Page 9 of Play to Win
Shaking his head, he tried to convince himself that memory had no place in his mind, not anymore. His relationship with Stacey was old news. Just like the friendship he’d had with Portia was. Two women, two missteps in his life he couldn’t go back and fix.
Forward movement, that’s where his concentration was now. Moving on with his life and letting the past live in the past. With those thoughts, he started the engine and pulled out of his parking spot. It was only a few minutes later before huge drops of rain splattered onto the windshield. He turned on his wipers and his radio. His favorite playlists were already loaded so he only needed to hit a specific number to hear designated tunes. Tonight, it was Drake. He needed the smooth lyrics and pumping beats to keep his mind off pretty women with lush lips.
He’d just turned onto the highway when the thought of lush lips fled from his mind as his headlights zeroed in on a plump ass leaning into the trunk of a car. The rain had already picked up as he slowed the truck and passed the woman, but the moment he noticed the front tire of her car was flat, he stopped. He put the truck in reverse and parked in front of the car so that he could get out and help. Stepping out into the rainy night he tried not to notice the jeans, red t-shirt and Jordan Retro 13 tennis shoes he wore were now getting soaked.
A car jack and lug wrench were on the ground near the front driver’s side tire. She knew what she was doing and was probably at this moment searching for the spare tire in the trunk. Stopping at the back of the car, he asked, “Need some help?”
The woman’s head came up so quickly, she lost her balance and started to flail backward. The flashlight she was holding sent beams of light shooting through the night sky. He moved fast, clearing the remaining distance until he was closer to her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to keep her from falling. When she turned in his arms and slapped her hands against his shoulders, his gaze caught hers.
Her hair was wet, slacked down to the sides of her face. Long lashes with drops of water on the ends, blinked over lovely amber-colored eyes. Thanks to the bright beam of the flashlight she still held, Ethan could see the flecks of gold in those pretty eyes he would recognize anywhere. He could also feel the heat moving steadily throughout his body as he once again stared at Portia Merin.
“I don’t need any help,” she said quietly, before licking her lips.
“I do,” Ethan whispered.I need help getting you out of my head.Of course, he didn’t say that to her, he wasn’t a total idiot. But it was true. As hard as he’d tried all weekend his thoughts had continually returned to her and now, here she was again. “I mean, I do need to help you. I can’t just get in my truck and pull off while you’re out here trying to change a tire in the rain.”
“I know how to change a tire.” He didn’t doubt that for one minute. In fact, he was certain Portia knew how to do just about anything.
“Just let me help you and then I’ll be on my way. I promise. No strings attached.”
“I’d probably be more inclined to believe those last words if your arms weren’t so tight around my waist.” With that she pressed her palms flat against his chest as if she planned to push him away, but she didn’t.
And he couldn’t let her go. As odd and probably obsessive as that sounded, it was clear they were being drawn together for some reason. “I didn’t want you to fall.”
“I’m not falling now.”
No. She wasn’t. But the way she was looking up at him, the way her body remained pressed against his even though he’d lessened his hold at her former comment, it sent a very conflicting message. Her mouth was saying to leave her alone, not in specific words, but he could easily get that message. Her actions, on the other hand, were telling him something different. “Let’s make a deal.” An impromptu proposal that he hoped she’d go along with. “You let me help you with this tire and I won’t ask to follow you back to your hotel this time.”
The corner of her mouth tilted in a smile as she shook her head. “Just like you tried to make a deal that we only study Algebra for half an hour and then we talk about your football stats the remaining thirty minutes.”
The memory of those days sitting in the back of the library, or at the diner studying came back with a rush. Per his recollection conflict and indecision had always been their thing. “I enjoyed talking to you. Much like I apparently enjoy touching you now.”
She faltered for the barest second before easing closer and slamming her lips into his. It only took a second of dazed delight before he was moaning with satisfaction as his lips parted and her tongue eased inside.
