Chapter Eight
Piper strode from the restaurant without looking back. Her face felt flushed, and her body tingled with awareness.
She’d never been more attracted to a man in all her life.
Warning bells had been going off in her head all evening. She knew better than to mix business with pleasure. The two were definitely not a good combo.
Hell, she was almost willing to turn down his generous business offer and keep their new relationship strictly on a personal level.
The truth was, she’d never felt more herself around anyone the way she had tonight with Ethan.
There were no nervous ramblings, no uncomfortable moments of silence, no holy shit, Lord please get me out of here feelings. No, Piper Hollister had enjoyed every second of his company.
She’d caught herself leaning forward on more than one occasion, hoping he’d kiss her, silently praying he would at least touch her somehow. But he’d been a perfect gentleman.
Piper drove with the air conditioning on to cool her overheated face. What was it about the man that turned her insides to mush?
Arriving at the Blue Sapphire, she switched off her car, opened the door, and climbed out.
A gasp lodged in her throat as she stepped into the powerful chest of Ethan Seaborn. How had he gotten there ahead of her?
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he rumbled, his lips slowly lowering to hers. “But I’ve been wanting to do this all evening.”
Piper couldn’t breathe. She stared at his descending mouth in a daze of hunger.
His lips brushed softly against hers. A whisper of a moan, feathery breath.
Piper’s purse slipped from numb fingers. Her palms coasted up his chest, over his powerful shoulders. She opened for him, allowing his tongue to slip inside, devouring, learning, demanding.
Her eyes slid shut in ecstasy. His incredible scent filtered through her, caressing her senses.
The feel of his arms closing around her triggered an onslaught of desire she was powerless to stop. Not that she wanted to. God, no. Being in Ethan Seaborn’s embrace felt magical and…right.
He suddenly broke off the kiss, his forehead coming to rest against hers, his uneven breathing mirroring her own. “We’re being watched.”
It took a moment for Piper to comprehend his words through the desire devouring her insides. “What?”
Taking hold of her hand, Ethan gave it a gentle squeeze and took a step back. “Let’s go inside.”
Piper quickly retrieved her purse and allowed him to lead her to the doors. The stiff set of his shoulders and the hardening of his jaw had her glancing behind them.
“What’s going on? What do you mean we were being watched? I didn’t see anyone.”
Ethan guided her through the crowd and straight to the back to a table in the corner.
After helping her sit, he took a seat next to her with his back against the wall. “I thought I saw something is all. What would you like to drink?”
Piper narrowed her eyes. She was no fool. Ethan’s body language told a different story than his lips. “I’ll stick with wine. Mixing alcohol always gives me a hell of a hangover.”
“We wouldn’t want that.” Ethan’s eyes seemed to devour her.
The waitress appeared, breaking the spell spinning between them. “What can I get you?”
Ethan ordered two glasses of wine and handed the waitress a folded-up fifty to change the music currently playing.
The cute little server beamed, sent him a wink, and strode off.
A minute later, the soulful sound of “Unchained Melody” began to spill from the speakers.
Ethan stood and held out his hand. “Will you dance with me, Piper Hollister?”
Butterflies took flight in Piper’s stomach. She slid her palm against his and rose to her feet.
He led her to the small dance floor, pulled her in close, and wrapped her in his arms.
Piper laid her head against his chest, letting him lead her, his body moving against hers in a slow, sensual slide.
Ethan’s scent surrounded her, intoxicating her, and chipping away at her inhibitions.
He pulled her closer, if that were possible, swaying to the melodic tune of one of the most romantic songs ever written.
The room faded around her, leaving nothing but the two of them, body to body, moving as one.
Piper relaxed in his arms, closing off her mind to the possible repercussions of her actions.