Page 56 of Mess With Me
“On the ground?” she asked, crinkling her nose. “Like all exposed to bears and bugs and snakes?” She shuddered.
“Could be in a tent.” He offered a more civilized version, though he preferred real camping—ground underneath, sky above.
“Sounds rough.”
“It’s fun. Great to get away from civilization and back to the basics.”
She grinned. “As long as the basics include a bathroom with a shower, I’m game.”
“City slicker,” he teased.
“I’ll have you know I’m a suburb girl through and through.”
“Could be an adventure,” he said, playing to her quest for new experiences. “Call of the wild. Bring out all your primitive instincts.” He smirked, thinking how awesome sex in the great outdoors with Ally would be.
“I can be primitive just as easily in a soft bed if you’re with me.” She gave him a sweet smile. “You made me feel so good. Thank you.”
He flushed with pride, his chest bursting with happiness. He leaned across the table, hooked his fingers around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. “My pleasure.” He released her and settled back into his chair. “Still think a vibrator is better than a man?”
She beamed radiantly, pure sunshine. “It’s like you said before when we both agreed men suck—you’re the exception.”
Pure satisfaction washed through him. “Thanks.” He soaked her in, hoping he could keep this thing going long enough to actually reel her in because he was already sunk.
12
Ally stopped by the supermarket after work, finally calming down from what she was now calling the night (and morning after) that Ethan blew her mind. Only took eleven hours for her to calm down. Ha! The man was a collection of contradictions—tough with a stone expression that rarely cracked into a smile, but then in bed he’d been gentle, almost tender. She’d never experienced that with any man. And the way he’d listened, really listened, to her relationship concerns. He was the most amazing man she’d ever met.
No pulling the rug out from under you, I promise. I like you and want to spend time with you.Ethan’s words came back to her again, bringing a gooey deep affection. She was halfway in love with him.
Oh, God. She was falling for him.
She gave herself a mental shake, pushing her cart down the bread aisle.Focus. She’d spoken to Claire about the assistant opportunity after work today only to find it wasn’t a good fit. So what was she going to do with her life? What was her purpose? This thinking-things-through stuff wasn’t for the faint of heart.
Her cart was full of healthy food when she made her final stop at the freezer section for ice cream. She halted two steps down the aisle. As if conjured from her thoughts, Ethan stood at the opposite end of the aisle.
She made herself continue forward like everything was normal. Like her heart wasn’t racing, her knees wobbly over seeing him so soon after their hookup. Nothing like the early evening after the morning after…whatever. It was always awkward to see your lover fully dressed when the vision of their naked body was still fresh in mind. The things his mouth had done to her. She throbbed at the memory.
He hadn’t noticed her yet as he picked out Hungry Guy frozen dinners.
Just be friendly. Casual. No big deal.
“There’s my stalker!” she called with a wave.
He straightened and flashed a smile that stopped her heart. She flushed and her heart kicked into high gear as she closed the distance between them, parking her cart alongside his.
He tossed two more frozen dinners into his cart, joining the pile already in there. “Yeah, I figured if I stood here long enough, you were bound to come in for…”
“Ice cream,” she supplied. “And ya know, the usual stuff for the week.”
He searched her features for a moment before asking, “How’s the plan to work with Claire? Have you spoken to her about it?”
She sighed. “It’s not going to work out. She says after the movie wraps, she and Jake want to buy a horse farm in Connecticut. They’re hoping to start a family. She said she’ll still be working, but probably more behind the camera with her production company.”
“So she doesn’t need an assistant?”
“No, she does, but it would be more local.” She frowned. “I don’t want to hang around a horse farm in Connecticut. I’ve lived my whole life in Connecticut. I thought it would be so glam too. I told her that and she understood. She said she’d ask around if another actress needs an assistant that would involve more travel for me. She knows, like, everyone.”
Ethan moved to stand by her side. “Sorry it didn’t work out, but I’m glad you’ll be sticking around.”
