Addicted (Ethan Frost #2)(41)

“I was. But that was before.”

“Before what?”

“Before he brought me apples, obviously.”

“Really? That’s your price? Apples?”

Tori shrugs. “I never said I wasn’t cheap.”

She says it like it’s a joke, but the words hang there between us anyway. Though Tori never talks about her family except in very superficial terms, I’ve gleaned enough in the last three years to know she means what she just said more than she’ll ever let on—which makes me crazy because there’s a lot more to my best friend than she lets people see. A lot more to her than she’s willing to acknowledge even to herself.

I want to say something to her about it, but I know from bitter experience that she won’t take kindly to me “not being able to take a joke.” So I bite my lip to force myself not to say anything, and risk a quick glance at Ethan. He’s looking between Tori and me speculatively and I know that he’s picked up on the undercurrent of angst that she’s throwing out. Or maybe he’s just picking up on how similar the two of us are on the inside. Our outsides don’t match, but our souls have recognized each other from the very beginning.

Ethan quirks a brow at me, but I just shake my head. Now’s not the time to get into it—Tori would never forgive me if I blindsided her in front of him. Hell, she probably wouldn’t forgive me if I sat down with her on my own and tried to have a heart-to-heart. But adding Ethan, or anyone else, in the mix is a surefire recipe for disaster.

I try to let it go, but I must look more upset than I think because suddenly Ethan’s hands are around my waist, tugging at the belly chain to ground me even as his fingers rub soothing circles into the sensitive skin of my lower back.

It works. His touch settles me like nothing else ever has. But it also reminds me of what started this whole conversation to begin with. “Ethan, you can’t give me a forty thousand dollar piece of jewelry,” I tell him, both exasperated and overwhelmed.

“Too late. I already did.”

“Yes, but—”

“Chloe.” He pulls me toward him, drops a slow, lingering kiss on my mouth. “Why are we arguing here?”

“We’re arguing because of the exorbitant amount of money you spent on my belly chain.”

“Yes, but, why? It’s already a done deal—I’ve already bought it, you’re already wearing it. And as we’ve already established, you’re not taking it off, so it seems pointless to argue. Besides—and I don’t normally bring this up because I know how you feel about it, but—I’ve got money, Chloe. Forty grand isn’t going to put me in the poorhouse.” He leans over and whispers the rest in my ear. “And even if it did, it would be absolutely worth it just for the chance to see you stretched across my bed wearing nothing but this.”

He kisses me then, soft and sweet and perfect. I melt before I can stop myself, not forgetting about my angst over the belly chain but tabling it because I can tell from the determined set of Ethan’s jaw that this is one fight I’m not going to win. And though my insecurities are shouting at me not to take the stupid chain, I know that the meaning my past is trying to attach to it—the idea that Ethan is buying and paying for me—is in my head, not reality.

He might be Brandon’s brother, but he’s nothing like him. Ethan does these things for me because he wants to, not because he expects something in return. I know that, can feel it every time he holds me, every time his lips brush over my hair, my skin, the spot directly over my heart.

Ethan nibbles at my lower lip and my arms go around his neck in an effort to pull him closer. Then his tongue is licking over my lips, sweeping inside to tangle with my own, and—

“Ugh, God! Get a room! Or, better yet, your room is like fifteen feet in that direction!” Tori squawks, pointing down the hallway. “Find it!”

“Good idea.” I start to pull Ethan toward my bedroom. “You might want to turn some music on in here. Or an action movie. You know, because—”

One of the throw pillows off the sofa hits me square in the back. “Nobody likes a show-off, Chloe!”

“Oh, I don’t know. Ethan has never—”

A loud, authoritative knock sounds at the door, interrupting my teasing.

“You expecting anyone?” I ask Tori as I switch direction and head for the door.

“No.”

That’s all Ethan needs to hear before he’s stepping in front of me. “Let me get it.”
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“Why?” I try to bump him aside with my hip, but he’s not budging. “It’s probably just one of the neighbors stopping by to talk to Tori. Happens all the time.”

“Well, then they can meet me and then talk to Tori. Surely they’re curious about your new boyfriend.”

“I just moved in. They’re not curious about any—”

“What he actually means is he’s such a hot commodity that it could be the press on the other side of the door, in which case, he doesn’t want you to have to deal with it.”

Ethan shoots Tori an approving look. “Exactly.”

“Come on, Chloe.” She pats the spot next to her on the couch as the knock sounds again. “Let’s watch the show.”

I roll my eyes but I cross to her as Ethan unchains the door. “How exactly are you so good at knowing what he’s thinking?” I demand.