by Allie York
“I assumed you were laughing at my picture,” I admitted. The picture on his made him look like a male model, hell, he appeared the same in real life. He chuckled, and a waiter appeared for our drink orders. Once the waiter disappeared, Ewan turned back to me.
“No, the picture is good. The glasses suit you.” I muttered a thank you and went back to flipping through the menu, reading drink descriptions, and feeling him stare at my profile. “Please don’t make me pry conversation out of you.” Ewan took the menu from me and tossed it on the table. Apparently, Reese had been right—the guy wanted to talk to me.
“Sorry, what do you want to talk about?”
He shrugged, “Tell me about your writing.”
“Has Amelia not told you everything? The girl seems to know my characters on a deeper level than I do and I created them.” I laughed at the memory of his little sister going on about deep seated anger and other weirdness about my two protagonists.
“Yes, but I want you to tell me.” He thanked the waiter for the drinks and handed me mine. I took it in both hands and settled back a little. Might as well try to relax and hope I don’t get too nerdy excited.
“Every time I go back and read my book I want to burn it.” I took a sip of my drink. It was phenomenal, but how could a drink named after the Beowulf monster not be? “I have no idea how it got picked up.” It was true, but I realized it would sound like I was fishing for a compliment. “I guess my writing has just improved a lot since then. Even though I can’t seem to finish anything.”
He nodded. “I can see that. But I have noticed your problem in a lot of debut novels.” Ewan had read my disaster of a book. Shit.
“Too much dialogue,” I finished his thought, and he nodded. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m an accountant during the week, and I teach a women’s self-defense class on weekends,” He eyed my reaction and I nodded. Then I knew where the muscles came from, and Ewan certainly had a lot of them. “Your business seems to do well.” He took a long drink of his Holden Caulfield. Pretentious character, but I had to respect a guy who liked fireball.
“It does. Erica, my partner, and I really got lucky when we took the jobs there a few years ago. We were both hired to groom a week before the owner randomly decided to sell. We split the cost, and the rest is history. I went back to get my training certification last year, and added a whole new dimension. She handles the bulk of the grooming, and I pretty much do the rest.” We really were lucky. My partner and I both had a string of past grooming jobs, all left behind because of our inability to play nice with others, but Erica and I were almost like sisters with the ability to tolerate one another at work and play. Ewan gave me a slow nod and sipped on his drink. After a moment of silence, I had to ask, “Why did you ask me to dinner?”
He set his glass down. “I actually almost asked you after our impromptu training, but thought it too forward. Then when I saw you again at The Savant, I knew I wanted to get to know you.” I took a drink and mulled his words over. “For the record, my last date was well over a year ago and ended in my fiancée throwing a ring in my face.” I couldn’t stop the snorting laugh erupting from my throat. Who in their right mind would turn down Ewan?
“Wow, that is actually worse than my last date, but I have a year on you.” I watched him lean in to listen to my horror story. Once I was done with my awful tale of Chase the groper, I was rewarded with his rough laugh. He paid for our drinks and offered me his arm again as we left. We strolled through Market Square ducking in and out of shops on our way to the next destination.
“Have you been married?” Might as well clear the air, right?
“No, you?” Ewan let his long fingers graze a wind chime in a little store filled with incense.
“Yes.” I got up the courage to continue and he gestured for me to tell the story. “For two years about six years ago. We got married right after I graduated, but it obviously didn’t last.” Talking about Davis made me want to vomit, but I figured if my date knew the baggage beforehand, it wouldn’t be a surprise later. He dropped the subject, and we moved back out to the sidewalk.
“Have you always lived here?” Could he not tell by my insanely Tennessee accent?
“Born and raised.” I smiled up at him, making him chuckle as we turned another corner.
EWAN
Once we got to the bistro, we ordered and talked about hobbies. Jovie poked fun at my love for black and white American films and bashfully confessed her obsession with the BBC. That one I had fun with. She talked about her weird crush on Martin Freeman despite his age and the fact that he’s a hobbit, and I teased her rather relentlessly about her vast Doctor Who knowledge.
Then things got more serious, but if she was willing to talk about her ex, I could talk about my parents and Darcy. “I was in college, home for the summer, when they asked me to keep Amelia so they could attend a dinner. The next thing I knew, I was getting a call at one in the morning saying there had been an accident. My friend came to stay with Amelia and I went to the hospital. My father had been too drunk to drive, as usual, and had run off the road. He killed the driver of another car and our mother. He went to prison, as he should have, and I fought in court to get Amelia. I was engaged to Darcy when Bernard got out and she seemed to think I would be sending Ams off to live with him. When I didn’t, she ended it.”
Jovie held a pained expression for a moment. “I’m so sorry.” I wasn’t sure if her empathy was about Amelia, or my mother, or Darcy, but it was genuine either way. We were quiet for a moment then I asked her about the marriage mentioned before. Jovie talked about getting pregnant right out of high school and getting married only to miscarry a few weeks later. Her ex wanted children, but she didn’t, but she didn’t file for divorce until she caught him sleeping with her best friend. She glanced up for my response, but my phone rang. It was beyond me how anyone couldn’t be madly in love with Jovie. Even after only a few hours, I knew Jovie was honest and beautiful, if not a little cynical. I slid out of the booth and outside to take Amelia’s call.
“How’s it going?” My little sister was way too excited.
“Really well, except for having to leave dinner to take a call.” I used my best fatherly voice and she laughed at me.
“Selene and I are going to Addie’s to stay the night, and they will take me to school tomorrow.” I agreed and hung up. Inside, I moved back in the booth to find Jovie with her head in her hands, looking overwhelmed.
Jovie jumped when I sat back down. “Sorry, Amelia was letting me know where she was staying the night. Are you all right?” She certainly didn’t look all right.
“Oh, yeah.” My beautiful date smiled, and my chest tightened. I had sworn off dating, sworn off feeling for anyone other than Amelia, but Jovie I could care for. Jovie could make me want it all again. I took her answer for what it was, but didn’t actually believe a bit of it and offered her a bite of my meal. She took it from my fork, nodding her approval, and making desire creep into me. It was something about the way she looked at me. I suddenly wanted to kiss her. I wanted to devour her.
“So what happened to all the offensive sarcasm I was promised?” I paid the check, cuffing my sleeves to listen to her talk. Her sweet Southern accent just intensified how bad I wanted to hear her cry out my name.
“You have made everything so pleasant I haven’t even had to use it.” Jovie giggled when I got cocky about her compliment. I signed our ticket, offered her my hand, and we left. It hit me that I would be taking her home, and I took the long way around to the car, passing packed clubs playing bad techno. I didn’t want to turn into a Chase the Groper, but I really wanted to back her against my car and kiss her until we were both breathless. I wanted to feel her hands on me and run my fingers through her hair. I opened her car door and we started the short drive to her place.
Then I did something incredibly daring. “You wouldn’t mind running to my place to let Clark out, would you? I only live a few blocks from you
, but I doubt Amelia let him out.” I glanced over to see her indicate she didn’t mind. I really had no motives other than dragging out our time together. Her eyes took in the house as we pulled up, and I jumped out to get her door, “I swear this will only take a minute.” I let her follow me up to the porch and let her in.
“I have nowhere to be.” Jovie shrugged, stepping into the house. Clark started whimpering to go out, and I left her to look around while I let him out. We both laughed when Clark obviously fell down the steps into the yard. Jovie walked through the kitchen and into the dining room, studying everything. “Your house is beautiful.” Her words echoed in the quiet room. I propped against the door frame to watch her, trying to gauge her comfort level, and told her about how we ended up in the house after the accident. When Jovie walked to pass me, I touched her hand, and she stopped, letting out a slow breath.
“So was the whole date thing as bad as you anticipated?” I moved toward her, watching her look me over. I wanted her, every single bit of her. I had done my best to keep the date low-key and innocent, but I couldn’t hold back anymore.
“No, I had a good time.” Jovie smiled at me, and I moved even closer, stalking her as she backed toward the island in the kitchen. I could hear my pulse in my ears but tried to silence it. Her admission to having a good time did not mean she was feeling what I felt. I admitted to second guessing myself after her initial reaction, and she giggled, propping her back on the island.
“I told you I was no good at this. Thank you for taking me and not changing your mind.”
A strange boldness took over, and I took one more step toward her, closing her in with a hand on either side of the counter. I didn’t touch her, but I could feel her heat and her scent invaded me. I watched her not react other than her mouth twitching into a smile. Then I kissed her, crashing my mouth into hers. Her arms were around my waist and her hands flattened onto my back in an instant. I grabbed her hip, my other hand braced on the counter, and let her consume me. Her mouth moving with mine aroused me, and I kissed down her neck, tasting her as I went. I lifted her onto the counter, positioning myself between her legs and touched her face, gripping her thigh with the other hand. Her tongue grazed mine, and I groaned at the gesture, sliding her jacket off. Jovie took my face in her hands, pulling me in closer, and I slipped my hand under her shirt to her hip. Her erratic breathing stopped completely, and I pulled away. Damn it.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.” I shook my head watching her lick her bottom lip. I was about to burst out of my slacks but hoped it wasn’t too noticeable.
Jovie reached for my hand, jumping down from the counter. “You didn’t.” She tugged me toward her. “I’m grown. I know how to say no.” I rubbed a hand down my face, laughing at her wording. She gestured me toward her, and I obliged. I pressed myself against her and gave into the desire to play with her hair. It was insanely soft. Her hands were on my hips, and the look on her face made it impossible to control myself. I knew she felt me pressed against her hip, but she looked amused, and it made my intentions clear.
“Can I be presumptuous then?” I stroked the length of her hair as Jovie nodded, her eyes swirled with desire and stayed locked with mine. “My room is upstairs.” Her lips turned into a wicked smirk before giggling at the stupid smile I was wearing.
Chapter Six
JOVIE
Of course, the embarrassing giggle came out after the man invited me to his room. My feelings toward Ewan changed from innocent flutters to smoldering lust with only one kiss, and my mind was fighting to keep up with my body. He pushed off of me and practically dragged me back through the foyer and up the steps as soon as I nodded. Ewan closed the door and pushed me against it, running his hands from my hip up to my chest and back under my sequined top. Every part of me was on fire and any rational thought had abandoned ship. I worked the buttons on his shirt and unbuckled his belt, not able to move fast enough. My shirt and pants were on the floor and he was kicking off his shoes, socks, and slacks before my mind could catch up with my body. I obviously wasn’t the only one needing to get laid. I sent a silent thanks to my sisters for forcing me into sexy underwear.
Ewan tangled his fingers with mine and took a step back, looking me over. It would have made me uncomfortable if I hadn’t been doing the same thing to him. A rugged laugh escaped him, like he was as shocked by the situation as I was. The man was even more built under the clothes; not creepy body builder ripped, but everything had defined detail. Self-consciousness flooded me as I thought about the extra few pounds I carried around, but the look on his face made it wane. Ewan looked over me hungrily, like I was his last meal. I sat back on the bed, pulling him with me, and ran my hands over his stomach and chest, noting every muscle and freckle. He shuddered making me want to do it again, so I did, paying careful attention to that irresistible V at his hips. Ewan jerked me to my feet and shoved me back on the bed. In one smooth movement, he was hovering over me with his hips pressed against mine, and ran his hands through my hair. My whole body trembled at the closeness, and every part of him was hard, taut, and I wanted all of it. The world around us was still for a moment. I held a breath, and briefly wondered what the hell I was doing. I was seriously about to have sex with a guy I had met only a few days before. His eyes left mine, and something flashed in them. I wondered if he was thinking the same thing.
Ewan rolled off of me and tugged the lace underwear from my hips as he kissed down my stomach. I held my breath. When he slid back up the length of me, his boxers were gone too, and my resolve melted further. His lips caught mine, and the thought of wondering what I was doing vanished. It didn’t matter. I was never reckless, so I was well overdue for something insane. And the man was the insanity I needed. Ewan slid his palm down my stomach and dipped his fingers into me. I hissed a breath out, and he groaned at how my body was reacting to him.
He was on me again, and in a moment of clarity, I put my hands on his chest to stop him. He at least had to wrap it up. Ewan got the hint and bit his lip before letting out a strain of curses. I laughed a little too hard, and he sprung off the bed to start digging through the dresser. I took the opportunity to enjoy the view of his backside until he turned back. He was over me again, kissing as much of me as possible on his way down. Working his way back up, I writhed under him, and he chuckled a hot breath against my collarbone. Never in my life had I been turned on the way he had managed. Ewan kissed me again, tormenting me in the best way. His cock rubbed against me, taking my breath with every little movement. I dragged his lip between my teeth, tasting him. After being celibate so long, I wasn’t going to miss a single bit of him.
“I want you.” Ewan mumbled against my mouth, his breath mixing with mine. He pulled my leg up over his hips and was in me. I gasped. Ewan groaned. And both of us lost control. He moved with me, his mouth on mine, and his breath catching with nearly every stroke. My nails dug into his back feeling every muscle as they stretched and pulled. I reached to tangle my hand in the fabric of the pillow case over my head when I felt myself coming undone, but his hand slid into mine and laced our fingers, letting me squeeze his hand. It was a slightly intimate gesture considering how little we knew of each other, but who was I to argue in that moment? I needed something tangible to prove it was all real, and he gave it to me. I knew I moaned his name, but had no control over anything else. The release was all-encompassing and long overdue, and I was overly aware of his breath in my ear, telling me I was beautiful. Ewan sped up, prolonging my orgasm and approaching his own. I tingled at every inch of his bare skin pressed into mine, and the growl in his throat transformed into a groan as his hand tightened on mine and his body tensed with his own release.
Both of us were shaking when Ewan dropped on top of me and quickly rolled on his side, taking me with him. My leg stayed draped over his hips, and he gently rubbed his nose against mine. His fingers ran through my hair, and he brushed a strand off my forehead. A slow breath escaped my lips as he kissed my che
ek softly. Ewan tenderly pulled me close to him, and I nuzzled into the curve of his neck, finally forcing myself to open my eyes. My thumb stroked his bearded jawline, and he rubbed my back in long, fluid strokes. He tilted his head to look down at me and smiled slyly like he had accomplished some impossible task. I giggled, and he went back to playing with my hair.
Minutes passed, but how many was beyond me. Ewan left me for the ensuite bathroom for a minute then came back to cuddle up next to me., His head rested on my chest while I held him, letting him toy with my hair. The man had a serious obsession with my hair. The whole situation was one I could get used to. I knew with complete certainty that I could fall in love with him and it would either be wonderful or catastrophic. He finally broke the silence and I jumped.
“Will you stay?” Ewan tipped his head up, his dark eyes exploring my expression, and I nodded. I certainly didn’t have a better place to be. He settled back into the nape of my neck, and I skimmed his arm with my nails making him shudder. “So you know, I don’t make a habit of sex on the first date.” We both laughed. “Or at all, if I’m being honest.” Ewan tilted his head again, arching his brow at me.
“That makes two of us. At least now I remember what I was missing.” We both laughed again. It was a lie. I had never had sex like that. It always ended with me feeling gross and used, and I had honestly hated sex. I had plenty of opportunities, but could never bring myself to do it after the way it had been with Davis. I came to my senses and slid out from under him. “I do need to have Nick take Merlin out for me, though.” He furrowed his brow. “Nick’s my neighbor.” The whole my best friend is a dude thing seemed like too much.
