ChapterSeven
On Monday morning, Delaney woke as the sun peeked over the horizon, streaming into her bedroom. Truth be told, she’d been awake for hours, tossing and turning. Not even the smooth sound of the waves or the several glasses of wine she’d consumed at dinner could lull her to sleep. She wrapped herself in a sweatshirt and blanket and curled up in a chair on the balcony. The sun rose over the water, the cool ocean breeze a pleasant relief after the heat of the city. On the island, the temperature was much cooler than in Houston, and she needed a wrap in the morning. The calls of the birds and the sound of the wind through the grass soothed her soul, provided a balm she hadn’t known she needed. Or hadn’t wanted to admit.
After the world had dropped out beneath her, she’d been focused on helping her family, being strong for her mother, acting as the main contact for the lawyers, trying to be her father’s strong little girl, when all she wanted to do was crawl under the bedcovers and hide. Then, once life appeared to have settled down into obscurity, she was so intent on getting back on her feet and keeping her mother safe that she’d forgotten about the one person who needed her. Herself. Being able to sit with no demands was a luxury she had never appreciated when she was younger. It was true when they said naps were wasted on the young. A nap sounded good. Having the luxury to take one sounded good.
Too bad she couldn’t sleep worth a damn.
But she knew one way to send her into dreamland. And he was sleeping across the hall from her.
He was too much temptation. They were already dancing too close to the edge, and Delaney couldn’t risk that next step, even for the week. She had to do her best to avoid Ethan as much as possible, although Caroline was making it very difficult with her plans. Delaney inhaled deeply, imagining more than really smelling Ethan on the old sweatshirt. It was a risk bringing it with her, especially now she had a reminder of how amazing he smelled, tasted, felt in reality. The shirt had always brought her comfort, and she needed it this week, along with a shot of courage.
Rather than lingering on the porch, she quickly dressed and made her way downstairs. No one was up yet and she didn’t feel up to idle chitchat. The little bakery, Rise and Shine, was still on the island. She’d seen it when they drove through town yesterday. Maybe they still made those famous bear claws.
Instead of borrowing one of the cars, she grabbed a bike from the shed and headed for town. A half hour later, she sat on a bench overlooking the marina, enjoying a gooey bear claw and a cup of rich dark roast.
“So, this is where you disappeared to so early. I might have known.”
Ethan’s deep voice spoke from behind her. He was wearing shorts and a tank top, plastered with sweat, showcasing his solid frame. Her fingers itched to slide under his shirt and lick the drop of sweat glistening on his neck. Instead, she took a bite of her bear claw, hoping the cinnamon would appease her hunger. Damn, not even close to putting out this slow burn.
He slid onto the bench and eyed her bag and second bear claw. Delaney snatched it and placed on the other side of her. “Mine.”
“You never did like to share your sweets. How you can eat those disgusting things is beyond me.”
She took another bite and moaned. “This is nirvana, heaven on earth.”
“I thought you women loved chocolate.” He stretched out next to her and rested his arm on the back of the bench.
“We do.” She shrugged. “That’s its own food group. But a Rise and Shine bear claw is beyond food.”
He laughed, a deep rumble of sound that made her insides flip-flop. “I just don’t see it.”
“You don’t see pastry. You taste it, savor it, enjoy it.” She took a deep bite and closed her eyes, letting the cinnamon, apple, and pecans slide over her tongue.
He made a strangled groan, and she opened her eyes. His eyes had darkened, and he studied her with an intensity she hadn’t seen in a long time, maybe never. “Maybe I should try one.”
She smothered a grin and gestured to the small shop across the green. “Over there. But be quick. She sells out fast.”
He glanced over his shoulder and saw the line out the door. He leaned toward her, eying the bag on her other side. “But you have two. Maybe I could persuade you to share.”
She eyed him up and down. “I don’t think this is what you need after a run. It would ruin all of your work.”
“Or make it worthwhile.” He stretched and leaned back against the wooden bench, closing his eyes and letting the sun shine on him. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe that paw print isn’t worth it. I have a very refined palette, you know. But I’m so tired from my run. I might even pass out from hunger.”
She snorted, and he glanced sideways at her. “Fine. But only because Caroline would be furious if you passed out.” She held out the bag to him, but he dropped his head and arms on the bench.
“I just can’t.”
“Pathetic.” But she broke a piece off and held it out to him. He grabbed her hand before she could withdraw it, and brought it to his mouth. He closed his teeth gently over her fingers, lips tightening and pulling the pastry. His tongue licked over her fingers, between, around, tugging and savoring. She shivered, mesmerized by the sight, the slow burn igniting to a flash flame that threatened to burn her from the inside. She lifted her gaze and met his, intense, dark, smoldering, compelling her to focus on him, while he sucked and licked her fingers clean.
Finally, he released her with a pop, and she drew the trembling hand to her stomach, pressing hard, willing her body to stay still and not launch herself across the bench into his arms. She looked at him and saw the answering heat in his eyes, the clenched jaw, the heaving breaths that had nothing to do with the run he’d just completed. His hand reached out and stroked her bare arm lightly, sending goosebumps up and down her body.
“Delaney,” he began.
She flung the bag at him and fled the bench, echoes of his mocking laughter following her.
* * *
Ethan adjusted his seat, trying to get more comfortable. He wouldn’t be walking anywhere right away, not with his light running shorts revealing the very hard evidence of his desire. He was completely uninterested in the bear claw now that Delaney had left and would no longer be feeding him. But he needed an excuse to stay seated longer and something to cover his lap. The bear claw was big, but even the bag wasn’t quite enough to protect him from curious eyes. It was best to stay seated for a little while longer.