She Can Hide (She Can #4)(53)

Abby set aside her glass. The food and fire had brought color back into her face. Firelight played across her smooth skin. Ethan moved closer. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. A few strands of hair drifted across his hand. He twirled them with a finger.

She tilted her head to look up at him. Her brown eyes were soft from the wine, but wariness still lurked in their depths.

Ethan lifted her chin with a finger. “Abby, you know you can trust me. I would never hurt you.”

“I know.” She smiled. “I’m an excellent poker player, and my favorite color is blue.”

“What?”

“This afternoon you said you wanted to know more about me.”

“I do.” Longing unfurled in Ethan’s chest. He wanted to know everything about her. “Tell me more.”

She pressed a finger to his lips. “I think we’ve done enough talking today.”

Ethan dropped his head. He caught her lips in a tender kiss. She opened for him, her mouth tasting of wine. He worked his way from her mouth to her jaw and trailed kisses into the hollow of her neck. Her soft sigh quickened his heartbeat. Under his lips, her pulse throbbed. He returned to her mouth, licking his way inside. His palm trailed up her arm, past her shoulder, and cupped the back of her head. His fingers trembled as they threaded through her silky blonde hair.

Slow and steady. Do this right.

But his heartbeat had moved from his chest to his groin, and it called Abby’s name with every throb.

“Ethan,” she breathed. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her fingers squeezing in urgency.

She was wearing a thick sweater over her jeans. Ethan’s free hand slipped under the hem and splayed on the smooth skin of her belly. She pressed closer. Ethan moved his hand up to cover her breast through her bra. “Are you sure?”

A small noise of frustration escaped her lips. She leaned away and made direct, undeniable eye contact. She reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt, lifting it over his head and dropping it on the floor. Her gaze roamed over him. Her pupils were dilated, and she was breathing hard. “I’m sure.”





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Abby couldn’t believe she’d just done that. She’d always dated older men and had let them take the lead. Could she have been more of a stereotypical fatherless woman? It didn’t matter now. Apparently those days were over.

She let her gaze roam over Ethan’s naked torso. Definitely not an older man. He was a male in his prime. His chest was broad and nicely muscled, with just a dusting of dark hair that swirled down a defined stomach in a thin line into his jeans. She reached out and traced his pectoral with a fingertip and smiled in blatant approval.

Ethan’s face split in a sexy grin. “I like the way this is headed, but you’re entirely overdressed.”

“Maybe.” Abby sat up. She lifted the hem of her sweater a few inches. “I do get cold, though.” She stopped, teasing him.

Desire gleamed in Ethan’s eyes. Power flooded Abby.

“There are better ways to stay warm.” Ethan edged closer. “You know, the more clothes you wear, the more I want to take them off you, like unwrapping a fancy present on Christmas morning.” He reached for her sweater with greedy hands.

Sliding just out of reach, Abby stopped him. With a playful shove, she pushed him back onto the sofa cushion. Then she stood, turning to face him.

With slow, deliberate movements, she lifted the hem of her sweater, moving it up her torso, revealing the bare skin of her belly one inch at a time. Ethan’s eyes were riveted on the moving fabric. When she reached her breasts, she hesitated just for a second then pulled the sweater over her head and dropped it from one fingertip.

Ethan sucked in a harsh breath. “Abby…You’re playing with fire.” His tone held both promise and warning.

Thank goodness she’d worn a decent bra. It wasn’t anything fancy, just simple white with a pretty lace edge. But the way Ethan was staring at her made her feel like this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model.

How would he react if…

She unzipped her jeans.

He licked his lips. The playful light in his eyes shifted to raw hunger as she slowly slid the denim over her hips, revealing the white lace panties that matched her bra. She stepped out of her pants, flipping them to the side with a flirty kick.

Ethan’s breath caught. The sound that rumbled from his chest didn’t remotely resemble a laugh. His groan was primitive male hunger. He reached for her.

Abby backed up a step. “Patience.”

“You’re killing me,” he moaned.

But Abby had never been so turned on. And Ethan hadn’t touched her body with anything but his eyes.

She played with the front clasp on her bra for a few tantalizing seconds before flicking it open. Her breasts spilled out. The straps slid down her arms.

“Oh Jesus.” Ethan sat up. His hands were on her waist, holding her in place. He leaned forward and kissed the smooth skin just above her navel. His lips trailed to her hip bone. His tongue played with the lace. Abby’s nerve endings rose. Every touch of his mouth sent a tiny current of pleasure right to her core. But she wanted this night to last. Forever if possible. She tried to back away.

“Oh no you don’t.” With one movement, he swept her feet out from under her. “That’s enough teasing. I’m only a man. I can only take so much.”