by Faye Avalon
He stepped toward her, touched his fingers to her lower lip. “Why don’t we start with the real deal, then see how it goes?”
One half of her brain argued that there was no harm in that, while the other screamed at her to turn him down, that she’d be humiliated all over again. That what little of her self-esteem she’d managed to recover and rebuild might again be destroyed. Yet the positive side of her brain reasoned that if she gave in, Treacherous Trevor would win. Why should she give him the satisfaction of running her life, influencing her decisions, and affecting her choices?
“All right.” Her voice trembled around the simple words. “But I’m not agreeing to euphemism pizza, just so you know.”
“Fair enough. Want me to pick you up?”
“No. I’ll meet you there. Seven.”
He nodded, touched his lips to hers in a brief kiss. “I’ll be counting the hours.”
She laughed. “As if.” A man like him was probably already mentally flipping through his who-to-ring-to-get-laid-tonight files to ease his overheated blood and raging erection. “Can we get out of this elevator now?”
He stepped back and bowed as he gave a theatrical gesture with his hand.
Amber reached for the panel and pressed the button for the fifth floor. The elevator lurched slightly then started whirring as it began its ascent. She turned to him, eyes wide. “You really do know about elevators.”
“Just as well, seeing as I own the company carrying out refurb and maintenance on the system.”
Chapter Two
Amber took a breath as she sat behind the wheel of her car and stared at the red fluorescent light across the road announcing Zutini’s Pizzeria.
It was early enough that she’d found a parking space near the restaurant, which meant she’d be primed for an early getaway if necessary.
She checked her appearance in the rear view mirror, again. Her short blonde hair looked good, courtesy of the hair appointment she’d begged them to fit in for her that afternoon. She’d convinced herself it was all part of rebuilding her self-esteem and had nothing to do with seeing Ethan again. Of course, she was a big, fat liar. She’d barely been able to think of much else since yesterday and had imagined a thousand scenarios about how tonight might pan out, all of which entailed her naked and stretched out beneath him. The thought brought a shiver of nerves. If only one of those fantasies could become reality and she could morph into some sort of femme fatale who knew her way around a man’s body. But even if that were possible, what would he think when he saw her shoulders, her back?
Amber took another breath, grabbed her bag from the passenger seat and left the car. The sun had lost its heat, the early June evening fresh and alive with possibilities. Amber tucked her bag underneath one arm, then smoothed down the mid-thigh skirt of her plain lemon dress with the other. The dress had an inbuilt bodice held in place by wide shoulder straps. She’d taken care to cover herself with a white bolero top that hid the scars on her upper arm.
Amber hesitated as she pushed the car door closed. Was she being an idiot going along with this? Wouldn’t it be better to get back in her car and drive home? It certainly would, as far as ending the evening with sex was concerned. But she wanted to see him again, wanted to spend the evening having fun with a man who didn’t even try to hide his attraction to her.
Locking her car door, she yet again asked herself what it was about him. He was what could be described as ruggedly handsome, with that short dark hair, those hot blue eyes, the kinky grin, and a strong, firm jaw. His body was leanly muscled and, from what she could tell from having him pressed up against her, toned to perfection. Probably from all that hoisting himself about in lifts.
As she walked across the street toward the restaurant, she recalled how she’d taken him to task over his deception as they’d traveled to the fifth floor in the errant elevator. By the time he’d walked her to the offices of Dollison and March, where she worked as a marketing assistant, he’d redeemed himself and she’d forgiven him. It was hard not to, seeing as he’d charmed the pants off pretty much every female in her office, including her sixty-something boss, within seconds of meeting them.
Of course, then her colleagues had spent the morning ragging her about her good fortune, which included being trapped in a broken down elevator with the biggest hunk to grace the building in eons and then being invited out by him. Since they knew she’d recently broken her engagement, Amber realized they were only being supportive and encouraging. Yet it was hard to ignore the boost of confidence it gave her to be the object of their envy.
Almost ten minutes early, Amber headed straight for the ladies room as she hit the restaurant. On the way out, she noticed the birthday banners and balloons swamping the small foyer.
“Hey.”
Turning, she came face to face with Ethan. He was taller even than she remembered, bigger and more imposing. His eyes, the same vivid blue, seemed warmer and so desperately potent that her stomach enjoyed a lovely slow spin as she met his gaze. Soon her pulse decided to participate and began thundering beneath her flesh.
“You look,” he said softly, “beautiful.”
Beneath his speculative gaze she felt beautiful, which was pretty amazing seeing as she’d spent the past few weeks suffering varying degrees of self-analysis ranging from abject criticism to gentle acceptance of her flaws.
Tonight, it seemed, she could err on the side of acceptance. “Thank you.” She ran her gaze over the loose white linen shirt and light grey trousers. “You scrub up pretty nicely yourself. You’ve shaved.” At his raised eyebrows, she laughed. “I sort of liked the designer stubble you sported in the elevator.”
“It’ll be back by morning. Want to stick around and watch it grow?”
She laughed again. Yes indeedy, there was definitely something about him. Maybe her friends were right and she did deserve to cut herself a break and get back into the game. If only to prove that Trevor’s taunts were so far off base it was laughable...except she couldn’t shake the little voice that cautioned otherwise. Despite the girls’ attempts to convince her that Trevor was the last person she should let influence her life, his insult had struck deep like a sword to the heart. Finding him in bed with her best friend hadn’t helped much either, and as if to add insult to injury he’d—
“Ready to join the party?”
Ethan’s deep voice and his hand on the small of her back brought her hurtling back to the present. “Party?”
He nodded toward the array of banners and balloons. “Marco’s birthday. He’s thirty today and hates the very idea of a party, which is why we’ve thrown him one.”
Bloody hell. She wasn’t in the mood for a party. “You should have said. We could have made it another night.”
“You kidding? Marco’s going to lose his tongue when he sees you. And any way I can stick it to him, especially on his birthday, is an added bonus.”
“You don’t like him?”
He turned, leading her toward the entrance to the restaurant. “Love him like a brother. Best man I know.”
As long as she lived, she’d never understand the male psyche.
The restaurant was decked out the same way as the foyer, with the addition of streamers hanging from the ceiling and photographs plastered all over the walls. People were milling around the bedecked tables, laughing, kissing, and generally enjoying themselves.
As they made their way through the restaurant toward the back of the room, several people greeted Ethan. A few times they stopped so that he could make introductions. Everyone seemed friendly, and Amber noted the variations in age from early twenties up to people in their eighties. Along the way, she learned that Zutini’s was one of a string of restaurants owned by Marco’s parents and that the restaurant had been closed to the public for the evening to celebrate their youngest son’s birthday.
A group of people at the main table in the centre of the room indicated for Ethan to come over.
Ethan introduced Amber and sh
e received the same friendly response as she had while circumnavigating the room.
“Where’s the birthday boy?” Ethan addressed the group at large. “Hiding in the nearest closet?”
“No. We’ve already checked them.” A very heavily pregnant woman about Amber’s age gave Ethan a wry smile. “He’s out back taking the candles off his cake as fast as his mother’s putting them on.”
As a cheer went up, Amber turned to see who she assumed was Marco, being forcibly led into the restaurant by an older woman who was obviously his mother. They had the same dark looks, the same lush black hair that fell to their shoulders, the same chocolate eyes.
Amber’s first thought was that he looked younger than his thirty years, her second that he was damned beautiful. Less rugged than Ethan, not as muscular, but beautiful nevertheless.
As he reached their table, Ethan pulled him into a bear hug. “Surprise,” he said to Marco with a grin. “You’ve got your very own birthday party, my man.”
Marco’s muttered “fuck you” earned him a clip around the head from his mother and a slap on the back from Ethan.
Marco winced at his mother, glared at Ethan, then turned his attention to Amber. “Tell me that this is my present,” he said to Ethan as his eyes stayed on his friend’s date, “and I might actually enjoy this farce.”
Amber’s smile faded and the ‘happy birthday’ died on her lips as she stared at Marco.
He stared back with those chocolate eyes, the dark slash of eyebrows making them even more devastating. In his left ear, a silver loop flashed.
Ethan’s hand slid around the back of her waist as he addressed Marco in a tone meant only for his friend’s ears. “Not this time.”
Amber glanced up at him and noted the smile he offered Marco didn’t reach his eyes. Interesting. Was he being a little possessive of her? She decided to believe that he was.
Through dinner she enjoyed his attention. He was great company. He made her laugh, made her feel like she was the most desirable female in the place. While he flirted outrageously with other women at the huge circular table, punctuated by affable banter with Marco and the men, his attention rarely strayed from her for more than a few seconds at a time.
When the evening ended, she said goodbye to Marco’s parents, thanked them for a lovely evening, and then turned to the birthday boy.
Before she could open her mouth, he took her hand and drew her fingers to his lips. Chocolate eyes bored into hers. “Apologies for the earlier remark. Parties aren’t my thing.”
Amber nodded and tried for an agreeable smile. He was quite unsettling, with his dark good looks, penetrating eyes, and hint of Italian accent. Her insides quivered. “Apology accepted.”
Without taking his gaze from hers, he touched full lips to her fingers. He kept hold of her hand as he turned to Ethan. “Night’s young. Few of us are heading to Papa Niko’s.”
Amber noticed that Ethan glanced at the way Marco still held her hand, but he gave no sign he had a problem with it. He turned to her. “What do you say?”
Since she’d thoroughly enjoyed herself and relished the idea of a couple more hours in Ethan’s company, Amber nodded.
“We’ll meet you there,” he told Marco, then promptly steered Amber through the foyer and into the street.
Since Papa Niko’s bar was a twenty minute drive along the coast, Amber opened her bag and prepared to dig for her keys.
Ethan stayed her hand. “Makes no sense us both taking a car. Why don’t I drive?” he said, digging in his pocket. “I’ll bring you back later.”
She hesitated, unsure that she wanted to be without her means of escape should it be needed, but what could happen at a crowded bar? Except that wasn’t the only place where danger lurked, was it? There was his car to negotiate. Lots could happen in a dark, cramped space. But then the operative word was dark, the thought of which seemed to allay her nerves. “If you’re sure.”
“Car’s around here.” They turned the corner and crossed the quiet cobbled road. Ethan had his arm around her waist and as they approached his car her nerves kicked in again.
Ethan owned an SUV. There was plenty of space for things to happen.
He turned her so that her back was against the passenger door, then he leaned in. “Enjoy yourself?”
“Yes. Very much.” She pressed against the door, trying to get some space between them, but he only leaned in and slid his hands up her forearms.
“Enjoy your pizza?”
She was about to nod, when she saw the gleam in his eyes and caught the innuendo. He had his hands on her shoulders, his thumbs toying with the edge of her bolero. Nerves danced, edged with a shiver of awareness at the brush of his hands against her flesh. She moved her shoulders away from him and felt herself tense beneath his touch.
He hesitated a moment, then lowered his head and brought his mouth to hers, pulling her up against him as he deepened the kiss. His tongue slid along her lips and she let them part, eager for more.
As she touched her tongue to the tip of his, she felt the impact all the way through her body until it settled between her legs. Dampness swamped her panties. If he could do that with just a kiss, what could he do with other parts of his anatomy? It looked like she was in very serious trouble.
Ethan eased his thigh between her legs, and she felt his erection push into her. He deepened the kiss, his mouth open against hers, his tongue exploring and his teeth nipping. His arms banded around her, trapping her breasts against his chest.
Breathing, something she’d always taken for granted, became almost impossible as need drove through her. Her hormones raged; her blood soared. Every part of her felt alive, devoured. She didn’t want it to end.
Only when Ethan reached for her skirt and started to tug it upward, did she find her voice and regain her sanity. “We’re supposed to be meeting your friends,” she managed between snatches of breath.
Ethan didn’t seem overly perturbed about that little detail and tried to kiss her again.
“Ethan…” It cost her, but she eased him away. “Your friends?”
His hooded eyes bore into hers. “What friends?”
She laughed and he kissed her again.
Seconds later, he drew away. “Shit.”
It was gratifying to see how, like her, his breathing was erratic and fast. He looked pretty shell-shocked, which ratcheted up her sense of sexual power and allure. She’d done that to him. Her. Amber Green, who couldn’t, according to her bastard ex-fiance, keep a man satisfied because she was rubbish in bed.
The thought was like a wet blanket covering her escalating confidence. She might be okay in the kissing department— and God, how could she not be with Ethan as a partner—but things would change if they got naked. While it was easy enough to get a man hot and bothered, it was an entirely different matter to keep him that way.
She sidestepped Ethan. “Actually, I think I might give the drink a miss and call it a night.” Her tone was sharper than she’d wanted and she felt herself tense as Ethan reached out for her again.
“You’re giving me mixed signals, gorgeous. One minute you’ve got your tongue down my throat, the next you’re freezing me out.”
“I didn’t plan on being groped.”
“Bullshit.”
She hoisted the strap of her bag on her shoulder and tugged the edges of her bolero together. “Okay. You’re right. That was bullshit. I wondered if I’d have sex with you tonight.”
He went to take her hands but hesitated. “And?”
“And?” She sighed. “Let’s just say, I doubt it would have lived up to your expectations.” Hell. Why was she telling him that? Did she want to humiliate herself all over again?
“One, you don’t know anything about my expectations. Two, why the hell would you say that?”
“Because I’m not long out of a messy break up,” she improvised. “And I don’t do one night stands.”
Although why in heaven she couldn’t do a one night stand fo
r once in her bloody life was beyond her understanding. If she couldn’t allow herself one quickie in her entire, careful, boring existence, then she might as well give up now, get herself a supply of cocoa, and buy herself a cat.
A one night stand, she thought as she looked at him. What could it damn well hurt? But what would happen when he saw her naked? Even in the back of his car, in the dark, he would feel her scars, the marks that blistered her skin. Even if he could get past her flaws in the throes of passion, he might still be disappointed with her lack of prowess in the sack.
As she debated her moves, Ethan took her hand. “Who said anything about a one night stand?” He looked like a man with a gun to his head and she wanted to smile, assure him that he was in no danger of anything lasting longer than a night so he needn’t worry. “Why don’t we just have that drink?”
In the distance Amber heard car doors slamming and people calling to each other as the rest of the party left the restaurant and headed either to Papa Niko’s or home. Since she didn’t much like cocoa or relish the thought of keeping a cat, she decided it was time to take a chance. Now or never. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”
“I’m not very good at this.”
He drew her back against the car door, his hands firm on her shoulders. “You seem to be doing okay so far.” His kiss was tentative at first, and any residual doubts she might still harbor vanished beneath the warmth of his lips on hers. He slid his hands along her collarbone and down to her breasts.
Amber gasped into his mouth as he cupped her and squeezed gently, his thumbs brushing across her hardened nipples. As her blood heated and red hot need pulsed through her body, she settled her hands at his waist then reached down and brushed her fingers over the bulge in his trousers.
“Fuck.”
His whispered curse made her smile against his mouth, her confidence growing at the way his breath caught. “Wasn’t that the general idea?” She moved her hand slowly up and down the hard length of his erection, resisting his attempt to pull her hand away.