by Megan Ryder
She raised one hand to his cheek. “But what about Hermitage Vines? I thought you loved it there, had such plans for it.”
He shrugged. “You said it yourself. I can hire someone to do the events. I already have someone to run the farm and make the wine. I just need to oversee the operations. We can drive up there on weekends. It will be our getaway for us and our kids.”
The mental image he painted was so real, so desperately wanted that she could almost see it, as if it had already happened. They could turn back the clock, return to a time when life was planned, safe, easy. But at what cost?
She pulled back, doubt overcoming the instant of happiness. “Ethan, is this what you want? Or are you doing this for me?”
He shook his head. “No, I have a duty to my family, my father. I always knew the vineyard was a temporary escape. It’s running well and doesn’t need me. But my father does. And you need this too.”
She searched his face, looking deep into his eyes for the truth. What she saw there was raw emotion, honesty, and conviction. He was committed and wanted this. They weren’t empty words. Did she dare hope it could be true? That everything she had wanted could be that easy? Could she turn back time? And what would Kira think, her stepson marrying Delaney and foiling her plans. And what about William, Ethan’s father? He wasn’t happy before about their engagement. Would he be happier now?
“What about your father? What will he think?”
Ethan avoided her gaze. “What do you mean? He’ll be thrilled. He’s been wanting me back in Houston for a while now. And if I’m married? Even better.”
“What will he think about me? He wasn’t happy about us before. I know he told you to break off our engagement.” She folded her hands in front of her, hands twisting painfully.
“My father doesn’t run my life. We’re a package deal. You and me. If he wants me back, then he takes us both.” Ethan made a sound of annoyance. “I thought you’d be happy about this. It solves all of our problems.”
“So, you’re asking me to marry you?” Her voice was quiet, barely audible over the roaring of the waves.
“Of course. Isn’t that the point?” He sounded gruff, almost angry and impatient.
“After one week? You have to know what people will say, will think about this.”
He turned from her and ran his fingers through his hair. “Delaney, I don’t give a damn what people think. And they sure as hell won’t say it. Besides, it’s not like we never knew each other. Come on, we were engaged.”
He spun on his heel and narrowed his gaze at her. “I thought you’d be happy about this. I thought you loved me. You loved me once.”
She bit her lower lip. The word love had not been mentioned by either one until this point, the monstrous elephant in the room, taunting them. Had she loved him before? She thought she had but so many things had changed. They had changed.
“Ethan, I don’t know what I felt back then. And now, well, this is all happening so quickly. Don’t you think we should slow things down?”
“Don’t you think you should have thought of that before you jumped in my bed?” The words hit like pistol shots.
She refused to back down, not this time. It was too important. “Like you’ve never slept with someone you weren’t in love with. Please, Ethan. I’m not stupid. This has nothing to do with love. The same issues are on the table.”
“No, they’re not on the table. They’re only there if you make them an issue. No one else gives a damn about your father, his crimes, or even you.” He grabbed her shoulders again. “Listen carefully. You’re old news, Delaney. That was then, this is now. People have moved on. But maybe you haven’t. Maybe that’s the real issue. Maybe you have to live like a martyr, punishing yourself, wearing fucking sackcloth and ashes to make amends when no one else even cares.”
He stepped back, a dawning realization on his face. “Or maybe you don’t care enough about me to want to try. Maybe you don’t love me.”
“Ethan, don’t be ridiculous. I don’t know how I feel right now. Everything is happening so fast. I just can’t change direction like that. I came here to survive the wedding and hopefully not get ripped to shreds. Now you’re offering me marriage. I need time.”
“Time? So, you want to date, see if we’re a good match?”
“Is that so unreasonable? You said it yourself. We’ve both changed. Maybe we don’t work anymore. What can it hurt to take some time?”
He sighed. “I don’t know. I only know I finally feel right, feel complete again. As if my life is back on track.”
She laid a hand on his arm. “Do you regret the past five years?”
He looked at her hand. “Yes, I do.”
She arched a brow. “Really? You regret Hermitage Vines?”
“I regret that they happened, that we were apart for those years.”
“Have you considered that maybe we weren’t strong enough back then, if something like my father’s crimes and gossip could tear us apart? Maybe I wasn’t strong enough back then.”
He slowly pivoted. “Are you saying you’re stronger now?”
“I’m saying I think I am and I’d like to try again with you. But I’m not committed to marriage yet.” She hugged herself tightly, withdrawing into herself, drawing the shell she had carefully erected all those years ago around her to protect her. Unfortunately, Ethan had already slipped past her defenses and the wall couldn’t keep him out this time.
“You’re still holding back, Delaney. Afraid you’ll get hurt again.” His words were like a battering ram, breaking down her defenses quicker than she could build them up.
“If you’d been through what I went through, you’d be cautious too.” She glared at him, teeth gritted and hands fisted, even as pain wafted through her.
“Then trust me, dammit. Trust me like you should have five years ago.”
“I want to. But I am not the same person I was back then. I need time, Ethan. I need to be sure.” Fear clenched her deep inside, terror of the unknown, or maybe it was fear of what she had known and anticipated.
“I’m sure.” Bitterness stung every word and he stepped back, body stiff, pain radiating from his every muscle.
“Not about you.” She hugged him, even while he remained wooden. “About everyone else.”
“You’re still protecting me.” The realization hit him and he staggered. “I don’t need you to protect me. I can handle it. I could always handle it.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.” Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked rapidly.
“So, you broke up with me, breaking my heart. Nice going.” His sarcasm cut at her, sharper than any knife.
“It was better than the inevitable slow hatred you would have felt. You said it last night. Who we would have been if we had stayed the course.” She stepped forward and put her arms around him. “But now we have a second chance. I’m willing to give it a try, but you have to take it slow. Please.”
He looked at her, eyes softening under her regard. Slowly he nodded. “Fine, but you’re mine. No hiding, no sneaking around. We’re together and that’s it.”
She ignored the icy tendril of fear, the anticipation of the next two days and his family’s reaction to the news. It would be okay. It had to be.
Delaney woke in Ethan’s bed again, tangled in the sheets and his legs, his arm thrown across her middle, anchoring her in place, as if she might escape in the night. She wiggled, trying to slide out from the embrace, but he murmured and dragged her closer, to the very strong evidence of his desire. She stifled a grin and turned to face him. His eyes were opened and amused at her attempts to free herself.
“Morning.” His lips curved in a grin, the lines on his face of sleep softened.
She raised her hand to his cheek and rubbed the morning stubble. “Morning, stud.”
His laugh was a rumble deep inside, the rumble setting the fine hair on his chest to run against her nipples, already sensitized from the love play the night before. He slid h
is hands down and cupped her backside, drawing her closer, rubbing against her. She threw her leg over his hip, pulling him closer to heaven. He grabbed a condom from the bedside table and sheathed himself quickly. He leaned the few inches forward and kissed her deeply, sliding into her at the same moment with a long sigh. She arched her back at being filled so completely, so deeply, in that position. He moved back and forth, with slow, short digs designed to draw out the passion, a long, slow build. It didn’t take long for heat to rise and he shifted on his back, pulling her astride him.
“Ride me, baby.” His voice was husky with passion.
She sank down, feeling him go deeper than ever before. She threw back her head, reveling in the sensation, the connection. His fingers flexed on her hips, signaling his control was at a breaking point. She moved faster, and his finger burrowed between them, finding her clit and flicking it until she came. He followed quickly after and held her close when she slumped against him.
They rested, neither wanting to break the bubble they were living in, knowing the activities for the wedding were ramping up and things would quickly spiral. If they could survive the next two days, they could survive anything.
Delaney hummed as she made the coffee and cracked eggs in a pan for breakfast. The house was quiet. People might still have been sleeping or were already up and on their way for the day. She heard Ethan’s heavy tread on the stairs as he came down. She smiled to herself and flipped the eggs. He walked into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her, hauling her up against him.
She squealed and wiggled, but his grip was firm. “Let me go, you oaf. Or you won’t have any food for breakfast.”
He grinned against her neck, nuzzling under her ear. “I need all my energy to keep up with you.”
She laughed but wiggled out of his arms. He poured a cup of coffee and leaned against the opposite counter, watching her. His hair was damp and he wore loose-fitting shorts and a button-down shirt, only partially buttoned. She almost dropped the spatula at the blatant hunger in his eyes. Not hunger for the eggs but for her.
The front door opened and closed and the staccato of heels on the hardwood floor echoed through the house. Delaney paused, a plate of eggs in her outstretched hand. Ethan also turned to the doorway. A short blond woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a cute floral sheath dress. The image of what Delaney used to be.
The other woman glanced around the room until her eyes landed on Ethan. Her face broke into a broad grin and she opened her arms wide. “Ethan, darling! I came early to help with whatever I can.”
The plate crashed to the floor, shattered in a hundred pieces, along with Delaney’s heart.
Chapter Eighteen
Ethan barely had time to put his coffee down before Cami hugged him with a lot more affection than usual, playing her role perfectly. Maybe too perfectly. Delaney cleaned up the breakfast mess on the floor, avoiding his gaze, her eyes completely on the congealed mass of eggs and plate shards, her chin-length hair hiding her face. Ethan set Cami aside and knelt to help, but Delaney had finished and pushed him away, slicing her finger on the jagged edge of a plate. She yanked her finger away with a sharp hiss. She sucked her finger and stood, jerking away from him when he reached for her.
“I’ve got this. Deal with your friend.” The last was said with a sneer.
He reached for another shard and she shoved him away. “Go.”
He rocked back on his heels and slowly stood, brushing his hands on his shorts. Cami leaned into him, linking her arm with his. He couldn’t avoid the group of people staring curiously at him. He smiled at Cami, his face feeling brittle, like it would break into a dozen pieces like the plate.
“We were so excited to be here that we came early. The spa at the hotel has some fabulous amenities. Kira and I wanted to enjoy a few of them before tonight. I hope you don’t mind. Ethan?” Cami’s excited voice bounced around the room.
Ethan sucked in a deep breath. She had never seemed so annoying or cloying before. “Cami, what are you doing here? I don’t recall inviting you.”
A man cleared his voice. “Ethan. Good to see you, son. We brought her. Thought you’d like the company of your girlfriend.”
Ethan glared at his father, a muscle ticking in his jaw, the words forced out between clenched teeth. “Dad, we didn’t expect to see you. And especially not Cami, who is not my girlfriend.”
The pixie blond didn’t appear to hear as she was talking with Kira. William frowned at Ethan. “Now, son, she came all this way to spend the weekend with you. Don’t be rude.”
Then, William Van Owen turned his back on Ethan. He glanced at Delaney, who rose from the floor with the pieces of the dish. “Delaney, it’s been a long time.”
His voice was forced cheer and goodwill, but too forced, too obvious that the situation was awkward to everyone in the room. The man who was once going to be her father-in-law, the man who was almost a father to her, now acted distant, as if they were mere acquaintances. No, his father treated acquaintances with more warmth than he was exhibiting toward her.
Delaney’s smile was stiff. “Nice to see you too, Mr. Van Owen. Hope you don’t mind if I don’t shake your hand.” She nodded to the mess in her hands.
“Of course, of course.” The false joviality continued. “Please, finish what you were doing.”
Delaney’s eyes flashed fire, but she stepped around Ethan toward the garbage. Caroline rushed forward and opened the trash barrel. “What happened?”
Delaney shook her head wordlessly. Caroline shot a furious look at Ethan, his face tight with anger. He was speaking in low tones with his father, face red, while his father deliberately tried to avoid the conversation.
“Ethan, since we arrived early, I reserved a tee time for you and me and Jim and Matthew. It’s a beautiful day and the girls will be at the spa all day anyway. Leaves us time to talk about the future. Besides, men are never needed for the pre-wedding nonsense, even the groom and the father-in-law-to-be.” His father clapped him on the shoulder in an attempt to show their camaraderie.
What was his game? His father never did anything without thinking several moves ahead. Leaving the business early, even on a Friday, was not in character. He studied his father as Cami babbled in his ear and his father chatted with Caroline’s father, Jim, about golfing. His father was thinner than he had last seen him, a couple of months after his heart attack. He had never been a heavy man, instead imposing a strict diet and exercise regimen on himself, not to mention any staff who wanted to succeed at Van Own Financial. But his complexion was paler than before, almost gray, belying the image of health his father was desperately trying to portray. And it was desperate. Ethan could almost smell it, his father teaching him from a young age to find weaknesses in others and exploit it. His father saw that as good business. Ethan now saw it as manipulation. The truth was probably somewhere in between.
Cami’s voice brought him back to the present. “Delaney Winters? Hi, I’m Cami Spencer, Ethan’s girlfriend. I’ve heard so much about you!”
“I’ll bet you have,” Delaney said, quietly, then she pasted a bright smile on her face that seemed carved from stone. “Hi, Cami. I’ve heard absolutely nothing about you. Right, Ethan?”
The last words were said sweetly with poison lacing every syllable. Ethan winced, mentally gearing himself up for a long, involved discussion. Damn, he didn’t want to embarrass Cami, who was a sweet girl, but if he didn’t get her out of here, there was going to be bloodshed.
“That’s okay! I heard you girls will be getting your nails done today. Maybe I can join you and we can compare notes.”
Delaney’s face was a careful blank mask and Ethan could only imagine what she was thinking.
Before he could step between them, Kira, his stepmother, interjected. “A manicure this late in the week? Caroline, dear, I would have thought you would have done that days ago.”
Caroline heaved a breath and smiled at the other woman. “We had that storm this week and dec
ided to hold off on our nails because we knew we might damage them in the preparation for the wedding and storm cleanup.”
Kira waved her hand. “That’s what the help is for, like your bridesmaids and maid of honor. You’re the bride and too busy to be bothered with details like that.”
Delaney’s gaze narrowed and she opened her mouth, but Ethan stepped in the middle. “Kira, you know how hands-on Caroline likes to be. Besides, it’s not really your place to tell her how to run her wedding, is it?”
“I can fight my own battles, Ethan.” Delaney spoke low behind him, for his ears only. She then stepped around him. “Caroline, I’m going to head upstairs to finish getting ready. Nice seeing you, Mr. and Mrs. Van Owen. Jim and Nancy, I hope to catch up with you later today.” The last words were directed at Caroline’s parents, who smiled warmly at Delaney, a pointed contrast to the icy, formal tone she used with Ethan’s parents.
She glided out of the room as if she had a tiara on her head rather than a man’s shirt spattered with eggs. Caroline hurried after her, glancing back at Ethan, her look promising retribution.
He turned his attention back to the room, to a mixed set of reactions. Caroline’s parents chatted casually with Matthew, who shook his head sadly at Ethan.
Kira tapped her foot, demonstrating her irritation with the whole affair. “I can’t believe Caroline wanted her here. I mean, she stole from several members of our set. She no longer belongs with us.”
“She didn’t steal anything, Kira.” Ethan’s voice was mild but held a warning, which Kira, as usual, disregarded.
“She profited from it. She tried to destroy us. I’m deeply offended at having to attend an event with her here.” The last words rose to a shrill demand.
“Well, then, you know how to rectify that, don’t you? The ferry leaves every two hours.” Ethan snapped and Kira’s jaw hung open, then she looked at William for support.