He enjoyed seeing them both happy, he really did, but it brought home how much he lacked. His failures, and the fact his son suffered as a result. If he’d satisfied his wife, she never would’ve strayed, and their son wouldn’t need to try so hard to find a mom.
Because he was tired, in more ways than one, he was done. “It’s been a long day. I’m heading inside.” He glanced at his dad. “Please send Tyler in when he’s done.”
“Ethan, you can’t just go in,” Ben said, deep frown creasing his brow.
“Yes, I can. Watch.”
Without waiting for reply, he spun around and strode straight up the bank toward his deck. He knew Phoebe and Tyler together was a bad idea, but what he hadn’t counted on was his reaction to their connection. And, oh, hell yeah, the actress and his son definitely clicked.
Since it became abundantly clear the three of them couldn’t be in the same area, Ethan did the only thing he could—removed himself from the equation.
The next evening, Phoebe stopped by Jill’s after rehearsal to help her friend pack. After a long night of tossing and turning, and an exhausting day of learning new routines that just wouldn’t stick in her foggy brain, she barely had any energy left for physical labor. But she’d promised to help, so she embraced her task of wrapping dishes for the past two hours. It was either that or head to the resort and chance bumping into Tyler and his dad again.
Not an option. She preferred to cause heat in Ethan’s gaze, not suck the life out of it like last night.
A shiver ran through her at the memory.
“Phoebe?”
She blinked her friend back into focus. “Yes?”
Jill frowned. “Is everything okay? You looked a little…I don’t know. Lost.”
Because she was. Totally and completely. She was in town to work on a play, on her career, not her social life. She was an idiot.
“No, just thinking about Ethan’s face last night when I showed up at the fire pit to catch lightening bugs with Tyler.”
“That’s sweet. What was the problem?”
“That I showed up to catch lightening bugs with Tyler,” she replied. “I’m not supposed to spend time with his son…but I didn’t know the boy I promised to catch the bugs with was his son.”
“Did you tell Ethan that? I’m sure he’d understand.”
She snorted. “No, he left and went inside for the night.” She still felt that sting today, even though she understood his reasoning. Bad idea for the three of them to be together at once.
Jill’s brows disappeared under her dark bangs. “Wow.”
“Yeah, he didn’t seem too happy, and I never got a chance to explain.” The muffled sound of car doors slamming met her ears as she carried her packed box to stack in the hallway.
Her friend set her box by the door. “Well, you can now.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“He just arrived with Mason to help take the boxes to the resort.”
Damn. Was there anywhere she could go where she wouldn’t run into the guy?
“It’ll be okay,” Jill reassured.
But before Phoebe could respond, or panic, the door swung open and two tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed handsome men strode in. One shut the door then stiffened as he stared at her, the other walked right up to Jill, cupped her face, and kissed her as if he hadn’t seen her in years. Decades.
A really, really long time.
With a grin tugging her mouth, she turned and quietly walked back into the kitchen to let the couple have their privacy. Apparently, Ethan felt the same, because he entered the kitchen a few seconds behind her, gaze bouncing around the chaos of boxes and bubble-foam packing.
“You’ve been busy,” he observed, nodding toward a few empty cupboards.
She’d rather talk about last night, but they weren’t alone. “Yes. I came straight here after rehearsal.”
“Hi, Phoebe. Thanks for helping Jill,” Mason said, walking in and around the table to kiss her on the cheek. “Take a break. We’re going to run to her cousin’s pizza shop and grab some supper for the four us. We’ll be back in a bit.”
A second later, she was alone with Ethan.
Sighing, he shook his head. “Sorry about that. They’re about as subtle as a jackhammer.”
“It’s okay.” She held his gaze. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“I wasn’t supposed to, but Keiffer backed out. Said he’d forgotten and made other plans, but I think he just didn’t want to leave his room.”
Her heart squeezed for the youngest Wyne, and the oldest. “So, you stepped up, even though you were busy.”
“How’d you know I was busy?”
She laughed. “Because you’re you. Father, coach, guide, guardsman, son, brother.”
He shrugged. “So are a lot of other men.”
“True, but not all of them just get off work and fit in helping his brother’s fiancée move before he has to coach his son’s little league team.”
Surprise washed over his face that she knew all that, but he remained quiet, not disputing her claim. Because it was true. And, God, she hated that she was adding to the stress in his life.
“Look, Ethan, about last night…I’m sorry. I had no idea he was your son when I agreed to meet him and his friends by the fire pit.”
His jaw clenched and unclenched. “I know. But I hope you understand now, Phoebe. You saw how Tyler was with you. It’s just too dangerous to feed him false hope.” He shoved a hand through his hair, then blew out a breath and met her gaze. “I feel really bad for asking, but could you please stay away from him?”
Her heart squeezed. “Of course.” She nodded. “That’s why I’m here tonight. Figured it was safer to head back to the resort a little later.”
“I appreciate it. But I still feel like a grade A jerk.”
“Hey, don’t.” She stepped close to touch his arm. “I get it. I really do. Tyler’s a great little boy, Ethan. He’s bright, kind, and considerate. You’ve done an amazing job with him.”
His head snapped back and brown gaze narrowed with shock, which slowly turned to appreciation. “Thanks.”
Her heart squeezed tighter at the gratitude ruling his features. “No one really tells you that, do they?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Except my sister.”
“Well, she’s right, and you need to know what a great job you’re doing.” She wanted to say more, but the warmth and longing in his gaze sucked the cells from her brain.
A second later, she didn’t know who made the first move, but they were in each other’s arms, kissing long and deep, as if they hadn’t seen each other in days. Weeks.
A really, really long time.
Damn, he tasted good. All hot and hungry, taking what he wanted while giving in return. And he gave. Oh hell yeah. He gave her a thundering pulse, tingling body, weak knees, and a fierce longing to be naked underneath him.
And his hands, big and rough and perfect, cupped her ass and her breast, heating her through the thin material of her sundress. His thumb brushed over her nipple, and she couldn’t stop her moan any better than the tremor that shook her body.
In a swift move, he lifted her up and set her on the table, knocking supplies to the floor, but she was beyond caring. It gave them more room. She wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him in close. Yeah, right there. He was hard and thick, she could feel him through his jeans as she rocked against him. She never wanted anyone so fast or so much in her life. It was insane.
“Killing me,” he muttered against her neck after he released her mouth to drive her bat-shit crazy with little nips, and licks and kisses. His fingers nudged the straps of her dress down her arms and tugged the bodice aside to reveal her white, lacey demi bra. “Gorgeous,” he breathed.
Then his mouth was warm and wet on her breast, and when his tongue slipped under the lace to rasp over a nipple, she grasped his head and held tight.
He had the blood singing through her veins and body
trembling to a familiar tempo only he could compose. Those talented lips of his closed around her tip and sucked, ripping a moan from her throat while her fingers tightened on his hair.
From somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew they shouldn’t be doing this, but at the moment, the only thing she cared about was his wicked lips giving equal time to her other aching breast.
Always on the same page, Ethan transferred his attention, tugging the lace aside, brushing her pebbled tip with his tongue before the warm pull of his mouth had her crying out his name.
The muffled sound of car doors slamming somehow made it through her muddle brain. His, too, because they broke apart, and he quickly righted her clothes before he helped her down.
“Sorry, Phoebe. That got out of hand,” he rasped then scrambled to the other side of the room as he cursed.
She echoed the sentiment in her head and grabbed an armload of bubble wrap from the floor.
“We’re back,” Jill called from the door as if they needed the warning.
Hysterical laughter bubbled up her throat, because yeah, they’d needed it.
“Oh, good, you cleared a spot,” her friend said, setting a bag on the table while Mason placed two boxes of pizza alongside.
Pretending that was exactly why she was holding the wrap in her hands, she nodded then carried her armful to the corner and dropped it on the floor. “Do you need me to make more room?”
“No,” Mason answered, glancing at his brother. “We got it.”
Nodding, Ethan grabbed an empty box by his feet and carried it to the table for Mason to fill with the rest of the supplies. “Smells good. Was Nicco working tonight?”
“No.” Mason shook his head. “His sister was, and she was shorthanded. That’s what took so long.”
“Yeah, but Evie threw in some extra wings,” Jill added, shoving a plate of wings and pizza in front of her with a grin. “I hope you’re hungry.”
That hysterical laughter threatened to escape once again, but she managed to swallow it back down with a bite of pepperoni supreme. And no way would she look at Ethan. No way. That would be a huge mistake, especially since he was the cause of her hunger.
Once the fog cleared from her mind, her taste buds woke up. “This is good,” she mumbled between bites. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was in New York.”
Jill laughed. “I know, right? My uncle has roots there, but he opened up shop here in the Poconos decades ago. He’s semi-retired now, so my cousin Evie runs the restaurant. Her brother helps out when he isn’t fighting fires or drilling with the National Guard.”
“I can see why they’ve been in business for so long. They put a few of the shops in the city to shame.” She wasn’t saying that to keep the focus off her and Ethan. It was true. The crust was light and flakey yet sturdy, while the sauce was tangy with just enough sweet to balance the palate.
Okay, and it was also a good topic to keep the focus off her and Ethan. So were a few well-placed questions about Jill’s move. Once her friend took the bait, she relaxed and let Jill’s enthusiasm dominate the conversation. This allowed her to ponder what had happened between her and Ethan.
One touch and she’d gone up in smoke. Unexpected. Unacceptable. Dangerous.
Tyler wasn’t the only Wyne she needed to avoid.
She’d steer clear of the little boy for his father’s sake, but avoid being alone with his father for her sake, and the sake of her heart.
And sanity.
A week later, Ethan fired up his laptop during his lunch break to Skype with his sister in the privacy of his bedroom. They usually talked once or twice a week, but with life getting so hectic lately, he was lucky to chat twice a month.
Maybe now that Jill had completely moved in with Mason five days ago, and Phoebe left the resort and occupied the cottage, he could enjoy a little more peace.
At least he didn’t have to worry about Tyler running into her at the resort. That helped reduce his stress level. But, she still invaded his dreams, and he had yet to put their incredible kiss out of his mind. Although, it was hard to do when guilt flooded his gut over practically molesting the beauty on Jill’s table.
Phoebe didn’t protest, his mind insisted.
True, but they’d both been caught off guard.
“You look tired, Ethan,” Brandi said, her brow furrowing. “You need to slow down.”
He laughed. “When life allows it, sis.”
“Well, it had better when Kade and I bring Tyler back with us to Texas in July.”
He nodded, looking forward to the respite, and yet, he hadn’t been away from his son for more than two weeks, since last deployment which was when his wife had died.
“Are you alone?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered, his whole body tensing.
Damn, he hoped she wasn’t going to grill him about Phoebe. But, since she was best friends with Lea, he knew it was only a matter of time before the subject came up.
“How’s Keiffer?”
The only other question he’d rather not answer. He shook his head and thought about lying, but Brandi always could see through his bullshit.
“Not great,” he eventually replied. “He’s not eating much, isn’t re-upping his Guard contract this month, and to be perfectly honest, sis, it’s like he’s given up on life, or his life, anyway. Like he feels guilty living since his friend isn’t.”
She closed her eyes and nodded, a lone tear slipping down her face. “Thanks for telling me,” she said, opening her eyes. “I appreciate you not trying to lie.”
“That’s because I know better. You see right through it.” He smiled. “It’s like you have a bullshit meter in your brain, or something.”
A sparkle lit her eyes. “Especially with you.”
He was glad to see the sadness lift from her expression and tug her mouth upward. “Don’t I know?”
“Speaking of bullshit.” Smiling, she sat back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “Tell me about Phoebe.”
Damn. He knew it’d only be a matter of time before she broached the subject.
“She’s Lea’s neighbor and friends with Jill.”
“Very funny, Ethan.” Brandi snickered. “You spent the night with her, and now she’s at the resort, and according to the newspaper article I read, she’ll be in town the whole summer.”
Ah, hell. He forgot she subscribed to the local paper online to keep up with the news here in the Poconos. And Phoebe was news. Twice now, there’d been an article in the entertainment section about the famous Broadway star set to grace the local stage.
“True. All of it.” He grinned to, hopefully, through her off his thoughts. “You are amazing.”
She leaned forward to shake a finger at the screen. “And you’re already slinging bullshit. I want to hear how you feel about the woman being in town. She’s stunning, and talented. I’ve seen her perform a few times. Truly mesmerizing, so I find it interesting that, according to Ben, you were less than thrilled when she showed up to catch fireflies with Tyler last week. And the other night, Mason said you could cut the tension in his kitchen with a plastic spoon.”
He snickered. “He said that? A plastic spoon?”
“Yes, and quit trying to change the focus. Spill, bro. All of it.”
“Ah, sis, ever the romantic. Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s nothing to spill. I already admitted you were right. I slept with her, and now she’s in town for the summer.”
“And are you going to sleep with her again?”
His head snapped back. “Jesus, Brandi that is not a conversation I’m willing to have with my sister.”
Or anyone.
“But you do want to sleep with her again. You like her. I can tell.”
He smirked. “Now who’s slinging bullshit?”
Which happened to hit the bullseye. He did want to sleep with Phoebe, and that was the damn problem.
“I had a great teacher,” she said, then cocked her head. “Ju
st remember, I’ll be up there in a few weeks, and I’ll just see for myself. I look forward to meeting Phoebe.”
Ah, hell.
His phone rang, saving him from responding to his sister’s warning. He glanced at the caller ID. “Hang on, Brandi,” he told her as he answered his phone. “Yeah, Mason, what’s up?”
“Can you take the two-thirty hike? I have the fishing run at two.”
He frowned. “I thought Keiffer was taking it?”
“He can’t make it. Said he wasn’t up to it today.”
His heart rocked into his ribs. “Not up to it? What does that mean? Is he drunk?”
“What’s going on?” Brandi shifted closer to the screen. “What’s up with Keiffer?”
Shit. He forgot about his Skype call.
“No, he didn’t sound drunk,” Mason said on the phone. “Just…like he didn’t want to get out of bed.”
Dammit. The guy needed therapy. Why couldn’t his brother see that?
Ethan glanced at the clock and cursed. “I promised Tyler we’d hike the South Ridge Trail when he got home from school today.”
“Sorry, Ethan,” Mason said. “There’s no one left on the roster to call. I think we should consider hiring another guide.”
“Yeah.” He exhaled slowly. “And I’ll do it. I’ll call and ask Dad to pick Tyler up from school.”
The bus dropped his son off at the bottom of the half-mile-long drive to the resort. He usually went over the schedule for the next day while he waited in his truck.
“Thanks, Ethan. Sorry,” Mason said again, before hanging up.
Yeah, he was sorry, too. Sorry their brother didn’t seek the help he needed. It was as if the guy didn’t want to lessen the pain. Didn’t want solace.
“Ethan? Talk to me,” Brandi said, her voice stretched thin. “What’s going on with Keiffer?”
He shook his head and cursed again. “I wish I knew, sis. He’s been blowing off his duties both here and for family. He’s the reason I was helping Mason the other night. I just hope to God he’ll feel up to attending Ben’s wedding.”
Wyne and Song Page 9
