Page 57 of Fight Or Flight

“I’m sure you heard me,” he said, then leaned down to her ear. “Let’s get breakfast,” he said, kissing her neck and ear.

“Mmm . . . that’s not how one-night stands work.”

Ethan laughed his low, rumbling laugh she was starting to crave. “No?”

He started massaging again, and she gave in to it, leaning back with another moan. “No. You’re supposed to put on your pants awkwardly, say something douchey, and bolt out the door.”

“Not really my style,” he said.

She rolled her neck, revelling in his touch, feeling every last bit of tension melt away. “You don’t think breakfast is a bad idea?”

“I do,” he said. She could almost hear his smile coming through his words. “But I’d like to do it anyway.”

“Sex changed you.”

Ethan laughed. “It’s just breakfast, Natalie.”

“I’ve been trying to avoid town. And crowds.”

“Don’t you live in London, with like, seven million people?”

“It’s closer to nine, I think.”

“Well, there are only four thousand here. So.”

“But those four thousand know everything about me. So.”

“What’s the worst that can happen?”

“I get tarred and feathered and run out of town.”

Ethan laughed. “I’ll protect you. My parents forced me to take Muay Thai lessons for eight years after a kid at school beat me up.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head, and she let out a deep breath along with a laugh.

“What’s Muay Thai?”

“It’s basically kick-boxing. I got to a blue belt around the same time I hit a growth spurt, so the bullies left me alone, and I quit. But I assure you, I can fall right back into it. It’s just like riding a bike.”

“Hmm . . . no wonder you’re a lot stronger than you look.”

Ethan smiled. “I’m going to choose to take that as a compliment.”

She stood and, against her better judgment, but unable to stop herself, walked into his arms, taking him into a deep, exploring kiss. When she pulled back, she dropped a kiss on his chest, then rested her cheek in the same spot.

“Okay.”

“Okay, as in, yes, to breakfast?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Ethan reached for her hand, tugged her out of the kitchen. “Perfect, let’s get dressed. The café in town has breakfast poutine.”

What?

“Breakfast poutine?”

He laughed. “Guess I should have led with that.”

She nodded and let him lead her up the stairs.

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