Page 97 of Ignite

She didn’t look like a woman wearing a post-fuck glow. But she didn’t need to. Her smile was enough to light the town, and her body didn’t need to show curves or skin for me to remember every single part of her.

My chest hurt as if a tyre was pressing against me. It hurt to breath and to think, because of her. I could still feel her beneath me. I could still remember the taste of her nipple, of her pussy, of every single kiss.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” My voice bounced off all walls and I heard the collective inhale as my team decided whether or not to take me down.

I silently promised my saintly mother to clean up my language, tomorrow. As for my team, they could either have my back, or I’d find another team who would.

Chapter 27

Too Hot To Handle

“Idon’tknowhowto say this any clearer, the time to act is now.”

Rylee

Finding Ethan had been surprisingly easy.

Once I realized his misunderstanding, I knew he’d either get the hell out of town or push his body to the limits.

I knew him.

Hours of banter and getting-to-know-you conversation had given me more insights into Ethan than I ever had with Darin. In the strangest courtship since Romeo and Juliet, I could count on one hand how many conversations we’d had face-to-face since our night together. Yet, somehow, we’d spoken every day by text.

Ten, fifteen texts every day. Sometimes, more.

Without having to face each other, we could be honest and vulnerable hiding behind our keypads. When texting Ethan, my fingers glided over my phone, exposing my dreams and fears in a way I’d never be able to do in person. I knew Ethan felt the same.

He held his pain at bay by physical activity. I’d pieced enough together about how he’d dealt with his father’s death, mother’s illness, and becoming an orphan.

The gym and football had saved his sanity and life when he’d been drowning in grief. I understood. For me, it had been carrying on daddy’s legacies. I’d gone out of my way to continue his business and his volunteer work with the RFS. Ethan and I hid our pain in action.

I pulled up in the parking lot, taking the space next to Ethan’s shiny black ute, and smiled. It had been a labor of love, and it showed. After Reece had seen the finished job, word had spread and over fifty guys had dropped by to check it out before I’d shooed them out and finally asked Korbin to drop it off to Ethan.

Ethan’s truck was as good as a business card and better than any expensive ads. And Ryan had built me a slow-motion video using dozens of photos showing the progression from crumpled mess to finished masterpiece. Zoe, had promised to turn the photos into an advertising campaign that would put my business onthe map.

I circled the ute, loving the way the paint gleamed in the summer sun, and hoped that Ethan could keep it garaged most days.

I smoothed my overalls, wishing I was the type of girl who could sashay through life in a short skirt and high heels, no matter what the occasion. Based on the weather and fire reports, I’d probably spend most of today helping the town’s vulnerable residents fire-proof their homes, clear gutters, or move animals. But before I looked after everyone else, I needed to set Ethan straight about what happened last night and he already knew what I looked like wearing my A-game.

I’d dressed for him last night, but he’d also dressed for me—not that I’d realized it at the time.

I circled Ethan’s ute half a dozen times, leaving a circle of footprints. I needed to either woman-up, go inside and claim my man; or give up.

I checked my reflection in the ute windows, trying to find courage and silence my nerves. Darin and Trixi had been right. I needed to focus on what Ethan was and what we could be together; not go looking for flaws.

So what if he didn’t sign up for the RFS? Every week he was making a difference in the community. I’d already seen the change in Ryan and his friends—all because of Ethan.

If he didn’t love me back yet, it could come. All I needed was to capture the spark between us and let it ignite into something powerful.

Right. For. Us.

The door slammed open, creating more of an entrance than I expected or wanted.

Korbin was the first to see me and almost doubled over, laughing. He’d already given me enough grief about losing my shit over another Captain-Coach.

Yes, I had a type. And after pulling this stunt, my secret wouldn’t be a secret any longer. I was totally in love with Ethan Cooper and willing to put my pride and ego on the line to prove it.

I strode over to Ethan, who looked hot as all fuck in navy blue training shorts and glistening bare chest. The men had been working hard and the sexy aroma of male sweat filled the room. Two dozen men were in various stages of collapse around the equipment, but Ethan, Reece, and Korbin were doing arm work.

---