Page 64 of Rare Blend
The way he worded that made it sound like I’m literally staying in the cottage with him, but I don’t correct him because part of me wants his claim. Ethan’s probably trying to save me from his playboy friend and doesn’t actually mean anything byit, but I can’t help the gooey feeling coating my insides like warm honey.
“Ready to go home?” Ethan repeats, and I melt.
Home.
Everything about that felt electric, like a current is running through me.
I nod, and Ethan’s hand grazes the small of my back as he guides me to stand before dragging around to my side, splaying out to grip between my ribs and hip.
“See you around, Cole,” Ethan says, as he walks me out of the bar
I was starting to sober, growing more sleepy than anything, but now that familiar drunk feeling has returned and it has nothing to do with alcohol.
As we step outside, the cool night air hits my face, causing my breath to fog.
“Wait,” I gasp. “I didn’t say bye to anyone.”
He glances down at me and laughs quietly. I love that sound. In fact, I think it’s my favorite sound. “I know. Something tells me they’ll live.”
We walk a few more paces until he abruptly stops. Before I can gather my bearings, his palm is sliding under my thighs and my stomach dips as my feet lift off the ground.
He’s carrying me.
Like full on, princess-style carrying me.
“What are you doing?” I screech.
“I’m carrying you,” he deadpans.
Well, no shit.“Why?”
He keeps walking, his hot breath heating my chest. “Because at the snail’s pace you were walking, we wouldn’t get to my truck before sunup.”
I like this a little too much. I’ve never been carried by a man before. Ever. A swarm of butterflies has taken flight inside me,so powerful I’m certain he can hear the flapping of their wings. If I turned my head slightly, I could nuzzle his neck, feel his warm skin against my lips. I just might. What’s the worst he could do?
Would he like it? Would it be his undoing? I know I said I wouldn’t let myself get distracted, but that ship has sailed. I’m distracted as hell; by his scent, and his scruffy beard, and the way his rough hands gently touch me. I bet they would feel even better?—
“Here we are.” Ethan slowly places me back down, ensuring I have my footing before letting go. The moment he’s no longer touching me, my body shutters at the loss of contact.
He opens the passenger door and grabs hold of my hand to help me up. The hand hold is brief, but the lingering heat he leaves behind sears my palm. Just when I think he’s going to shut the door, he catches me by surprise and buckles me up. My breath hitches as he clicks the belt in place and his heavy-lidded eyes hold mine.
I lick my lips and watch his eyes track the movement. His normally mossy eyes have gone dark, fully dilated and shining from the overhead streetlight. Risking my pride, I lean forward, blurring the invisible line we’ve drawn. I can’t remember the last time I wanted so desperately to be kissed.
He inches closer, and my entire body stills, save for my erratic heart threatening to leap out of my throat. I want to know what he tastes like. I want to know if his beard will scratch against my skin like I’ve been imagining it would. I want his gentle touch to be a little not so gentle, unrestrained and unguarded, just for me.
He’s close enough to me now I can feel the ghost of his lips, the soft heat of them invading my senses. Just when I think he’s going to crash his mouth to mine, the heat dissolves, replaced with cold air.
He pulled away.
He rejected me.
My face burns, and I turn away from him so he doesn’t see the impact he has on me.
He closes the door and walks around to his side. Not looking at me he starts the truck and silently cranks up the heat. I feel like a fool. Like a silly, stupid girl. Of course he doesn’t want me; he’s done nothing to make me think otherwise. I built something up in my head that wasn’t real. As we drive away from the bar, I pivot myself away from him, curling my body against the door and closing my heavy eyes. Never again. Never again will I let myself go there.
CHAPTER 24
Marisa
