The way his hip leaned onto her bed jerked the breath from her throat. The fabric pulled tighter across his crotch, accentuating the bulge.
“Oh, so you’re more used to a raggedy mattress on the floor surrounded by smelly heaps of dirty laundry and empty whiskey bottles?” Audrey needed any kind of grotesque image to snuff the flames ignited by her imagination.
His eyebrows almost met his hairline. “That’s what you think of me?” Half a smirk grew on his lips. “I’m hardly a whiskey drinker.”
“Why don’t you freshen up before dinner? You can use the bathroom first,” Audrey deflected with a deep breath. He was getting way too attached, and an arm’s distance was the best place for a journalist, if a metal cage wasn’t close by. “But please remember to leave the toilet seat down.”
“We’re sharing a bathroom? Now’s there an image I can get in the mood with.”
A buzzing caught Audrey’s attention, pulling her electric connection to Ethan’s smoldering eyes. A moment went by before she realized it was Ethan’s phone vibrating through his back pocket. But he didn’t bother to reach for it. His smolder continued to bore through Audrey’s defenses.
“You gonna answer that?”
Ethan shook his head.
If he would just stop looking at me like that, I could think. “Might be important.”
“Not as much as you…right now.”
Roll your eyes, Audrey. Just roll them…stop looking at him.
But she couldn’t. The steel cords emitting from his stare kept her glued to the spot, pulling her gaze back into his gray eyes, tinged with a hint of cyan toward his pupils. Like the calm center of a hurricane, damaging just to look at him, with the promise of even more destruction to break away. The only way to keep the storms from raging was to keep her focus connected to those eyes.
In the reflection of his irises, she could see his toned, naked body pressing against hers, hips thrusting her against the wall, while his lips devoured her nipples, both of them covered in sweat and heat. Suddenly, the room was twenty degrees warmer.
I’m not important to him. I’m only important for his article. He’ll do or say anything to get what he wants for the article. Including seduce his target. You’ll be left with nothing the morning after. Again.
Forcing her foot in front of the other, Audrey moved the few steps across the room, slowly, never breaking away from Ethan’s gaze. Anticipation sparked in his eyes, clearly amused by her forwardness and waiting for the signal to reciprocate.
An inch from his chest, which started heaving at her closeness, his cologne filled her senses. The fresh woodsy aroma was uncharacteristic of what she expected from most media men. His expansive shoulders seemed wider since the last time she looked, each muscle intimately defined in her imagination. The urge to verify and open his shirt itched at her fingers. Millimeter by millimeter, she leaned closer into him and heard his knuckles tighten on the post. The vein in his neck pulsed, faster with every beat.
She lifted her eyes to the gray orbs devouring her face, now darkened to the shade of billowing rain clouds. Her hand brushed against his sleeve as she slipped it through his arm and reached behind him, grabbing her toiletry case from the suitcase.
“I’ll take the bathroom first. You can answer your phone.”
Only when she reached the bathroom across the hall did she hear Ethan blow out a sigh.
One thing was certain—he wasn’t boring. And this weekend would certainly have its moments.
****
“Why didn’t you answer the phone?” Bose McGavin’s raspy voice called out when Ethan finally dialed him back.
“I was busy. But boy is this one big. Bose, I’ve hit the jackpot,” Ethan murmured into the phone. How he managed to keep his voice low with Audrey taking a shower on the other side of the wall was beyond him. He could think of so many other things he’d rather be doing with that scrumptious body lathering up only a few feet away from his groin. He definitely needed to change into looser pants. “Not only is her family completely disinterested in her campaign, but the whole town seems bent against her for some reason. And get this, Allen isn’t her real last name.”
“What?”
Ethan laughed. “Yeah. Well, it’s real now, but she was born Biddinger. This is big. As soon as I get a chance to poke around on the Internet, I’ll have details.”
“Shit, Ethan. You really are a magnet for scandals. I should have given you a raise after the county commissioner story.”
“You’re right,” Ethan laughed. “And then some. This is gonna be my dream article, I can feel it.”
“Keep me updated.” A rustling broke up his words.
“What are you doing?”
“Mind your business.”
More rustling caused Ethan to pause. And then a muffled laugh.
“Why the hell do you call when you’re with a girl?”
“Because up until a few minutes ago, you did the same thing. Now call me later.”
Click.
“Horny little bastard. It’s Thanksgiving, and he’s hired another one.” My mother really would be pissed that I work for this guy.
Through the sound of the shower on the other side of the wall, Audrey’s airy voice joined in, singing Lady Gaga’s You and I. Ethan couldn’t help laughing at her decent attempt, despite the occasional flat note.
And then it hit him. Bose was right. Audrey’s bedroom was the first time he hadn’t answered his phone.
Chapter Eleven
Before heading downstairs, Ethan debated bringing his hand recorder to dinner. Consent from everyone would be required before he recorded, and they would censor their statements, either consciously or not.
He shoved the recorder back in his suitcase. Besides, as a deputy, Adam would never agree, and definitely not as a hard-ass brother. More than likely, Audrey’s father was the same way.
The man in the mirror had considerably fewer wrinkles in his slacks and collared shirt than Ethan expected. Wrinkle-free suits would have to be added to his wardrobe, considering they made him look this good. Not that he loved to brag about himself. But it was amazing what a fresh shower and “proper attire” could accomplish. Good thing I packed my only decent pair of slacks.
The more formal clothing may not have been necessary for a country Thanksgiving dinner, but this felt more important to Ethan. For some reason, Audrey seemed more deserving than his traditional cargo pants and cotton shirt that was lucky to see a washing machine, let alone an iron. Perhaps she and her family would be more comfortable talking to someone who looked like he walked out of GQ magazine, not a back alley vagrant pushing a grocery cart.
The bathroom was so full of steam after his shower he could barely see his face as he shaved, even after the second attempt. Or maybe it was because his blood was pumping from imagining Audrey in the shower that he couldn’t keep his hands steady. He’d switched the water to cold and simmered for a few minutes to cool his aching hard-on. No other girl or coed in any bar had affected his imagination like that. The hairs on his neck stood just as high and hard as his penis when she prowled across her bedroom like that, staring at him with those cobalt irises, like she intended to lick a chocolate smudge from his lips. He never remembered buying pants that tight. Or feeling that desirable.
A knock came at his door. He could only imagine Audrey’s face when she saw the polished Ethan Tanner simmering on the other side.
“Can’t wait to give me a kiss, can you?” Ethan swung open the door and his mouth dropped. Adam’s scowl filled the doorway, along with his red flannel shirt.
“I’d rather pummel you down the stairs, but I think my mother would object to the dents in the wood floor.”
Ethan cleared the scratch in his throat. “Sorry. Thought you were—”
“Audrey?” Adam answered for him. “I’d think again before trying to pucker your lips at her, too.”
Bingo. Get whatever you can out of this heap of muscle. He’s clearly the one with the big
gest grudge against Audrey.
“Why’s that, Adam?” Keeping an innocent look on his face was hard with this minotaur burning holes into Ethan’s forehead. His eyes were the same color as Audrey’s, but much more vicious.
And they gave him all the answer Ethan would get out of him. At least directly.
“Dinner’s ready,” Adam growled between his teeth. “My mother wants you to sit beside her.”
“Love to.” Ethan followed Adam downstairs. This was not a guy to mess with. Despite the size of Audrey’s brother, he trekked lightly across the floor with fast, nimble moves. His training was well worth it. Both in the army and law enforcement. If Ethan were to end up in a fight somewhere in his life, a friendship with Adam would definitely determine the winner. But he seemed like the kind of guy whose only friends were former military men. And Ethan didn’t fit that description.
The further down the steps he went, the stronger the smell of roasted turkey and all the fixings filled the house. The amount of time that had passed since Ethan had a home-cooked meal like this, let alone with a family sitting around the table, could have been measured by the continental drift. Turning the corner, he saw the table was already set with fine white china, little blueberries and apples painted on every dish with matching salad plates and crystal goblets. The burnt orange tablecloth could barely be seen under the perfectly placed food-dishes and two white candlesticks.
Adelaide fluffed table napkins when Ethan walked in. She smiled at him, the light in her dark blue eyes reflecting off the already-lit candles and her whole face glowed. Every child of the Biddingers had the same dark blue eyes, but Ethan was only affected by the light shining from Audrey’s as she strolled in from the kitchen carrying a bowl of buttered corn.
She stopped in the middle of the doorway and her gaze met Ethan’s. Her lips parted an inch as she looked him up and down. A blush spread up her cheeks to her ears, and Ethan’s heart thumped harder. The brick red silk blouse hugged and silhouetted her breasts, drawing his eyes into the slight V of her cleavage. The silk cinched at the side of her waist, drawing his sight lower to the curve of her hips accentuated by the black slacks that hugged her in a way that would have made spandex jealous.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Adelaide sang.
It took Ethan’s strongest willpower to break his eyes away and look at the teenager smiling at him.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” he replied, his voice softer with a slight break he didn’t expect. Suddenly he felt inadequate. He should have brought flowers. Both for Audrey, Adelaide, and their mother. Or an expensive bottle of wine or champagne. Something.
His mother had taught him better, but it had been so long. Memories of her were now distant and faded. What was this ache in his chest?
He moved at the sound of shuffling behind him, and saw Sally waddling down the hallway, arm held closely by her husband. The scowl on his face wasn’t as pronounced around his wife. And whose would, with the bright face of the southern belle on his arm?
“You clean up nicely, Ethan,” Sally said breathlessly. They moved into the dining room as Adam guided his wife to the far side and helped her sit across from Adelaide. The closest chair to the bathroom door, Ethan noted.
“Thanks. You’re practically glowing, Sally.”
Adam’s scowl deepened again. “You gonna flirt with every woman in this house?”
Audrey glanced up at her brother as she set down the corn and moved to sit next to Adelaide.
“Oh hush, sweetie.” Sally lightly swatted Adam’s arm. “He’s just being polite to a tired, pregnant woman.”
Right on cue, Mrs. Biddinger came through the kitchen doorway carrying a steaming tray of a golden turkey, trimmed with cherries and parsley. The sweet aroma infiltrated the room and Ethan’s nose, sending electric signals down his nerves straight into his grumbling stomach.
Adam squeezed into the chair next to his wife. Audrey’s father was the last to stroll into the room from his man cave, and surveyed the table like a bear fresh out of hibernation. Myrna placed the turkey in front of her husband.
“You’ve outdone yourself again, Myrna.” He adjusted his belt and kissed his wife on the forehead. The simple, yet intimate, gesture caught Ethan off guard. Every interaction he’d had with Audrey’s father imprinted a gruff, almost-cold man into his mind, and this small glimpse into the tender pockets of this man’s façade proved he may not be as unforgiving as he portrayed.
Then his somewhat-forgiving eyes rested on Ethan, and all the tenderness erased. Like a bucket of ice water on the first day of spring.
“Get what you came for yet?”
“Daddy,” Adelaide muttered from the other side of the table.
“Do you mean Audrey or Shakespeare?” Adam tossed a glare at Audrey sitting in front of him.
“I think we’re sitting down to the meat of the weekend right now…in more ways than one.” Ethan maintained his cordial demeanor. Let the games begin.
“That we are,” Myrna chimed in and grabbed Adelaide’s and Adam’s hands. “Let’s say grace.” Everyone held hands around the table. Mr. Biddinger’s mouth twitched when he took Ethan’s palm in a vice grip.
Audrey’s fingers were soft and warm, spreading heat into his right hand. Her skin was like silk and a thought flickered that it was just as smooth in every corner of her body.
If there’s a God, he’ll strike me with lightning for thinking like this during grace.
“Heavenly Lord, bless this food which we are about to receive.” Myrna, along with everyone at the table, closed her eyes as she spoke. “Bless all those who are less fortunate and bring peace upon them. We are thankful for Audrey’s presence, and the gift of new friends.”
Ethan had bowed his head like everyone else, but wasn’t used to praying before a meal. He wasn’t used to praying, period. Upon hearing “new friends,” he looked up and saw Myrna wink at him from across the table. If her hair had been white, she would have been the embodiment of Mrs. Claus.
“We thank you for the new life you’ve blessed Sally and Adam with and pray for a healthy baby. We thank you for the constant presence and guidance you give Addy as she prepares for her next pageant. Above all, Lord, we thank you for your unending grace and love. In His name we pray.”
Murmurs of “amen” around the table warranted Ethan to follow suit, despite the strange feeling it brought. Or was it Audrey’s faint squeeze of his hand before she let go that caused it?
“When’s your next pageant?” Audrey pulled her napkin from the ring.
“Three weeks in Richardson. You gonna be able to make it?”
“I’ll really try.” Audrey smiled as everyone started passing the side items while Mr. Biddinger began to carve the turkey.
“If she wins the election, she might be committed to a billion events by that time.” Plugging her politics into the conversation was the quickest way to start getting the goods he needed for his article. Whatever scandal resided in this family’s dining room had to start there.
But the hurt on Adelaide’s face after his comment made him wish he’d chosen something subtler. Audrey caught it, too.
“I’d rather not discuss politics at the dinner table.” Mr. Biddinger held the serrated carving knife at an odd angle.
“Addy’s pageants mean just as much to me as any campaign stop, if not more. Go ahead and reserve a seat for me. Where are you getting your formal wear?”
“Trudy’s. She makes the best dresses.”
“Yes, she does.” Audrey sipped wine. “If Mom and Dad don’t object, I’d love to pay for it when it’s ready.”
“Since when do you care about pageant dresses?” Adam chimed in. “You were always more interested in scribbling in that notepad and wreaking havoc across town.”
Adam stared hard back at Audrey, who hadn’t paused in dishing up sweet potatoes on her plate. Sally placed her hand on Adam’s arm.
“I care about Addy and what she loves to do. Just as I care about you and the things y
ou love.”
Peacemaker is back at it. So she’s more willing to defend herself with her family than she is with people in her hometown. Something didn’t add up, but the tension around the table thickened with every spoonful.
Adam snorted and plopped green beans onto his plate before passing them and serving up corn. “Don’t use that politician schmooze with me. You already know I won’t be voting for you. You don’t give a sh—” A quick glance to his mother stopped him with a stern look. “…crap about what I love. Nor anyone else’s.”
“Adam…” Myrna’s warning, though soft, was just as forceful.
“White meat or dark?” Paul announced. “Pregnant ladies first. Pass me your plate, Sally.”
“White, please. Thank you.” Sally smiled as Adam picked up his wife’s plate and handed it over.
“I was thinking royal or cobalt,” Adelaide continued the passing plates. “I think one-shoulder would look best with crystals across the bodice and then ‘flowy’ silk cascading in the back, like a waterfall.”
“That sounds gorgeous,” Ethan broke in. “That color blue would really bring out your eyes.”
Everything paused at the table as everyone stared at Ethan. Adelaide’s smile beamed across at him. His attention was pulled away with another squeeze on his wrist and Audrey gave him a wink.
A corner of his gut tightened at the sight. Her legs and curvy figure had nothing on that wink. It could melt a man’s skin in the middle of the Arctic. Ethan bet only a spare few people in her world received it.
“Ethan!” Paul barked.
He jerked his head up. “I’m sorry. What?”
“White or dark?” the man asked roughly.
“Both please.” He passed his plate.
“That explains a lot,” Adam muttered as he shoved half a roll into his mouth. He barely moved when Adelaide elbowed him in the ribs.
“Ethan, dear,” Myrna chimed in with an upbeat voice. “Tell us about yourself. Were you born in Texas?”
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