Saved by Love

by Christine Kingsley

But as he reached the bakery and pulled open the door, scanning the inside of the building, she realized that while she may not need a guy and he may not be the safest bet, she couldn't ignore what was already building between them.

  His eyes settled on her as he stood in the doorway, and there was an intensity to his gaze that nearly made her stop breathing altogether.

  "Wow," Cassie murmured. "Did I say chemistry? I take it back. There's like a gravitational pull between you two." She stood up and gathered the mugs. "Don't even try to fight it." Then she was gone, leaving Abby alone as Ethan made his way over to the table.

  "Hey," he said softly, studying her so closely she felt as if he were looking through to her very core.

  "Hey."

  "Want to go for a walk with me?"

  She nodded silently and pushed back from the table, taking his extended hand in hers. The smile he gave her was so genuine that she couldn't help smiling back. They made their way hand-in-hand out of the bakery and toward the park in the town square, and she immediately felt lighter.

  What was it about him that could put her at ease, even as he made her heart leap and stomach jitter?

  For the moment, even though he had yet to say anything, she had a respite from her fear. Just being with him felt right.

  And for the first time since Derek died she recognized that maybe she was strong after all. Not broken. And spending time with Ethan didn't make her any less independent. Those were reinforcements she'd put up to keep her wall strong. She'd needed that. But maybe it was time to venture outside the wall and see that there was still a life to live.

  Acting on impulse, she stopped and turned to Ethan. "Look, I know we've only just met—"

  He narrowed his eyes. So serious all of a sudden. It was a side of him she hadn't seen yet. "So you've said. But here's the thing. Why does the amount of time we've known each other matter? Abby, I want to get to know you. But I don't think knowing you for an hour or a year is going to change the fact that I can't get you out of my head."

  She blinked, then managed to whisper, "You can't?"

  He squeezed her hand and gave her a smile that made her pulse ratchet up a notch. "No. So the way I look at it, you have two choices. Sit back and play it safe—which I already know you're good at. Or be a little crazy with me and take a chance on a guy you just met."

  He had a read on her that was incredibly accurate. But her decision had already been made. Probably from the minute she'd let him into her apartment two days ago. She'd just been fighting it.

  But as he watched her with uncertainty, she felt more sure than she had in a long time. Safe or not, she wanted more of Ethan Barnes.

  "Let's be crazy," she said, stepping closer to him. "Now shut up and kiss me already."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ethan didn't have to be told twice. He didn't know where this was coming from, but he was the kind of guy that jumped in feet first and asked questions later. Kissing Abby was no exception.

  "Happy to oblige, ma'am," he said, tipping an invisible cowboy hat.

  Keeping his hand intertwined with hers, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed on the small of her back, gently guiding her closer. With his other hand he reached up to brush a lock of hair from her cheek, then trailed his fingers to the nape of her neck and wound them through the silky strands, watching for her reaction. At the slightest sign of uncertainty, he'd stop.

  Surprising him with a complete lack of hesitation, Abby tilted her head up to his as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And it felt like it. Having her pressed against him felt like coming home.

  The slight whisper of her breath hitching as her eyes fluttered closed did him in and he couldn't wait a minute longer to do what he'd so badly wanted to the other night. With the lightest touch, Ethan lowered his mouth to hers.

  He felt Abby tremble slightly, then grip his shirt where her hand rested at his side. His blood pounded through his veins and it was all he could do not to ravish her there in the middle of the town square.

  Keeping his hand on the back of her head, he deepened the kiss, the desire he felt for her taking even him by surprise. He couldn't get enough of her, and her response to him nearly made him lose all conscious thought.

  She pressed her body against his, meeting his passion with a fierceness of her own as her hands roamed up his back, leaving a trail of fire everywhere they touched.

  "Ethan," she said with a quiet moan as he placed a line of hungry kisses down her neck to her collar bone.

  A passing car blared its horn, and he was dimly aware that they should probably tone it down. But having her so pliant and responsive to his touch made it hard to think. Ethan felt every muscle in his body scream in protest as he fought for control.

  "Abby." His voice was husky as he pulled away and looked down at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips swollen, and he didn't think she could look any more appealing than she did at that moment as she lifted heavy-lidded eyes to his.

  He groaned and lowered his forehead to hers. "You're going to make me want to throw you over my shoulder and haul you back to my apartment like a caveman if you don't stop looking at me like that, and I think we've already made it to the top of the gossip column for the week."

  She giggled and bit her lip, but didn't shy away from him. That was progress.

  "While the idea does hold some appeal, I'll save you the trouble and stay on my own two feet."

  Ethan lifted his head to look at the sky and ran a hand over his face as he let out a ragged breath. "Let's walk." He was still coming down from the intensity of that kiss. "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that?"

  She kept her hand in his as they walked, and Ethan felt a rush of relief. He hadn't thought that through—at all. A bad habit of his. He was half afraid that she would take off, considering how skittish she had seemed the other day. He only meant to give her a teasing kiss. Instead he'd wanted to drag her to the ground in the middle of the park. He didn't think a woman had ever made him completely lose his senses like that.

  She cocked an eyebrow at him. "I do believe that was a kiss. Based on the skill with which you did it, I'd say it wasn't your first rodeo, either."

  When she grinned at him, Ethan laughed. She had so many different facets to her personality and he couldn't wait to discover each one.

  "I'll take that as a compliment. Seriously, though, I have to say I'm a little confused. When I saw you earlier, you looked like kissing me was the last thing on your mind."

  Her eyes darkened momentarily, but she shook her head as if to clear it of the memory and met his gaze head-on. "First of all," she held up a finger, "kissing you has been the only thing on my mind since the other night—"

  "Whoa, wait. What?"

  She ignored his question, lifting a second finger. "Second of all, I don't know what I saw earlier. Maybe you can enlighten me?"

  Ethan groaned in frustration this time. "You can't just say that, then change gears like that. I want to hear about how you've had me on your mind for the last two days."

  With a jab of her elbow to his ribs, she said, "I think you are the one who brought up what happened earlier. So go on." She said it with a smile, so he knew she wasn't upset, but he still hated to spoil the good vibe between them by talking about what went down with Marissa.

  He sighed and looked around at the trees that surrounded them on the walking trail. "Let's just say that was my ex. We haven't spoken in over a year. And the whole purpose of the scene she was trying to cause was that she was being manipulative because she's jealous of you."

  Abby sputtered, her face a picture of comic disbelief. "Me? You're joking. Why would she have any reason to be jealous of me?"

  Pulling her closer to his side and tucking her under his arm, Ethan mimicked her by holding up a finger. "First, you're the most gorgeous woman to set foot in this town in I don't know how long." She started to protest again, but he cut her off. "Second, you have totally and completely captured the attention o
f a certain sexy fireman, which apparently she doesn't like." He flashed a toothy grin. "Which brings us back to the more pertinent matter at hand. You can't stop thinking about me."

  Abby laughed. "You're unbelievable."

  Ethan thought it was the other way around, and he didn't know how he'd lucked out so easily at winning her over. Especially when he thought he was going to have to work for it. He almost hated to ask the next question, but he knew it would drive him crazy if he didn't.

  "So, what changed?"

  "What do you mean?"

  He stopped walking and turned her gently by the shoulders so that they were facing each other again. "Everything. Two days ago you couldn't get up the stairs to your apartment fast enough. Now you're begging me to kiss you."

  Her dark eyes widened. "Begging you? I don't think you put up much of a fight."

  "You're evading the question."

  She shrugged, and that wary look came back into her eyes for a minute as she avoided his gaze as well. Nope. He wasn't going to let her slide back into that shell again. He gently turned her chin so that she had to look at him.

  Sighing, she said, "It's a long and complicated story. I don't really want to get into it right now. Just like you don't exactly want to spill your guts about your ex." He raised his eyebrows at that, and she looked at him pointedly. "Yeah, it's that obvious. How about we just agree to leave the past where it belongs for now?"

  He thought he could do that. For now. "It's a deal. But that still doesn't tell me why you changed your mind."

  "Maybe you're just that irresistible?" she teased.

  He gave her a mock-smoldering look. "Yeah, I can buy that. Just promise me one thing," he said, growing serious. He felt they'd had some kind of shift today, though he couldn't figure out why. He wasn't going to let her off the hook so easily now that he knew how intense this thing between them was.

  "Okay, fine. What?"

  "Let me take you out for ice cream tomorrow."

  She stared, her mouth tilted in a cute little smile. "Ice cream? You're taking me on a date to get ice cream?"

  He shrugged. "Hey, if you want to call it a date, that's up to you. I just want some ice cream." He casually took her hand and turned back in the direction of the apartments. Best to keep this as easy as possible with her. She could retreat at any moment. And just then he was really enjoying the Abby that had come out to play.

  She laughed. "I see. Well, in that case, I guess I'll have to think about it a bit more before deciding what a wild night out for ice cream should be called. And here I thought you were some 'danger is my middle name' kind of guy. I bet you even like sprinkles on your ice cream."

  Ethan shook his head. This side of her was sassy as well as fun. "What's wrong with sprinkles?" He couldn't keep the smile off his face. In fact, he was willing to bet he'd be smiling long after he walked her to her door. And tonight he intended to. They'd just reached the apartment building.

  Abby opened her mouth to say something but he cut her off with a sharp look. "Don't say it. After that kiss just now, there's no way I'm letting you off the hook for a proper goodbye."

  "Is that so? Maybe I was just going to invite you in for coffee." She arched a brow at him suggestively, then erupted in giggles when his mouth dropped open. "Then again, maybe I wasn't. Guess you'll never know now as it's apparently time to say goodbye."

  She started to climb the stairs, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the alcove behind the staircase, pressing her back against the brick wall. Her eyes widened in surprise, then a slow smile spread across her face.

  He ran his gaze over her mouth where she bit down gently on her lower lip. "I think it's time you learned what I mean by a proper goodbye." Placing a hand on the brick on either side of her, he leaned down, invading her space. He could see her chest rise and fall as she began to breathe more heavily.

  Neither of them moved for a moment, Ethan dragging out the anticipation for both of them. He was pretty sure already that he'd never get tired of kissing Abby.

  Then he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. Her hands came to his waist automatically, her fingers tightening to grasp his shirt. The kiss was softer this time, sweeter, and he drew it out as long as he could. Now that they were alone and their apartments were right there, he knew he couldn't get too lost in her or they could end up making a choice they might later regret.

  But damn, was it just about the hardest thing he'd ever done to pull back from her. Especially when she looked up at him with desire burning in her eyes. He took a ragged breath and ran a hand through his hair, then grinned. "So, goodbye then?"

  Abby narrowed her eyes at him. "I think that qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment." She smiled ruefully. "But yes, I think goodbye is good. Or not. But necessary regardless."

  He laced his fingers through hers and led her up the stairs to her apartment, unable to take his eyes off her as they reached her door and she pulled out a key. She turned to him again, uncertainty in her eyes.

  But this time it didn't appear that she was wary of him. Just not sure what to say next.

  Ethan reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then leaned down to kiss her softly on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."

  She smiled. "I work until five."

  He nodded. "Then be ready as six. And don't eat dinner."

  A confused expression came over her face. "I thought we were getting ice cream."

  "We are. But where I'm taking you, the ice cream is so insane that you won't need dinner."

  "Ice cream for dinner?" Abby scoffed, shaking her head.

  He grinned. "Take a walk on the wild side, Abby. No one's going to slap your wrist if you break the rules about dinner." He tilted his head and tickled her ribs when she rolled her eyes at him, laughing when she squealed and squirmed to get away from him.

  "Okay, fine," she said, when he stopped, straightening up and looking at him dubiously. "Ice cream for dinner."

  "It's a date."

  ***

  The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows of Kincade Supply, making Abby feel hotter than she should on a day like this one. Summer was nearing an end and she'd dressed more warmly, thinking that the impending fall should be cooler here in Willow Valley than it was in California. But she'd been wrong. It was blazing inside the supply store and it felt as if the ceiling fans were only circulating hot air.

  She pushed up her sleeves and pulled her hair into a knot on top of her head, using two hair ties from her wrist to secure it. It took two to keep her thick hair in place. Grabbing a flyer from the front counter where she stood, she fanned herself, feeling flushed as she remembered the way Ethan had tangled his fingers in her hair the day before. Okay, so maybe she wasn't just overheated from the lack of adequate air conditioning in the high-roofed, barn-like building.

  At least she'd slept well the night before. She'd felt like a teenager mooning over a boy as she drifted dreamily off to sleep, but it had been a nice if surprising change.

  "Abby!" a voice practically yelled, inches from her ear.

  She jolted from where she'd been leaning on the counter staring off into space at the dust motes that floated through the sun rays. "Jesse! What is wrong with you, scaring me like that?" She dropped the flyer and put a hand to her chest.

  Her brother raised his eyebrows dubiously. "I've only been calling your name for the past two minutes. Where were you? Because you most definitely were not here on planet Earth."

  Abby flushed again and turned to the stack of shirts on the other counter that ran along the wall behind the front register. She hoped Jesse hadn't seen her mooning over Ethan. While they were starting to develop a relationship that actually resembled that of siblings, she wasn't sure she was ready to discuss her love life with him.

  "I'm sorry. I'll get right back to work," she said, not looking at him.

  Jesse came up beside her and leaned on his hip against the counter, crossing his arms across his chest and grinning
. "I can guess it in one word. Ethan."

  She glanced sharply at him. "How in the— Never mind. Small town," she mumbled. "Is everyone always going to know all about my business?"

  "Well, when you start out by creating rumors at the Old Gin, then confirm them by a very, um, intense public display of affection, people are going to talk." He chuckled.

  "Apparently," Abby muttered.

  "So what's the deal?"

  She turned to him, crossing her arms in a mirror of his stance and jutting her chin out. "Are you asking so you can feed the vultures?"

  "Are you calling my wife a vulture?" he returned, barely fighting back a smile.

  Throwing up her hands, Abby blew out her breath in a huff, exasperated. "No! I'm sure if she wanted to know she would come straight out and ask me. So what's this about?"

  "A concerned older brother," he offered. Then he reached out and squeezed her shoulder, becoming serious. "Truly, Ab, I do want you to know that I'm here for you and looking out for you."

  Now she narrowed her eyes and studied him. "Is there something I should know? A reason you need to look out for me?" What if Ethan really was bad news, beyond his daredevil lifestyle? Cassie seemed to think he was a good guy, but maybe Jesse knew something she didn't.

  But he just shook his head and shrugged. "Not that I know of. I just know you've been through a lot and I hope you know you can trust me if you need to talk about anything."

  It was crazy that they'd only known the other existed for less than half a year, and yet the past few months they had already developed a strong relationship. If there was anyone Abby could trust, it was Jesse.

  And that right there almost made her want to tell him everything. All about what happened to Derek. How she hadn't been able to move past it and that it now caused her to live her life in fear.

  She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut again. She just wasn't ready to go there. It was already a huge step that she was trying to tamp down her issues enough to explore this unexpected attraction to Ethan. If she dove into all her issues with her brother now, she'd probably chicken out on her date. And she really, really didn't want to.