Singer

I like watching Ethan eat.

There is something so satisfying about it. He eats like there’s no tomorrow. Looking up from his plate, he says, “This is amazing.”

I finished a few minutes earlier and watch him. “You’re just saying that because you’re hungry.”

“I’m saying that because this is delicious.”

“Thanks. Can I ask you something about the press?”

“Anything.”

“Why does the press want to bury you so badly?”

Setting his fork down, he wipes his mouth with a napkin, seeming to lose his appetite. “The press creates their idols, and then they want to destroy them all in the name of sales and ratings.”

“You talk about wanting to be with me, but then you tell these stories like you’re trying to scare me away. I’m lost when it comes to you, Ethan.”

“I’m lost when it comes to you, falling faster with each passing day.”

The weight of the conversation carries into the worries in his eyes. He stares at me, maybe wondering if I’m going to bolt for the door or judge him like everyone else has. “You say that, so light like a sunny day, but when I look into your eyes, I see the opposite. I don’t want to burden you.”

“You’re anything but a burden. The trouble is I don’t want to burden you.”

“So here we are once again doing a dance of me trying to help you and you trying to help me. Where will that leave us? I feel like I’ve lost track of the ball and which court it hit.”

“I’m not going to lie. It won’t be easy to be with me.”

“I’m with you now, and it’s easier than I thought.” His gaze holds mine, and a small smile plays across his mouth. I finally ask, “What happens if we aren’t just friends in public? I understand the paparazzi stuff, but what else? What else is involved with us dating?”

“I give my lawyer a directive.”

“That’s romantic.”

Chuckling, he nods. “I can’t always be charming. Sometimes business takes the romance right out of the relationship.”

“How does us pretending to be platonic help your case? Why would dating someone you care about hurt your image?”

“I don’t have the luxury of dating freely. I’m not just a man. I’m a brand. The brand can’t afford flings and one-night stands. The man can’t afford to have his heart broken.”

“Again?”

“I didn’t love her. I thought I would, but I wasn’t there yet. Despite my reservations in that relationship, I stayed. I don’t know why. It was easy. Fun. It was stupid. I should have left long before the fallout. But because of the complications involved, my legal team has advised me to keep things ‘light’ with you. The problem is that I can’t. Just looking at you . . . even Nicolina saw how I looked at you.”

“She told you that?”

“She did. She also told me you’re lovely and not to let you go.”

I relish how he’s opening up, lighting up all his truths for me to see him through the darkness that keeps him buried. “I’m drawn to you, something inside pulls me closer and keeps me here.”

My chair is pulled closer, causing me to laugh, but it stops when he says, “I’m drawn to your smile, to your laugh, to the way you see the world—so open and honest—not tainted.” Touching my cheek, he adds, “You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen, but it was deeper with you from the minute I saw you. I felt a connection, something real.”

I want more. I want him. Inching even closer, I reach over and touch his chest, feeling his heavy beat just beneath. “I want in here, Ethan.”

“You’re already there.”

My chin is lifted and our lips meet in a passionate caress. We part, and when I slowly open my eyes, he says, “I’ve been dying to get back in bed with you all day.”

I lead him to the bedroom and make love to him. Slow for him, deep for me. We’re in no hurry as I try to piece back this man kiss-by-kiss, thrust-by-thrust, caress-by-caress. Faith, hope, and love become the glue that grows stronger the more time we spend together.

It’s just after midnight when I wake to the sound of his peaceful slumber. He’s not snoring, but he’s deep in sleep. For someone who says he doesn’t sleep well, he’s doing a fine job. Maybe it’s because I’m here. I hope it is.

I push a few stray stands away from his eyes, lean in, and kiss him softly.

There’s so much to think about, but my attraction seems to be trumping the red flags in our way. Our way. Our. Ethan and I went from practically strangers to becoming a we in a matter of weeks. Sure, that’s the normal track for dating, but his life is complicated, and the way the details are being doled out concerns me.

His life is exciting on the surface, but what lies beneath the shiny exterior?

I lie on my back, processing the information he’s shared. Is the press trying to skewer him because he’s young, rich, and handsome? Why would his best friend and girlfriend set him up? Lawsuits and money. What stress he must be under.

Looking around the room, there’s no expense spared. I pull the covers to my neck. Even these sheets are wonderfully luxurious. So soft and sateen. Melanie would freak out if she could see this apartment. She’ll flip out hearing about it.

“Can’t sleep?” Ethan asks, his voice husky and completely sexy.

Rolling toward him, I rest on my side. “Happy.”

“C’mere.” One eye peeks open, and he stretches out an arm. “What are you happy about?”

“Being here.” With you.

I expect a yawn, but I get a smile instead. “You’re right. It must be awesome being here with me.” He starts chuckling and says, “I’m kidding. It’s nice to have you here.”

I’m still laughing when I ask, “What happens tomorrow?”

“We eat wings and watch baseball.” Grabbing a good handful of my backside, he adds, “And don’t forget, you’ll be naked.”

“I’m also going to need another bath in that amazing tub. A little wine and some downtime. I wish I had my book. I still haven’t finished.”

“I have a copy. I can read it to you in the tub, with all the wine you can drink.”

My eyelids grow heavy again. “Sounds divine.”

The top of my head is kissed, and he whispers, “Sweet dreams, Singer Davis.”

“Sweet dreams, Ethan Everest.”

* * *

A deal’s a deal. I served the wings naked with a little apron I found in the hall closet. Ethan forgot about the game altogether, and we missed five innings while I let him round my bases. Twice.

Despite the fun of the day, my mind has been preoccupied with a weird phenomenon since I woke from a nap. I didn’t bother with it early on because Ethan was in such a good mood, and I didn’t want to ruin it.

But who cleaned the kitchen while we slept last night? I thought Ethan was in bed all night, but somehow it was cleaned and everything put back where it belongs, hidden away behind high-end cabinet doors.

The questions were running rampant, so I finally ask, “Who cleaned the kitchen?”

Without looking up from his laptop on the coffee table, he replies, “The housekeeper,” as if I should know who he’s talking about.

“She comes in the middle of the night?”

“No. She comes early in the morning. She straightens things up and makes sure I have coffee supplies and fresh food in the fridge for my breakfast.”

“What happens to her?”

Angling his body in my direction, he chuckles and finally looks my way. “Nothing happens to her. She comes in, cleans, then leaves before I come out of my room, and then returns later in the day when I’m at work.”

“So you never see her?”

“I always see her. I told you I don’t sleep well.” As if he catches himself, with a languid little smirk, he adds, “Usually.”

“What’s her name?”

“Pamela.”

“You’re telling me this like it’s normal.”

“It is normal. Pamela is a very common name.” I almost feel as though he’s mocking me.

I roll my eyes, but my smile gives away my lack of annoyance. “You know what I mean.”

“You’re overthinking this.”

“I always overthink things.”

“That you do, dear Singer. That you do.”

“That’s because I feel like everything’s a mystery with you.”

“Not everything. I’ve shown you the skeletons in my closet, but no, I haven’t dragged them out. I’m quite open with you.”

The scoff is a precursor to my wide eyes and open mouth. “People are walking around an apartment where I’m sleeping naked. I need to know these things, Ethan. I’m not trying to be demanding, but you said I’m in”—I can’t back down now—“in your heart. That means you want me in your life. Pamela is in your life. A little heads-up on the people who surround you, who keep your life running so smoothly, would be helpful.”

His eyes don’t seem to settle on anything in particular, much like his thoughts seem to be rolling through his head. I’m uneasy. Again. And I hate it, but I remain quiet because I have to give him time to think through his response. I’ve shown him my vulnerabilities when it comes to us. I need him to decide if he’s ready to reveal his own. The intensity in his focus moves from the distance to me. “I don’t need you to clean or cook for me, Singer. I don’t need you to grocery shop or make my bed. That’s not why I’m with you. That’s not why you’re here now. You’re here because I can’t stop these feelings from growing. You’re here because you make my soul lighter. You make me happy. You’re here because I’m falling in love with you.” He’s . . . what?

He takes a deep breath and then his eyes shift to the side and back again. He continues, “Pamela Lowenstein. She’s forty-three with two kids. Oldest son starts Columbia this fall. Younger daughter will be a sophomore in high school.”

“Wait.” My hands fly up in front of me. “Back up.”

“To Pamela? Or her kids?”

“Before Pamela.”

“You asked me about the kitchen.”

“After that.” His devious smile gives him away. “You’re going to make me work for this, aren’t you?”

“No.” He stands and comes around the couch. Taking me by the wrists, he places my hands around his neck. “I’m falling for you.”

“Say it again. Exactly,” I insist with a grin a mile wide.

With a roll of his eyes, he leans down until our noses almost touch. “I’m falling in love with you, Singer Davis.”

And I’m dead from all the swoons, a mere puddle of overflowing emotions for this man. With his hands roaming my sides, my body tilts toward his. “I’m falling for you.”

“Say it. Exactly.”

Giggling, I roll my eyes this time, but deep inside, I know he needs to hear it. With my fingers tickling the back of his neck, I kiss his chin. “I’m falling in love with you, Ethan Everest.”

“So what you’re saying is that you never clean up after yourself?”

“Ahh, we’re back to cleaning.” He smiles. Rubbing his forehead, he looks up at me under dark lashes, and a wry grin spreads across his mouth, making me smile. “I really don’t like to clean.”

Raising my chin, I nod. “I can live with that.” I’m not the neatest person out there, but never cleaning again sounds like a luxury I’ve never contemplated. Although I find pride when I clean my apartment, I might be able to let someone else clean the toilets. I walk to the table where I set my purse. Pulling my phone out, I’m about to text Aaron, but remember we gave him the day off. Inwardly, I berate myself for already relying on him so much. I won’t have him forever and the spoiled look is unattractive on anyone. “I should probably go.”

“Do you have to?”

“It’s already after five. I need to do laundry and get ready for the week.”

His expression softens, a small need wrapped in the crinkle around his eyes. “You can stay if you want.”

“I appreciate that, but I’ve invaded your space two nights in a row. Surely—”

“Invade it some more.” I’m kissed with lips that set my soul on fire. His presence overwhelms me. His body owns mine with the gentlest of touches. He makes me want to give in, to bend for him, to be what he needs, and right now, he needs me.

It’s exhilarating to be with him, but I need to be clearheaded. With my hands on his chest, I break us apart, and take a step back. “You’re so sure and—”

“I want you to stay.” His words are rushed, almost frantic.

“I may be falling but I don’t want to crash.”

Strong arms wrap around me. “I’ll catch you.”

I whisper, “Seems you found faith again.”

“Not just faith. Trust. I have trust in you, and us.”

“So we are friends in public, more in private. What happens when the cases are over? Or am I a secret forever?”

“To the people who matter, we don’t hide. We’re dating. It’s everyone else I want to keep out. Not forever. For now.”

“Okay.” I exhale a deep breath. I’m not a dirty secret, but I don’t want to be the cause of his downfall either. “I need to go to my place. I need to check in with Melanie and have a few hours of normalcy away from your fire-hot kisses and the weak knees I have from being around you. This place. You.” It’s intoxicating, making me delirious.

The intensity between us seems to be tapering off, his taut jaw unclenches. Understanding washes over his face, and he nods. “I’ll order a car. I would take you myself, but—”

“I know. We would be seen together, and we can’t be.”

He nods this time for a different reason while pressing a few buttons on his phone. “We have legal meetings next week. There’s potential for the cases to settle. I know Keith is bleeding financially, and if he carries on with this lawsuit, all the money will go to pay his legal bill.”

As we walk to the elevator, I really love that he still drapes his arm over my shoulder. He lends his strength to me, which is comforting. “The car will be in the garage. Go to the bottom level. ”

“Okay.” I stop to wait, the button already pressed. “The other case, what’s the worst that can happen?”

“She claims I sexually assaulted her that night and she’s bearing my child, which she also claims is a future witness against me as a destructive father, so she wants full custody and twenty thousand in childcare.”

“Wow,” I sigh. “I don’t know the cost of raising a child a year, but that is a lot of money.”

“That’s what she wants per month.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know. I feel the same when it comes to paying her anything.”

“But you said you caught her with your best friend?”

“I did, but it’s my word against hers.”

The pieces click into place. “The child could be his.”

Shame colors his expression and his face lowers. “If the baby is mine, she’ll use the arrest and photos to claim I’m unfit and have a lottery winner’s landfall at my expense.”

“What about the baby?”

“I’ll fight for my child. I’ll spend every dollar if I have to. I’ll take care of my kid no matter what.”

I don’t want to ask about finances. I’m in no position to know how his life will or won’t be affected, but I know I’d rather see him happy and poor than rich and desolate. “I’m here for you, Ethan. Your secrets are safe with me.” I embrace him, my arms around his middle, and my head against him. Each of the beats of his heart are strong, but steady.

“I know you are.” Kissing my head, he replies, “Thank you.”

He needs me. “I’m just a phone call away. If you need to vent to someone, let it be me.”

Smiling, I lift up and kiss him just as the elevator dings and the doors open. Backing into the elevator, he reaches out and grabs my hand, tugging me against him again and kissing me twice as hard with more passion than ever before.

When I’m good and breathless, I’m released. My fingertips go to my mouth, and I press them against my tingling lips. That’s when I know for sure.

I’m long past falling.

I’m head over feet in deep with this man.