Chapter Twelve
Piper’s heart pounded and not entirely from the copious amounts of wine she’d had.
Ethan had asked, no, he’d demanded she stay the night. And as badly as she wanted to, she couldn’t. She’d only known him for a couple of days. “I really must go. I have a big day tomorrow, and I’ll need to get an early start.”
He stepped in closer, his masculine scent enveloping her and chipping away at her defenses.
“You can sleep in the guest room tonight, and I’ll have my driver take you home first thing in the morning.”
How could she argue with his logic? “Okay,” she found herself saying. “But I really have to get home early.”
“Deal. Come, I’ll show you to your room.”
The feel of his warm fingers closing around her own sent a delicious sensation swirling through her insides. She wanted him, wanted him more than she’d ever wanted another.
They arrived at the top of the stairs. Piper waited for Ethan to open the door to the guest room before following him inside.
He stopped next to the bed and pulled the covers back. “I’ll get you a shirt for you to sleep in.”
Once he left the room, Piper took a seat on the edge of the bed and glanced around her. Even his guest room was huge.
He was suddenly back and standing between her knees. “I hope this will suffice.”
The sound of his raspy voice echoed in her ears, drawing her gaze up to his. She reached for the T-shirt, keeping her focus on his eyes. “I’m sure it’ll be fine…”
Both of his big hands came up to cup her face. “Piper…”
The trill of a phone broke the trance, and Piper snatched up the shirt he held. “Thank you. I’ll just go and change.”
Ethan hesitated before stepping back and pulling his cell from his pocket. “This had better be good.”
Piper skirted the bed and disappeared into the bathroom to change.
The angry tone of Ethan’s voice told her he’d gotten bad news.
“I have to run out on you again,” Ethan suddenly growled through the bathroom door. “But I’ll be back soon. Please, make yourself at home.”
Piper pulled his T-shirt over her head, and her eyes nearly rolled back in ecstasy. It smelled of Ethan and soap.
She opened the door. “Is everything okay?”
“It will be. I’ll return before you know it.” Bending, he brushed a kiss across her lips and strode from the room without a backward glance.
Piper stumbled to the oversized bed and crawled beneath the fresh-smelling sheets. She turned on her side, her mind whirling with memories of the night’s events.
Ethan had left once again.
What could he possibly be involved in that would take him out in the middle of the night?
She tossed back the covers and threw her feet over the side of the bed. Was he a drug lord or dabbling in something illegal?
Listening for sounds of movement, Piper crept to the door and silently slipped into the hall.
She padded quietly toward his bedroom, praying like hell she wouldn’t run into the housekeeper or God forbid, Ethan himself.
Piper pushed open his door, allowing her eyes to adjust to the darkness before tiptoeing inside and pulling the door closed behind her.
Hurrying across the room, she made a beeline for his nightstand, flipped on the lamp resting on its marble surface, and slid open the drawer.
Some type of handgun took up the left side of the drawer. On the right was a box of condoms and what looked to be a Rolex watch.
The sight of the condoms made her feel slightly sick. Though she had no right to those particular feelings. He did have a life before her, and would probably continue to have one long after she was gone.
That thought didn’t sit well with her either. Yet, what did she expect? She wasn’t looking for a relationship any more than he was.
Creeping across the room, she tugged open his top dresser drawer and rummaged around among his boxer briefs before moving on to the next one.
Piper straightened, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. She’d found nothing. Nada. Zilch.
She turned to go when her gaze landed on a door across the room. It had to be his closet, she surmised, heading toward it as quietly as possible.
Once inside, she flipped on the light, nearly gasping aloud at the hundreds of suits and shoes lining both walls.
A smaller door sat tucked in the back, drawing Piper like a moth to a flame.
She eased it open, and her breath hitched. Inside, lining numerous shelves were stacks of money. Piper couldn’t even begin to imagine how much cash it could be. Not to mention, unlocked for anyone to take what they wanted.
Quickly closing the door, Piper turned off the light, left the closet, and rushed across the room to extinguish the lamp.
Ethan Seaborn was into some shady shit, and if Piper were smart, she’d get the hell out of there while she still could.
She returned to the guest room.