“You knew I was coming here. You were in the bakery the day I booked the flight.” She remembered it because Gregory had overheard her on the phone and commented on her trip. You can use the plane ride to Florida to read my book.
Gregory waved a hand. “Oh, right, you’re on vacation. Actually that’s a lucky break then. You’ll have time to discuss my mom’s book and a contract to write your dad’s biography. Why don’t we meet for drinks and—?”
“Ana doesn’t have time. She’s with me.”
She stiffened at Ethan’s ice-cold voice. Shooting him a glare, she said, “Quiet.” It was bad enough she hadn’t handled things with Gregory as well as she should have. Okay, she’d been avoiding the problem. But she didn’t need Ethan taking over. She’d fix it.
“Who are you?” Gregory asked.
“Her date.”
Gregory eyed the suitcase, then shifted to Ethan. “Ana and I are friends, and we’re working together on a project.” He returned his focus to her. “You’ve read the book, right? And my proposal? We should get started right away on your dad’s story. I know I can get a big publisher to pay attention to a story about Roger Kendall, the home run king.”
Unbelievable. It was like Gregory had rewritten reality into a version he liked. Time for her to be absolutely clear. “We’re not working together. I told you no, and I meant it. I’m not going to read the book you wrote or hire you to write my dad’s biography.” She didn’t know how to be more specific than that.
He stopped bouncing. “But you said you would. This is my big chance. Publishers wouldn’t even read my mom’s biography, but they’ll fight for your dad’s. This will get me in the door. You have to—”
“Stop.” She’d had enough. “The answer is no. It’s not changing, and you need to leave me alone. Don’t email, call, text or wait for me in the bakery.” Frustrated, ticked and a little frightened that Gregory had actually arranged to show up where she was on vacation, she stomped away.
“Listen to her, or you’re dealing with me,” Ethan added.
Ana struggled to calm down and think. She’d talked to Gregory twice before he sent her his book through email. That was the moment she’d realized that he’d mistaken her casual chatter as something more. She’d told him she wasn’t interested and avoided him after that. Ignoring him hadn’t worked, so what should she do next? Should she call her dad’s lawyer that had helped Ana and Linda settle his estate? Absolutely, she’d do that today. What about notifying the police? But Gregory hadn’t made any threat, so…
“Who is that?”
Ethan’s sharp question slowed her spinning thoughts. “Gregory Yates. He calls himself a sports biographer, but I think the only thing he’s written is a book on his mother, who was a professional tennis player before he was born.”
“So this guy’s been bugging you, and you didn’t say anything? What the hell, Ana?”
Like she wasn’t concerned enough? Yeah she’d seen that Gregory continued to hang around the bakery, trying to talk to her. But Ana had been sidetracked and a tad more worried about the lump in her breast than a customer who didn’t understand boundaries. She didn’t need Ethan in her face about it now.
She walked faster, her irritation ramping up. “Why would I tell you? And what was that back there with you acting all caveman proprietary? ‘She’s my date. She’s with me.’ You don’t get to lay some claim on me when it’s convenient but ignore me when I need…” Her eyes started to sting. Shut up. Just shut up. He hadn’t even known, so she didn’t get to lay that on him.
And jeez, get over it already. She’d had a little scare. Big fucking deal. People out there had real problems. Right now, she needed to focus on her more pressing issue of Gregory, not her self-pity because she’d faced a tiny ordeal alone.
“That wasn’t a coincidence back there,” Ethan nearly shouted back. “He was waiting for you to walk by. I saw him before he called out to you. He was watching, Ana. Are you hearing me?”
She’d already figured that out for herself, but he didn’t give her a chance to answer.
“A man followed you from San Diego to Florida, and I’m supposed to stand there and let him believe you’re unprotected? I don’t think so. I need to figure out if he’s dangerous. Hell, what am I saying, he fucking followed you. He’s a stalker. Jesus, how did you get involved with him?”
“I didn’t get involved. I talked to him in the bakery because he looked lonely. His mom died, my dad had died, and we talked about it. He told me he’d written a book. It was two conversations and suddenly he emails me a book and a proposal to write my dad’s biography.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You gave him your email address?”
The aggravation in his voice snapped the last of her patience. “It’s on my business card.” She stopped walking, realizing they were already in the parking area. “I’m not explaining myself to you. I didn’t do a damn thing I should have to defend, but even if I did, it’s none of your business. Either you want a few days of fun, or we call it quits right now.”
His hard face softened. “How about a two-for-one deal? A few days of sexy fun and a friend who’s concerned. Because that shit that just happened with Gregory has stalker written all over it. The guy followed you on your vacation. Let that sink in. Followed you from California to Florida, checked into the hotel right next to you and hung around until he saw you.”
A chill rippled down her spine. “It’s creepy.”
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against him. “Stay at the manor for a few days. He should get the message. And if he calls or texts, ignore him. Don’t feed whatever delusion he has going on.”
That was very sound advice. “All right. Thanks. I’ll call my dad’s lawyer once I’m settled in. He’ll know the best way to handle this.” Ignoring Gregory hadn’t worked, so she had to get proactive. It sucked to deal with it on her vacation when she’d hoped to get away from responsibility for a week.
Ethan opened his mouth, but Ana cut him off, done with Gregory. “I’ll take care of it. Up to now, he’s been annoying, but he crossed a line today. I’ll give everything to my lawyer and handle it. Gregory will soon learn I’m no one’s victim.”
Nope. She’d lived through that once, and when she’d asked for help from her mom, all she got back was accusations. Yeah, her dad and stepmom rescued her, but at a high cost to them, one she wasn’t really able to pay back.
So now? Ana rescued herself.
* * *
Ethan glanced over at Ana in the passenger seat of the Jaguar convertible. With the top down, the wind blew her hair, and she was struggling to tame it into a ponytail.
A gust tore the band out of her hand.
As she reached into her purse, fishing out another one, Ana’s laughter pealed out.
That sound went right to his dick. So much better than her earlier worry and the sudden harsh withdrawal from him when Gregory confronted her. Ethan had automatically stepped in, making it clear she was his to protect. He didn’t care if this was temporary. Someone threatened Ana, they dealt with him. It was that simple, except to Ana. She’d shut him down hard. Yet she’d had no problem letting him touch, kiss and restrain her wrists. That thought unleashed another torrent of lust. He’d always been attracted to her, but this? Christ, she was hitting all his buttons, the ones he purposely ignored.
His fantasies about forced seduction weren’t a bad thing, but he avoided the intimacy that kind of sex game would require. It’d take real trust for a woman to allow him to hold her down, force her to climax for him and then bury his cock in her, wringing more orgasms from her, proving she wanted him.
“Your knuckles are white.”
Her soft voice dragged him out of his introspection, and he loosened his hold on the steering wheel. He was too worked up. When he’d gotten the text calling him into work, he’d had the urge to ignore it. Turn off his phone and focus on Ana. He couldn’t walk away from her again, not like he had eleven months ag
o. When she’d agreed to come to the manor with him, it had been an instant relief to know they’d have more time together. But right now, he had to distract himself from thinking about getting her naked.
Casting around, he searched for another subject. “You don’t wear your glasses anymore?”
“Nope, I got LASIK.”
She’d been cute in her glasses, but he liked her either way. “So are you still living in the condo? Or did you use some of your inheritance to buy another place?”
She sighed. “I’m so tired of everyone thinking I’m suddenly rich. Everything went to Linda. It’s her money, not mine. Why don’t people get that?”
He’d assumed Ana had inherited at least a portion of her dad’s estate. She was his daughter, after all. “Some people might resent their stepparent getting all the money. Does it bother you?”
“No. I wish he’d lived. That bothers me. But Linda was the love of his life and more of a mom to me than my biological mother. I knew what was in my dad’s will. None of this is a surprise or feels wrong to me.”
Ethan studied her in between watching the road. She tucked the flared skirt of her sundress—the same one she’d been wearing earlier—tighter beneath her thighs to keep the wind from catching it. A bit of sadness clung to her, the grief for her dad.
But she really didn’t care about the money.
Something else nagged at him. “Who else is bugging you about the inheritance?”
Her face twisted. “After years of near silence, my mom’s been calling and texting me.”
He never quite understood what happened with her mom. He knew Ana’d lived with her until around fourteen, then went to live with her dad. “Your parents never married, right?”
“Nope. That part of my mom’s plan failed. My dad wouldn’t marry her when she got pregnant. So she went to plan B, soaking him for child support. He paid, getting only minimal visitation in the deal.”
“You don’t like your mom much, do you?” Something he understood all too well.
“She’s a gold digger. She married another rich guy just before I turned fourteen and moved us to Washington, making it even harder for me to see my dad.”
“Why’s she contacting you now?”
“Because she thinks I’m suddenly wealthy. Her latest thing is pressuring me about going up there for her husband’s fifty-fifth birthday party.”
“You going?”
“No.” She fisted her hand on the leather seat.
Hmm. “You don’t like him?”
“I’m not getting within a hundred feet of him.”
The hairs on the back of his neck rose. Ethan steered around a truck then turned to her. I’m no one’s victim. She’d said that a few minutes ago in reference to Gregory, but had she been her stepfather’s victim once? Rage simmered along his nerve endings. If that bastard had hurt her… “What did—?”
“I don’t want to talk about my parents.” She forcibly relaxed in her seat and raised an eyebrow at him. “Unless you want to tell me about yours?”
Hell no. He didn’t ever want Ana to know about that. He shut up and drove.
Chapter 5
“This is Bayside Manor?” Ana blurted out in awe. The massive gates slid open, and they drove up a long, winding road through lush lands and passed a few buildings. “What are those?”
“Recording studio with offices, and three casitas are scattered around. This place is owned by a record label.”
Wow. The scope of the life Ethan was living sank in. Finally they reached a huge, multistory, sand-colored mansion overlooking Tampa Bay. The building had curving lines that made her think of a gentle wave. “This beats the hell out of a hotel.”
Inside the house was even more breathtaking, all done in whites, ocean blues and sea greens. “How big is this place?”
“Not sure. Big enough for ten bedroom suites.”
She crossed the cool marble floor, barely noticing the pristine couches stacked with blue pillows, to the wall of sliding windows that had been opened, leading to an outdoor room complete with a kitchen, thick-cushioned couches and chairs, a pool, and beyond that the bay and dock.
Back inside the house, she eyed the spectacular gourmet kitchen boasting two sinks, double ovens and even a pot-filler faucet mounted over a six-burner stove.
“Ethan,” a new voice said. “I saw you come in on the security cameras. I have the tickets for Ana and her friends set aside for tonight.”
It only took Ana a second to recognize the man striding toward them as Hank from the VIP party last night
“Chelle and Franci are on their way.” Ethan checked his watch. “Probably ten or fifteen minutes behind us.”
“Sounds good.” Hank smiled at her then returned his attention to Ethan. “Preshow meeting in an hour at the Hyatt. The threat called into the venue has been checked out. No validity, but they brought in bomb-sniffing dogs anyway. You and I are going over there for a final update.”
Ethan nodded. “Let me get Ana settled, grab a shower, and I’ll meet you at the hotel.” He guided Ana across the great room to an elevator.
“Why are you meeting at the Hyatt?” She had too many things she was curious about.
“The rest of the security team, staff and road crew are staying there. We’ll go over everything for tonight’s show.”
The elevator doors parted to reveal another beautiful foyer.
“We’re this way.” He led her down a hallway and opened a door.
Ana walked into a living room with a TV, couch and a two-sided desk. She headed into the bedroom, taking in the huge king-sized bed covered in a thick white comforter. Her stomach fluttered. Going to the French doors that opened to a balcony overlooking the bay, she thought about all the effort Ethan had gone to for her, even inviting her friends. He was giving her everything she’d once dreamed of.
Ethan settled his hands on her shoulders. “Second thoughts?”
“None.” She turned to face him. “Thank you for all this. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble. You didn’t have to do this.”
Surprise softened his face. “I’m happy to. That last night in San Diego, I wanted to do something nice for you, but you hijacked my plans and turned it into the most amazing night of my life by giving me a chance to cook with Chef Zane.”
Part of her rejoiced, and the other part wanted to flinch in embarrassment at her stupidity later when she’d kissed him. But at least he had some good memories of that night too. It made her happy to believe she’d helped him see he had options. Back then, Ethan had been, well, depressed. If she’d helped him to heal and move on, that was good. “You’re doing so well. Kat had told me you’re happy, but I’m glad I have a chance to see it for myself.”
He fingered a lock of her hair. “You worried about me?”
Every day and night. “Nope, I forgot all about you. Kat would bring you up, and she’s my boss, so I had to pretend to listen.”
He smiled, and he tugged her against him. “I’m going to make damn sure you never forget me.” He lowered his mouth to hers in a slow kiss. Tender. The word slid into her brain, and sparked a need to push away the vulnerability that came with it. She didn’t need slow and tender, that was for people in love. She and Ethan were just old friends indulging in a fling. Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed Ethan back, capturing his tongue, and sucking.
Breaking the kiss, he caught her hair, his eyes intense. “When you fight me for control, I’ll fight back. And I’ll win.”
The knot that had tightened after seeing Gregory loosened. She didn’t have to hold back as much with Ethan as she did with everyone else. He was only interested in sex and fun. “Can’t handle it?”
Moving fast, he spun her, wrapped an arm around her and pinned her back against his chest. “You don’t learn, sunshine.”
Ana squirmed, but he had her arms locked to her sides.
“Still want to tease me?”
Oh yeah. “Thought you had to go to work?”
He sli
d his hand up her thigh. “If I find you wet, baby, I’m going to take you right to the edge…” He kissed her ear.
Ana tilted her head, giving him access to the curve of her neck.
“…and leave you like that.” He tunneled his fingers higher up her leg, his cock long and thick against her back.
The feel of him surrounding her fueled her lust. Part of her wanted to rip her panties off and beg him to touch her. But she wanted to prove she could make him more crazed.
Forcing a laugh, she said, “So? I told you, I know how to make myself come.” Lowering her voice, she added, “Want me to describe it?”
“Fuck.” His hot breath feathered over her neck, and his arm banded tighter. “Witch. You’re going to plead for mercy.” His fingers edged over her panties when her phone rang.
Ethan tugged his hand out and growled his frustration.
Ana couldn’t believe this. “I hate technology right now.” She snatched her purse off the mattress, fished out her phone and looked at the screen. “It’s Chelle.” Trying to calm the lust searing through her, she put the phone on speaker and struggled for a normal tone as she said, “Hi, Chelle.”
“We’re here at the gate. How do we get in?”
Ethan took out his phone. “I’ll open the gate for you.” He punched in some numbers.
Ana added, “I’ll come downstairs. This place is awesome. See you in a bit.” She hung up.
Ethan tugged her back into his arms. “After the concert, no more interruptions. The only thing that will stop me is you.”
She shivered, liking this demanding side of him. “Do you see a stop sign on me anywhere?”
“I’ll definitely do a thorough search tonight.” He stepped back. “Go get your friends. I need to take a shower, get dressed and go over threat assessments. I might not be back for dinner. Will you guys be okay? The cook will make something. You can eat with the band or scrounge up what you like in the kitchen.”
Ana cleared her brain of sex. He had a job to do, and he was serious about it. It hadn’t escaped her notice that Ethan was part of the band’s inner circle. That he could just bring her and two of her friends here said a lot.
Savaged Surrender: A Novella Page 6
