Morning After (A Reynolds Security Novel)

by Hale, Melissa

  "So, you think I won't."

  "No way." He was goading her with his arrogance and she knew it but she couldn't help herself.

  "Fine, one game," she sighed. This time Ethan followed them.

  "You're awful short, you sure you don't want to stand a little closer?" Jace goaded and she glared at him.

  "Tell you what, I'll stand back here and when I beat you, you can buy the drinks."

  "I bet you drink something fruity, with pineapple juice!" Jace wrinkled his nose.

  "I bet they're expensive too," she whispered loudly. Jace and Ethan both laughed.

  Jace wasn't laughing after she beat him soundly.

  "Damn, I think I would rather dance." Jace laughed. "You gotta beat Ethan now, so I have something to give him crap about tomorrow.

  "You wanna play?" She looked at Ethan who was sitting on a nearby stool.

  "No thanks, I am good."

  "What's the matter, don't want to get beat by a girl?" He smiled and slid off the stool he approached her slowly and her heart rate increased.

  "You have a little competitive streak don't you?"

  "I like to win too." She arched a brow at him in challenge and he grinned. After he threw his first set of darts she rounded on him.

  "Don't you dare hold back!" She emphasized the implied threat by poking him in the chest.

  "I wasn't."

  "Yes you were." She insisted, getting in his face as much as she could; being so much shorter. "You're trying to let me win." She poked him accusingly with her finger. He leaned down so their noses were nearly touching.

  "Prove it." He whispered. She glanced at his lips and swallowed, trying to think of something to say. Her mind was a total blank. Instead of moving away he moved forward, sealing his lips to hers. She lifted her chin automatically giving him a better angle. She felt his tongue sweep across her lower lip and she opened to let him in. He tasted like the cola he had been drinking and something unique to him. She clutched his shirt to steady herself. Her stomach was doing somersaults as he deepened the kiss. His tongue swept over hers, teasing and inviting rather than invading. When he finally pulled back she felt a rush of disappointment then just as quickly she realized they were in a public place. They were in public and she was ready to start stripping off her clothes after one kiss. One amazing, mind scrambling, knee melting kiss. She quickly pulled what was left of her wits around her. She pushed him back a step.

  "Ethan, I don't do casual sex." She said firmly.

  "Excuse me?"

  "I don't do casual sex; I don't think there is any such thing. When I invite someone into my body there is nothing casual about it. Now throw your dart."

  "It's your turn," he said automatically.

  "Oh, I'll go then." Ethan watched her, a riot of emotions rolling through him. He was shocked, impressed and more than a little turned on. He had never felt anything so intense just from a kiss.

  "How ‘bout a wager?" he said trying to force his brain back to the game.

  "What kind of wager?" He could see the suspicion in her eyes and smiled.

  "If I win... You have to wear the Raiders hat for a week."

  "I am a diehard ‘Niners fan... if I wear that hat even for a minute I'll probably turn into a pillar of salt," she said completely serious.

  "I guess you better win." His tone was equally serious.

  "What do I get if I win?"

  "That's up to you." She stared him down trying to think of something equal to what he had chosen for her.

  "No black coffee."

  "What?"

  "No black coffee for a week. You have to put something in it. When you come in to the shop I'll pick something for you."

  "How are you going to know if I drink my morning coffee black?"

  "You're on the honor system."

  "All right, let's play."

  They started over, pulling the darts he had already thrown from the board. The game was close but Ethan won.

  "Oh this is awful!" She groaned and he laughed.

  "I think our food is here."

  "All right, I'll be right there, I am just going to wash up." Erica ducked into the restroom and took a deep breath she quickly washed her face and hands but it didn't help the jittery feeling inside her at all. She looked at her reflection and grimaced. She was a mess, why had Ethan chosen now to kiss her? Oh what a kiss it was too. While she didn't make a habit of sleeping with every guy she dated, she had certainly been kissed before and it had never been like that. The sound of approaching giggles cut into her introspection. She quickly stepped back into the stall to avoid any knowing looks.

  One of the giggling voices sounded familiar, she peeked through the crack and saw the same cheerleader that had confronted her in the other bathroom, what was she, a bathroom stalker? The woman with her was one of the other cheerleaders and they were both painting on more makeup despite that fact that their last application looked as thick as ever.

  "Don't worry; it's not a big deal." Blond cheerleader said.

  "Don't worry? Diane! I saw them kiss! I thought you said they were just friends."

  Okay blond cheerleader is Diane, check. Now, were they talking about her?

  "Jade, do not obsess." Blond cheerleader snapped.

  Brunette cheerleader is Jade.

  "I am not obsessing."

  "Yes you are. I told you he is a player. Just last month he had lunch with a different woman every day in the same week! He is a guy, just stick to the plan, he doesn't even know you yet, once he does that tom boy chick will be long gone. I mean look at you she doesn't hold a candle to you."

  "Fine." She sighed. "I will stick with the plan, but can you step it up? How many women do I have to watch him go through before I get my shot?"

  "Jade, listen to me..." The sound of the door opening cut short whatever Diane was about to say. She watched through the crack as both women left the restroom. The overheard conversation had effectively burst the bubble of euphoria that had been surrounding her since the kiss. It wasn't the least bit surprising that the woman wanted Ethan; who could blame her? But what about what the other woman had said? Was Ethan a player? She clearly wanted her friend to think highly of him, so why say something like that if it wasn't true?

  Ethan slid into the booth and pinned Jace with a hard stare, Jace just smiled.

  "I know what you're doing, now knock it off."

  "What?" Jace feigned innocence that wasn't even close to convincing.

  "Quit messing with my girl."

  "Your girl?" Jace's eyebrows shot up and Ethan grimaced at the slip.

  "You know what I mean. You're only doing this to screw with me." Jace's grin grew and Ethan wanted to reach across the table and smack him. He leaned on the table giving Jace his most deadly stare.

  "You really want to play with me right now?" Ethan growled but Jace only chuckled. Ethan squared his shoulders attempting to push back his irritation and smiled at Jace, the smile was more predatory than friendly.

  "Diane." Ethan called to a woman passing by the table. Jace's eyes widened slightly just before the woman turned to greet them.

  "Hello Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Carpenter." Diane Smiled at them and Ethan grinned.

  "No reason to be so formal, you can call me Ethan and him Jace." He saw Jace blanch at the words. "How are you settling in with us?" Ethan continued ignoring Jace.

  "Very well, thank you." Diane batted eyelashes heavy with mascara at him. Ethan saw Erica returning and stood to allow her into the booth on his side this time.

  "Jace, why don't you go buy Diane a drink, welcome her to the company properly."

  "Of course." Jace said speaking for the first time. He rose and gestured to the bar. He glanced back at Ethan over his shoulder. His gaze shooting daggers.

  "Oh Jace, pick up something fruity with lots of pineapple juice too." Erica said and winked at him. He grinned at her before continuing to the bar.

  "What was that look for?" Erica whispered as if afraid someone would he
ar.

  "Ah just a little friendly competition is all." Ethan grinned.

  Chapter 7

  Erica stood under the spray of hot water longer than usual for her morning shower. She was sore all over. She hadn't realized she was so out of shape but squatting in a catcher’s stance was hell on her thighs. She wanted to crawl back in bed and stay there but she couldn't. Zoe was still gone and she had to open the shop. She reluctantly left the shower when the water began to grow cold. The ringing phone urged her to run.

  "Omigod, Erica are you okay?" The sultry voice on the other end said before she could even say hello.

  "Hi Suz, I am fine, really."

  "I am so sorry, I was out of town all weekend and I had no service."

  "Really, where did you go?"

  "Up into the redwoods. But that doesn't matter. How are you?"

  Erica spent twenty minutes explaining everything to Suzy. It was all she could spare before she had to rush through the rest of her morning routine.

  Ethan couldn't stop thinking about Erica as he drove to work. She hadn't called him after he'd dropped her off. He had found himself hoping she would, he even double checked to make sure the ringer was on so it would wake him up. He found himself pulling into the parking lot of Morning After rather than his parking garage. It was busier than it usually was in the afternoon. There was a line back to the door. He heard Erica's voice immediately. She was laughing and talking with the customers. They must have been regulars because she knew a lot of them by name. He stepped around the line into the area where the patrons were waiting for their drinks. Drawing closer, so he could get a good look at her. She looked so good he expected the roof to crack open and a beam of sunlight to shine down on her. She had the Raiders cap pulled down low and her hair in a ponytail through the back. The sight brought a grin to his face. She looked up at that moment and their eyes met. A second later her eyes crinkled at the corners and her sunny disposition turned to a glare.

  "Are you checking up on me?" She nearly growled. He was momentarily stunned and had no idea how to respond. "I never welsh on a bet." She growled at him then immediately smiled sweetly at a customer as she handed over a coffee concoction.

  "Oh I knew you'd be wearing it. I just had to preserve the moment."

  "What?" She asked right as he snapped a picture with his cell. That earned him another glare but he could see her struggling not to smile.

  "I can barely walk today, thanks to you." She said and he grinned again. A man standing nearby snickered and Erica realized what she said. She flushed a deep scarlet but she smiled. Ethan felt something deep inside go a little gooey.

  "I stopped by to see if you needed a lift to the DMV today." He said coming to her rescue by changing the subject.

  "Nah, Suzy is going to drive me. Thanks though." She handed him a lidded cup and flashed him a bright smile. "Better get to work." She said and winked at him; actually winked. He was nearly giddy as he walked back to the truck. She might say they weren't dating, she might say she wasn't interested in casual sex. But he was making headway anyway. She was softening toward him.

  Erica tried not to sigh like a school girl while she watched Ethan walk away. He was back in a suit, his usual workday attire but it fit him like a glove and as she watched his broad shoulders and long legs she knew what it was to feel a powerful surge of lust.

  Ethan forced himself to stay at work till four-thirty. He had never been so drawn to a woman. He wanted to just camp out in her shop and watch her work. Even serving coffee was fascinating when she did it. It was disgusting; he knew it and he didn't care. The only thing that kept him parked in his office all day was the idea that he didn't want to scare her off. He didn't know all the dating protocols; he had never bothered to learn. He didn't really do relationships; when faced with when to call and the proper waiting period after a date before asking for another, he was completely clueless. He thought he had heard three days was standard somewhere. He couldn't wait three days, but he couldn't camp out in her shop either. He didn't want her to think he was some crazy stalker, but at four-thirty he could go down there, four-thirty was the normal time, it was routine. Four-thirty didn't say that he was completely smitten with someone he'd only spent one weekend with; one amazing weekend.

  Ethan could see how tired she was the minute he stepped into the shop, despite the fact that she was smiling as she waited on her current customer. The next thing he noticed was that she appeared to be working alone.

  "Hi." Her eyes lit up when they landed on him and his chest swelled. She finished her current order before making his.

  "You all alone back there?" He asked looking toward the doorway to the back room.

  "Yeah," She sighed. "Cindy is taking some night courses at the community college. I sent her home to study. She isn't used to working so many hours."

  "When is Zoe due back?"

  "I am not sure. She needs to be with her parents for as long as they need her. I have already put in a couple calls for some temporary help."

  "How can I help?"

  "Go sit down and drink your coffee."

  "Ah come on. I may not know the difference between a mocha and a latte but I can take out garbage, or sweep the floor." Her eyes held his for a moment and a smile slowly lit up her face.

  "You're going to take out the garbage in your suit?" The amusement was evident in her voice.

  "Yes." He crossed his arms indignantly. He didn't wait for her to make up her mind he just started emptying trash cans. He had seen her go through her close up routines enough times that he knew what to do and just did it.

  When they were done he felt a pang of disappointment that he had no more reason to hang around.

  "Did you get your license?" He called out.

  "Yes," She popped up from behind the counter. "I scored a hundred on my driving test, thank you very much."

  "Very impressive," He smirked. He wanted to ask her out again but he really wasn't prepared for her to turn him down again. "I am starving. Want to grab a bite to eat?" He hoped he sounded more casual than he felt.

  "Can't." Her voice muffled again as she ducked back behind the counter. He felt a rush of disappointment and tried to shake it off.

  "Done." She sighed as she came out from behind the counter. "How bout I make you dinner?" He tried hard to contain the grin threatening to light up his face.

  "You cook?" He tried to sound skeptical.

  "Yes I cook." She playfully punched his arm as she passed by him to flip the lock on the front door. "Though I have to admit I put a pot roast in the crock pot this morning. As far as home cooking goes, it's sort of cheating." She laughed and he grinned.

  "Sounds great to me."

  Ethan followed Erica up the stairs appreciating the view as her hips swayed with every step. He had to take a deep breath to try to refocus the blood rushing to his cock. It wasn't easy but if he understood one thing about her it was that she wasn't going to enter into a physical relationship lightly.

  "You don't mind if I change do you?" She asked as she crossed though her apartment door.

  "Course not." He scanned the apartment out of habit. She returned a few minutes later in stretchy black pants and an oversized t-shirt that slipped low enough off one shoulder to show off a pink bra strap. The sight of that strap caused another tightening in his groin and he forced his gaze away. She was comfortable around him he liked that but at the same time warning bells clanged in his head. He took off his coat and tie and rolled up his sleeves. If she was going to get comfortable he was too.

  "Can I get you something to drink? A glass of wine, beer, soda?"

  "Whatever you're drinking is fine." She bit her bottom lip in indecision and his eyes were riveted there.

  "Don't laugh." She said seemingly coming to a decision. She went to the kitchen and returned with a wine glass and handed it to him. He took a sip and frowned unable to place the taste.

  "It's sparkling cider. I love the stuff and well... it just doesn't seem righ
t to drink it out of anything other than a wine glass." Her cheeks were flushed as if she were embarrassed.

  "It's good." He took another sip and she smiled.

  "I know you said you were starving but there is about an hour left on the slow cooker."

  "That's fine I think I can hold out."

  "Great I am going to make a salad."

  "Need any help?"

  "How are your dicing skills?"

  "My fingers are relatively scar free." He followed her into the kitchen and she chattered as she began pulling leafy green things out of the fridge. His mind churned with awareness of the domesticity. He never realized how bad he wanted it until that moment. Washing and chopping veggies while he listened to her laugh and talk about nothing important.

  All too soon the meal was over, he insisted she let him clean up but she helped anyway.

  "You are an exceptional dinner guest." She laughed, "I really hate to do the dishes, so you can come over anytime."

  "Don't say it unless you mean it. I am not crazy about cooking so feeding me is like feeding a stray cat." She laughed and he smiled.

  "Feeding you seems like a small price to pay." Her voice grew serious. "I really don't know how to thank you. You've done more than you ever should have for someone you didn't know. You've become a really good friend."

  Friend; it should be a good thing, he should be happy she thought of him that way, but guys who fell into the friend pool stayed there forever. He couldn't do that.

  "I don't want to be your friend Erica." His voice was low, but she clearly heard him. Her eyes widened and her smile faded.

  "You don't?"

  "No." He stepped closer to her and the counter blocked her when she would have stepped away. "I want to be a lot more than that." He leaned closer so his lips were nearly touching hers. "I want to be your everything. I want to be the last face you see when you go to sleep and the first face you see when you wake up." He felt her breath stutter against his lips.

  "I'm... I'm not sure I am ready for that."

  "I know and that's okay because I am a very patient man." He brushed his lips against hers feather light. He started to pull away but she followed him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and deepened the kiss. Her lips parted and his lower lip slid between hers. He groaned and slid his tongue past her teeth to explore the recesses of her mouth. Her arms slid up around his neck and rubbed against the close cropped hair on his head. Ethan reluctantly pulled away while he still had some measure of control.