Head On (Strength And Love)(33)
He wants to meet for a chat and a drink, but he’s needing someone with my skills. Fuck, me. Why does he need a sniper, amongst other things? Never mind why. It’s as if God is looking down on me and offering me a chance to get out of the mess I’m in. But can I do it? Do I want to? I’ve been used to doing my own thing. I earn hundreds of pounds, or thousands depending on the client and the scenario, for an hour or two’s work.
I look over at Isla, now seemingly asleep beside me, and my heart squeezes. I don’t know if we will be anything long term, but I do know she’s got under my skin in a way no one else has. I’ve known her mere days, but she’s turned my world upside down, and I’m not willing to let her go…yet.
She might not want this. She could turn around once things with her dad’s company are sorted and walk away. But if I’m going to have any sort of chance of getting her to stick around for a while, the screwing for money needs to stop.
I fire off two quick emails telling both Sarah and Liam that I’ll meet them. Then I stand up, and lift Isla into my arms. I hold her with one arm, and pull the covers back with the other, then put her into bed, and climb in beside her. I’m not a nap-in-the-afternoon kind of a guy. But as I curl up next to her, my eyes drift shut and my brain closes off.
Chapter Sixteen
Isla
My mouth is dry when I wake up, and Ethan’s still curled around me, his arms a warm cage. I could get used to this. He’s big and solid, he makes me feel safe and secure, but at the same time a little wild and naughty. I remember my mum once telling me a story, when I was about nine, about a bird who was caged and wanted to fly free. But the bird didn’t like being totally free either. He realised he wanted a home to come back to after he’d been exploring, and so he found a home with his friend, the squirrel. As an adult it makes no sense, but as a kid I loved that story. Now, I feel like that bird. I wanted to escape the cage of my life, to break free, and explore. But I’d still like an anchor, a home to come back to. If things were different between us, maybe Ethan could be that home.
I push such idiotic thoughts from my mind. This is the trouble with me--my heart rules my head. Instead of enjoying this for the fun fling it is, I’m already starting to get all emo, making it way more than it is. This guy fucks other women for money. I purposefully use the harsh word, to try and jar my stupid heart out of its foolish pining. He was in the army…navy. He’s probably killed people. So, he’s a killer, and a prostitute, at what point do I think he’s relationship material?
My dad will never allow it, even if I wanted it. And I tell myself firmly, I don’t. We’ll have our fun and then I’ll go my merry way and meet a guy nearer to my age. Someone who likes books, and board games, and quiet nights in. Someone I can trust, because I’ll never be able to trust the hot mess that is Ethan Foston.
A car pulls up outside, drawing me out of my thoughts. There’s knocking at the door. My first thought is, what if Uncle Dave’s found me and he’s come to demand I leave? But I reject the idea, because no way can he know where I am.
I climb out of bed, wanting to let Ethan rest some more, and pull my clothes on quickly. I head downstairs as there’s another knock, this one louder. The dogs all start barking. Great, there goes Ethan’s nap.
Pulling the door back, I grin when I see Ann there with Katie. She smiles at me and bustles into the kitchen. “I’m sorry, but can you watch Katie for me? She’s still feeling sick, and I’ve got an interview for a job in a beauty parlour, and they’ll let me fit in around her school hours. I thought she had a bug at first, but it’s a migraine. She gets them sometimes, so it’s doubtful she’s infectious.”
“Of course,” I say. “Ethan’s just, erm…he’s taking a nap.”
Her eyes sweep up and down my body, taking in what must be messy hair and rumpled clothes and she grins big. “Okay. I see. Well, if you don’t mind watching her until Ethan gets up? She’ll want to go to bed and lie down anyway, won’t you, chicken?”
Katie nods at me, and her face is pale. I squat down until I’m on her level. “Do you want to go to bed upstairs, or would you like me to make a den for you on the sofa, and you can watch a movie with the sound down?”
She thinks about it and then says quietly, “I’d like to lie on the sofa please, but I can’t watch a movie, my eyes hurt.”
Ann kisses her. “I feel awful, but this is important for us long term, and Ethan is great at looking after her when she gets a migraine.”
I should go wake him, but as I’m about to turn and head out of the room, he walks in, looking all rumpled and delicious.
“Hey, Cute Katie,” he says. He strolls over to her and hunkers down. “You got one of your headaches?” She nods at him, her eyes large.
“Oh, well. I know what we’ll do. Let’s take you into the living room, okay? Get you on the sofa, and I’ll draw the curtains, keep it nice and dark in there.”
He looks to Ann. “She had her meds?”
Ann nods. “Yep, but you know they only help a little. I feel awful, but I’ve got an interview, and long term it will be great for us if I can get it. It also means I won’t have to rely as much on you.”
She pokes him in the chest, but Ethan gives her an exasperated look. “You don’t rely on me much, and you know I don’t mind. It’s what family is for.”