Honey and the Hitman

by Hannah Murray

  “Sure.” Honey forced a smile.

  “Are you sure I can’t fix you up again?” Sadie asked. “There’s got to be someone out there for you.”

  Honey knew there was—he just didn’t like her. “If you don’t let it go, I’ll tell Seth’s mom you really want to wear her dress.”

  Sadie’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Well, God.”

  Abby giggled so hard her belly bounced. “I think she means it.”

  “Just for that, I’m putting you in a really ugly bridesmaid’s dress.”

  Honey just smiled. “I’m hungry. Let’s find something to eat.”

  Chapter Eight

  Over the next couple of weeks, Ethan worked steadily on the Meyers addition, enjoying the way it went from concept to framing to a master suite with gleaming hardwood floors, soft grey walls and a bath that could have come out of any high-end spa. He tagged along with Jacob to work up an estimate for a kitchen remodel, helped David finish off the nursery with Abby’s slightly fanatical supervision, and successfully persuaded a client that shag carpet was not, in fact, making a comeback.

  He enjoyed the work. The only problem was, every time he turned around, there was Honey.

  The first time it happened, he chalked it up to coincidence. He was grouting the tile in the shower of the new master bath at the Meyers house when the homeowner came in, chattering away about how thrilled she was with the work being done.

  “You’ve got to see this tile we picked out. It just glows. And the fixtures—we were going to go with brushed nickel, but then I saw the oil rubbed bronze against the tile and I just knew it was right.”

  “It’s beautiful, Carol, really. I don’t—oh!”

  He knew before he turned that she was there. He’d known the second he’d heard her voice. He could chalk it up to training; he never forgot a name or a voice. But while he’d recognized her voice, it was the clutch in his belly, the subtle tingle of desire that he felt when he heard it that told him who was speaking.

  She stood, tall and lovely with troubled eyes, in the bathroom doorway. She wore a dress in bold blue that wrapped around her, clinging to firm curves and showing off long legs. Her hair was up, leaving the lean length of her neck bare and exposing that streak of pink in her hair. He knew if he laid his lips there, she’d be warm and fragrant, with that spicy scent he’d come to associate with her. He wondered, not for the first time, if she’d taste as good as she smelled.

  “Ethan, hello.” Her voice was a little stiff, and her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “Honey. How are you?”

  “Good. I’m good.” Her eyes wandered the room, bouncing around from the shower to the double vanity to the soaking tub, looking everywhere but at him. “It looks lovely, Carol. So calm and refreshing, like a retreat.”

  “I know.” Carol Meyers sighed happily. “I’m just so thrilled with it. I think I might sleep in that tub when it’s all done.”

  Honey laughed and kept her eyes on the light fixtures. “I don’t blame you.”

  The women wandered out shortly after that, and he could hear them chattering away as they walked down the hall. By the time he finished with the grout—and he’d lingered as long as he’d dared—she was pulling away from the curb in her SUV with Mrs. Meyers waving her off.

  “The grout needs to set, Mrs. Meyers, so be sure you don’t walk on the tile for at least twenty-four hours.”

  She beamed at him. “Thanks, Ethan. You boys have just done a beautiful job in there.”

  He couldn’t deny the satisfaction that brought him. “Thanks.”

  “I didn’t realize you knew Honey,” she went on.

  He set his tools carefully in the bed of the truck before turning back to face her avid gaze. “She lives right behind my aunt, so we’ve run into each other a few times.”

  “Oh, of course. She’s a lovely girl. So sweet.”

  He made some non-committal noise as he dug his keys out of his pocket.

  “Single, too.” Mrs. Meyers’ voice went sly. “You’re not seeing anyone, are you, Ethan?”

  He shot her a wink. “I’m waiting for you to run away with me.”

  “Oh, go on.” She swatted his arm and blushed, but the gleam in her eye remained.

  Before she could say anything else, he climbed into the truck. “Remember, twenty-four hours,” he told her and pulled away before she could get another word in.

  The next night was poker night, an apparent monthly tradition normally held at Jacob’s house, but with Abby so close to delivering, they switched venues to David’s basement rec room. Ethan had shown up with a bucket of chicken and a six-pack of beer—store-bought this time, as they were now truly out of Aunt Winnie’s homemade brew—and had been in a good mood until he rang the bell and Honey opened the door.

  “What are you doing here?” he blurted out, then wished he’d kept his mouth shut

  Her eyes blazed at him, and he braced himself for a verbal lashing. But her eyes were cool, her tone even. “I’m helping Abby organize the nursery,” was all she said, and after pointing him toward the basement, disappeared up the stairs.

  After that, he’d gone two days without a glimpse of her and told himself it was for the best. Women were a complication, and that woman in particular was sure to be even more complicated than usual. He had enough on his plate. Right?

  Right.

  He was still trying to convince himself on Saturday night when Seth asked him to meet for a drink. Sadie was off dealing with some super-secret wedding business, and Seth was at loose ends. Feeling restless and not wanting to be around when Winnie and Jacob got back from their date—he’d discovered two nights earlier that she hadn’t been kidding about the dishtowel on the doorknob—he met Seth at the local tavern.

  “Thanks for meeting me.” Seth plunked two beers down on the table and dropped into a chair. “I hate having the house to myself. It feels empty when Sadie’s not there.”

  Ethan chuckled. “You’re going to love being married.”

  “I know.” Seth took a long pull from his beer and leaned back in his chair. “Have you ever been married?”

  “God, no.”

  “Ever come close?”

  Ethan shook his head. “Nope.”

  “How come?” Seth gestured with the beer. “You’re what, in your mid-thirties?”

  “Thirty-four,” Ethan confirmed and snagged a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the table. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

  “Nothing, I guess.” Seth shrugged and looked vaguely uncomfortable. “Do you want to get married?”

  “I never thought about it,” Ethan said honestly.

  “Really?”

  “It just never seemed like a possibility.” Hired killers didn’t generally have wives.

  “Well, I can’t wait to get married.” Seth tipped his beer back leisurely. “It’s going to be great.”

  “You two seem good together.”

  “We are.” Seth sighed, a happy, sappy smile on his face. “She’s the love of my life.”

  Ethan raised his beer in a toast. “Here’s to the love of your life.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Seth tapped his bottle to Ethan’s and drank. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Why don’t you like Honey?”

  Ethan choked, spewing beer all over the table. “What?”

  Seth reached over and grabbed a stack of napkins off the bar. “Why don’t you like Honey?”

  Ethan snatched at the napkins mopped at the mess—both on the table and on himself. “I like her just fine.”

  “That’s not what she thinks.”

  Ethan frowned, his gaze darting to Seth’s. “What are you talking about?”

  Seth shifted in his chair, looking suddenly uncomfortable. “Never mind. It’s not important.”

  “Seth.”

  Seth grimaced. “Shit. I don’t want to get involved.”

 
“Spill it.”

  “Shit,” Seth said again, then leaned forward. “Remember the cookout?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, Sadie started in on Honey about fixing her up. Sadie likes to play matchmaker.”

  “You told me.”

  “Right. Anyway, Sadie was talking about finding Honey a guy, and Honey was brushing her off. Then Sadie suggested she make a play for you.”

  Ethan didn’t like where this was going. “For me.”

  “Yeah. Like, you’re new in town and good looking, and Sadie thought you guys would be a good match.”

  Ethan frowned when Seth stopped talking to stare at his beer. “And?”

  “And Honey said it wouldn’t work because you don’t like her.”

  “What?”

  “She said you don’t like her.” Seth frowned at him. “Sadie said she thought Honey was joking at first, but she wasn’t.”

  Ethan scrubbed a hand over his face. “Dammit. What exactly did she say? Come on, Seth,” he said when the other man remained silent. “I know Sadie told you, probably word for word.”

  “She said you go out of your way not to touch her; you avoid talking to her.” He shrugged. “She said she could just tell.”

  Ethan closed his eyes. “Fuck.”

  “So, what’s the deal? Is she right?”

  Ethan sighed. “No, she’s not right. I like her fine. I’m just not looking to get involved with anyone.”

  Seth frowned. “Was she chasing after you or something?”

  “No.” Ethan ground his teeth together in frustration. “Nothing like that. I was just trying to avoid an awkward situation.”

  “Oh.” Seth munched a handful of peanuts. “Good job.”

  “Blow me,” Ethan suggested.

  Seth grinned. “Beautifully put.”

  Ethan laughed in spite of himself, then let out a sigh. “I’m going to have to say something to her, aren’t I?”

  “You could let it ride.” Seth shrugged and picked at the label on his beer bottle. “That would make you an asshole, of course. But hey, if you’re comfortable with that.”

  “Oh, shut up.” Ethan scowled at his beer. “I don’t know what to say to her.”

  “Well, whatever it is, you better come up with it soon.” Seth gestured with his beer. “She and Sadie just walked in.”

  “What?” Ethan jerked his head around, tension coiling his gut when he saw Sadie and Honey making their way across the room. “Hell.”

  “Do me a favor and leave me out of this, will you?” Seth muttered out of the side of his mouth as he waived to his fiancé. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

  Ethan spared the younger man one fulminating look before looking up with a smile as the women approached the table.

  “Hi!” Sadie leaned over and gave Seth a smacking kiss. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you more,” Seth told her and yanked her in for another, more thorough kiss. “Hey, Honey.”

  “Hi, Seth. Ethan.”

  “Hey.” Ethan frowned at the way she stood back, her fingers toying with the strap of her purse. “Want to sit down?”

  “Oh. No, that’s okay. I should probably get home.”

  Sadie, who’d been nuzzling Seth’s neck and giggling, turned at that. “Stay for a drink, please. I owe you a drink at least.”

  When she hesitated, Ethan rose and pulled out a chair. “Stay. Please.”

  Her eyes darted to his, then away as she sat. “Sure. One drink.”

  “Good. Let’s get a waitress.” Sadie sighed. “I could use a whole pitcher of margaritas.”

  “What were you doing today, anyway?” Seth asked as he signaled for a server.

  Sadie slipped off Seth’s lap and settled herself in the chair across from Honey. “Wedding dress shopping.”

  “Wedding dress shopping?” Seth’s arm dropped as he frowned. “I thought the moms were supposed to do that with you.”

  “They were.” Sadie glanced up with a smile when the waitress appeared. “Can I get a margarita? Frozen, with salt. What do you want, Honey?”

  “The same, please.”

  “Thanks.” Sadie’s smile faded as soon as the waitress left. She turned to Seth. “Don’t be mad, okay?”

  “I’m not mad, I’m confused. What’s the deal?”

  “I went shopping without the moms, and I did it on purpose.”

  “Okay.” Seth waited a moment. “Are you going to tell me why?”

  Ethan listened with half an ear as Sadie launched into an explanation, something about ball gowns and second-hand dresses, and focused on Honey. She sat quietly, her eyes on her friend as Sadie talked. She wasn’t paying attention to him, so he took the opportunity to study her.

  She looked good, but she always did. Casual in jeans and a sleeveless top the color of spring leaves, with that tumble of blonde hair spilling over her shoulders. He couldn’t look at that hair without wanting to get his hands into it. He wanted to wrap the golden strands around his fist and drag her head back so he could ravage her throat, her sun-kissed shoulders, the shadowy valley between her breasts where he imagined the warm and spicy scent of her skin would deepen, just a little.

  The direction of his thoughts wasn’t doing the fit of his jeans any favors, so he ruthlessly steered his mind away from the temptations of hair and skin and looked at her eyes.

  Edgy, he realized. Jittery and uncomfortable. The small muscles around her eyes were tight and tense, as were the ones around her mouth. Her shoulders were stiff, practically up around her ears, and her fingers, linked together on her lap, were nearly white with tension.

  And she had yet to look directly at him.

  Well, hell. He was going to have to talk to her.

  Seth and Sadie were still chattering away—well, Sadie was talking, Seth was nodding as the waitress stopped by with the drinks. Sadie snapped up her margarita and sucked down half the frothy mixture in one gulp, then launched right back into whatever explanation she was giving Seth.

  Ethan managed to catch Honey’s eye as she reached for her drink. He jerked his head toward the other couple. “They going to be okay?”

  She jerked in surprise, liquor sloshing to the edge of her glass as her eyes flew to his. “Oh. Yeah. It’s just wedding drama, with a little mama drama thrown in.”

  “I thought Sadie got along with Seth’s mom.”

  “She does.” Honey shrugged, her eyes on her drink. “That doesn’t mean she wants to wear her mother-in-law’s wedding dress.”

  “Ouch. Even I know that’s a non-starter.”

  A startled laugh slipped from her lips, her eyes flashing to his in surprise. “Yeah. But try explaining that to the mother-in-law, whose only daughter eloped and therefore, didn’t wear any wedding dress, much less her mother’s.”

  “Hence, the mama drama.”

  “Hence.” Her gaze went back to her friends, who had their heads together over their joined hands, and her eyes softened. “They’ll be fine.”

  Ethan watched the young couple lock lips and grinned. “Looks like.”

  He shifted his attention back to Honey. “How’re you?”

  “Me?” Her gaze jerked back to him, eyes wide with surprise and confusion.

  “Yeah. I haven’t seen you in a while. I’ve seen Milo,” he went on when her brows drew together. “Most days, when I get home, he’s hanging out on the front porch, or mooching from Aunt Winnie in the kitchen. But I haven’t seen you.”

  “I’m fine. Busy.” Her smile came and went so quickly he couldn’t be sure he’d actually seen it. “As a matter-of-fact, I’ve got an early day tomorrow. So.”

  He frowned as she dug into her purse, pulling a few bills out to lay on the table. “You’re going?”

  That caught Sadie’s attention. She broke off the kiss and turned to her friend in dismay. “Already?”

  Honey scooted her chair back and stood. “Yeah, I need to get back. Stay,” she insisted when Sadie started to rise. “I’ll see you later
.”

  “You don’t have your car,” Sadie reminded her. “And all the stuff you bought today is in my trunk.”

  “Home’s not that far,” she reminded them. “I’ll walk. I can get my loot from you tomorrow.”

  “I’ll drive you.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Honey’s laugh was too bright, too tense as she waved Ethan’s offer away. “It’s a nice night, and it’s not far. I could use the walk after being stuck in the car for the last few hours.”

  She circled the table to give Sadie a hug. “Let me know if you want me to go back with you when you take the moms.”

  “I will. Thanks for today.”

  “Anytime.”

  “You sure you don’t need a ride?”

  Honey shook her head at Seth and gave him a smacking kiss. “I’m sure. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you all later.”

  She headed out with a last wave over her shoulder, leaving Ethan scowling after her. “What the fuck?”

  Seth met his gaze and shrugged. “Told you.”

  “Told him what?” Sadie demanded, and Seth winced.

  “Seth Michael Hewitt, did you tell him what I told you specifically not to tell him?”

  “Well...”

  “You did!” Sadie reared back and whacked Seth on the arm. “What were you thinking? I promised Honey I wouldn’t stay anything.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have told me!”

  That seemed like a sound argument to Ethan, but clearly, Sadie thought differently.

  Ethan dug out his wallet as she railed at her fiancé, tossed a few bills on the table to cover his beer, and pushed to his feet. The action had Sadie’s head whipping around. “Where are you going?”

  “Where do you think?” He tucked his wallet away and dug out his keys. “I’m going after Honey to give her a ride home.”

  Sadie chewed her lower lip, uncertainty clouding her gaze. “I don’t know if you should, Ethan.”

  “It’s dark out. She’s a woman walking alone. I’m giving her a ride.”

  He didn’t give her a chance to argue, just turned and headed for the door. Out in the parking lot, he glanced up the street and could just make out the green of Honey’s blouse a block and a half down. She’d taken off her heeled sandals and was walking at a slow stroll, otherwise, she’d likely be blocks away by now.