"It's beautiful and deserves to remain unspoiled. This place was near to both our hearts when we decided to live here." As he spoke a gust rose up and swept a plume of snow across the horizon. It hung there in the late afternoon light. Amy wondered if it was a sign, and what it would mean if it was one.
"Still, sometimes you must wish that the two of you had chosen somewhere more… temperate," Amy said. As soon as she said it, she realized that it might sound like she didn’t appreciate what Hank had shared with her and Ethan. She had only been trying to joke around. She decided to wait to see what Hank said in response. Ethan, who was trailing slightly behind them as they talked, wisely remained silent.
After a long pause, a pause in which Amy felt the sheer vastness of her surroundings and their dead silence save for the cutting wind, Hank cleared his throat and spoke. "That's why we have the house in Newport, that and so we could get a taste of high society. You two should join me there this summer. When all of this business is over, I'm planning on spending several months there while I get my next venture off the ground."
"As long as I don't need snow pants, I'm in," Amy said.
Hank laughed as he turned around and made direct eye contact with Ethan. "I can see what you like about her. A sense of humor is one of the most important things you can have in a marriage."
Chapter 11
After they had gotten back to the room, Ethan stripped out of his clothes until he was in a t-shirt and underwear.
“What on earth are you doing?” Amy asked.
“I’m beat,” Ethan replied, “I’m going to take a long, hot shower.”
“We need to go over a few things before that,” Amy replied.
Ethan placed his hands on his head and let out a sigh. “Amy it can wait. The world will not end. Take a deep breath and enjoy the night.”
Amy crossed her arms and stared at him. She didn’t need to repeat herself.
Ethan shrugged. “How about we kill two birds with one stone.”
Amy squinted as she wondered what he was suggesting. She turned and looked toward the open door to the bathroom and raised an eyebrow.
Ethan smiled back waiting for her to respond in some way. He could see that light in her eyes as she started to get mad at him.
“If you think for one minute that I’m going to get in a shower with you.”
Ethan held out his hands and said, “Relax, there’s a hot tub out on our deck. I was suggesting we both go out there. We can unwind while we discuss whatever it is you’d like to discuss.”#p#分页标题#e#
Amy shook her head. “And I’m guessing you’ve packed a bathing suit for me.”
“Of course,” Ethan replied.
“I hope it’s something more appropriate than a G-string.”
“I think there’s a pack of floss in the suitcase somewhere. You could always…” Ethan stopped himself mid sentence. “The bathing suit is in the smaller suitcase.” He gave her a wink and added, “I picked it out myself. I promise it will look great on you. It’s a two-piece, but it’s nothing scandalous.”
“You and I have different definitions of scandalous.”
“I usually defer to your expertise on that subject. Luckily for you, I forgot to pack the whipped cream, rope and video camera.”
“Must be a first,” Amy replied.
“I can always make a run into town,” Ethan said as he pulled off his t-shirt. He tossed it onto the bed. Amy tried not to stare at him, but she couldn’t help herself.
Amy wondered, How could anyone who ran a multinational corporation have abs like that? Hell, how could anyone have abs like that?
Ethan turned and headed through the French doors toward the hot tub. “See you out there,” he said as he walked out into the darkness. As Amy looked out, she could barely see Ethan as he tossed his boxers back into the room. She raised her hand over her mouth in surprise. Was she really going to get into a hot tub with a very naked Ethan Cole? She turned toward the suitcase and decided to take a look at the bathing suit. It wouldn’t kill her to take a little risk and enjoy herself. Besides, Ethan’s teasing, flirtatious ways had been making her laugh all weekend. It’s not like he meant any of it, she tried to convince herself as she grabbed the bathing suit and headed into the bathroom to change.
As soon as she had slipped into the bathing suit, Amy looked at herself in the mirror. The bikini was more or less what Ethan had described. It definitely wasn’t conservative, but it showed off her figure, and she couldn’t help but wonder what Ethan had thought when he had bought it for her. Had he imagined what she would look like? Had he thought about tempting her to join him in the hot tub? Something about that little detail, the fact that he had personally picked it out, intrigued her. As she opened the bathroom door and headed toward the deck, she wasn’t sure what to think, but she was intrigued, and she wanted to see what Ethan would do next.