Falling for Sarah

by Cate Beauman

  “You sounded like you needed one.” Easing back, she stared into his eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Let’s sit down first.”

  They sat at the conference table overlooking the city and Ethan pulled massive cheeseburgers and two large boxes of golden, battered onion rings from the bag.

  “God, this is great. Thanks.”

  Brows furrowed, Wren took his hand. “You’re really worrying me, Ethan.”

  Ethan stared into eyes the mirror image of his own and blew out a breath. “Sarah’s pregnant.”

  Brows drawn together, winged up in surprise. “Wow. I didn’t know she was seeing anyone.”

  “The baby’s mine, Wren.”

  The onion ring she picked up fell back into the box. “You and Sarah?”

  He stood again, restless, pacing. “Yes, me and Sarah. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing. Nothing. I’m just a little surprised—a lot, actually. You two’ve always been so close. I didn’t know there was more there than friendship.”

  “There wasn’t, until recently. About nine months ago, things started to change—for me anyway. One night we took Kylee out for pizza. The waitress said we had a beautiful daughter. That wasn’t such a big deal; people make comments like that all the time. We always laugh it off. It’s a pretty natural assumption—man, woman, child, sitting at a table together, equals a family out for dinner.”

  “Okay.” Wren made a ‘go ahead’ motion with her hand.

  “Anyway, the pizza comes out and Sarah grabs a slice after cutting one up for Kylee. She bites in and this massive string of mozzarella droops down as she pulls the slice farther and farther away. She started to giggle when it stuck to her chin. I pulled the cheese from her chin, plopped it in my mouth, and she grinned at me. I’d never seen anyone so beautiful. I don’t know what the hell happened, but she just about knocked me out of my fucking chair. All of a sudden, I’m looking at Sarah, one of my best pals, and I’m not thinking of her like a friend.”

  He turned back to the window, staring out. “I thought it would go away. I tried to keep my distance, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I started wondering what it would be like if things were different. So, the night of Morgan and Hunter’s wedding, we get into this fight and I kiss her. Things grew from there.”

  Wren’s hand pressed against his shoulder and he turned. “You’re in love with her.”

  “I’m so far past in love with her, and she doesn’t believe me.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. How can she not look at you and see it? She knows you as well as I do.”

  “Because I fucked everything up—again!” He all but vibrated with frustration. “After I finally convinced her we should give being more than friends a try, I started getting twitchy. All of these what-ifs popped into my head. ‘What if I mess it up?’ ‘What if I let her down?’”

  He met Wren’s gaze, still haunted by the question that continued to eat at him. “What if I’m like mom and dad?”

  Her eyes filled with sympathy and she stepped closer, taking his hand, squeezing. “You are nothing like our parents, Ethan, in any way. Neither of us is. When we were kids, I used to get pretty upset that Mom and Dad weren’t like Jake’s parents or Hunter’s mom. I just wanted them to pay attention to us, even a little bit, but now that we’re older, I look back and thank God they left us alone. We were so lucky to have Ms. Willa all those years.”

  Ethan thought of their childhood nanny and smiled. “Yeah, we really were.”

  “I know I tease you about Mom and Dad, but that’s only because I don’t think I’ve ever met two people more ridiculous in all my life, and that’s saying something in this crazy town we work in.”

  He chuckled.

  “You’re a good man, Ethan, the best I know. Sarah will come around. She’s a smart woman. Now, let’s eat and you can tell me about my new niece or nephew.”

  And just like that, his world settled. Ethan followed Wren back to the table, sat down next to her. “Your niece or nephew is ten weeks old. He or she is the size of a strawberry and is looking less like an alien every day. I kept the book I bought when Sarah was pregnant with Kylee.”

  Grinning, Wren bit into an onion ring. “Aw, I bet he or she is the cutest little alien on the planet. I can’t believe this. You’re going to be a daddy, Ethan.”

  “I can hardly believe it myself. This is where you come in. I need your help, oh, master decorator.”

  “What can I do?”

  He swallowed a bite of burger. “I want to surprise Sarah with two rooms for the kids; something special for Kylee and a nursery for the baby. I also need to make good on a promise I forgot about until recently. Kylee needs a kickass swing set for the yard.”

  “I can help you with all of this.”

  “I need it done as soon as possible.”

  “It’s going to cost you.”

  “Good thing I’m a wealthy man. I want the best. It has to be the best for them.”

  “Leave it to me, brother. Luckily, I know Sarah well enough to know just what she’ll like. I’ll be by to take measurements Monday morning.”

  “We’ll leave for meetings with Lisa at eight. Oh, and let’s keep this quiet. We haven’t told anyone yet.”

  The stage was finally set. It was time to begin. Zeke pulled a blue topaz earring from his pocket and snickered. The poor fucker wasn’t even going to know what hit him.

  He glanced over his shoulder as he walked through the shadows until he got to the car of the man he’d been watching. He shoved a wedge in the door, slid a piece of metal through the small opening, released the lock. This was too easy! He popped the trunk next, pulled back the lip of the carpet, dropped the earring with his gloved fingers.

  Stifling his laughter, he grabbed a baggie from the pocket of his black hoodie, pulled one strand of blonde hair from the plastic at a time, scattering them about, making sure they stuck to the carpet fibers. He tossed in the taser, box of condoms, and wire next. Oh, he couldn’t wait to watch this unfold.

  He stared down at his treasures one last time, closed the trunk, stuck his middle finger up at the darkened windows of the bastard’s house, took out a pre-paid cell phone. He moved further into the shadows and dialed 9-1-1.

  “Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”

  He deepened his voice and spoke. “I’ve got a tip on the ‘Blue Chip Rapist’.” Zeke grinned, all but giddy. He loved his title. It felt so fucking good to say it out loud.

  “Can I have your name please?”

  “He lives at 2579 Riker Street, Santa Monica.” He hung up as he snorted out a laugh.

  Heart pounding with the thrill of it all, Zeke waited in the bushes until the wail of sirens got closer. Chuckling, he ran in the opposite direction, settled in his driver’s seat and drove away. Tomorrow was bound to be a spectacular day.

  CHAPTER 23

  IN A PANIC, SARAH TORE through her clothes hanging in Ethan’s closet. It was after midnight and she had nothing to wear to her meeting in the morning. Out of nowhere, her belly had grown just enough to make buttoning and zipping her tailored slacks impossible.

  She snagged a pale purple sundress from a hanger, hurried to the bathroom. Sarah pulled her tank top over her head, replaced it with the dress. She stared in the mirror, huffing out a breath. Her breasts, which had also increased in size, bulged dangerously against the fabric, making her look like a centerfold. “This isn’t going to work.”

  Frustrated, she yanked the dress back off and studied her changing body. She and Ethan would have to stop by her house tomorrow and find her box of maternity clothes. When she’d packed everything up so long ago, she never thought she would need it again, but she hadn’t been able to give it away. It was a link to Jake. Now she was happy she’d kept it.

  She walked back to the dim bedroom, moved into the closet once more, hoping that by some miracle she could find something that would work until tomorrow afternoon.

  Ethan po
pped his head through the crack in the door. “Sarah, are you okay?”

  She tried fruitlessly to cover her skimpy panties and bra. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  Despite the fact that she was scantily clad, Ethan walked in and closed the door. Dressed in his boxers, his brow rose as he scanned the room. “What the hell have you been doing in here? It looks like a bomb went off.”

  Glancing around at the pants, tops, and dresses scattered about, she sniffled. “My clothes don’t fit anymore.” Horrified she was becoming emotional over something so silly, she turned for the bathroom. Grabbing a tissue, she blew her nose.

  Ethan stood in front of her, brushing his hands down her arms while he smiled. “Go ahead and have your jag, Sarah. You had them with Kylee too.”

  She plucked up another tissue, dabbed at her eyes. “I’m not having a jag. I’m trying to figure out what I’m supposed to wear to my meeting with Lisa tomorrow. All of a sudden, nothing fits. It took months to show with Kylee, now look at me.”

  Is this really coming out of my mouth?

  She closed her eyes on a wave of disgust. “Okay, I’m having a jag. I’m sorry.”

  Ethan continued to move his hands along her arms, sending her pulse racing.

  “You don’t have to apologize to me.” He took a step back, his gaze tracking down her body and back up before he met her eyes. “You’re absolutely amazing.”

  Self-conscious, she turned, grabbing for her robe on the back of the door.

  Ethan took hold of her hand, stopping her. “Wait a minute.” He turned her again until her profile reflected in the mirror, his muscled form moving forward. “Look at your belly, Sarah. You actually have a little bump.” When he rested his big hand against her, covering the small curve, she watched his eyes fill with wonder and her resolve to keep her distance began to crumble.

  Her palm covered his and he stepped closer. Enchanted by the moment, she didn’t resist when he pressed his lips to hers. He deepened the kiss and she closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his mouth against hers. He stroked callused fingers over her belly, making her shiver. Her hands rested against his chest, intending to push him away, but they wandered to his shoulders, pulling him to her.

  Ethan feathered kisses over her cheeks, her jawbone, down her neck while his fingers journeyed up to move in slow circles over the silk of her bra. His gentle touches left a trail of goose bumps, hardening her nipples. His warm breath heated her sensitized skin and she gasped as she began to simmer from the inside out. He flicked his tongue against fabric as he tugged at the front clasp, catching her heavy breasts in his palms.

  “My God, Sarah,” he groaned, suckling, tracing circles until she snagged her lip with her teeth on a moan and ran her hands through his hair. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Staring into his gaze, listening to her heart, she met his mouth again in a hungry daze. Her mind protested her mistake, but she didn’t care. Reality was for later. Tugging on his arm, she knelt with him, thigh to thigh, on the plush bath mat.

  Sarah pressed herself against his firm chest and he closed his eyes as he hugged her close, stroking the skin of her sides.

  “Let me be with you, Sarah. I miss being with you.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder, moved her hands over his firm butt, aching to touch him, craving to be touched.

  He eased back. “Sarah.”

  She couldn’t take the anticipation anymore. “God, Ethan. Put your hands on me.”

  Something passed through his eyes, something dark, dangerous, primitive as he stared at her, laying her back against the large rug. A thrill coursed through her and she moaned from the promise alone, knowing he was about to take her exactly where she wanted to go.

  Ethan began his journey down, skimming his teeth against her skin, tugging her panties free, leaving her half crazy from the waiting. He rained kisses along her knees, her thighs, and her hips set a rhythm. “Ethan.”

  His lips barely made contact as his tongue darted out in just the right spot. Sarah shuddered out a breath, sucked one in, on the edge. He nipped next, bringing her pleasure and pain. “Mmm, Ethan.”

  He spread her legs wider, pulling her into his mouth, suckling. Gasping, she tensed, clenching her fists, raising herself up on her elbows, watching his assault, feeling the smooth skin of his inner lips, the course tension of his tongue. “God, Ethan, God, Ethan,” she panted. She was there, almost over.

  His finger plunged in, sweeping, massaging, while his mouth continued, relentless. Sarah lost her breath on a half cry, half scream, shattering as she never had before. Lost in something indescribable, she shuddered violently on wave after wave of bliss. Bright colors flashed before her eyes and her head fell back.

  Before she could recover, he thrust himself into her. She cried out again as he sent her reeling.

  Flesh slapped against sweaty flesh as he slid back and forth. She gripped his hips, unable to do more. Ethan puffed gasps in and out and she stared as his glorious body tensed, as he threw his head back on a feral groan.

  He collapsed on top of her, his rapid breathing heating her shoulder, before he pulled away and rolled to his side.

  They stared at each other, catching their breath. When he smiled at her moments later, she smiled back, not knowing what to say.

  He trailed his hand to her lower stomach, resting his palm there. The animal was gone and Ethan was back, touching her tenderly. “I never knew I’d find a pregnant woman so sexy.”

  “Just give it a few more weeks; we’ll see if you change your mind.”

  His smile vanished. “I won’t. You’re carrying my baby and I love you.”

  The truth was in his eyes, but she wasn’t ready to give him everything again. Would she ever be? Losing him would wound as deeply as losing Jake. If he came home one day, deciding he had changed his mind, it wouldn’t be any different than the day the soldiers knocked at her door. She wouldn’t be able to find her way through the grief this time. She couldn’t lose like that again. On muscles still weak, she tried to sit up, needing to break contact.

  He held her down with one hand against her shoulder. “I love you, Sarah. I love Kylee and this baby. Why don’t you believe me?”

  “Love is just a word without the feelings behind it.”

  Hurt flashed in his eyes as he moved back, pulled on his boxers and stood. “I know I screwed up, Sarah. I know I let you down, but what is it going to take to prove to you I mean exactly what I say? You believed me a month ago. How do we get back there?”

  Sitting up, she wrapped her arms around her knees. “I don’t know. I really don’t. Everything’s changed. I don’t recognize my life anymore. Right now I need time. Just give me time to figure everything out.”

  He crouched in front of her, taking her face in his hands. “I won’t give up on us, Sarah. I love you. I need you. Make sure you think about that while you’re figuring everything out.”

  Ethan stood and walked out.

  Ethan made his way to the guest room all but vibrating with frustration. He tried to ignore the hurt hovering under the surface but wasn’t succeeding. As he shut the door, he had to stop himself from slamming it, from smashing his fist against the wood. Damn it! Why wouldn’t she believe him?

  He’d watched her eyes while they moved together. She’d been with him. They’d been connected, on the same page. Why did everything seem less complicated when they were in bed?

  Pacing about, he stopped and stared out the window, focusing on the wild waves of the Pacific, already knowing the answer to his own question. When they were together, lost in the sensations they brought each other, it was all about emotion. Sarah wasn’t willing to let her emotions lead her right now.

  He’d hurt her, more than he realized. It was going to be a long road back to where they left off. The only thing he could do was keep telling her, keep showing her that he wasn’t going anywhere. It would be his goal to spend as much time with her and Kylee as possible. His family would be together by the time the
baby came. There was no other option.

  Bone tired and weary, Ethan rubbed at his eyes, turning toward the bed. He glanced at the clock, winced. It was going to be hell on earth getting up in four hours. As he pulled the covers back, the flashing red blip on his phone caught his attention.

  Whoever had left the message could wait. Lying back against the pillow, he closed his eyes.

  What if it was Wren? What if she was in trouble?

  “Goddamn it.”

  He grabbed the phone, coming to attention when he read Tucker Campbell’s number in his missed call box. Pushing a button, he retrieved the message.

  “Ethan, it’s Tucker. We’ve made an arrest in the stalker case. It looks like we’ve got him cold. I’ll keep you up to date as things unfold.”

  He dialed Tucker’s number, unable to wait for an update.

  “Detective Myers.”

  “Tucker, it’s Ethan. I know you’re busy, but do you have a second?”

  “I have about two. Hold on.” The racket of the police station quieted when a door closed. “Okay.”

  “So, you’ve got him?”

  “Yeah, it looks like. An anonymous tip came in at one a.m. yesterday morning. We’ve been keeping the break under wraps until we can be positive, but it looks pretty tight.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “For one, this is the first night in weeks we haven’t been called out to find a woman dead with piano wire wrapped around her neck, and two, his trunk was loaded with all kinds of evidence. CSI found numerous blonde hairs, the taser, wire and condoms. The lab is rushing results on the hairs, but at this point we’re pretty damn sure.”

  “How long until they get back to you?”

  “About four or five days. I really have to go. I have a date with our man-of-the-hour in interrogation room one.”

  “Keep me posted.”

  Ethan hung up, put his phone back on the side table, stared at the ceiling. A cautious weight lifted from his shoulders. It was over. They caught the bastard. Sarah was no longer in danger. Life could go back to normal. They would wait for the lab results, of course, but by next week, Sarah and Kylee more than likely wouldn’t be living with him.