Saved by Love (Willow Valley Book 3)(26)

He grinned at her and arched an eyebrow. "You? The reigning queen of playing it safe? You do realize that taking risks is my life, right?"

Abby laughed. "Yes, I do believe I’ve seen that already. So, just to be clear," she said, shaking her head in what looked like disbelief, "we're on the same page here? Closing our eyes and jumping, with no clue where we’re going to land?"

"Sounds about right."

She sucked in a breath, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "This is so not like me."

"That's where you're wrong," he said, bending down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "I think you are just discovering your wild side. I saw it that first night at the Old Gin. There's a daredevil inside just waiting to come out."

She laughed. "If you say so."

He tangled his fingers through her hair and stared into her eyes. It was absolutely crazy and he couldn't believe he was doing this, but right then, with Abby and his arms ready to explore whatever this thing was between them, there was nowhere else he’d rather be. And when he lowered his lips to her ready and waiting mouth, he knew that this kiss was full of passion and promise.





CHAPTER NINE





The week flew by for Abby in blur of long days at work that seemed to never end and evenings with Ethan that seemed to end too soon. They had seen each other every night that Ethan wasn’t on duty at the firehouse. Now it was Friday, and she’d agreed to go on the beach trip with him, for better or worse.

“These just aren’t enough options,” Lissa said, tossing a handful of swimsuits across Abby’s bed in disgust. She was supposed to be helping her pack for the trip, but Abby thought she was turning out to be more of a distraction.

“You’re going to be gone for five days and you only have three swimsuits? I don’t even know what to say. We need to have a serious fashion intervention with my sister Maggie.” Maggie, a blooming fashion designer that was starting a design program in college this fall, had designed or selected most of the clothing they carried in the boutique at Kincade Supply. Abby knew her sense of style paled in comparison.

Sighing, she sat down on the edge of the bed. “Lissa, it’s not a fashion show. I don’t need a different outfit every day.”

Lissa continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “And what’s with the practical one piece here? You should only have bikinis as long as you have a body like yours.” She wrinkled her nose.

“I’m not going to be lying on the beach sunbathing all week. I’m learning to surf. The last thing I need to worry about is my swimsuit coming off.” Just the idea of getting out in the water made Abby’s stomach churn, but she’d decided to go and she wasn’t going to back out now.

Lissa sighed, melodramatically in Abby’s opinion. “It just kills me to think you’ll be wearing that.”

Abby rolled her eyes. “Then don’t think about it. You’re supposed to be helping me, but I feel like I could have done this in half the time by myself.”

“Fine. I won’t say anything else about the swimsuits, but I insist on getting a say in your other clothing choices. I mean, it’s a trip away together. You know what that means, right?”

She had an idea what Lissa was hinting at, but she’d tried really hard all week not to think about it. “I’m sure you’ll tell me anyway.”

Lissa put her hands on her hips. “Well, not that it’s any of my business—”

Abby laughed out loud at that. “Since when has that stopped you?”

“As I was saying,” Lissa said, glaring at her, “it may not be my business, but you can’t tell me that you guys will go away on a trip together and that things won’t heat up between you.”

“Things are plenty hot, thank you.” While Abby had been enjoying getting to know more about Ethan that just how amazing of a kisser he was, the chemistry between them was undeniable. And unlike anything she’d ever experienced. She was an idiot if she thought they’d make it through this trip without things going to the next level. The idea both terrified and excited her. She hadn’t been with a man since Derek. Would she even remember what to do?

“Don’t worry, it will all come back to you,” Lissa said, as if she could read her thoughts.

“Lissa!” Abby’s face felt like it was on fire.

“I’m just saying.” The grin on Lissa’s face could only be described as wicked, and Abby couldn’t help but giggle a little.

“Fine. I’ll let you pick out the rest of my clothes.” She flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling as Lissa bustled around the room, pulling things out of drawers and tossing them on the bed. “Just don’t pack a ridiculous amount of things. It’s only five days.” She had a feeling that after Lissa left she’d have to cut the choices by at least half.

Lost in thought about what it would be like to spend five days and nights with Ethan, Abby didn’t notice that Lissa had gone over to her jewelry box until she heard the creak of the old metal hinges. She shot up out of the bed and rushed over, but it was too late. Lissa was holding her wedding ring in her hands and looking at it with a frown on her face.

“Whose is this?”

At any other time, she may have had the presence of mind to play it off, but she knew the look of panic on her face gave it all away.