Page 71 of Catch
“You didn’t. Ethan’s messing around.”
“It didn’t look or sound that way to me. So, you’renotdating him?”
I make a strangled noise in my throat as I try to find the words to describe whatever the hell is going on between me and Ethan.
“Okay then. Whatever it is, it’s none of my business,” Reese adds with a grin. “How about you and I stick to getting to know each other as friends?”
“I’d like that.”
We get into a discussion about the next regatta, upcoming nationals, and even Reese’s Olympic hopes. Minutes tick by, but there’s no sign of Ethan, and the longer he’s gone, the more agitated I get. Archie and Hudson join in on our conversation, but I excuse myself so I can go look for Ethan.
When I step inside, I find him sitting at the front of the restaurant, at a table by himself.
“What are you doing in here?” I ask as I take the seat beside him.
“I needed a breather,” he mutters but refuses to make eye contact.
“Why?”
He barks out a laugh and hangs his head back.
“Why do you think, Jett?”
Ethan finally looks at me and the undeniable heat in his eyes has my heart kicking up.
“Reese?”
“I don’t like him flirting with you.”
“Okay, butboyfriend?”
“It worked, didn’t it?”
“It was unnecessary. He’s a nice guy but I’m not interested in him that way,” I admit. “And it still doesn’t explain why you had to come in here.”
“I didn’t want to do or say anything stupid.”
“Like?”
“Like telling him to get his hands off you. Like kissing the fuck out of you in front of everyone to make it clear.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Yes, Jett, I would.” Ethan leans in. “When it comes to you, I’m ready to do a lot of things I haven’t done before.”
I thought the thrill of today’s win couldn’t be beat, but I’m wrong. So wrong.
Under the table, Ethan slides a warm, callused hand up my thigh. Holy shit.
He squeezes my leg, moving higher. I’ve never been so grateful in all my life to be wearing these damn shorts. It takes all my control to hold back a moan, and I bite my lip so hard I taste blood. I wish we were anywhere but here. Oh fuck, I’m getting hard, and I hope my T-shirt is long enough to cover my growing bulge.
“Enough teasing,” Ethan whispers.
“Me?”
“Get up.”
He removes his hand, pushes his chair back, and stands up.
