Boxed Set

by Brenda K. Davies

  Tristan broke down her defenses, wove a spell with his smile, his gifts, and his constant, caring attentiveness. After a year together, she walked in on him having sex with another woman. That slap in the face was bad enough, but his dogged persistence at trying to get her back afterward had spiraled into stalker levels that had frightened her enough she looked into getting a restraining order against him.

  Then, one day it all suddenly stopped. She hadn't heard from him in a year; she didn't know if he was dead or alive. Though she wished him no ill will, she was glad to be rid of him.

  Looking back, she knew she was never in love with him; she'd just liked the idea of finally having a boyfriend. He beguiled her, but more than that she'd always felt like there was something wrong with her. All her friends dated with ease. She'd never really clicked with a man before, never had a big crush on someone. Then Tristan started asking her out, and worried she might be a freak, she'd agreed to go out with him after a month of his persistent pursuit.

  There was never any ease to their relationship, at least not on her end; she'd always felt like she was forcing herself through it so she could be more normal. She wasn’t heartbroken when she found him cheating on her; she was angry and felt betrayed, but more than anything, she'd felt relieved.

  She finally had a reason to end it with him that wouldn't make her seem crazy. Tristan was the whole package on the outside: good looking, pre-law, intelligent, and caring. Despite the package, she always felt a little unhappy while with him. Walking in on him with another woman was so freeing she almost gave the girl a high-five. Instead, she'd simply closed the door and smiled as she walked away.

  Yes, she was a freak, she decided as she shut off the water. A man she'd known for two days had more pull over her than a man she'd spent a year of her life with. It was crazy, but she found she was okay with this crazy if it meant she would have a chance to talk to Ethan again, to kiss him and touch him.

  Stepping from the shower, she grabbed the towel and dried off before starting to dress. After Tristan, she'd decided to take a break from men. She took some time to salvage her beaten pride and wash away the bad taste of Tristan's endless phone calls, text messages, gifts, emails, random visits to her dorm room and even her classes.

  Emma shuddered at the reminder of him sitting in the back of her classes, watching her. The feeling of his eyes on her was so vivid, she glanced at the window to make sure he wasn't standing there watching her all over again.

  It had gotten so bad Jill and Mandy wouldn't let her go anywhere alone, and though she resented he'd made it that way, she’d welcomed their presence. His final gift, a dozen black roses on her doorstep, and a note saying he would always love her and she would always be his, convinced her it was time to get the police involved.

  The paperwork for the restraining order was in the works when everything stopped, Tristan's room was cleared out, and his roommate said he'd just packed up and left. At first, she was doubtful, but over the months she’d relaxed again, and her life gradually returned to normal.

  And now her life seemed to have been thrown into chaos all over again. She'd never met anyone who made her feel as unsettled, excited, and turned on as Ethan did. She'd known Tristan for a while before she discovered his secrets and mental issues. She barely knew Ethan, and she was already acting recklessly. He made her forget about her decision to stay away from men for the time being.

  She had to be careful and tread lightly here, but she didn't know how to do that around him. He made her feel as if someone had thrown her into the deep end of the ocean.

  Emma stepped out of the room and hurried down the hall to the kitchen, but Mandy and Jill weren't there. Seeing the door to the balcony open, she grabbed a cup of coffee and poked her head out the sliding door. She found Mandy lounging in one of the chairs reading a book.

  "Hey," Emma greeted.

  Mandy placed her finger in the book and smiled as Emma settled into the chair next to her. Mandy's prosthetic leg leaned against the chair beside her.

  "Jill still sleeping?" Emma asked.

  "No, she went for a run on the beach."

  Emma shook her head. "That girl has way too much energy."

  "Far more than me," Mandy agreed. "We didn't get a chance to talk last night."

  "About what?" Emma asked as she took a sip of her coffee and watched the people strolling the street.

  Mandy gave her an, ‘oh come on,' look. "Don't think I didn't see you two steaming up the dance floor."

  Emma was beginning to hate her Irish skin as she felt a blush creeping into her cheeks again. She hadn't blushed this much since Kirby Jackson pulled her skirt down in front of everyone during the fifth-grade dance. "Mandy—"

  Mandy held up her hand to stop her words. "No judgments. Just want to make sure you're okay."

  "I am, I think," she muttered.

  "He seems nice enough, but—"

  "So did Tristan."

  "So did Tristan," Mandy agreed. "You can't spend the rest of your life being afraid of relationships, or having that shithead hanging over you, but I also don't want to see you hurt again."

  Emma blew on her coffee and twisted the mug in her hands. "Neither do I."

  "Where does he live?"

  "Oregon."

  "Not even close to you."

  "Not even a little," Emma agreed.

  "Would you be okay with only having a month? I know we kid you about doing something casual to help shed the memory of Tristan, but you're not that person, Emma."

  "I know."

  And truth be told, she didn't think a month would be enough time. At the end of the month, she knew she would want more and more. Ugh, she would end up becoming like Tristan if she wasn't careful.

  She sat forward and placed her coffee on the table before rising and walking over to the balcony railing. Maybe she could hide out in this tropical paradise forever, never return home, and just pretend she knew what she wanted from her life.

  She rested her elbow on the railing and propped her chin on her hand as she watched the people strolling the streets. It was peaceful now, but she knew in a few hours music from the bars would be going, and the party would start again. She'd drifted to sleep last night listening to the music, laughter, and shouts from the people still enjoying themselves.

  "You could come out to California to live with us. Jill is still considering moving closer to Stanford or trying to find a job in the area," Mandy suggested.

  "I've been thinking about it a lot," Emma told her. "And not because of him," she rushed to get out.

  "I didn't think it was," Mandy said with a chuckle.

  "It might be good to move out to the west coast, at least for a little while. I'd like to do something different."

  "You might find a teaching job," Mandy suggested. Emma wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "Or something else. You'd at least have us."

  "That I would. For now, I'm not going to overthink everything and just roll with it when it comes to him," Emma said as she watched a child dart in and out of the crowd toward one of the stores. "Maybe it will all end badly again, or it will just end, but I'm willing to take the chance."

  Mandy dropped her book on the table. "Well, let's hope that doesn't happen."

  "He can't end up being like Tristan, can he? I mean I can't find two stalkers in my lifetime, can I?"

  "I don't know, Emma, but I think the odds are against it happening again. Unless you're a psycho magnet."

  Emma released a small chuckle. "That wouldn't surprise me."

  "Me either," Mandy said with a laugh. "I can say I barely know the guy, and I already like him more than I ever liked Tristan."

  That was easy enough to believe; neither Mandy nor Jill ever really liked Tristan. They thought he was fake and slimy. They believed he was overbearing before he started following her everywhere and leaving creepy gifts on her doorstep, on her desk, and at her work. She should have listened to her friends, but she'd been a moron and determined to prove
to herself she could have a normal relationship with a man.

  Emma shook her head; she stepped away from the railing as the front door opened. Jill's excited chatter made her frown as she craned her head to peer around the doorway.

  "Who is she talking to?" Mandy inquired in a whisper.

  "I have no idea," Emma told her.

  "Come on in," Jill called over her shoulder as she skipped down the steps. "Would you like a drink? I'm sure Emma is probably up by now. I'll go get her."

  Emma almost fell over when Ethan appeared at the top of the stairs. He ran a hand through his sweat-slicked hair, pushing it back from the broad angles of his face. The loose-fitting shorts he wore hung low on his hips, but it was his broad, well-muscled chest that kept her eyes riveted.

  Her mouth watered, literally watered, as her eyes ran over the carved muscles of his abs. He didn't have a six-pack; oh no, it was more like an eighteen case. Muscles she hadn't known existed bunched and flexed as he descended the steps.

  "I'll take some water," he answered.

  Emma jerked back from the doorway, and her gaze shot to Mandy.

  "Who is it?" Mandy asked again.

  Emma tried to calm her racing heart as she placed her finger against her lips in a shushing gesture. ‘It's him,’ she mouthed.

  ‘Him who?’ Mandy mouthed back.

  ‘Him!’ Emma forced herself not to stomp her foot as she jerked her head at the doorway.

  Mandy's mouth dropped before she broke into a grin showing all her teeth. Grabbing the arm of the chair, the muscles in her forearms flexed as she lifted herself up. She hopped over to the doorframe and poked her head around it. Emma hated the unreasonable jealousy that filled her when Mandy's mouth dropped open. She didn't like the idea of either of her friends seeing Ethan in this state or lusting after him.

  Never, in four years, had any of them ever fought over a guy. Not even when Jill and Mandy disliked Tristan, had they been nasty or catty about their feelings for him. They made their opinions known, but they were never mean, and they'd never said, ‘I told you so,' after. There had only been unwavering support.

  Mandy and Jill both had more experience with men than she did. Mandy didn't have much more as she spent most of her time buried in her books, and though Jill liked to bounce through different guys, she would never go after someone Emma or Mandy liked. Jill was a flirt, but she would never hurt her friends. Even still, Emma had to take a deep breath to steady herself and lock the green-eyed monster back in its cage as Mandy's gaze remained riveted upon Ethan.

  Mandy leaned back from the door and rested against it as she fanned herself with her hand. 'Holy hotness,' she mouthed.

  Jill reappeared and handed a glass of water to Ethan. "I'll go get Emma."

  "You don't have to bother her if she's still sleeping," he said.

  Jill waved a hand at him before disappearing down the hall. "Get in there," Mandy hissed at her.

  Emma looked at her helplessly; uncertainty and apprehension paralyzed her. If she stepped out there now, there would be no turning back. She'd barely been capable of separating herself from him last night. It was all moving too fast, yet even as the thought swirled through her mind, she yearned to go in there. Heat coiled in her belly as she recalled his kiss and the feel of him against her.

  No, there would be no going back if she walked in there now. She may end up with the broken heart Tristan hadn't inflicted on her, but she so wanted to take the plunge. If only her feet would move.

  "Emma!" Jill's voice was tiny as it drifted through the house.

  Swallowing, Emma forced herself to step forward. "Out here!" she called.

  Ethan lifted his head to look at her as she stepped into the doorway. The fiery gleam in his gaze caused her toes to curl as her hands clenched before her. What was it about him that made her forget everyone else in the room? Even in her cut-off shorts and a loose-fitting tank top, he somehow made her feel like the most desirable woman in the world.

  Ethan wasn't at all thrown off to see her stepping through the doorway; he'd smelled her the second he walked through the door and known where she was. He wasn't sure how she would feel about seeing him after last night, but the sight of her made his day better as the morning sun illuminated her from behind. Her thick hair pulled into a loose knot, rested against the nape of her neck. His gaze lingered on the vein in her neck before moving over her body. Even in her baggy clothes, she was the most enticing woman he'd ever seen.

  When he'd left the house, he'd been looking to have a good run to work off some of the remaining sexual frustration she aroused in him last night. When he ran into Jill, he'd known the only way he would feel better was to see Emma again. That strange sense of peace worked its way through him again as his eyes returned to hers. She looked a little shy as she folded her hands before her, but the smile she gave him warmed him from the inside out and helped to calm him further.

  "There you are!" Jill said as she stepped back in the room. Emma reluctantly tore her attention away from Ethan as Jill hopped down the stairs and strode toward the kitchen. "Ethan and I ran into each other at the end of our morning run."

  "I see." Oh, that was a terrific piece of conversation, she thought with an inward groan. But her tongue felt glued to the roof of her mouth.

  "It's so peaceful out there in the morning," Jill continued.

  Ethan's gaze remained riveted on her as he lifted the glass of water to his lips. He didn't require the water to survive, but it was good to wet his throat and helped cool him down. "And I couldn't turn down a drink," he said.

  Jill waved her hand at Emma from behind Ethan's back in a gesture for her to come closer. Mandy nudged her shoulder a little as she stepped forward, but Emma's feet were planted more firmly than an oak tree's roots. Ethan's gaze went briefly to Mandy's missing lower leg. To his credit, he didn't become uncomfortable in her presence like Emma had seen other people do, and he didn't stare.

  "It's good to see you again," Mandy greeted.

  "Yes, yes, it is." Her tongue finally came undone from the roof of her mouth only to sputter that crap out. She was better off remaining mute, Emma realized in disgust.

  Ethan didn't seem to care as a smile tugged at the corners of his full mouth. Thoughts of kissing him consumed her as her gaze focused on his lips. He drank the rest of the water and placed the glass on the counter.

  “The house Stefan rented came with a boat. We were hoping to go out on it this morning, maybe do some fishing and swimming. Would the three of you like to join us?" Ethan asked.

  "That would be great," Jill said eagerly.

  "Are you sure they won't mind?" Mandy asked.

  "Not at all, there's plenty of room, and the more, the merrier," he responded with ease.

  "It sounds like fun," Emma said.

  "Good. I'll come back and get you in an hour if that's okay?"

  "Plenty of time," Jill assured him.

  He smiled at Emma before turning and walking up the stairs. "Wear your bathing suits," he called over his shoulder before slipping out the door.

  Emma exchanged a look with Jill and Mandy before Jill let out a little squeal and raced over to her. "He likes you," she said eagerly.

  "Don't get carried away, Jill," Emma told her.

  "Maybe we should let you go alone." Jill tapped her finger thoughtfully against her chin as she studied Emma.

  "She can't go out on a boat by herself with three people we barely know," Mandy said.

  "I can take care of myself," Emma reminded them.

  "Of course you can," Jill assured her. "But Mandy's right, we don't know them."

  Emma's pride made her want to argue with them, but she wasn't stupid. Ethan and his family seemed pleasant enough, she didn't think they would harm her, but she didn't know them, and going somewhere alone with them wasn't the smartest idea. It was better to go with her friends than to argue with them over it because of her pride.

  "We have to get ready," Mandy said as she slid her arm thro
ugh Emma's and led her toward the stairs.

  Chapter Seven

  "You invited the humans?" Stefan placed the paper he was reading on the table and fixed Ethan with a look that made him wonder if he'd sprouted horns.

  "Sure, why not?" Ethan replied casually.

  Stefan exchanged a glance with Isabelle, whose arms were resting on the edge of the pool as she treaded water. "Because they're human," Stefan said slowly.

  "You once dated humans," Ethan reminded him.

  Isabelle shot him a look that could freeze fire as she pulled herself from the pool. Ethan almost chuckled, but he thought she might kick his ass if he did. Stefan looked like he might also laugh. He wisely chose not to.

  "Since when do you want to hang out with a human?" Isabelle demanded. Water dripped onto the bluestone patio with soft drips as she walked across the patio to retrieve her towel from a chair.

  Ethan shrugged, but he knew his casual gesture didn't fool his sister. "Things change."

  "Or is it her?"

  Unreasonable anger filled Ethan as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned back on his heels. He didn't like being questioned about Emma, and he certainly didn't like her referenced in that way. "I don't think that's any of your business."

  "Ethan—" Isabelle started.

  "If you would like me to un-invite them, I will."

  "That's not what I'm saying at all," Isabelle gushed. "It's just unusual to see you continuously interacting with humans, much less the same human. That's all."

  "We all change with age."

  "That we do. Lord knows I did," Stefan agreed as he rose from the table.

  Stefan strolled over to Isabelle and placed his hand on her shoulder. He squeezed it reassuringly before moving her back a step. Isabelle turned to look at him, and from years of experience with watching his parents, Ethan knew they were having a silent conversation with each other. It frustrated him, he was certain they were discussing him, but he kept his temper under control.

  "I'm sure it will be fine," Isabelle said.

  "It will be," Ethan assured her. "I'm going to get them."