Read A Promise Of Home (A Lake Howling Novel Book 1) Online
Authors: Wendy Vella
Tags: #contemporary romance
A Promise Of Home (A Lake Howling Novel Book 1) (36 page)
“I’ve landed there on and off for two years, Annabelle. Remember what I said about trusting me.”
He swooped over the lake and there was Jake’s house. Branna’s van was out front, beside the pickup. Smiling at the cars, he thought about the people who owned them.
“Why do you have that goofy smile on your face?”
“I was thinking about Jake and Branna.”
She looked down at the fast-approaching house and her smile became soft too. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool to see, isn’t it? Two messed-up souls finding each other and coming out the other side normal.”
“Normal?” Ethan snorted. “Neither of those two is normal.”
“What do you think that says about us?”
He shrugged.
“That we’re probably messed up too.” She spoke the words softly and he heard her sadness return. He didn’t say anything else, just brought the bird in to land.
“I’m not watching.” Once again her hands were over her eyes.
“Have a little faith, woman,” he said, going through the motions. After he’d landed the bird gently, he undid his harness and turned to look at her, leaning forward to bring them closer.
“So, I’m ready for that apology now.”
He could see the emotions flicker across her face as she looked at him. Her brown eyes were lighter here in this small space; he saw a touch of gold in their depths.
“What do I need to apologize for?”
“Abusing me.”
“Which time?”
“The last time, when you refused my kind and generous offer of this trip.”
“Do I have to?”
“It’s the right thing to do, Annabelle, after you went off at me.”
“Sorry.” She leaned in too.
“I forgive you.” He smiled.
“That was easy.”
“What can I say?” Ethan moved closer so his breath brushed her lips. “I’m an easy kind of guy.”
“I-I believe the term is loose.” Her breath whispered across his lips.
“Harsh, honey.” Closing the last few inches, he kissed her soft lips. It was a touch, nothing more, a brush of his mouth on hers, and Ethan felt as if an electric current had traveled through his entire body.
“Why did you do that?” She didn’t pull away; her eyes were still inches from his.
He couldn’t answer that so he kissed her again, harder this time, his lips fully taking hers. She responded in kind, her lips taking his right back. Lifting a hand to her neck, he cupped it and held her close. His heart hammered in his chest, the breath left his body—never had he felt such an intense reaction just from a kiss. He’d brushed her lips before and his body had stirred, but this… this was an explosion.
She pulled back suddenly and he heard the sound of feet. Looking up, he saw Jake approaching.
“Annabelle—”
“That was a mistake, Ethan, and one that will never be repeated.” She was flustered; color flooded her cheeks as her hands fumbled with the straps of her harness.
“You sure about that?” His voice was hoarse, the smooth Texan drawl nowhere in sight.
“Yes, it can’t happen again.”
“Why?”
She spun to face him again, eyes now lit with fire. “Because I won’t be another notch in your belt, Gelderman, do you hear me? That kiss may have proved I want you, but I’ll be damned if I ever let you near me again.”
“Because I’ve supposedly slept with loads of women?”
“Yes!” She hissed out the word and that just pissed him off more.
“And you’re just such a pure, sweet gal that you could never sully yourself by letting me lay my hands on you?”
“Fuck you!”
“Well, now, haven’t you just told me I can’t?” Ethan said to annoy her and because he was unsettled himself. By insulting her, he was giving himself time.
Hardly a gentlemanly thing to do, but it was all he had at that moment, especially since a furnace was still raging in his body. “You’ve just told me to keep my hands to myself and then you go and say something like that.”
He’d seen her temper. It was a wild and wonderful thing, quick to ignite, but as she lifted her hand to take a shot at him, he gave her a look that stopped it from moving. “I would advise against it, honey.”
“Just stay away from me.” The words were whispered as Jake McBride ran under the blades to her side of the helicopter.
“No fun in that.”
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