"I haven't thanked you." Ethan interrupted her thoughts. He had to say something since this woman barely spoke. He was a gentleman and let her climb the stairs ahead of him, but that only provided a nice view of her lush behind. It was all he could do not to bite it.
"For what?" Grace peered at her cousin canoodling and giggling already. Why does she get everything? The jealousy monster was growing. Sew me into a bridal dress, who does that?
"Yesterday." Ethan finally sat back in the seat and tried to relax, letting the weight of his leg press into hers. She was soft but strong. Her leg didn't budge one bit.
Grace remained silent, still focused on Megan and Chase. His leg pressed into her. The tight space had them almost touching everywhere, so she held her leg firm to keep him from getting closer. Her heart was thumping. Despite the heat, she could feel her nipples drawing tight. How did he do that?
Okay, you want more apologies. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, for taking over your room. Sorry about the grumpy guy last night." He had just apologized to this woman in one sentence more than he had to any other in his life. Get a grip. She'll come around. I'm irresistible. Every woman has told me that.
"I ... it's fine really." Grace held the metal bar in front of her like she was going on a roller coaster ride rather than a leisurely tour about her own town.
Her mind was filling with thoughts, thoughts about the wedding. She would have to go alone. Megan wanted her to be friendly and go with Ethan. God, her senses were swimming in Ethan. If she could stay mad at Megan, she wouldn't notice how good he smelled. Maybe she wouldn't pay attention to how his voice vibrated through her ears and set her toes a tingling.
Stay focused on anything but him, Gracie. You can do it. Remember what Evelyn told you. Find your center and breathe. Grace drew in a slow breath and held it then exhaled nice and slow.
"I moved everything over to the room directly across the hall. That's where Megan said to go." He took a breath.
Talking to this woman is like pulling teeth, painful. "I left my stuff in your bathroom since there are four of us and only two showers. I hope you don't mind."
Now what? Ethan was out of things to say. He never had to make conversation before, never really had to get to know anyone, even with his ex-fianc� Emma. Emma did most of the talking; he just listened. Grace had a sweet voice, so he didn't mind hearing it.
"Not at all." She swallowed hard. The pleasantries were killing her. The heat was killing her. She could swear it was supposed to be mild this afternoon with the rain moving in later, yet it seemed to get hotter by the minute. Ethan, he talked more than any man she had ever met in her life. Mitchell only talked about himself, but more often than not she was content not talking to him. Ethan seemed relentless in his pursuit of conversation.
"Are you afraid of heights?" This woman was making him crazy. Usually he can't get a woman to stop talking. Now, he's being shut down by the ice princess.
"I'm sorry?" She could feel his eyes burning more heat into the side of her face, so she turned and fell into those deep brown pools of chocolate. They were dancing with light as he squinted from the sun, causing little lines at the corners. She was drowning in a sea of chocolate. Death by chocolate, is there any other way to go?
"You're holding on to that bar like you may fall out of the seat." His gaze didn't waiver. Her eyes were spinning with colors making him insane.
Her white knuckles were showing. He began to think maybe she was afraid of something. Maybe even him. No, he wouldn't believe that. He was gruff last night, but he was a nice guy. He was pretty sure he was anyway. "I can't say for sure, but I don't think we're going to exceed five miles an hour in this thing."
"Oh, I just." She let go and nervously played with her purse strap. Damn that smile. Ouch that hand. "I ugh..."
She was interrupted by the tour guide's voice coming over the speaker. Thank you.
Damn. Ethan wished they had sat there a moment longer. She was about to talk, and he liked her voice. It was soft except when she was angry; then, it was stronger, demanding. He wondered how it would sound in the bedroom. Would she be soft and timid or demanding and in control?
The bus started up with a loud rumble. All the passengers gave the guide their full attention. It was packed up top and more than half full on the bottom. The Red Hat Society had planned an outing on this day. Ladies wearing red and purple were everywhere. The guide knew Grace's mother. Of course, she also knew Mitchell's. So, by nightfall everyone would know Grace had a new man in her life, even if she didn't really.
The frustration gave way to a real thought. Everyone would see her with Ethan. They would think they were a couple, and the Patterson's would hear for sure. Mitchell's mother would have a fit, cow that she is. Grace took a deep breath. She felt relaxed and comfortable. Why shouldn't she? This is her home town, not his. She turned to Ethan, who was trying to see the house on the opposite side of the bus that the guide was talking about.
His shoulders were like mountains; muscles ripped beneath the T-shirt, and Grace had to grip the strap on her purse to keep from touching them. She had never met a man she wanted to touch so badly. The contact of his leg still pressing into her made her want to grab his thigh, too. She shook her head trying to shake those thoughts away, but it didn't work.
"You know, we should go out for dinner tonight," she said confidently. Out where everyone can see us together.
He turned immediately. The ice princess is melting?
"What do you think?" She watched the light bounce around his eyes. Her gaze dropped to those kissable lips. She couldn't help but to lick her own.
"This is my vacation. I'm up for anything." Ethan noticed the soft pink tongue slide across her lips, which looked delicious, glossy, and he wanted to taste them, too. "What did you have in mind?"
"Local fare, I'll let Megan choose since she hasn't been home in awhile." That seemed fair.
"Actually." Ethan had explored this town at six this morning when he snuck out for a jog. "I think the Net House looks good."
"How would you know?" Grace could feel that eyebrow raise her forehead again. Suspect. The man was definitely suspect.
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