Page 58 of Passionate Defense

“What the—Ethan!”

Too shocked to speak coherently, she looked down as another rent opened in the front of her shirt, her husband’s hands shredding the jersey knit as easy as tissue paper. When she saw the tattered remnants of her T-shirt at her feet, she was floored.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“I planned to wax my car tomorrow and realized I was out of shop clothes.”

A giggle escaped at the outrageousness of his actions. He eased out of her body and turned her into his arms.

“It also galled me to see you encased in such filth. I couldn’t help myself. Besides, I’ve always wanted to act like the barbarian you’ve often accused me of being and rip your clothes off.”

“That was my very favorite shirt.”

His shout of laughter startled her, as did his hand falling on her tenderized butt—twice.

She squealed and grabbed her stinging bottom. “Hey, what was that for? I thought the scene was over.”

“You, Lanie Fischer, are a terrible liar. I bought that shirt specifically for this scene and you know it. I had to hide my head in shame and hope no one I knew saw me. That was forty-eight hours ago at the most.”

She grinned sheepishly up at him while rubbing her butt. “I forgot, but I used to have a shirt almost exactly like this. I haven’t seen it in ages.” She peered up at him suspiciously. “You wouldn’t know what happened to it, would you?”

“I might,” he answered vaguely, his soft laughter tickling the sensitive skin on the side of her neck before his lips connected and glided upward. “You told that whopper because you wanted more. Admit it.”

“I might have,” she replied with a shrug, imitating his nonanswer.

When her feet left the floor and he climbed the stairs with her in his arms, she instinctively wrapped her legs around him. “That was fun. I want to do it again.” Beaming at him, she declared, “I’m a Giants fan. Who do you like in football?”

“Dear lord, I’ve created a monster.”

Her arms tightened around his neck. As she hugged him, the earlobe near her mouth was too tempting to pass up. She nipped then sucked it into her mouth, smiling when she felt a groan rumble in his chest. Then she whispered in his ear. “You have, honey. And like me, you love every minute of it.”

Chapter 14

DESPITE THEIR LITTLEadventure, they were on time meeting Ray and Vicky at the Lansdowne Pub, which was just down the street from Fenway Park. Somehow, the other couple had found a table in the throng of fans that crowded the popular restaurant before each game. From there, it was an easy walk to their gate, so they had plenty of time to chat and relax while enjoying a beer at the traditional Irish pub before the first pitch.

Ethan ordered a platter of Irish nachos for the table. Traditional with chili and cheese, jalapenos and sour cream, the difference, instead of the toppings drenching a plate of tortilla chips, they sat atop an immense pile of French fries.

---