by Grey, R. S.
Taylor is still on my lap, but when I set my phone back down on my desk, she attempts to stand.
“Someone is going to walk in.” She frowns as I pull her back down onto me. “Ethan…”
I silence her protests with a soft kiss, my hand wrapping around the back of her neck. She doesn’t give in to it right away; in fact, she sits perfectly still while I tease her mouth, parting her lips. She smiles and leans against me and I tilt my head, finally kissing her deeply. Her hand flattens over my heart and she softens, accepting my advances and meeting them with desires of her own. Our tongues touch and her moan is hot wax dripping down my skin. I pull her up higher on my lap and slip my hand between her jean-clad thighs.
The door to the trailer opens and Taylor flies off me, the back of her hand flat against her mouth as Robert walks in with Hudson. They’re talking animatedly about a basketball game when Robert’s gaze catches on Taylor’s back. He frowns and glances to me, but my steely gaze warns him not to say a word. Hudson is, again, completely oblivious.
“If you wouldn’t mind scanning that,” I say, picking up the paper Taylor brought over earlier and adding another sheet on top of it that outlines the notes from my phone call with our client.
She nods silently and rushes back over to the desk.
I feel guilty for what could have just happened, and I’m not surprised when Taylor leaves a few moments later without meeting my eyes.
Chapter 28
Taylor
Ethan’s in the shower when I make it back to the cabin later that night. I purposely stayed away after dinner, trying to cool my temper, but it didn’t work, and when I pull that door open and step into the steaming bathroom, I’m still annoyed with him. What if Robert and Hudson had seen us!? What if they did see us and just decided to keep their lewd comments to themselves?!
Ethan is rinsing his hair, his tall, toned body on full display. He turns and spots me, and there’s not even a hint of embarrassment on his face. The man is too arrogant for his own good.
“You nearly got us caught today,” I accuse, my voice harder than I thought it’d be.
I’m glad. I don’t want him knowing how close I am to pouncing on him.
He soaps up his palms and lathers his chest and arms.
“I take full responsibility,” he says, a smile barely visible on his lips.
He’s not taking this seriously, and that only annoys me more. I step under the stream, fully clothed, and push him back against the wall. Within seconds, I’m drenched. My t-shirt clings to my skin and my hair hangs heavy down my back.
“Don’t do it again. When you kiss me like that, I…”
He brushes the hair off my face and tilts my chin up so our eyes meet. His eyes sweep back and forth between mine as if trying to ensure I’m really listening to him when he speaks.
“I won’t let anything happen to you.”
His voice is so sincere and resolute, I believe him.
Which is a relief, because now that I’ve let him have it, I’d really like to take advantage of him in this bathroom. And I do. I slink down to my knees, glad for the denim that softens the bite of the tile floor.
Ethan’s mischievous grin makes him look like a devil in disguise. “Is this part of my punishment?”
“No,” I tease. “That’ll come later, in bed.”
* * *
Two weeks pass like this and it’s equal parts blissful and maddening. All day, Ethan and I wear our employer-employee hats. We carefully avoid touching one another. There’s very little playful banter and absolutely no kissing, mostly because we’re hardly ever given the opportunity. Hudson always seems to be around, and if he’s not, Robert is, or one of the crew has a question or I’m off working or…
I still eat lunch with the crew, which I now realize really annoys Ethan. He takes it out on me at night, on that small bottom bunk. Every bit of jealousy he feels during the day gets poured into his lovemaking and I’m starved for more. I’m losing my head, which wouldn’t be so concerning except that my heart is already long lost. I’m not sure when exactly that happened, but it’s too late to turn back now. Putting up MISSING posters around camp wouldn’t help because I know the man who stole it and I don’t think he has any interest in giving it back to me. There is no point in trying to cap these feelings, no denying the love I feel toward a man I used to think I despised with every fiber of my being.
We stay together at the camp on the weekends and those days are so lazy and sweet, like a summer romance in a fairytale. We have nowhere to be and no one to answer to. We make love by the lake and swim until we’re exhausted from it. He grills us chicken and burgers and hotdogs and he tugs me down onto his lap while we share our food.
He lies back on his towel, his eyes closed, and I brush my fingers over his chest, reading a book aloud. I think he’s fallen asleep, and I pause, but then one eye peeks open and he insists I continue. With a smile, I pick up right where I left off.
After long days, we fill up that bathtub in the cabin and he washes me off just like I fantasized he would, his hands moving over my soapy, slick skin, his lips on my neck.
A part of me feels guilty for how happy I am. I know how much my mom is struggling and when I get paid again, it feels good to mail home that check, knowing how much she needs it. I insist she keep every penny for herself and for McKenna. I call home a couple times a week, always glad when McKenna updates me with good news about school. Summer will start soon, and she, Lilian, and Brittany have all been accepted to attend a six-week robotics and engineering camp at the University of Texas put on solely for young women. Better still, the camp is completely free to attendees thanks to a generous donation from Michael Dell.
I tell Ethan about it after I hang up the call and he grins, happy for her.
“But wait, why do you look like that?” he asks.
“Like what?”
“Annoyed?”
I immediately ease my expression. “If I looked annoyed, it’s just because I’m hungry.”
His eyes narrow as he studies me. “Do you not want her to go to the camp? Are you worried about her in Austin? Because I could have Isla check up on her, and you and I could even go back on the weekends—”
“No, it’s not that.” I turn and start putting away some of the laundry I left folded on top of the dresser, happy to have an activity that puts my back to him.
“Okay, then what is it?”
“It’s silly. I shouldn’t be jealous of my own sister. I want the best for McKenna.”
“You want to go to Austin?”
I squeeze my eyes closed, annoyed that he can’t read my mind. “No! That’s stupid, I—”
“Want to go to college?”
I freeze, carefully assessing his words. Does he seem shocked? Incredulous at the idea? No, just curious.
I sigh, keeping my attention down on my hands as they toy with a button on one of his folded shirts. “Yes, actually. It’s something I didn’t get the chance to do, and I wish sometimes I were in McKenna’s shoes. Things were different when I was in high school.”
“Because of your mom and Lonny?”
I nod, glad I opened up to him the other day while we were in the bath. It feels better now that he knows more of my history.
“With only a high school diploma, I don’t have many options. You’ve seen that firsthand. I worry about what jobs I can possibly hope to get in the future when I go back to Oak Dale. I refuse to go back to working at that motel.”
“Well, there are a million colleges in Austin, so just apply to one of them.”
I frown, unnerved by how easy he makes it sound. “Why in the world would I do that?”
“Because that’s where we’ll be living after this project wraps up.”
I laugh then, shoving away from the dresser. “Oh my god, listen to yourself. You’re such a control freak!”
“Oh, sorry. Here, let me try again: I think you and I should live in Austin, together. Was that better?”
/> “Not at all.”
He catches me as I try to walk around him and squashes me against him. I have no hope of escaping. “Okay, so we’ll talk about Austin later. Like next week.”
“Next month.”
“Tomorrow.”
I groan, glad he swoops his mouth down to mine and effectively ends the discussion. I don’t like talking about these things. I don’t like pinning hope where none belongs.
I should be grateful for right now, for this job and my time with Ethan, especially because life has taught me time and time again how fleeting happiness can be.
Chapter 29
Taylor
I know Ethan’s partners are coming today because he woke up early then was ready and out of the cabin before I even managed to crawl out of bed. The client—the resort company behind this development—will be here too. I’m excited for them to see the progress of the build. So much has happened in the last few weeks. With the framing in progress, the hotel is starting to take shape, and they’re moving on to other buildings as well.
The weather is working on our side. The trees and wildflowers are in full bloom along the path to the camp, and the cool morning breeze offsets the blazing sun.
Max is in the mess hall, finishing up his breakfast when I walk in. I smile and wave, and he shoots to his feet to join me in line.
“Hey, I was waiting for you.”
I blanche, feeling bad for not waking up earlier. “Oh, sorry, I hope you didn’t have to sit too long.”
He shakes his head, and that’s when I notice his usual happy disposition is noticeably dulled today. “What’s going on?” I ask, nudging him with my shoulder. “You okay?”
“It’s nothing. I just…” He laughs and drags a hand through his hair. “Listen, I’ve been trying to work up the nerve to ask you out again, and well, it seems like the courage will never come, so I’m just going to do it. Right now. This is…in fact, me asking you.”
My eyes go wide.
What?!
His declaration is so out of left field that I don’t know what to say first. Then, finally, I rush out my words. “Oh, Max, I’m really sorry. I just…I’m not—”
“Available?”
I swallow past the lump in my throat and glance away. A few of the guys in the mess hall are watching us, probably aware of what’s happening. I wish Max had done this in private. I hate everyone knowing my business.
“You’re not, right?” he continues. “Everyone’s been saying you and Ethan are dating. That’s why you two spend all your time in that cabin. You used to hang out with us after dinner, but now you scarf down your food like someone’s about to steal it and then you’re gone the rest of the night.”
I’m blushing now, wishing I’d been more careful. I thought no one would realize what was happening if we kept our hands to ourselves on the site, but apparently, love isn’t that easy to hide.
“It’s not…” I sigh, feeling like I’m suddenly on trial. This wasn’t supposed to happen this way. I wanted to keep my personal life separate from work, but in this setting, that’s next to impossible. Still, I don’t like the feeling of being backed into a corner, so instead of confirming Max’s suspicions, I reroute. “I just don’t think you and I would be a good fit.”
It’s true, regardless of whether or not I’m dating Ethan.
He doesn’t buy it. He’s hung up on the fact that I didn’t outright deny my relationship.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” He sneers. “Sleeping with the boss?”
I know he’s saying these things because I rejected him and he’s upset. I know he doesn’t mean to sound so disgusted with me.
I open my mouth to apologize for not reciprocating his feelings. I know how badly that hurts, but he turns away before I get the chance, and the whole exchange makes me sick to my stomach.
I’m not hungry for breakfast after all, and as soon as Max goes to reclaim his seat by his friends, I head to find Ethan.
I’m in such a hurry, not paying attention as I rush out the door of the mess hall, and I collide against a hard chest, nearly falling back on my butt before two hands reach out to steady me.
“My bad,” an amused voice says. “Jeez, you came out of nowhere.”
I glance up and realize with dread that I’ve just run right into one of Ethan’s partners. I recognize him from that night at the bar. He was another one of the suits sitting at the table.
He’s slicker than Ethan. Even now, he’s wearing a crisp white dress shirt with his jeans and boots, not a hair out of place. He’s closer to my age and he’d be handsome if he weren’t looking down at me with a sinister gleam in his gaze.
“Wait,” he says, narrowing his eyes. “I know you.”
I shake my head and try to step back, stomach twisting with dread, but his grip tightens as if he needs just another second of me standing in front of him to place me in his mind.
I look away, but it doesn’t matter. His resulting chuckle makes me go perfectly still.
“You’re the thief.”
My heart leaps in my chest, misses a beat, and then thumps madly against my ribs.
“From the motel bar,” he continues, letting his lazy gaze drag down my body.
I finally jerk my arms away from him and glance around, grateful that at least no one else heard him. Ethan is over near the trailer chatting with a few well-dressed people. His back is to us, and maybe that’s for the best. What would he do if he saw his partner grabbing me like that?
“Does Ethan realize?” he continues.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say, speaking up for the first time and willing my voice to stay steady. I’m shaking in my boots and all I want to do is flee, but I won’t give him the pleasure.
He smirks and shakes his head. “There’s no point in trying to deny it. I’d remember your face anywhere. You know I wanted you that night just the same as Ethan did. I guess I lucked out in the end, though—and you did too. You’d have been disappointed if you lured me into that bathroom. I don’t keep much cash on me.”
An angry flush overtakes my cheeks.
“I’m Grant, by the way.”
He holds out his hand, like I’d actually want to shake it after the snide remarks he just slung at me.
Instead, I let it hang there in the air before he laughs and lets it drop.
“Looks like Ethan has his hands full with you. I suppose it’s no coincidence that you’re here, though I would have appreciated if he’d told me. Maybe I would have come out here to check on the site sooner.”
His double meaning is clear by the way he’s leering down at me.
I’m dangerously close to losing it. Tears or fists are about to fly, but the first would make it so I could barely meet my own gaze in the mirror and the second would leave me without a job. I take a deep breath and force myself to stay calm as I glance up into his cold, haughty eyes.
“Whatever you think happened at that bar didn’t. You should talk to Ethan.”
“I’d rather talk to you.”
“Taylor, Grant,” Hudson shouts from a few yards away. “The meeting is about to start.”
Of course, the meeting Grant will help run. I’m supposed to be present to take notes and provide any assistance if need be as we all crowd into the trailer together. Introductions are done quickly and I’m immediately intimidated by the group. There are two women and two men here as representatives of the luxury resort company, all more polished and put together than I could ever hope to be. I grab a notepad and pen, but Grant speaks up before I settle back into a chair in the corner.
“Taylor, I’d like some coffee. I left mine in the car.”
The request might seem innocuous to everyone else, but not to me.
I don’t say a word—knowing there’s nothing to say—before I rise to fulfill his request. By the time I return, the meeting is in full swing. I walk quietly around the perimeter of chairs to hand it off to him, and he takes one look at it t
hen wrinkles his nose. “Could you add some cream?”
There’s no way to protest, no reason to. I’d look crazy if I did.
So I take that cup and rush back to the mess hall so I can add a splash of cream and not even an ounce of spit—which is really something I’m proud of—before I hurry back to the trailer.
He’s still not happy. His mouth opens to object, but Ethan beats him to the punch.
“If you’re that particular about your coffee, Grant, get up and get it yourself. You’re disrupting the meeting.”
Silence ensues as everyone turns to look at us.
Grant unfurls a smirk and holds up the cup in a silent cheers. “It’s fine. Continue.”
I hurry to my chair and try to make myself disappear, but it’s no use. Grant does everything possible to keep me involved. When everyone stands to tour the site, he insists I come along and stay by his side.
“I need you to take notes. You know how to do that right? Or does Ethan have you performing other duties?”
I hate that no one else hears him. I hate that I’m so close to making a scene.
Ethan is ahead of us, at the helm, talking with the clients. He’s running the show and though I want nothing more than to have a private word with him, it’s just not possible right now. He has a job to do, and so do I. I stay by Grant and keep my spine straight and my chin up. I fulfill my duties to the best of my ability and try hard to ignore the few tasteless comments he aims my way, insinuations about what I am to Ethan and what my role actually is here on site. He cloaks his accusations in euphemisms, but there’s no mistaking his malicious intent.
After lunch, I’m not sure I have the energy to continue. The clients are gone, but Ethan’s partners are still here. Apparently, they have more work to do before they head back to Austin. My stomach fills with dread. I have every intention of steering clear of the trailer, even if that means hiding out in the cabin.
I turn down the path and stop short when I spot Grant, Steven, and Brad walking toward me. Steven and Brad are wearing hard, angry expressions, but it’s Grant who captures my full attention as he leans over and spits blood into the grass.