“It’s not going to be easy, Gelderman. I’m a confrontational kind of girl, and if someone pisses me off or goes after someone I care about, I don’t usually back off. But I’ll try, and that’s the only promise you’re getting from me.”
Ethan could feel the smile on his face. “Nice to know you care about me, Smith.”
“Don’t let it go to your head. I care about a lot of people, in a purely friend-based capacity.”
“No, you can’t get out of this one. You said you care, and I’m not allowing you to take it back.”
“Whatever.” She climbed up his body suddenly. “Just shut up and kiss me.”
He did, and when she moved down his body and he slid inside her, he lost every thought in his head.
“Sweet Jesus, Smith, who knew you could ride like that?” he said when he could think again. His body was liquid, all the bones melted under the onslaught of two of the best bouts of sex he’d ever had.
They must have slept, because when Ethan opened his eyes, it was dark outside. He could feel the weight of Annabelle in his arms and lay for several minutes enjoying the sensation. He didn’t want to think about anything more than the here and now, but they needed to get through the next two days. After that they’d talk; for now there was a rehearsal dinner to dress for.
Reaching an arm above his head, he found the light and turned it on. She didn’t stir. Her head was nestled on his shoulder, one arm around his chest.
“Annabelle, honey, wake up.” Pushing her hair from her cheek, he kissed her.
“Do I have to?” Her voice was soft and raspy with sleep.
“Yup, afraid so. We have a dinner to get ready for.”
“Dinner!” She sat upright, giving Ethan a nice view of her exceptional body. “Oh my God, what’s the time? We haven’t missed it, have we?”
“No, we have two hours before we have to be there,” Ethan said, thinking how cute she looked all mussed up from sleep. He didn’t say it, though; Annabelle Smith wasn’t the type to take that as a compliment.
“Okay, good, right.” She blinked a few times, then rubbed her eyes.
Ethan reached for his cell as it buzzed. Reading the message, he said, “Hope and Taylor are coming down in about fifteen minutes to meet you properly.”
“What! I’m naked, we’ve just had sex…twice, and… oh my God.”
Ethan had never seen her move so fast. She was off the bed and running to her room in seconds. He enjoyed the view until she disappeared, then he too climbed out. He found some fresh clothes then headed for the shower with a smile on his face.
CHAPTER TEN
Clothed in one of the two dresses she had borrowed from Macy, Annabelle slipped into her black heels and headed for Ethan’s room. She hadn’t allowed herself time to think about what they had shared, the sex, the confidences, all of it, everything that she’d promised never to do with the Texan Tomcat. But he wasn’t that here; he was vulnerable and hurting and trying to get through what promised to be a horrible few days without causing trouble.
She had managed to fight her attraction to Ethan Gelderman by reminding herself constantly that he was a shallow, handsome, and egotistical rich man who had more little black books than the average man had socks. But she couldn’t do that now; now she’d seen another side to him, and it was that side that had weakened her resolve.
Pulling out her cell phone as it buzzed, she looked at the number then put it back on the bedside table. Cooper was still calling her constantly, and she was still too angry to take his call.
After a quick knock on the connecting door, Annabelle opened it and stopped. Ethan was dressed, standing at the foot of his bed. He turned with a smile as she entered and she felt something move in her chest as she took in the impact of seeing him dressed as he was.
She’d never seen him in anything but casual clothing, and she was glad, because he was devastating in a suit. It was charcoal, and with it he wore a pale blue shirt and an ice blue and charcoal striped tie. The jacket hugged his shoulders and tapered down his arms. He was, quite simply, mouthwatering.
“Beautiful doesn’t cover how you look, Annabelle.”
He was walking towards her, a gentle smile on his face, and she wanted to retreat, go back to her room and shut the door because she felt like she was sinking, her footing unsure, and it was terrifying.
“You are not allowed to go out in public dressed like that, Gelderman. You’ll cause a riot.” When Annabelle was off balance, she resorted to her smart mouth.
He stopped when the toes of his polished black leather boots touched her shoes. She could smell his aftershave now, that elusive male scent that made a woman’s mouth water.
“Ditto, honey.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, then nuzzled her neck. “You smell good, and I sure as hell don’t know how I’m going to concentrate with you in that dress, looking like you do.”
“Ethan—”
