Ethan

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. Forget I just did that.”

Ethan heard the words, but they didn't register as she pulled away and took off running. He stood in the middle of the shed, blinking for a good thirty seconds trying to figure out what had just happened.

His body knew exactly what had happened. The most beautiful woman he'd ever met had just kissed him. Her body had molded to his and his internal temperature was going through the roof with desire. Yes, his body knew what had just happened, but his brain sure didn't.

She didn't like him.

She shook his head, trying to figure out what in the hell she had meant with that kiss. It wasn't just a simple “yay!” kiss. There was way too much heat and desire packed into it for just a celebratory thing.

No, this was more than that, but she'd said to forget it. As if he could. He sighed and stepped out into the snow. He had a feeling he would never figure this out.

He walked slowly back to the main house. The snow was coming down hard, and now that he knew there weren't two missing kids stuck out in it, he was enjoying it's beauty. He didn't get to see snow often in California, so this was a treat.

He followed Laura's footprints through the snow up to the house. He could already hear the people inside and it made him smile. He opened the door to see both kids, and the dog, safe and sound. Laura had her arms wrapped around her brother. He could feel the relief coming off her in waves.

He smiled because she was happy, but he made sure to stay away from her. He didn't want to intrude on this moment, so he worked his way to the back of the kitchen where Emma and Mia were sitting. He leaned against the wall and looked over to see the other little boy, the one who had ruined Pluto for him, sitting happily in Ella's lap. Ella had her arms wrapped around him like she was never going to let him go, and given the way Jace was hovering around the two of them, neither was he.

“They look happy,” Emma murmured. She was watching Ella and Jace as well. “I have a feeling that little boy isn't going to be in foster care for much longer.”

Ethan turned to look at Emma holding her sleeping child. “Jace and Ella? You think they're going to adopt the kid?”

Emma chuckled. “I doubt they let him out of their sight for the next year after this,” she replied with a smile. “I don't think adopting kids out to billionaires was exactly what Mia was going for by opening this place up, but it's still pretty awesome.”

“I just wanted to help the kids have something for the future,” Mia said, joining in the conversation at hearing her name. “Getting Elliot a forever family definitely counts toward that goal. It wasn't exactly the plan, but I like it.”

They all watched as Elliot tugged on Jace's hand to pull him closer. Jace leaned over so Elliot could whisper in his ear. They couldn't hear what he said, but Jace laughed. Elliot whispered in Ella's ear and she joined in. They looked like a real family from where Ethan sat.

“We should get you and your sister home before the snow gets too bad,” Laura announced, standing up. She said her goodbyes to everyone but him. He knew better than to take it personally as she hurried out the door.

“Poor Laura,” Mia said as they watched her and Dallas leave. “She's been so strong through all this. I'm so glad Dallas is okay. It would have killed her if something happened.”

“What did happen?” Ethan asked. “She said something about her parents, but I didn't feel right asking her more.”

Mia let out a sad sigh. “Last fall, her parents left to take a quick trip. They were in a little private plane, and it crashed. They both died. Laura was suddenly responsible for these two kids. She's been doing a great job, but it's hard. She's had to put a lot of things on hold.”

Ethan nodded. He could still feel that kiss on his lips. He wasn't sure exactly what was going on between the two of them, or if it was all in his head. Yet, he felt drawn to her like he did that first time they'd met. It felt like fate.

He needed to know if it was possible. He needed to find out if this attraction could go anywhere. He murmured something to Mia and Emma before ducking out the door and going to the parking area.

It wasn't hard to figure out which car was Laura's. There were two booster seats and a horse decal on the back of a truck. It was the only car that made sense for her.

He tucked his hands in his pockets and waited.

* * *

The snow in her dark red hair was beautiful. The contrast was stunning as she walked toward him, a child in each hand and the three of them smiling as they headed toward their car. She stopped and stood like a deer in the headlights as soon as she saw him.

“We should talk,” Ethan said. He smiled his most charming, defense-lowering smile that he used on all his clients and lovers. It usually worked, but she just swallowed hard and didn't move.

“Okay.” She just stood there in the snow, staring at him.

“How about we put the kids in the car?” he suggested, motioning to the truck. “Get it warm?”

“Right.” She shook herself and motioned the kids forward. The two kids went to the back door of the truck and hopped inside as Laura started up the engine. Ethan helped Dallas click his seat-belt into place before closing the door.

Laura slammed her own door shut. She left the engine on to warm up as she came around to talk to him. Her arms were crossed as she stomped through the snow.

“Look, I'm really sorry about that kiss,” she said coming up to him. “It shouldn't have happened. I was just really relieved Dallas was okay.”

“It seemed a little more than that,” he replied.

Her cheeks pinked and it was all he could do not to kiss her again.

“No,” she told him, shaking her head. “You work with my boss, so this-” She motioned to the two of them. “This isn't going to work. Okay? Just forget it ever happened.”

“Is that what you really want?” Ethan asked. He took a step closer to her, like he might kiss her again. She hesitated with her answer for just a second too long and Ethan knew she didn't mean what she said next.

“Yeah. That's what I want.”

He lifted his hand and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. Her lashes fluttered and she let out a tiny whimper that sounded entirely too much like desire.

“You sure?” he asked, his own voice going low and gravely. He wanted to kiss her again so badly it was almost painful not to.

“Positive,” she whispered. She didn't pull away from his touch. He caressed her cheek with his fingers and she leaned into his touch. “Mostly positive? Maybe kind of positive?”

He chuckled, knowing that she did want this. She wanted this as much as he did. He was going to kiss her here in the snow. For real this time.

“Laura?” Ivy opened her window and yelled at her sister. “When are we going home? Dallas is kicking my seat!”

Laura froze for a second and then shook herself. When her eyes opened, the desire had disappeared from her beautiful green eyes, replaced with something that made his heart ache to look at. Responsibility and loss was there now. She stepped away from him, no longer the woman but the guardian of children.

“No,” she said, looking over at the car. “I can't. I can't.” She shook her head and walked away from him, going to the driver's side door of her truck. She quickly got inside and put the car in reverse. She didn't even look back at him.

Ethan stood there in the snow with his fingertips tingling with her touch and his lips still waiting. He watched her drive away and disappear into the swirling snow.

He didn't know what happened to keep them apart the first time. There was a reason, but given their chemistry, it didn't make sense anymore. Somehow, they'd missed their first attempt, but fate was giving them another.

He wasn't just imagining things. If nothing else, today proved that to him. They were meant to be together. He'd never felt this level of connection with anyone. It had to be her.

He put his hand in his pocket and a slow smile filled his face.

He wasn't going to let fate steal her away for a second time. He was going to win her heart and keep it safe. He had a plan to give her the kind of love she deserved…