Falling for Sarah

by Cate Beauman

  Standing, Zeke made his way to the front door. It was time to peruse Santa Monica Boulevard, find himself a street whore. He needed to take care of his craving for Sarah for the night. No one called the police when they went missing. It was a short-term solution to fulfill his ever-growing need to kill.

  Grabbing a fresh box of rubbers, he left. He had a few new moves to try on the lucky bitch he would snag tonight. He could hardly wait. Once he finished with that, he’d head out for a nice dinner, then come home and plan his date with Sarah. It was going to be perfect. It had to be.

  CHAPTER 25

  SARAH FOLDED A SMALL PINK tank top and placed it in Kylee’s suitcase. She grabbed another shirt from the laundry basket on Ethan’s bed, repeating the process. The ever-present ocean winds blew through the open balcony doors, filling the master suite with the scent of late afternoon low tide. Kylee chattered away at Mr. Ruff as she smushed bright green Play-Doh against her large play mat.

  Smiling as she listened to her daughter, Sarah picked up a pair of pajama bottoms and absently put them where they belonged. Her smile faded as she thought of how silent her own room would be when she tried to sleep in it later that night. She was going to miss the rush of waves outside her window, miss the comfort of knowing Ethan was just down the hall.

  She didn’t have to leave, but that was the choice she was making. The last few months of hell were finally over. It was time to move forward. Ultimately she wanted to stay, wanted to give Ethan everything he wanted, everything they both wanted, but she knew she needed to go. Their situation had become so volatile, their emotions too strong. They were teetering on the edge of destroying something that meant too much to both of them. It was better to take some time, to sort this mess out and see what they could salvage after everyone had a chance to breathe.

  She hadn’t seen Ethan since he’d left her at Matthew’s shop yesterday. His Rover hadn’t left the driveway, but he’d avoided her. Their argument played through her mind like a broken record. Did Ethan really believe she was going home just to punish him, that she would keep him from the children out of spite?

  Sarah shook her head. No, he’d been frustrated, angry, had lashed out. The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt him. Despite what he thought, she loved him too much for that.

  This was exactly why they needed their space. Right now, all they were doing was causing each other pain.

  More determined than ever that this was the best decision for everyone, Sarah picked up her pace. She couldn’t move forward if she didn’t begin. They couldn’t move forward if she didn’t go home.

  As she zipped Kylee’s full suitcase, Ethan knocked on the doorframe.

  Sarah glanced up, gave him a small smile. “Hi.”

  “Don’t lift that. It’s too heavy.” Casual in jeans, a gray t-shirt and bare feet, Ethan stepped forward, taking the suitcase handle before she could.

  She smiled again as he set the large bag on the floor. “Thanks.”

  His gaze wandered from her eyes, down her body, settling on the small bulge under her jeans and fitted red camisole top.

  Suddenly nervous, Sarah swiped loose strands of hair behind her ear and turned to fold the remaining laundry. “We should be out of the way within the half hour.”

  “There’s no rush.”

  She went on as if he hadn’t spoken, eager to avoid any awkward silence. “I bet it’ll be nice to have your bed back. When I’m finished here, I’ll put the sheets in the wash before we head out.”

  Ethan pulled a v-neck maternity top from the basket and folded it. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “The least I can do is throw the sheets in the washing machine, and you don’t have to fold my laundry.”

  Huffing, he tossed the shirt on top of the pile and sat on the bed. “Is the invitation for breakfast next Friday still open?”

  She stopped folding and looked at him, smiling. He was trying to make things right again. “Of course. Do you want to ride together or just meet me at the diner?”

  “I’ll pick you and Kylee up.” He placed his hand on hers as she picked up another top. “I’m sorry about yesterday, Sarah. I said some really asshole things I shouldn’t have. As much as I want you and Kylee to stay, I’m going to back off and give you the space you need.”

  Her fingers tightened against his. “I’m sorry too. I know this is hard. There’s no one in the world I want to hurt less than you.”

  Standing, he wrapped his arms around her, moving his hands up and down her back.

  Sarah closed her eyes, holding on tight. She missed this, the easy way they’d always had with each other.

  Ethan eased back, staring at her. “I love you, Sarah.”

  With one declaration, the complications came flooding back. Sarah tried to pull away as her emotions played tug-of-war. She wanted to steel herself to his words, to protect herself from the hurt almost as much as she wanted to hug him close and tell him she would never leave.

  He tightened his arms around her, locking her body against his. “Look at me.”

  The pain radiating in his voice left her no choice.

  “I need you to believe me.” His knuckles skimmed her cheek as clear gray eyes pleaded. “I love you, Sarah,” firm lips whispered over hers. “I’m so desperately in love with you.”

  She couldn’t help but respond, had no choice but to believe. Closing her eyes, giving into her heart, giving into Ethan’s, she moved in, bringing her lips to his. He brushed his hands through her hair, caressing, as her tongue entered his mouth, moving with his, tangling in a gentle dance. There was no urgency, only tenderness.

  Ethan eased back, kissing her cheeks, the tip of her nose. “I’m not giving up on us.”

  “I’m not asking you to give up. I’m asking for time.”

  “I can give you that.” Ethan hugged her once more before he stepped back. “Let’s get you and the artist home.”

  Confused, frowning, Sarah glanced over her shoulder at the blobs of dough Kylee busily set about. Her face quickly transformed with her grin. “I definitely see potential there. We may have a famous sculptor on our hands.”

  Ethan walked back to the living room after bringing the last suitcase to Sarah’s bedroom. “I think that’s it. If you forgot anything, you know where I live.”

  She smiled, carrying a bag of groceries to the kitchen. “Yeah, I think I’ll be able to find you.”

  Following behind, Ethan took the gallon of milk from the table and put it in the refrigerator. “Do you need any help?”

  “No. I think I’m good. I have my helper here.”

  “I Mama’s big helper,” Kylee said as she showed him a box of cereal before putting it in the cupboard with a flourish and a slam of the door.

  God, he was going to miss her. “Yes, you are.” Glancing around, he saw that everything was under control. “Well, it looks like things are back to normal around here. I guess I’ll head out if you’re all set.” He didn’t want to leave them.

  Sarah turned from the pantry with a jar of strawberry jam in her hand. “Are you sure? You’re welcome to stay. You don’t have to rush out.”

  Unable to go, he leaned against the counter, buying himself a few more minutes. “I have some things to do, but I should tell you we’ve upgraded your security a bit. I added more motion sensors outside and had security glass put into the panes on the front and back doors. No one’s cutting through that stuff.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Afraid he would break his promise and beg her to change her mind, he started toward the door. “I’ll probably swing by sometime in the next couple of days,” he called over his shoulder.

  Kylee ran after him. “Bye-bye, Ethan. I miss you.”

  He swung around and picked her up, hugging her tight. “Bye, kiddo. I’ll see you soon.”

  “O-tay.” She squirmed to get down. “I go play in my room. Where’s Mr. Ruff?”

  “He’s on your bed, honey,” Sarah said. Her eyes fixe
d on Ethan’s.

  Ethan set Kylee on her feet and she dashed off. The room was suddenly silent.

  Sarah took his hand in hers, gripping it tight. “I’ll be working from home a lot over the next couple of weeks. I have dozens of pictures to proof and touch up. I want you to come by as often as you like, just like you always have.”

  “Maybe we can take Kylee to the park and out for pizza one of these nights.”

  “I think that sounds great. Call me when your schedule looks good, and we’ll make it happen.”

  He couldn’t stand to draw this out any longer. He reached for the doorknob with his free hand, and Sarah began to speak again.

  “So, the security system is all set then?”

  “Yeah; just set the panel like usual, and you should be good to go.”

  With nothing more to say, he opened the door and she dropped his hand.

  “Wait.” Sarah blew out a breath. “I-are…” Staring into his eyes, she took his hand, placing his palm against the swell of her lower stomach. “This baby is as much yours as mine. Just because I’m here doesn’t change that. It doesn’t make you any less a part of our lives. Thank you for trying to understand, for giving me time.”

  Unable to speak, he pulled her into a hug, and they both held on. How was he going to get through this? “I’ve gotta go, Sarah.”

  “Okay.” Nodding, she brushed her lips against his and stepped back.

  When she closed the door behind him, emptiness consumed him. The last three months of his life had revolved around Sarah and Kylee, more so than the last few years. Lost, he had no idea what to do with himself. Perhaps a walk on the beach and some take-out would be a good way to start. Maybe he would drive into the city afterward and get some work done at the office. He would go over reports until he was too tired to care that he was going home to an empty house.

  He reached for the door handle on the Rover, stopping when Sarah’s front door opened again.

  “Ethan?”

  “Yeah?” How could he leave and get this over with if she wouldn’t let him go?

  “I was going to grill a couple of pieces of chicken and make a big salad, maybe warm up some thick slices of whole grain bread. Do you want to stay for dinner?”

  He smiled as he realized she didn’t want him to go either, that this was as hard on her as it was on him. Hope bloomed bright as he started back toward the house. “That sounds good. Let me start the grill.”

  It had been ten days, ten goddamn days since Sarah had gone back to her own house, and fucking Ethan Cooke was always there! Why was he always fucking there? It was like clockwork. Without fail, his rich boy Rover would pull up in her drive sometime after six and stay for hours.

  True, he had no plans to take her, not yet, but Master Cooke was screwing everything up. How could he watch her through his binoculars and imagine all the things he would do to her when the cock-sucker was framed in every single shot?

  He’d had more than enough. Zeke stared down at his new purchase, picked it up, tempted to get out of his car and put a bullet right between Ethan’s eyes. Prince Charming wouldn’t be so pretty with half of his face on the pavement now, would he? He dreamed of murdering Ethan Cooke as often as he dreamed of making Sarah cum.

  With reluctance, Zeke set the gun back down. If he didn’t already have plans for his beautiful Sarah, he would do it, but a moment’s satisfaction wasn’t worth messing everything up. Nothing was going to mess up what he had in store for Sarah. Just three more days—three more days that felt like an eternity.

  A movement caught Zeke’s attention and he glanced up. Ethan and Sarah stepped out her front door. They both gave the twerp—Sarah’s mirror image—a kiss and headed for the SUV. The hot little babysitter waved along with the child from the doorway as the Rover pulled out of the driveway. Where in the hell were they going?

  Zeke stared at the babysitter as she talked to the kid before she shut the door. Hmm, should he follow fuck head and whore bitch or head for the house? Decisions, decisions. The babysitter wasn’t blonde and her eyes were brown, but a good fuck was a good fuck. Her tight little body looked like it could give him a nice, fast ride, and he was willing to bet she would fight like hell as he squeezed the life from her. Need throbbed through him and he closed his eyes, breathing through his cravings to take another life.

  Moments passed before he found a loose grip on control. Calmer, Zeke glanced up just as Ethan took a right at the stop sign. As the vehicle accelerated, Sarah’s shiny locks blew in the wind. He needed to follow her. She wanted him to.

  Zeke started his car, made a u-turn and followed at a distance.

  When Sarah and Ethan stopped at the beach, Zeke pulled into a parking spot a hundred yards away. Through binoculars, he watched Sarah, dressed in Capri jeans and a flowing white cotton top, take off her sandals. Master Cooke rolled his slacks past his ankles before taking off brown leather Oxfords that cost more than the suit Zeke still wore. Why did some bastards have it all?

  Ethan pulled off his sage green tie next and threw it in the vehicle along with his and Sarah’s shoes.

  Zeke’s jaw clenched and breath steamed in and out of his nose when Ethan wrapped his arm around Sarah’s waist, and she did the same. They ordered ice cream cones and walked along the beach. The surf rushed up to meet their feet and he flashed back to the glorious moment when he’d fallen for Sarah. The image was now destroyed, was now ruined as he watched her hold her strawberry cone up to Ethan’s mouth for him to taste.

  She smiled and swiped her tongue against the vanilla ice cream Ethan held to her lips. When their eyes met, staring into each others, Zeke reached for his gun. “Fuck you, whore! You fucking whore!” He slammed his palms against the steering wheel until bruises bloomed along his palms. Hands shaking, he slipped the magazine into place just as he remembered the blue dress he’d ordered for Sarah. It had arrived in the mail earlier that day. If he didn’t calm down, he’d mess it all up. She wouldn’t be able to wear it.

  She would pay on Sunday while she wore just what he’d picked out for her. Oh, she would pay.

  “It’s such a beautiful night for this. What a good idea,” Sarah said, smiling into Ethan’s eyes.

  Ethan winked, smiled back. “Stick with me. I’m full of them.”

  “You’re certainly full of something.”

  He stopped, glanced at her grinning face, then at the waves and back. “I’d be careful. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”

  With a mischievous twinkle, she drilled her finger into his stomach. “Don’t even think about it. The water’s freezing, and besides, you wouldn’t want our baby to hear me scream. It could be very traumatic.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Now who’s full of shit? I read that the baby won’t be able to hear until twenty weeks gestation. We’ve got eight weeks to go.”

  She shrugged, diverting her gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  A grin split his face. “Christ, Sarah, you’re such a bad liar.”

  She raised her chin, looked down her nose. “Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Delighted with her and relieved that they were back to where they started, Ethan chuckled and pulled her closer against him as they walked again. “I’ll give you a free pass for the next six months, but after that, all bets are off.”

  “I guess we have a deal, if that’s what you want to call it.” She chuckled as he kissed the tip of her nose.

  They continued down the beach until Ethan stopped abruptly. He turned their bodies until Sarah’s back rested against his chest and his chin nestled the top of her hair. The foamy surf rushed up, tickling his toes as the spectacular pinks and purples of the sunset painted the sky.

  As the wind blew against Sarah’s shirt, he stared down at the bump that continued to grow. It still amazed him that his child grew inside her. Ethan’s lips moved close to her ear. “Let me put my hands on you. I want to feel my baby with you.”

  Sarah laced
their fingers and placed their hands on her stomach. Glancing up, she smiled. “I can’t wait to see him or her tomorrow. I pulled rank and asked my dad to request 4D imaging. I think he’s as eager to get a peek at his new grandbaby as we are.”

  “It always helps to have an in with the obstetrician.” Ethan moved his palms up and down over the firm swell that now reached Sarah’s belly button. “We should start a baby book.”

  “I bought one the other day.”

  “So, what do you think, are we having a girl or a boy?”

  “My gut tells me we’re having another girl, but I could be completely wrong.”

  Another daughter. Thrilled with the idea, he kissed the top of her head. “I’ll take whatever we’re given and be more than happy. Just think, little Mildred Cooke will be here before we know it.”

  Sarah frowned. “Mildred? I don’t know about that.”

  It was so much fun to mess with her. “Mildred was my great-grandmother’s name. It has to at least make the list of options.” He had no idea what in the hell his great-grandmother’s name had been.

  “As long as we’re in agreement that it will get crossed off the list too.”

  Ethan stared into her eyes, clutching his chest. “You’re breaking my heart here, Sarah.”

  She searched his face as he bit the inside of his cheek. “Maybe we can use it as a silent middle name that only you and I know about.”

  Throwing his head back, he roared out a laugh. “God, Sarah, I love you.”

  She gave his arm a smack and turned away. Moments later, he heard her snort of laughter. “Mildred Cooke. That’s just awful.”

  “Yeah, it is.” He turned her to him again, held her face in his hands. He darted a glance at her lips, lips he hadn’t touched since she’d moved back to her house. Restraining himself, he took her hand and they started toward the Rover. “Come on, let’s get you home. We have an important date in the morning.”

  “Do you want to stay over?”