“Don’t kill me for saying it, but I’m so happy it’s snowing.” Allie laughed, and just like every other time she laughed, he felt that happiness creep in. He looked down at her and stood there for half a second before stepping into her and threading his fingers through her hair. Her mouth dropped open, and he read the surprise in those gorgeous eyes of hers.
The desire and excitement, the welcome of his touch, that was all he needed before lowering his mouth to hers. Allie tasted of candy canes and sweetness. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back and he forgot about where they were standing. All he could think about was feeling the present, the moment, the woman.
Chapter Nine
Ethan held the door to his condo open for her, and Allie slipped past him. She was still reeling from their day, from his kisses, and from the man himself. The kiss at the farm had—as promised—rocked her world completely. She’d already known they had chemistry, and she had been ignoring that chemistry for years. What she hadn’t counted on was that she’d feel something more than just chemistry from his kiss. Or that he’d feel more. Not that she could attest for what the man felt, but the entire thing had felt real.
Then there was the whole thing at Haven House. The tree decorating, his natural charm that had won over even the surliest of the teens—even Max looked somewhat intrigued by Ethan. He had hung around and socialized and helped as though it was the best thing he could be doing on a Saturday night. Then he’d kissed her outside with a passion or a need that was palpable.
There was something in his eyes, though, as she replayed the night, when she’d gone in to find him standing next to the Christmas tree. Ethan had looked vulnerable, and he never looked vulnerable. Boyish, yes, but not actually vulnerable. It had been in the way he’d stood there, hands in his pockets, the tilt of that firm chin, the glint in his eyes. Whatever it was that he was keeping inside, a part of her was concerned. It made her think of the picture in his office, the books, the D-Day on his calendar.
“You totally rocked the tree-trimming event. And if I had some kind of access to ribbons or medals or gold stars, I would totally give you one, because there is no way I could have pulled that off by myself.”
His grin was infectious, partly because it had that whole boyish thing she’d just been thinking about, and partly because he was walking closer to her. It was as though their kiss had demolished whatever barrier they’d had up before. He’d dropped his jacket on the chair at the front and was wearing the Henley and his worn jeans. She’d expected him to always look designer, and maybe it was because she knew he came from money and was usually dressed in designer suits for work, but at home he looked casual. Not preppy. He wore his clothes the way he did everything, with a confidence and casual grace that she admired. She loved “Weekend Ethan” who didn’t shave and wore a ratty baseball cap. She admired him in a lot of ways when she wasn’t busy salivating over him, like she was now, because he was standing in front of her, the boyishness gone as he stared into her eyes.
“I don’t need a medal.”
She tapped her finger on her chin. “Gold star.”
He grinned, wide and gorgeous and downright sexy as he leaned close to her. His mouth was a few inches from hers, and it took all the self-control she had not to reach up and kiss him. “Spend the night with me, Allie.”
Her heart stopped for a second, and a rush of blood tore through her. She forced a calm expression on her face. “I think that reward is a little disproportionate for the task.”
He laughed, low and deep, and set off another avalanche of feelings through her body. “I meant, like, have a glass of wine with me and talk.”
She cleared her throat and refused to look embarrassed, if that were possible. “Oh. Oh, of course that’s what you meant. Sure, I’d love a glass of wine.”
He grinned again and grabbed her hand, then they walked to the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”
She could eat anything and everything she was so hungry. Then she remembered the cookie debacle at the farm. “A little.”
Ethan opened the fridge then shut it a second later. “How about takeout?”
Considering the man only ate health food she was hesitant to agree. “What do you usually order?” She really needed comfort food, not salad and protein.
“I don’t usually order. I usually go out or cook something.” He leaned casually against the granite counter. He looked good enough to eat. She purposely took a step back. She never should have let that kiss happen, or the second one. It was much easier to keep at a distance before. Now she had to contend with this insane urge to jump him.
“Do you like Thai food?”
He nodded. “Sure. How about I order while you get us set up in the other room?”
“Great. I’ll get wine.”
“Help yourself to anything. Maybe avoid the rum. I’ll have a glass of red,” he said, scrolling through his phone.
“It’s rude of you to mention the rum mishap.”
“Is that how we’re referring to it now?”
“That was the end of referring to it at all.”
Seconds later she heard him placing an order. She walked across the large space and turned on one of the table lamps. It cast a warm glow to the dark space. The rest of the lighting was taken care of by the city skyline.
Ethan walked in a second later. “Food is on its way.”
“Seriously? The one night Ethan orders delivery and I’m not going to be here?” Dani stood in the doorway with a backpack on her shoulder and a frown on her face.
She crossed her arms and eyed her sister. “Where are you going to be?”
Dani sighed theatrically and let her bag drop to the floor. “Sandra’s.”
Ethan poured wine into two glasses, not saying anything.
“Be home by—”
“I’m sleeping there.”
Allie accepted the glass of wine Ethan handed her. It was perfect timing. She knew Sandra was one of Dani’s best friends. She just needed to be sure that Dani was telling the truth.
“You need to tell me—ask me actually—instead of just telling me. Also, I need to speak with her mom.” Allie took a long sip of her wine as Dani let out a screech of what she presumed was mortification.
She stomped her foot. “You are not calling!”
Ethan held out his phone in her direction.
“Thank you, Ethan. Phone number, Dani.” She gave her sister a pointed look and waited.
“Oh my God, I’m dying right now.”
Ethan turned to her, obviously holding in his grin. “Call 911, then call the friend’s mom.”
Dani flopped onto the couch. “Ugh. What could I have possibly done to earn this lack of trust?”
Ethan coughed. “Uh, I can think of a time, not that long ago actually…”
Allie turned from the conversation and spoke with Sandra’s mother. “Fine, all clear,” she said a moment later. She placed Ethan’s phone on the end table. “I confirmed with her mom. She also said that you are both staying in tonight, right?”
Dani rolled her eyes and nodded.
“How are you getting there?” Ethan asked.
Dani’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Are you offering me one of your cars?”
He took out his wallet. “I’m offering you money for a cab.”
“Put your wallet away,” Allie said, attempting to snatch it. Instead, she almost spilled her wine all over the man.
Dani made some sort of theatrical sigh. “Allie, don’t be such a downer all the time.”
Ethan handed her sister some money and minutes later she was leaving.
“You don’t have to do that, you know.” Allie had to admit it was a nice feeling, though, having another adult in the room. Her sister was a force to be reckoned with, and she was always by herself. He’d come through for her. Again.
Ethan watched Allie from across the room, sipping her wine. He thought of what Dani had said about their mom. They had finished eating dinner an
d had cleared the dishes and were now back in the living room. He had never realized how alone he had been, how empty this space had felt without Allie.
“Thanks again for putting up with Dani’s antics.”
He shrugged and sat down beside her on the couch. He needed to tell her about the night she’d passed out on his bed. “I’ve got to tell you something.”
The way she leaned forward, concern making her eyes deepen, touched him. He knew she thought he was going to open up to her. He ran his hands through his hair. “The night you…came on to me when you were in my bed?”
“I don’t recall a night like this,” she said, looking into her glass.
“Dani called your cell phone. I picked it up. She was stuck at some party with some loser guy that ditched her.”
She put down the rest of her wine and smacked her hands over her mouth.
“So I went to pick her up—she was fine. Nothing bad happened. I lectured her the entire way home. She begged me not to tell you…” His voice trailed off when her eyes filled with tears. “I expected you to be pissed with me for not telling you.”
“You went and picked up my sister. You made her wrap presents. She even said she loved me.”
He swallowed hard and then nodded.
“Thank you,” she whispered into her glass of wine. “You have no idea what that means to me. I’ve been on my own for so long, and I never rely on anyone. You came through for me, Ethan. You took us in, no questions asked, after the fire. You gave us food and clothes, you totally helped with the shelter…and Dani…” She stopped speaking and looked up at the ceiling. “I have never had someone to rely on, and you came through for me.” She looked back at him, bringing with her gaze every ounce of feeling and emotion that had been missing from his life. He needed her not to think of him like that, because he would destroy all her trust if she only knew. He should come up with some kind of excuse and walk away from her. He’d wanted her from the moment he first saw her, and now she was here, in his home, and staring at him with the most gorgeous mix of desire and trust. If he were a better man, that’s what he’d do.
He was filled with his own demons, his own fucked-up problems he didn’t want to bother her with. D-Day was next week, and if there were a problem, he’d never let her know. He’d just walk away. Maybe this was his last chance to be with her before his entire life went to hell, and if it wasn’t, he’d find a way to make it right for her.
“In the car Dani said something about your mom needing money?”
Her mouth dropped open and she looked away. “What else did she say?”
“Not much. She was sorry about yelling at you, and I think she feels like your mom takes advantage of you.”
She shrugged and avoided eye contact. Then she picked at her jeans.
“Allie…”
“You would never understand.”
“Try me.”
She raised an eyebrow. “It’s not a unique story. Single parent family. No dad that I know of. Dani and I have different fathers, but hers is MIA, too. My mother tried her best, but she’s an alcoholic. She almost lost me, but got sober in order to keep me. That’s how I first learned the serenity prayer.”
His muscles felt tight, and he wanted to acknowledge the prayer, what she was trying to do by showing them their connection, but he couldn’t do that. He didn’t want to acknowledge that part. He wanted to ask a thousand questions, but he knew he had to play it cool; he didn’t want her to back away. “So what happened with Dani? Why did you take her in?”
She took a noticeably tiny sip of wine. “Because she started drinking again. Sometimes I feel bad because I didn’t notice right away.”
“It’s pretty amazing you did that.”
“Family. She’s my little sister, and there was no way I was going to leave her there.”
“And how’s your mom now?”
She ran a hand through her hair. “Not great. She’s been with the same guy now for years, so I guess that’s good. Except they both drink, and they have trouble making rent.”
“And that’s why she needed money from you?”
She nodded, and he put his hand on her thigh. “I, uh, I feel indebted to her, for something that happened a long time ago,” she said in a low voice, breaking his stare.
He forced himself to look calm even though, thanks to Dani, he already knew where this was headed. “What happened, sweetheart?”
She blinked a few times, staring into the fire. “One of her boyfriends started coming into my room when I was twelve.” She stopped talking, and he stopped breathing. He hoped to hell this story wasn’t going to go there, that she didn’t have to endure what he thought was coming next. He didn’t know how he’d handle it, how he’d keep it all together. Just the idea of someone hurting Allie intentionally, especially the child version of Allie, was too much.
“At first it was little things. Hugs. Then the hugs lasted a little longer. And I would tell my mom because I was scared. I was totally grossed out. I can still remember his smell. He smelled like beer and BO.”
Ethan wanted to kill someone. Him. That perverted asshole. He wanted to hunt him down and kill him. “What happened?” he managed to ask, not even recognizing his voice.
Allie downed the rest of her wine and set it on the coffee table. He looked at the empty glass, remembering what Dani had said about Allie drinking.
“Things progressed a little…but the night he tried to…and wanted me to do things to him, my mom caught him, and she got rid of him. She believed me.”
Ethan stared at her wondering how the hell Allie had turned out so good. How all this had happened to her and she didn’t walk around scarred. How she could expect so little of her mother, almost as though what her mother had done was above and beyond.
“Your mother chose you, her daughter, and that’s the way it should be. Her believing you should have been a given,” he whispered.
“For her it wasn’t. For many it isn’t.” She looked at him, this time with a plea in her eyes, her gorgeous mouth trembling. “I don’t want to talk about this. I want to be doing anything but talking about this.”
He leaned forward, cupping the back of her head, his gaze going from her eyes to her lips. “Thank you for telling me.”
“I trust you, Ethan,” she said. He knew that he hadn’t told her about his past. But tonight wasn’t about him. It was about her. It was about Allie trusting him, feeling safe with him. He was humbled, and he was falling. He leaned closer, wanting her more than anyone else, ever. She met him halfway. She leaned into him, and he took her mouth in his. Allie moaned sweetly as he moved to cover her body, leaning back into the couch. He kissed her until he couldn’t remember his own name, until neither of them could think about anything other than being with each other. She kissed him back with every ounce of desire, every emotion. He slid his hand under her sweater, cupping a soft, perfect breast, while the other roamed up her thigh to palm her sweet ass. Her soft, curvy body pressed up against his, and he dragged his mouth from her lips to her earlobe. She had her hands in his hair.
“God, I want you, Allie. Right from the first night. I knew we’d be like this together,” he whispered in between trailing kisses from her neck back up to her mouth.
A pounding on the door jolted them. He ignored it and kissed her again. Until the pounding started again. He cursed softly. They were both breathing raggedly, and he lowered his forehead to hers. “I’m going to kill whoever is on the other side of that door.”
“Who is it?” she whispered.
“Whoever it is, they are no friend of mine,” he said. But the knocking continued, and by the sounds of it, it was probably one of his friends. He disengaged his limbs from the best thing that ever happened to him and stood. He ran his hands through his hair and looked down at Allie. She was trying to smooth out her hair and looked completely irresistible. He leaned down to kiss her one last time before dragging himself away and walking to the front door.
He swung it
open and stared at Nicholas Wright’s grim face. “What the hell? Don’t you have anything else better to do on a Saturday night?”
His friend looked at him up and down. “I don’t, but apparently you do.”
Allie appeared in the hallway, and Ethan decided it was time to compartmentalize Nick. There was only one reason his friend was here, and there was no way he wanted Allie to know anything about it. “Uh, Allie, this is my friend Nicholas Wright.”
Nicholas gave him a look that was unmistakably apologetic. “Nice to meet you, Allie,” he said, shaking her hand.
“Nick, go wait for me in my office,” Ethan said.
Nicholas gave him a small salute and walked down the hall.
Ethan walked up to Allie, who had her arms folded across her chest. “So, what’s this all about?”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. We had some unfinished contracts to go over, but I had no idea he’d be coming over tonight.” He was so screwed, and he was a bigger jerk than even before. He didn’t want to leave her alone, especially after everything she’d just told him. He wanted her in his arms, in his bed, he wanted to make love to her and make her feel loved and safe. But instead he was going to go over plans to move forward with closing down her shelter.
She gave a little nod. “So he’s allowed in your office?”
Shit. “He’s different, he’s a guy. He doesn’t look at things. He sits down and starts talking contracts.”
She poked him in the stomach, and he grabbed her hand, tugging her into him for a long kiss. The door crashed open and they both jumped. Dani was standing there looking royally pissed. “I no longer have a BFF. Sandra is dead to me.”
So much for a night of just the two of them.
Chapter Ten
Allie huddled farther into her coat and hopped from one foot to the other. It was almost five o’clock on Monday, and she was standing outside a large office building. It was rush hour, and the streets and sidewalks were packed.
The Billionaire's Christmas Proposal (Billionaire For Christmas #2) Page 12