by Anna James
“We can’t avoid talking about them. We were tied together for a long time. Still are if you ask me.”
Rachel sucked in a deep breath. “How is she?”
“Sandra? How the hell should I know?”
Rachel frowned. “You haven’t seen her?”
“No. Why would I?”
“I see.”
“What are you talking about, Rachel?”
Color crept up her neck. “Forget I asked.”
“No, tell me. Why would you think I’d seen Sandra?”
Her cheeks flushed red. “Kelly told me. She was talking to Curtis Johnson, waiting until whoever was in your office left.”
He grinned. “Having Kelly check up on me, are you?”
Her cheeks flushed even brighter, if that were possible. “No! Of course not.”
He laughed. She was adorable. “Kelly must have been mistaken. I haven’t seen or talked to Sandra since—” He let out a harsh breath. He hadn’t seen Sandra since he’d confronted her with the photos the private investigator shot of her and Ryan in bed together.
Rachel gripped his hands in hers and squeezed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned her.”
Ethan sighed. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry. Here I am telling you we can’t avoid talking about them, and I’m the one having the problem.”
The waitress appeared and delivered their orders. She retreated, and they ate in silence for a short time.
“I should never have told you of my suspicions. Maybe, if I hadn’t, things would have been different.”
He let loose a mirthless laugh. “No. You were right. She was having an affair.” But do you know who with? He couldn’t bring himself to ask.
“I didn’t want to be right.” After a short pause, she added, “I’m sorry it wound up ruining your friendship with Ryan. He never forgave me.”
“Ryan blamed you, because I ended my friendship with him?”
She nodded.
She doesn’t know. She really doesn’t know. Worse Ryan blamed her for the fallout. Bastard. His voice shook when he spoke. “Let’s get something straight right now. You telling me about Sandra had nothing to do with why Ryan and I weren’t speaking anymore.”
“Anything else?” The waitress asked.
Ethan jerked his head up to face her. He hadn’t seen her approach their table. “Nothing for me, thank you. Rachel, how about you?”
She shook her head.
“Just the check, please.” When the waitress departed, Rachel gazed up at him expectantly. He didn’t want to talk about the past anymore. Didn’t want to dredge up old wounds. “Ready to go?” he asked.
She nodded.
***
Ethan held her hand as they walked up to the house a few minutes later. “I enjoyed spending time with you today.”
Her lips curved into a big smile. “Me too.”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night.”
A soft “oh,” escaped from her parted lips.
He grasped her chin, gently lifted it and waited for their gazes to meet. “I want to see you again.”
She wanted it, too. “Ethan, we can’t.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “Yes, we can.”
“No. I can’t risk—”
He laid his lips on hers again. The deep, tender kiss made her stomach flutter. Rachel groaned and twined her arms around his neck. Who was she kidding? She wanted this. More than anything she’d wanted in a long time.
Ethan clamped his arms around her waist and pulled her up against him, so close she could barely breathe. All thought evaporated. His lips caressed, tantalized, teased. Want, no need coursed through her.
Standing on her tiptoes, she threaded fingers through his thick hair and pulled his face down to hers for a slow drugging kiss.
The rational part of her brain begged to stop this madness. She was supposed to keep her distance from Ethan. But, oh my, the taste of his mouth and the feel of his hands and his citrus scent…
Two beams of bright light suddenly pierced the darkness, breaking the spell.
She eased out of his arms. “Do you, ah, want to, um, come in?” she stammered. Stop it! You are not some naive little girl anymore. You’re a grown woman. Still, that didn’t stop the heat from creeping up her neck and flooding her face.
He smiled and caressed her cheek with the palm of his hand. “More than you know, but I want to do this right—it’s important to me—which means I’ll pick you up tomorrow night, and we’ll have dinner.”
He wanted to do this right? Rachel stared up at him, wide eyed.
“Oh, hell.” He dragged her against him and kissed her again, then let her go. Turning, he strode down the driveway toward the car.
Oh, lord.
You’re playing with fire, her brain taunted. Better not get burned.
Chapter Seventeen
Rachel hurried through the front door of her home in Greenwich. The grandfather clock chimed six thirty. Damn. Ethan would arrive in half an hour. She tossed her coat, briefcase and computer bag in the hall closet, hurried up the stairs and into the bathroom. After a quick rinse, she padded into her bedroom and pulled on a pair of black lace boy shorts and a matching bra. The dress and shoes she’d chosen for tonight lay on the cherry wood carved bench at the bottom of her king size bed. She’d set them out this morning before leaving for work, although chosen wasn’t quite the right word. The black, knee length dress with cap sleeves and a modest neckline was the only item she owned suitable for an evening out.
Last night after Ethan left, she’d torn through her closet searching for something appropriate to wear on a date. A date! Her last one happened years ago, and the clothes in her closet reflected her previous stay-at-home-mother lifestyle. Jeans and casual pants, sweaters and tops lay stacked in neat piles on the many shelves lining the closet walls. The few business suits she’d purchased after starting back to work hung on the rack, but, nothing dressy, except for the black dress tucked away in the back.
It’ll have to do. She slipped it on, applied lipstick, bronzer and mascara and made a mental note to shop for something with more sex appeal as soon as possible. Sex appeal and Ethan. She’d never have conceived of the notion until a few short weeks ago, but heaven help her, lately it was all she could think about. When the bell rang, she hurried down the stairs to answer it.
Sucking in a deep breath, she opened the door. Ethan stood before her. My goodness. The air whooshed out on a long sigh. No man had a right to look that good. Black trousers emphasized a lean, narrow waist, a tailored slate blue shirt outlined sculpted pecs and abs, and his smile... She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
He winked at her. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Can I come in?”
Rachel stood rooted to the spot, transfixed by his gaze. Sapphire blue gems glittering down at her. Everything inside started to hum. She sucked in a deep breath. Oh my.
“Rachel?”
She blinked. “Oh, gosh, I’m sorry. Yes, please come in.”
He handed her a voluminous bouquet made of gerbera daisies in vibrant hues of sun-kissed peach, russet red and burnt orange, tart lemon yellow tulips interspersed with ivy leaves, asparagus fern and hints of baby’s breath. “For you.”
Her eyes widened. “They’re beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like them. I wasn’t sure if you’d think I’m old-fashioned showing up with them.”
“Are you kidding? I love flowers.” She inhaled their heavenly scent. “And no one’s ever given…” She didn’t finish the rest of the sentence. Ryan never gave her flowers. So what? Ethan wouldn’t care what Ryan did or didn’t do. “They’re lovely. I’ll go put them in water.” Rachel turned and headed into the kitchen. The light over the stove gave the room a soft glow. She moved swiftly to the kitchen sink, removed a vase from the cupboard and filled it with water. A smile played across her lips while she arranged the bouquet.
The light touch of Ethan’s strong hands resting o
n her shoulders sent shivers racing down her spine.
“Rachel.”
She turned to face him. His eyes, almost cobalt black now, burned with intensity. Her heart skipped a beat.
“I’m glad you like them.”
His lips brushed over hers. Rachel lifted her arms and placed them around his neck.
Ethan pulled her close. His hard body came into contact with hers. Heat pooled deep in her belly. She stood on her tiptoes and deepened the kiss.
He groaned and eased away from her. “We should get going.” But he didn’t move.
She didn’t move, either—couldn’t have—even if her life depended on it.
“You’re killing me. I want to take this slow, but if you keep staring at me the way you are now…”
She shivered, but her gaze didn’t waver.
Tense fingers caressed her cheek, his eyes questioned.
She sucked in a deep breath and released it. “I want you, Ethan.”
He shuddered. “I want you, too.”
His mouth crashed down on hers, hungry, hard, demanding, and she came alive for the first time in…too many months to remember. What was it about this man that made her want, feel, and need on a soul deep level? And why did the lightest touch of his hands skimming over her shoulders, down her arms, and around her back make her heart beat a rapid tattoo?
She let out a soft cry when his lips found the spot at the base of her neck and, dear lord, his teeth nipped, tongue stroked, his amazing mouth caressed the sensitive hollow where her pulse throbbed. Every touch on her heated skin heightened the delicious excitement coursing through her.
“You taste so damned good.” He tugged her against him, then grasped her chin and waited until her eyes settled on his. “Do you feel what you’re doing to me?”
“Yes,” she whispered. He did the same to her. Everything inside her sparked and hummed, engaging every one of her senses.
Ethan fused his mouth to hers again, then scooped her up into his strong arms and strode with her upstairs. When they reached the bedroom, he lowered her to the plush carpet, letting her body slide down the length of his. She closed her eyes and let the exquisite pleasure wash over her.
Light spilled into the dark room from the hall casting shadows over Ethan’s handsome face. He crossed to the bedside table, his lithe, powerful body reaching it in two long strides and turned on the decorative lamp. A soft glow filled the room. “I want to see you, touch you,” he rasped.
His deep, gravelly voice scraped over her and tiny shivers skated down her spine. She craved his touch and couldn’t wait to have his hands on her.
He unzipped her dress, sweeping it off her shoulders in one swift motion, but his fingers shook when they tried to flick open the front clasp of her bra.
“I’ll take care of it.” She undid it for him and tossed it away. His gaze lingered on her breasts, and they swelled in response.
“You’re beautiful.”
Everything inside her melted, just melted, and her heart did a crazy little flip. She smiled, stood on her tiptoes and gave him a slow, tender kiss. A hint of his cologne drifted past her nose, and she sucked in a deep breath and sighed. Delicious. The man was utterly delicious.
She unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt, then yanked it over his head and tossed it on the floor. Closing her eyes, she let her hands glide over him. Strong, broad shoulders. Firm, hard pecs. Washboard abs. His muscles quivered.
“My turn.”
He trailed fingers over her breasts with a light touch, then cupped one in each palm.
“Ethan,” she cried out as his thumbs teased her nipples. White hot heat burned inside her. She wanted more, and reached for the waistband of his trousers.
He stilled her hands. “Not yet. This will be over in a second if you touch me, and I want us to take our time. We’ve waited too long not to.”
She let go, then reached up and let her hands drift over his bare shoulders, back, and chest, luxuriating in the feel of smooth skin and hard planes.
He trailed a path of soft kisses down the column of her throat, over her shoulders and around the swell of her breasts, then his lips closed over one tight peak. His tongue swirled, and licked.
“Oh,” she gasped, and her knees almost buckled.
He didn’t stop his assault on her senses. His hands floated over her stomach and thighs, then he slipped two fingers inside her. Rational thought evaporated as his fingers slid in and out, in and out, while his thumb, dear God, it found the tight little bundle of nerve endings at her center and glided over and around, caressing, tormenting.
A devouring sense of need built inside, then wave after wave of mind-blowing pleasure crashed through her.
When she stilled, he carried her spent body to the bed and eased her down onto the cool cotton sheets. After removing the rest of his clothing and hers, he lay down beside her. His fingers wandered over her shoulder and down along the length of her arm.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah.” She gave him a satisfied smile. “That was amazing.” More like incredible, mind blowing and yes, probably the greatest orgasm she’d ever had.
He let out a low growl and plunged deep inside her. “You’re mine.”
His primitive possessiveness thrilled her, and for the first time in her life she felt truly desired.
She moved with him matching his urgency with her own lusty need as they soared toward the summit, the frenzied pace and his raw sensuousness carrying her to heights she’d never reached before.
“I don’t think I can hold back any longer, sweetheart.”
“Then don’t.”
He drove into her one last time. They went over the edge together, and exploded in a downpour of fiery sensations.
***
The next morning Ethan woke to find Rachel sitting up in bed beside him. Images of their lovemaking from last night flashed through his mind in vivid, high definition Technicolor. Long, silky tresses fanned out on the pillow. Her warm, supple body entwined with his. Soft, firm breasts pressed against him. Her cries of ecstasy each time he brought her to an orgasm.
He leaned in and pressed a kiss on her cheek. She didn’t flinch, but she didn’t turn to face him either. She stared straight ahead, her eyes focused on a non-existent point on the wall. She’s nervous, he decided, judging by the way her knees were pulled in close against her chest and her arms wrapped tightly around them. Probably out of her element and unsure of what to expect. He should have anticipated her reaction. “Good morning, sweetheart.” He placed soft kisses along her jawline to put her at ease. When she still didn’t react, he tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. Something in her eyes put him on edge.
“About last night,” she began hesitantly.
“Last night was incredible.” More than incredible. It was the best he’d ever had.
“I…”
He eased her hands from around her knees and laced his fingers through hers. “You what?”
“You don’t have to worry about me getting pregnant.”
He frowned.
“I’m on the pill—to regulate my periods. So…”
“Okay.” Where was this going? He’d assumed by the expression on her face she regretted what happened between them. Now he wasn’t sure.
“I don’t want you to think I…” She swallowed hard. “We didn’t use protection. I wouldn’t try to get pregnant on purpose to trap—”
“You’re joking, right?”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“Why would you—” Comprehension dawned. He pulled her into his arms and held her. “Emma.”
She nodded. Silent tears slid down her face.
“You’re not capable of that kind of deceit.”
“Ryan thought so.”
“He said that?” At her nod of confirmation, he asked, “Why?
She got out of bed and wrapped the sheet around with unsteady hands. “He came home late. I was upset because he’d promised to come home early. I want
ed to go to the meeting at Emma’s school regarding some changes for the upcoming year. We got into an argument and…. He accused me of getting pregnant on purpose, told me he wished he’d never met me and I ruined his life.”
Ethan rested his hands on her shoulders. “Rachel, people say things they don’t mean when they’re angry.”
She dropped her head and wrapped her arms around him. “I think he always blamed me deep down inside. He never wanted to be a father.”
“Sweet Jesus. Did he really say that?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t believe it, do you?”
“I do. The conversation was our last. He stormed out of the house and two hours later the police knocked on my door.”
Hot rage roiled in his gut. The rat bastard betrayed her, and then had the balls to blame her for getting pregnant? He wanted to hit something. Hard. If Ryan were here, he’d nail the jackass to the wall and make him pay for hurting her. Instead, he gathered her close and held her tight. “Shh,” he soothed. “Everything’s going to be all right from now on.” He’d make damn sure of it.
Chapter Eighteen
Rachel sat in her office at McKenna and Hirsh reviewing a file when her cell phone started to ring. She checked the caller ID. Ethan. A flashback of the morning’s events made her cringe. Why had she brought up the stuff about Ryan? She hadn’t planned to. Had only wanted to reassure him they weren’t at risk for an unwanted pregnancy. But the whole story came out, nonetheless. Ethan could have walked away from her, she wouldn’t have blamed him if he did, but he didn’t. Instead, he reached out, reassured her and showed her how much he cared. When her tears dried, he carried her back to bed and made love to her again with such tenderness it made her cry again, this time with tears of happiness.
She stood, hurried to the door to her office and shut it, not wanting anyone to overhear her conversation, then connected the call. “Hi, Ethan.”
“Hello, darling. Do you have any plans for this evening?”
Rachel returned to her seat behind the desk, leaned back against the chair and relaxed. “No, why?”
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
She laughed. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
