Page 79 of Enthrall Secrets
“I’m an arrogant bastard and we both know it,” he said, grinning. “Do you have any beer?”
“Yes, of course.”
“This place is very you. Chic. Eclectic. You have a French flair.”
I laid the menu down on the counter and got to work on prying open two bottles of Miller Lite.
I handed him one. “I forgot to ask if you like Chinese food.”
Ethan came closer. “Yes.” He smiled. “I’m sure men tell you this all the time and it’s the most inappropriate thing I’ll ever say to you, I promise.” He stared into my eyes. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, Scarlet. I haven’t looked at another woman since…”
“I’m sure she made you happy.”
“She was a pediatric nurse.”
I took a sip of beer. “We can talk about her if you like.”
“Later, maybe.”
After I placed our order, we settled in the living room and chatted for a while. When our food arrived, we went outside to the balcony to enjoy the sunset, settling in the rocking chairs and sipping beer. Ethan tucked into his orange chicken like he was starved, but I only picked at my cashew chicken. My appetite was still off.
Hours slipped away at a comfortable pace as I rocked in my chair, listening to Ethan share his life story. He talked about his time at Emory University in Georgia and his passion for law. He’d met his wife at a friend’s wedding in San Francisco. He’d ended up in California to be closer to her family. Now, he was seriously contemplating returning to Georgia.
The silences between us felt natural.
When the sea breeze became too chilly we headed back in and talked some more. Eventually, Ethan fell asleep on my couch and I pulled one of my soft throws over him, careful not to wake him.
I headed to the bathroom, needing to find a way to relax and decided on a warm bath. I carried my second beer with me and set it down on the edge of the sink.
Watching the tub fill, I breathed in the relaxing scent of vanilla mixed with lavender that rose with the steam. I actually felt a sense of peace that Ethan was here. I was reassured he’d be safe - for a while, at least, as no one else would know he was here. Shay and Cameron would have made sure of that.
My thoughts drifted, and suddenly I had a terrible flashback of being held at gunpoint.
A chill shot up my spine.
Any sense of control I’d had was merely an illusion. How quickly our lives can be turned upside down. The pathway we are on so easily decimated, leaving everything unrecognizable.
I’d learned long ago what true love felt like and since that day I’d never again experienced it so profoundly. I’d been with other men, of course, but no single man had ever affected me as deeply as Danton had. I hadn’t been so intrigued by another man until Ethan, and the fact that his fierce arrogance was used for the service of others had a sexy edge to it.
And that fricken southern accent made my clit throb.
Jesus, Scarlet, get a grip.
I pulled off my sweater and unzipped my jeans and removed them, placing them inside the hamper. I stripped out of my underwear and placed my bra and panties in there, too.
I was about to get in the tub when I heard Ethan call out from behind the door.
“Scarlet?”
“Yes.”
A moment of quiet lingered.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Can I come in?”
“I’m taking a bath.”
