Saved by Love (Willow Valley Book 3)(16)

He gave her a mock-smoldering look. "Yeah, I can buy that. Just promise me one thing," he said, growing serious. He felt they'd had some kind of shift today, though he couldn't figure out why. He wasn't going to let her off the hook so easily now that he knew how intense this thing between them was.

"Okay, fine. What?"

"Let me take you out for ice cream tomorrow."

She stared, her mouth tilted in a cute little smile. "Ice cream? You're taking me on a date to get ice cream?"

He shrugged. "Hey, if you want to call it a date, that's up to you. I just want some ice cream." He casually took her hand and turned back in the direction of the apartments. Best to keep this as easy as possible with her. She could retreat at any moment. And just then he was really enjoying the Abby that had come out to play.

She laughed. "I see. Well, in that case, I guess I'll have to think about it a bit more before deciding what a wild night out for ice cream should be called. And here I thought you were some 'danger is my middle name' kind of guy. I bet you even like sprinkles on your ice cream."

Ethan shook his head. This side of her was sassy as well as fun. "What's wrong with sprinkles?" He couldn't keep the smile off his face. In fact, he was willing to bet he'd be smiling long after he walked her to her door. And tonight he intended to. They'd just reached the apartment building.

Abby opened her mouth to say something but he cut her off with a sharp look. "Don't say it. After that kiss just now, there's no way I'm letting you off the hook for a proper goodbye."

"Is that so? Maybe I was just going to invite you in for coffee." She arched a brow at him suggestively, then erupted in giggles when his mouth dropped open. "Then again, maybe I wasn't. Guess you'll never know now as it's apparently time to say goodbye."

She started to climb the stairs, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the alcove behind the staircase, pressing her back against the brick wall. Her eyes widened in surprise, then a slow smile spread across her face.

He ran his gaze over her mouth where she bit down gently on her lower lip. "I think it's time you learned what I mean by a proper goodbye." Placing a hand on the brick on either side of her, he leaned down, invading her space. He could see her chest rise and fall as she began to breathe more heavily.

Neither of them moved for a moment, Ethan dragging out the anticipation for both of them. He was pretty sure already that he'd never get tired of kissing Abby.

Then he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. Her hands came to his waist automatically, her fingers tightening to grasp his shirt. The kiss was softer this time, sweeter, and he drew it out as long as he could. Now that they were alone and their apartments were right there, he knew he couldn't get too lost in her or they could end up making a choice they might later regret.

But damn, was it just about the hardest thing he'd ever done to pull back from her. Especially when she looked up at him with desire burning in her eyes. He took a ragged breath and ran a hand through his hair, then grinned. "So, goodbye then?"

Abby narrowed her eyes at him. "I think that qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment." She smiled ruefully. "But yes, I think goodbye is good. Or not. But necessary regardless."

He laced his fingers through hers and led her up the stairs to her apartment, unable to take his eyes off her as they reached her door and she pulled out a key. She turned to him again, uncertainty in her eyes.

But this time it didn't appear that she was wary of him. Just not sure what to say next.

Ethan reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then leaned down to kiss her softly on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."

She smiled. "I work until five."

He nodded. "Then be ready as six. And don't eat dinner."

A confused expression came over her face. "I thought we were getting ice cream."

"We are. But where I'm taking you, the ice cream is so insane that you won't need dinner."

"Ice cream for dinner?" Abby scoffed, shaking her head.

He grinned. "Take a walk on the wild side, Abby. No one's going to slap your wrist if you break the rules about dinner." He tilted his head and tickled her ribs when she rolled her eyes at him, laughing when she squealed and squirmed to get away from him.

"Okay, fine," she said, when he stopped, straightening up and looking at him dubiously. "Ice cream for dinner."

"It's a date."

***

The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows of Kincade Supply, making Abby feel hotter than she should on a day like this one. Summer was nearing an end and she'd dressed more warmly, thinking that the impending fall should be cooler here in Willow Valley than it was in California. But she'd been wrong. It was blazing inside the supply store and it felt as if the ceiling fans were only circulating hot air.

She pushed up her sleeves and pulled her hair into a knot on top of her head, using two hair ties from her wrist to secure it. It took two to keep her thick hair in place. Grabbing a flyer from the front counter where she stood, she fanned herself, feeling flushed as she remembered the way Ethan had tangled his fingers in her hair the day before. Okay, so maybe she wasn't just overheated from the lack of adequate air conditioning in the high-roofed, barn-like building.