Chapter Seven
Ethan
I watch her emerge from the back room, her steps hurried. A frown forms on my face when I realize that she is heading toward the door. It is then I notice the handbag over her shoulder. Is she leaving without saying a word to me? “What the hell?” I jump up and quickly follow her out the door.
“Lindsay! Wait up. What, did you forget I was waiting for you?”
She glances over her shoulder, giving me a glimpse of her distress. Did someone inside the diner upset her? Catching up with her, I grasp her elbow. “Lindsay, hold on. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just- I’m late. I have to get to work, my other job.” She pulls out of my grip and keeps walking.
I follow her until she stops at a white car. “Oh, I thought you would be finished for the day. I had hoped to take you out, you know, so we could catch up.”
“Catch up on what, exactly?” She turns to look at me, her eyes blazing with anger. But why anger? I’m sure it couldn’t have been anything I said or did.
I shrug. “On everything, I suppose. It’s been years.”
“As I recall, it’s your sister and me who are friends, not you and me. So I don’t see what we need to chat about.”
I take a step back. I seem to be pissing everyone off today, first Amanda and now Lindsay. At least I know what I said to anger Amanda. What is Lindsay’s deal? “What’s wrong? You seemed fine inside and then you just came out in a blaze of fury. Did something happen inside?”
She looks at me for a few seconds and softens. “I’m sorry, Ethan. I- It’s not you. I’m just stressed.” She averts her gaze. “Look, I have to go.”
“Okay. What time will you be free?”
“I’ll be home by nine tonight.” She stops, clamping her mouth shut.
“Alright, let’s meet up then.”
My gaze drops to her mouth, drawn by the way her small white teeth worries her lower lip. Such succulent lips. I remember how they felt against mine. She hasn’t changed much. If anything she’s more beautiful, and her raven hair has been cut shorter. Crystal blue eyes stare up at me as if she’s considering my offer. All I want to do is kiss her, to experience how she tastes again, how her body feels pressed against mine. She opens her mouth to speak, but my mouth covers her in a swift movement. I’m just as surprised as she is by my lack of control. Swallowing her small gasp, my lips move over hers, urging her to kiss me back. For a brief second, I fear she won’t, until I feel the tension seep from her body and her lips begin to move, parting slightly. It’s the only invitation I need, my tongue plunging into the warm cavern of her mouth.
Our kiss becomes more urgent, greedy. My hand curls around the nape of her neck, pulling her closer. I’m on fire, my blood heating, coursing through my veins like molten lava. How is it that one kiss from Lindsay can drive away my self-control? Her small moan pulls me back from the precipice of my lust, reminding me that we are in a parking lot. I pull my head away, instantly releasing her. We are both breathless. I step away, seeing the shock in her eyes.
“Lindsay, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
Her eyes dart around anxiously, probably hoping that no one witnessed our exchange. I don’t give a damn if the entire world saw. I’ve just discovered that I still want Lindsay Williams with such fierceness that I might go mad if I don’t have her.
“I should go.” Lindsay opens the door and ducks into her car.
“Wait, I didn’t get-” She slams the door, cutting me off. “Your address.” The engine roars to life and she drives off in a screech of tires. I watch, dumbfounded, as her car disappears. I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. A woman has never run from me after being kissed before. Lindsay’s bizarre behavior has me floored. Sure, it might be a bit awkward after what happened between us and the fact that things ended over the phone, but it’s like she’s terrified of my presence. But why? I don’t intend to give up so easily. She left without giving me her address, but I know where her mother lives. Plus, it’s a small town. She won’t be that hard to find.
I walk back to my car, wondering what the hell I’m doing. If Lindsay doesn’t want anything to do with me then I should just let it go and leave her alone. I have never chased women. What makes Lindsay so special? I sigh, already knowing the answer to the question. She’s the first and only woman to make me feel something more than lust. Years ago, when she expressed that she wanted me, as much as I wanted to take her immediately, I was hesitant. Because I realized that she was the kind of girl for a real relationship.
Regardless of my rakish ways and who everyone assumed I was, I had intended on attempting a real relationship with Lindsay. I was willing to try the long distance thing until she finished school. After all, I had enough money to visit her anywhere she was, often. But she wasn’t interested, and I let it go, returning to my string of women and partying. As I sit in my car, staring ahead, I wonder if I should let it go this time around as well.
“No, I have to talk to her.” It’s time we settle the score once and for all. I’ll tell her how I feel and see what happens.