Saved by Love (Willow Valley Book 3)(14)

Abby laughed. "Thanks." Draining the rest of her hot chocolate, she set the mug down and sighed. "And thanks for that, too. So good."

"Anytime." She looked past Abby at the sidewalk tables. "In case you didn't notice, Marissa is long gone. But there is a certain fireman making his way back here."

Abby turned around and saw that Ethan was in fact walking back toward the bakery from the direction of their apartment building. Was he coming to find her? That was silly of her, though. Why would he be looking for her? Unless he really was as interested in her as Cassie seemed to think. Her heart jumped up into her throat at the idea. And as much as she told herself that she needed to watch out for him, she couldn't help thinking about Cassie's words. He's a good guy.

Good didn't necessarily equate to safe. He gave off the dangerous vibe in waves. And wasn't she trying to be independent? She didn't need a guy.

But as he reached the bakery and pulled open the door, scanning the inside of the building, she realized that while she may not need a guy and he may not be the safest bet, she couldn't ignore what was already building between them.

His eyes settled on her as he stood in the doorway, and there was an intensity to his gaze that nearly made her stop breathing altogether.

"Wow," Cassie murmured. "Did I say chemistry? I take it back. There's like a gravitational pull between you two." She stood up and gathered the mugs. "Don't even try to fight it." Then she was gone, leaving Abby alone as Ethan made his way over to the table.

"Hey," he said softly, studying her so closely she felt as if he were looking through to her very core.

"Hey."

"Want to go for a walk with me?"

She nodded silently and pushed back from the table, taking his extended hand in hers. The smile he gave her was so genuine that she couldn't help smiling back. They made their way hand-in-hand out of the bakery and toward the park in the town square, and she immediately felt lighter.

What was it about him that could put her at ease, even as he made her heart leap and stomach jitter?

For the moment, even though he had yet to say anything, she had a respite from her fear. Just being with him felt right.

And for the first time since Derek died she recognized that maybe she was strong after all. Not broken. And spending time with Ethan didn't make her any less independent. Those were reinforcements she'd put up to keep her wall strong. She'd needed that. But maybe it was time to venture outside the wall and see that there was still a life to live.

Acting on impulse, she stopped and turned to Ethan. "Look, I know we've only just met—"

He narrowed his eyes. So serious all of a sudden. It was a side of him she hadn't seen yet. "So you've said. But here's the thing. Why does the amount of time we've known each other matter? Abby, I want to get to know you. But I don't think knowing you for an hour or a year is going to change the fact that I can't get you out of my head."

She blinked, then managed to whisper, "You can't?"

He squeezed her hand and gave her a smile that made her pulse ratchet up a notch. "No. So the way I look at it, you have two choices. Sit back and play it safe—which I already know you're good at. Or be a little crazy with me and take a chance on a guy you just met."

He had a read on her that was incredibly accurate. But her decision had already been made. Probably from the minute she'd let him into her apartment two days ago. She'd just been fighting it.

But as he watched her with uncertainty, she felt more sure than she had in a long time. Safe or not, she wanted more of Ethan Barnes.

"Let's be crazy," she said, stepping closer to him. "Now shut up and kiss me already."





CHAPTER FIVE





Ethan didn't have to be told twice. He didn't know where this was coming from, but he was the kind of guy that jumped in feet first and asked questions later. Kissing Abby was no exception.

"Happy to oblige, ma'am," he said, tipping an invisible cowboy hat.

Keeping his hand intertwined with hers, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed on the small of her back, gently guiding her closer. With his other hand he reached up to brush a lock of hair from her cheek, then trailed his fingers to the nape of her neck and wound them through the silky strands, watching for her reaction. At the slightest sign of uncertainty, he'd stop.

Surprising him with a complete lack of hesitation, Abby tilted her head up to his as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And it felt like it. Having her pressed against him felt like coming home.

The slight whisper of her breath hitching as her eyes fluttered closed did him in and he couldn't wait a minute longer to do what he'd so badly wanted to the other night. With the lightest touch, Ethan lowered his mouth to hers.

He felt Abby tremble slightly, then grip his shirt where her hand rested at his side. His blood pounded through his veins and it was all he could do not to ravish her there in the middle of the town square.

Keeping his hand on the back of her head, he deepened the kiss, the desire he felt for her taking even him by surprise. He couldn't get enough of her, and her response to him nearly made him lose all conscious thought.

She pressed her body against his, meeting his passion with a fierceness of her own as her hands roamed up his back, leaving a trail of fire everywhere they touched.