"Emma!" Jill's voice was tiny as it drifted through the house.
Swallowing, Emma forced herself to take a step forward. "Out here!" she called.
Ethan lifted his head to look at her as she stepped into the doorway. There was a fiery gleam in his gaze as it slid over her that caused her toes to curl as her hands clenched before her. What was it about him that could make her forget everyone else in the room? Even in her cut off shorts and loose fitting tank top, he somehow made her feel as if she was the most desirable woman in the world.
Ethan wasn't at all thrown off to see her stepping through the doorway, he'd smelled her the second he'd walked through the door and had known where she was. He wasn't sure how she would feel about seeing him after last night, but just the sight of her made his day better as the morning sun illuminated her from behind. Her thick hair had been pulled into a loose knot that rested against the nape of her neck. His gaze lingered on the vein in her neck before moving over her body. Even in her baggy clothes, she was the most enticing woman he'd ever seen.
When he'd left the house he'd been looking to have a good run in order to work off some of the remaining sexual frustration she'd aroused in him last night, but when he'd run into Jill, he'd known the only way he was going to feel any better was to see Emma again. That strange sense of peace began to work its way through him again as his eyes returned to hers. She looked a little shy as she folded her hands before her, but the smile she gave him warmed him from the inside out and helped to calm him further.
"There you are!" Jill said as she stepped back into the room. Emma reluctantly tore her attention away from Ethan as Jill hopped down the stairs and strode toward the kitchen. "Ethan and I ran into each other at the end of our morning run."
"I see." Oh, that was a terrific piece of conversation, she thought with an inward groan. But her tongue felt like it was trapped to the roof of her mouth.
"It's so peaceful out there in the morning," Jill continued.
Ethan's gaze remained riveted upon her as he lifted the glass of water to his lips. He didn't require the water to survive, but it was good to wet his throat with and to help cool him down. "And I couldn't turn down a drink," he said.
Jill waved her hand at Emma from behind Ethan's back in a gesture for her to come closer. Mandy nudged her shoulder a little as she stepped forward but Emma's feet were planted more firmly than an oak tree's roots. Ethan's gaze went briefly to Mandy's missing lower leg but to his credit he didn't become uncomfortable in her presence like Emma had seen many other people do, and he didn't stare.
"It's good to see you again," Mandy greeted.
"Yes, yes it is." Her tongue had finally come undone from the roof of her mouth only to sputter that crap out. She was better off just remaining mute, Emma realized in disgust.
Ethan didn't seem to care though as a smile tugged at the corners of his full mouth. Thoughts of kissing that mouth consumed her as her gaze became focused upon his lips. He drank the rest of the water down and placed the glass on the counter. "The house Stefan rented came with a boat. We were hoping to go out on it this morning, maybe do some fishing and swimming. Would the three of you like to join us?"
"That would be great," Jill said eagerly.
"Are you sure they won't mind?" Mandy asked.
"Not at all, there's plenty of room on it and the more the merrier," he responded with ease.
"It sounds like fun," Emma said.
"Good. I'll come back and get you in an hour, if that's ok?"
"Plenty of time," Jill assured him.
He smiled at Emma before turning and walking up the stairs. "Wear your bathing suits," he called over his shoulder before slipping out the door.
Emma exchanged a look with Jill and Mandy before Jill let out a little squeal and raced over to her. "He likes you," she said eagerly.
"Don't get carried away Jill," Emma told her.
"Maybe we should let you go alone." Jill tapped her finger thoughtfully against her chin as she studied Emma.
"She can't go out on a boat by herself with three people we barely know," Mandy said.
"I can take care of myself," Emma reminded them.
"Of course you can," Jill assured her. "But Mandy's right we really don't know them."
Emma's pride made her want to argue with them, but she wasn't stupid. Ethan and his family seemed pleasant enough, she didn't think they would harm her, but she didn't know them and going somewhere alone with them wasn't the smartest of ideas. It was better to go with her friends than to argue with them over it because of her pride.
"We have to get ready," Mandy said as she slid her arm through Emma's and led her toward the stairs.
CHAPTER 7
"You invited the humans?" Stefan placed the paper he'd been reading on the table and fixed Ethan with a look that made him wonder if he'd just sprouted horns.
"Sure, why not?" Ethan replied casually.
Stefan exchanged a glance with Isabelle, who had her arms resting on the edge of the pool as she treaded water. "Because they're human," Stefan said slowly.
"You once dated humans," Ethan reminded him.
Isabelle shot him a look that could have frozen fire as she pulled herself from the pool. Ethan almost chuckled but he thought she might kick his ass if he did. Stefan looked like he might also laugh but he wisely chose not to do so. "Since when do you want to hang out with a human?" Isabelle demanded. Water dripped from her wet body onto the bluestone with a soft plop as she walked across the patio to grab her towel from a chair.
Ethan shrugged but he knew his sister wasn't fooled by his casual gesture. "Things change."
"Or is it her?"
Unreasonable anger filled Ethan as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned back on his heels. He didn't like being questioned about Emma and he certainly didn't like her being referenced in that way. "I don't think that's any of your business."
"Ethan..." Isabelle started.
"If you would like me to un-invite them I will."
"That's not what I'm saying at all," Isabelle gushed. "It's just unusual to see you continuously interacting with humans, much less the same human. That's all."
"Yeah well we all change with age."
"That we do," Stefan agreed as he rose from the table. He moved closer to Isabelle and placed his hand on her shoulder, he squeezed it reassuringly before moving her back a step. Isabelle turned to look up at him, and from years of experience with watching his parents, he knew that they were having a silent conversation with each other. It frustrated him, he was certain they were talking about him, but he was able to keep his temper under control until they were done and focusing on him again. "Lord knows I did."
"I'm sure it will be fine," Isabelle said.
"It will be," Ethan assured her. "I'm going to get them."
Before his sister could argue with him further, he turned and walked away. His earlier run had helped him burn off some of his excess energy but he could feel it building within him again as he walked at an increasingly brisk pace down the road to the small house where Emma and her friends were staying.
***
Emma was trying not to ogle Ethan as he took hold of her hand and helped her on board the boat. Between the home they were staying in and this boat, she didn't know what to make of him or his family. She knew they were only renting the house but she imagined the rent on this place was more than some people made in a year. She could tell that Jill and Mandy were just as impressed and overwhelmed as she was by their gaping mouths as they looked around the glistening white boat.
She was so busy trying to take in all the details that she didn't realize Ethan was still holding her hand until he pulled her toward the back of the boat. Or was it the stern? She really wasn't sure, as she'd never been on anything bigger than a rowboat before. He settled her into a seat before turning to help Mandy and Jill get seated.
"I'll be right back," he told her.
Emma admired the fit of his bathing trunks on hi
s thighs and ass as she watched him walk away. She was so focused on him that she jumped when Jill leaned closer to her and spoke. "What does his family do for a living?"
"I don't know," Emma whispered back.
"Maybe they're in the mob."
"Yeah, the mob is huge in Oregon," Emma retorted.
Even Jill had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. "Maybe they've decided to expand."
Emma chuckled as she shook her head but Jill's question made her recall the fact that Ethan had avoided her question when she'd asked him about what he did. There was a lot of money here, but it was his brother-in-laws, not Ethan's. She could understand if Ethan didn't really have a plan about his future, she wasn't exactly doing much in life right now or have any big plans. Maybe Ethan felt the same way and just didn't like talking about it, she hadn't told him everything about herself either.
The boat engine firing up drew her attention to Stefan standing behind the wheel with Isabelle at his side. Ethan said something to Stefan she couldn't hear over the engine, but Stefan glanced at them before nodding. Emma turned her attention to the water as the boat started to pull away from the dock.
Excitement built within her as the powerful vessel hummed beneath her and the wind began to kick up. The boat picked up speed as Stefan steered it away from shore and into the open water. Her hair blew back from her face; the warm, salty ocean spray kicking up around her was cool as it landed on her cheeks and tickled her face. It was impossible not to smile as the boat skimmed over the ocean and plumes of water shot up around them. She turned her body and rested her arms on the back of her chair to watch the wake coming off the rear of the boat.
She was so focused upon the clear blue of the water that she didn't realize Ethan had returned until his arm brushed against hers. She turned to him as he settled into the seat beside her. There was something about him, and this whole moment, that made her feel as if someone had opened the door on the cage she'd locked herself in since Tristan. She could almost feel her wings spreading as she flew free and unexpected tears of joy burned her eyes.
"Are you ok?" Ethan inquired.
"Just the wind," she said as she wiped at her eyes.
She wasn't expecting it when his hand slid into hers. The tears burned their way up her throat but she managed to keep these ones from spilling over as she wrapped her hand around his large, strong one and squeezed it. He was so powerful and self-assured that she thought he could take on anything and anyone, that he would protect her. She had no reason to believe such a thing but she couldn't shake the certainty of that thought as she turned her attention back to the vast sea.
Ethan studied her profile as she focused on the water again. The flowing black cover-up she wore brought out the blond in her hair and made her eyes appear even darker. He felt like she was weaving some kind of a spell over him; he was definitely entranced by her.
The boat began to decelerate as they approached a secluded cove. Emma took in the amazing lava rock formations around them as the boat came to a stop fifty feet from shore. "This seems like a good place!" Stefan announced. Emma rose to her feet as Stefan went down below and came back with four fishing poles and a tackle box. "We can fish from the front and swim off the back."
Mandy and Jill stood, pulled off their cover-ups and dropped them onto their chairs. "Are you going to swim Emma?" Mandy asked.
"I'd prefer to fish." There was something entirely enticing about just being able to sit there and watch her pole while soaking in the sun. She'd made sure to douse herself in sunblock before leaving the house.
"I'll join you," Ethan said as he rose to his feet and pulled his shirt off. Emma felt like a cartoon character with its eyes popping out as she was once again treated to the delightful image of his bare chest with its sprinkling of hair across the carved surface.
He held his hand out to her and helped her to her feet when she took hold of it. Her heart pounded with excitement and apprehension as she realized the others were all going to go swimming. She loved the idea of getting a chance to spend some time alone with him but she was a conversational idiot around him. Even still, she was practically bouncing on her feet as he grabbed two of the poles and the tackle box before helping her maneuver to the front of the boat.
He handed her a pole and set the tackle box down. Emma popped the locks on it and began to pick through it in search of a lure. Ethan quirked an eyebrow as he watched her expertly attach the lure to the line. "I take it you've done this before."
"Once or twice," she told him with a grin.
He laughed as he dug into the tackle box and pulled out another lure. "I wouldn't have pegged you as a fisherwoman."
"Well I'm a little difficult to peg," she teased. Was she actually flirting with him? Maybe she was only a complete moron when other people were around them. It was a pleasant thought and one that helped to ease her anxiety.
Something so hot and hungry flickered through his eyes that she felt her body immediately react to it as she sucked in a breath. "Let's hope you're not impossible."
Yep, she was simply going to melt into a pile of goo, or jump him, she wasn't entirely sure which one it was right now. She really wished that she had chosen to plunge herself into the water instead, but even the ocean wouldn't be enough to cool her right now. It took all she had to break eye contact with him and cast her line out. She settled onto the edge of the boat and let her legs dangle over the side.
"Where I'm from in New York, we either fished in the summer, rode our ATV's, or sat around a bonfire," she told him as he settled beside her.
She was acutely aware of the heat of his body as the hair on his arm tickled against her skin. "My siblings and I spent our time tormenting each other and daring each other to do some pretty crazy things," he said.
"That sounds like it was a lot of fun."
"It was."
Her fishing pole made a clicking noise as she reeled her line back in. "If you don't mind me asking, what does Stefan do for a living?"
He leaned a little more against her side. "Not much." Emma frowned at him before glancing questioningly around the large boat. "Family money."
"So he's not in the mob then?"
He laughed as he shook back his raven colored hair. "No, he's not in the mob."
"Jill will be relieved to know that."
The sound of his rumbling laughter caused her to smile in return. Emma couldn't remember the last time she'd been this happy as they continued to talk. He told her more about his massive family and his home in Oregon. She told him more about her mother who was a nurse, and her father who was a reporter at the local news station. They'd lived a simple life, in a small home, but she'd been loved and she'd had a lot of friends throughout high school. She saw most of them when she returned home for breaks and they all shared stories, it wasn't the same but she knew that most of them would be returning to live there when they were finished college.
"Is that what you plan to do, return home and stay there?" he asked as he cast his line out again.
For some reason the question made him tense up, he didn't like to think of her returning home and being so far away from him. He didn't understand where the sudden feeling came from or why it lodged so firmly inside of him. He enjoyed talking to her and the feeling of peace that being in her presence brought to him, but he barely knew her and he had no investment in her life.
"I'm not sure. I love it there, I love my parents, but I also really enjoyed being away from home. Mandy and Jill have asked me to go to California, Jill is from San Francisco and Mandy will be going to Stanford in the fall. They're hoping to get a place together and asked me to room with them too. I'm actually considering it, it would be fun and I'd like to see California. I enjoyed experiencing new things while at school, I don't think I'm ready for that to end and I'd like to travel more."
"Then don't let it end."
She gave a small laugh. "It's just a matter of finding a job so I could stay there. I waitressed for a couple of years; may
be I could find work doing that again or a job in a museum. I had planned to teach history but I think I'd prefer to work in a museum or something like that."
"You like history?"
Ethan couldn't help but smile at her as her face lit up. "I love it. There's just so much to learn from it, so many lives that were once lived, so many people that walked through these places, paved the roads, and built the world before us. They fascinate me and I love to hear their stories, see the pictures, and touch the things that those people once touched. I'd love to see and explore as many historical places as I can before I die."
"I never really thought about it that way," he admitted.
"I also really enjoyed meeting different people while at school. Some of them weren't always so great." She refused to let thoughts of Tristan ruin this day. "But most of them were."
He was looking at her as if she'd just told him that the ocean was purple and the clouds were full of pink giraffes. She glanced over herself but she didn't see anything out of the ordinary and she was pretty sure she didn't have anything hanging out of her nose. When she looked at him again there was a strange gleam in his eyes and a small smile on his face that warmed her heart.
She was so different from him, he realized. She was eager to get out in the world and to explore new things. She enjoyed being around other people, the one thing he couldn't stand, unless he was with her. When he was with her, he could focus on something other than the blood pulsing through people's veins, and the driving urge to bury himself in the release that he knew their deaths would finally give to him.
Unable to resist, he brushed back a stray tendril of her silken hair. She watched him with wide eyes as her lower lip trembled slightly. It was good to know he seemed to affect her as much as she affected him as she leaned closer to him. His gaze slid over the swell of her breasts that were thrust upward in her orange bikini top, and then over her rounded hips and flat belly. Her skin was in the early stages of a tan and a golden color that brought out the dark gold in her hair and eyes. His fingers slid over her shoulder and toward her cheek, her skin was as soft as a flower petal against his and he couldn't get enough of it. He had to forcefully pull his hand away before he forgot about everyone else and lost himself to her again.
Untamed (Vampire Awakenings, Book 3) Page 6