“The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” Mya said.
Ethan smiled. “Reality is, it’s win-win for you. Regardless of what happens with us, you’ll be taken care of.”
“But this won’t be a marriage in name only, will it?” she asked. “You want more, and I don’t know if I want to give it. Kyle, with his boorish ways, taught me thinking with my girlie bits can get me in trouble.”
“If you never want me to touch you, I can live with that.” He gave her a seductive smile, and her heart leapt. “But I’m hoping you’ll give me the chance to show you how much I care and to watch the baby grow inside you, to have you sleep in my arms.”
“God, why do you have to say all the right things?” she moaned. “It would be so much easier if I could punch you in the throat and kick you out.”
“Um, okay, I don’t know how to take that. I really don’t want to be throat punched,” Ethan said hesitantly. “Is this a hormone thing? I read that you could have mood swings.”
She got up and paced the floor. “See, there it is again. Why did you have to read the book or ask about my hormones? Why did you have to say all those great things and make it hard to resist you? God, you’re hot, and I’m attracted to you…” She glared and pointed at him. “Don’t say a word. I’m just pointing it out. I’m very bad at picking the right guy. Look at Kyle. You may start out great and turn into a beast.”
“I can have a contract drawn up with a no-beast clause,” he teased.
Mya sighed. “You are right about one thing—I need to think.”
“How about we go out to dinner tomorrow night?” Ethan asked. “Red meat, excellently cooked and very healthy, no greasy fast food.”
“I don’t know, Ethan. Thinking generally means alone and not out on a dinner date,” she said.
“Steak, hot spinach salad, maybe pie for dessert, or Oreo cheesecake.” He was tempting her.
“Damn, that sounds good,” she said. “Ramen noodles are getting old. Okay, fine, dinner at eight.”
“Wonderful. Do you need anything before I go? I can go get ginger ale or crackers, maybe soup?” Ethan asked.
“No, nothing. I’m going to eat some ice cream and go back to bed. I’m always tired lately, so I’ll watch a movie till I fall asleep,” Mya explained.
“Oh, okay.” He sounded disappointed. “I guess I’ll head back to Castle de Tremaine and find something to do.”
“Are you trying to wheedle out of me an invite to stay?” She smiled.
“Now Grandfather is gone, that place sits like a monolith on a hill, and it’s empty,” Ethan said. “I think I’ll take one half of the house, and Easton will take the other. The servants are all gone. I want to hire a whole new staff that aren’t in their golden years. I swear Maddie the housekeeper was ninety-five. We plan to redecorate and renovate it, but for now, it’s still huge and empty. Or maybe we won’t. Who knows what his plans are? But I’ll be living there, that’s for sure.”
“Fine, you can stay for ice cream, but we’re watching TV in my bed because I’m comfortable there, and don’t get any fresh ideas,” she warned.
He held up his fingers. “Best behavior, Scout’s honor.”
“You’ve told me stories of your Scouts days. I should be worried,” Mya retorted cheekily. “Grab the spoons and the ice cream. I’ll go clear some of the pillows off the bed.”
“Wait,” he said and stood from his position on the sofa.
“What?”
Ethan closed the distance between them in two short steps before wrapping his arms around her waist and bringing her closer.
“You’re attracted. I’m sure as hell attracted. Let’s see if we got the chemistry to back it up,” he said.
His voice was a low baritone that made her insides tighten pleasurably. She answered with a simple nod, and his lips pressed against hers. Slowly, and with gentle pressure, he created friction while rubbing his lips against hers. He gave her time to refuse, but all Mya felt was the need to have more. She reached up and slipped her fingers into the dark hair at his nape, and her nails gently scraped his scalp. Ethan gave a soft growl against her lips and pulled her closer before devouring her lips. She opened her mouth, and he took the invitation, sliding his tongue inside to taste her. Just as quickly as he’d started, Ethan stopped the kiss and looked down at her.
“Definite chemistry,” he murmured. “I’ll go get that ice cream now.”