them expensive presents. Heather has some serious medical-school loans to pay off, and she’s still in training, so she doesn’t make that much money. With Matt not working, I know he can’t afford that stuff. I’m only trying to help,” Ethan said wearily.

  She sighed. “My college friend has a five-year-old who I love to spoil. She asked me to stop buying him expensive presents because it undermines what she and her husband can provide for him. It’s hard for them that he has a rich auntie. Think of how your brother must feel about the fact that his kids are more excited about what you give them with your spare change t
han what he sacrifices every day to provide for them. It’s hard being the parent who has to buy clothes and books, while you get to swoop in and be the hero giving them cool toys. If you want to help, ask your brother what he needs for the kids. Give them the things they need every day.”

  Ethan rolled his head back and closed his eyes. She reached over and rubbed her thumbs over his forehead.

  “Hmm. Is that a head massage?”

  “Kind of. My mom does it when I’m stressed and angry. It calms me down.”

  He smiled. “It’s working.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. “You know, there’s something else that would be really de-stressing right now.”

  She pulled her hands back. “Oh no, you’re not tempting me into doing that in your parents’ house.”

  He pulled her close to him. “They sleep really soundly.” He turned her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, then began working his way up her arm. Delicious tingles worked their way from his mouth all the way to her core.

  She pulled her arm back. “How about we watch a movie?”

  He let out a sigh of frustration but grabbed the remote. She placed her head on his chest, enjoying the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart. She was asleep before the movie even started.

  She woke when she felt him carrying her up the stairs to the bedroom. He set her gently on the bed, gave her a kiss on the forehead, placed the blankets on her and left the room. After he’d left, she sat up and turned on the light. There was little furniture in the room, just a bed, nightstand and a bookshelf that held a picture of two young boys with their arms around each other, grinning widely. She picked it up. It reminded her of a photo at home of her and her three sisters, all with the same pigtails and school uniforms. Her heart clenched painfully. What am I doing here? She was in Minnesota, a state she hadn’t even known existed a few days ago, with a family that wasn’t hers and a man who made her body sing in ways it never had before and had wormed his way into her heart when she’d least expected it.

  Seeing Ethan with his family just made her miss hers even more. She clicked on the phone Ethan had given her. She opened her email. There were several messages from him, her sisters and one from Sameer. Her pulse quickened as she clicked on his message.

  Yo sis! Cool move. I’m pretty sure this trumps all the idiot things I’ve ever done. Passing my bad boy trophy to you. I’m doing well. Stay away as long as you need. You deserve a break. I’m good. Really.

  PS—Vivek is a maha bore. Why did you ever want to marry him?

  She laughed and read the message several times before deciding Sameer really was okay. The messages from Arjun and her sisters weren’t as comforting. Her parents were taking things really hard. Arjun begged her to come back and promised that he would make sure she didn’t have to marry anyone she didn’t want to. He’d gotten rid of Vivek. There was also an email from her best friend, Hema, telling her how much she missed her. Her sisters had written long messages that spanned pages. Divya closed her eyes, unable to read them.

  It was time to go home.

  Ethan was not real. He was a fantasy, just like her singing career. What would life be like as a singer? It would be like the last four days. Going from one place to another, with no tether to home. Having to dance onstage wearing skimpy clothes. Maybe she’d been pursuing the wrong goals. She’d thought that knowing she had done something on her own, a success her parents hadn’t bought for her, would be enough. It would fulfill her, close the hole she’d felt in her soul. But then why did she still feel so empty? Why were her thoughts full of an American man with bright blue eyes and sandy-brown hair who owned a house down the street from his parents? A world away from everyone she loved. She lay on the bed but hardly slept.

  She was not going to be the woman who would make the dark, empty, redbrick house a home for him.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Ethan rolled his shoulders and stretched his back. The old couch had lived its life. He was tempted to order a new one, but Divya’s words came back to him.

  “Coffee, hon?”

  He nodded to his mother, who poured him a cup and set it on the small kitchen table. It was still early in the morning, but his father had already left for work. His mother was in her diner uniform and Ethan bit his tongue to keep from asking when she’d quit.

  “You know the old McPherson house?”

  She looked at him, puzzled, and sat at the table, after putting a plate with eggs, toast and bacon in front of him. She’d gotten up earlier than usual to make him breakfast.

  “I bought it.”

  She gasped. “That was you? The neighbors were wondering who the mysterious buyer was. Why didn’t you tell us?”

  He shrugged. “I felt silly, buying that big old house for just me. I thought I’d tell you about it when I was ready to start a family.”

  Marilyn hugged her son. “You don’t need a woman to start a family. We are your family.”

  “Then, why does is feel like I can’t do anything right lately?” He reached out and took his mom’s hands and she squeezed his.

  She smiled sadly at him. “Oh Ethan, we love you so much. We’re still getting used to your money. I guess we don’t want to take advantage of your generosity. Your dad and I have always provided for our children, and we’re not used to the idea of our children taking responsibility for our needs.”

  “There’s something I want to tell you,” Ethan started. It was time he told his mother what he knew. “Right after Matt was born, I went to see Wade, in our old apartment.”

  His mother froze, but he continued. “I needed to know why he gave me up so easily. I know he wasn’t a good man, but I was his son.” He paused and took a sip of his coffee. “He told me that Bill only agreed to adopt me because you made it a condition of your marriage.”

  His mother gasped audibly. “That awful man. How dare he say something like that to you?” She grabbed Ethan’s hand. “Is that what you’ve thought all these years? Why didn’t you say something?” She shook her head. “It’s not true. I never asked Bill to take you in. He fell in love with you the first time he met you. Remember that day I took you to the park?”

  Ethan did remember the day. Bill had shown him how to ride his bike without the training wheels on.

  “Bill proposed to me the next day. I still joke with him that he only married me because he wanted you. Oh honey, I wish you hadn’t kept this in your heart all these years.” His mother leaned over and gave him a hug and he hugged her back.

  They sat in silence for a while, eating breakfast, then his mother turned to him. “I guess I could use a new car.”

  His heart soared, but before he could say something, she held up a finger. “But, I want to go down to the used car lot and pick out something safe and sturdy.” Her eyes softened. “I’m sure the Lexus is amazing, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable in it.”

  He nodded. “Anything you want, Mom. How about I pick you up when you get your break between shifts, and we’ll go down together.”

  She stood and put her coffee cup in the sink. “About Divya…”

  He stared at his plate, ready to hear the litany of things that were wrong with her. “That girl has a good head on her shoulders. She’s a keeper.”

  He looked at his mother in surprise. She came over to him and kissed him on the head. “But prepare yourself, my boy. She’s going to break your heart.”

  There it was. The alarm that had been blaring in his mind, that he kept silencing.

  He poured a second cup of coffee and went to wake Divya. He knocked on his bedroom door, but there was no answer. He opened it to see her curled up in his bed, her dark hair across her face.

  She is so beautiful.

  He imagined the master bedroom in the redbrick house and waking up next to her each morning, and he couldn’t. She didn’t belong in that house. She didn’t want the
life he did.

  She stirred and he brushed her hair from her face. Her eyes blinked open. “Hey there, handsome.”

  He smiled. “Morning, beautiful.”

  “Did I sleep in late?”

  He shook his head, then bent down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around him and he inhaled her smell. He moved his mouth to her ear, then her throat and then worked his way down her body.

  “Wait. Your parents!”

  He had made his way down to her stomach and started taking her pajamas off. “They’re gone. The house is empty. You’re mine,” he growled.

  He made love to her slowly, savoring every inch of her body, enjoying the way she responded to him, her moans music to his ears.

  When they were done, he lay down beside her and pulled her close. “Well, you can wake me up that way anytime,” she murmured as she laid her head on his chest.

  “Can I?”

  She turned her head so she could face him. “Can you what?”

  “Can I wake you this way not just for the next few days but for longer?”

  She sat up, grabbed a pillow and smacked him in the chest. He sat up, startled. “Did I or did I not tell you not to fall for me?” she said indignantly.

  He caught the pillow and pulled her toward him. “Didn’t we discuss the fact that I have a knack for falling for unavailable women?”

  Her smiled faltered. “You know we’re all wrong for each other.”

  He took the pillow from her hand and kissed her. “I know. But that’s why it feels so right between us.”

  She put her cheek on his naked chest. “I want to be with you,” she said softly. “Can you give me some time to figure things out?”

  It was the best he was going to get, and he was going to take it.

  * * *

  He took Divya on a riverboat ride in the morning, then dropped her at the main street in Stillwater so she could explore the antiques shops. He picked up his mom at the diner during her break and convinced her to buy a fairly new Honda Accord at the used-car dealer.