“What about the pendant?”
“Too expensive.”
“No, for you.”
His words stopped her in her tracks. She paused, considering his words. It wasn’t much money, and she could afford it. But, in the ensuing years, she’d learned that money didn’t grow on trees and it wasn’t limitless. It was precious and something she no longer wanted to waste on trivial items. The time had passed when she bought indiscriminately, items she barely ever even used. When she had been forced out of her home, the vultures had been there, ready to pounce on any hint of bad press. Several items of clothing had been removed from her house, price tags still attached. Never worn. Never used. Sold at auction for a fraction of what she had paid to satisfy debts. The media had had a field day, publishing photos of the clothing and price tags, adding up the costs as proof of her extravagance. Never again would she waste money. She had responsibilities and disposable income was scarce.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t need it.”
He brought it to the register. “My treat.”
She rested her hand on his arm, a sudden flash of anger at his words. “I said no.”
“What’s the big deal? It’s twenty-five dollars. I used to spend a lot more than that on you for a snack, much less jewelry.”
“I can buy my own things. I don’t need you or anyone else to support me. If I want it, I’ll buy it. And I’m saying no.” She turned back to the curious older woman behind the counter, who was watching the conversation with fascination.
After Ethan walked back to return the pendant, muttering under his breath, the older woman leaned forward. “Let him buy it for you, dear. That’s what men are for.”
Delaney flashed a smile. “They have other uses. I can support myself.”
“Good for you, dear. Keep him guessing.” The woman nodded approvingly and rang up the artwork.
He directed her to the exit, and the noise faded behind them, letting the dusk envelop them, leaving them alone and isolated. Even though it was September, the sea breeze was cool, and the sun was setting. Delaney shivered and Ethan laid her sweater across her shoulders, then pulled her close to him, his hand tucked under the sweater to caress her bare arm. He ran his hand up and down her forearm, lightly stroking. She shivered, but not from the cold this time. His touch was sending heat through her body, burning her, making her want things she had no place wanting.
Except for this one night. They had a deal. Soon, she’d see if the heat that simmered between them was anything more than leftover sexual tension or something more. She’d teased him earlier, but all it ever took was a look to get her ready for him. When he looked at her from heavy eyes, or a sideways glance with a quirked grin, she had to squeeze her legs to stop from jumping him right in public. Only her training as a Winters prevented her from acting on it. She had won the bet, but there was no reason for her to wait for him to make the move.
They strolled by the darkened bakery and the little alley between it and the next row of buildings. She pulled him after her into the shadows and pressed him against the building, her hands holding him against the brick wall, feeling his chest muscles jump beneath her fingertips.
She raised up on tiptoes, lips inches from his. “I can’t wait any longer. I want my prize.”
He groaned and wrapped a hand around her waist, hauling her up against him. She pressed her lips against his, and she ran her tongue along the seam of his until he opened and let her inside. Drugged with power, feeling more in control than ever before, she pressed her advantage, plastering herself against his long frame, feeling the evidence of his arousal against her throbbing core. Her panties dampened, and she moaned against his mouth, her control slipping away rapidly, along with all her inhibitions and reservations about the evening, Ethan and herself.
He slid his hands down to lightly skim her ass, then cup both globes and pull her closer. In a sudden move, he shifted positions, never breaking their lips, and pinned her against the wall. She gasped and broke the kiss, the world tilting dangerously around her. She rested her head against the cool brick, and he trailed kisses down her exposed throat. He pushed aside the shoulder of the tank top and placed a kiss at the top of her shoulder. His hand stroked down her arm and under her shirt to tease her breasts through the lace of her bra.
She moaned at the sensations coursing through her, burning up from the inside, feelings and emotions buffeting her from all angles, like the waves in the ocean. She throbbed deep inside, and she pressed her legs together to find some relief. He chuckled against her shoulder and wedged a thigh between hers, forcing them apart. She wrapped her leg around his, hiking it as high as she could. He dropped a hand to her thigh and pulled her up and closer to him, until only a few layers of fabric were between his cock and her slit, begging for him. She arched closer to him, pleading for his touch, for relief, for anything. His hand slipped under her thigh and higher, close to her aching core. His other hand kneaded her breast, his thumb rubbing against her nipple through the lace, the rough lace creating deeper friction and heat than she had ever expected. It was all she could do to hold on. He was her anchor in a roiling sea of emotions, and she needed relief.
He pressed against her, his cock rubbing her through the lightweight material of their shorts. Then he hit a spot, and she exploded with a soft cry. He captured her lips with his, drinking in her soft moans until she slowly sagged against the wall, her leg sliding down and hands flat against her side. He chuckled against her mouth, even the vibrations from his laugh sending slight shocks through her system.
She shifted, and he groaned, turning his hips away from her, then stepped away fully. She opened her eyes to the shadowed alley, barely able to make out his face, the clenched jaw, the darkened gaze and satisfied if strained look on his face. Her hands flew up to her cheeks. What had she done? Almost had sex in an alley with Ethan. A Winters didn’t do that.
As if he saw when the doubts coursed through her, he tilted her chin and kissed her slow and deep until she relaxed again. He pulled away gently, hand still cupping her chin. She slowly opened her eyes to meet his serious gaze.
“It’s not over, Delaney. No matter what either of us wants to think.” His voice was husky and deep with arousal.
He didn’t sound angry at the admission. Instead, he was almost resigned, as if he had known all along the attraction was still there, despite the anger, pain and years apart. She sighed. Her chest heaved as she struggled to control her breathing.
“Where do we go from here?” She wasn’t sure what else to say, what else she wanted.
He dropped his hand and stepped back. “I don’t know.” His voice was rough and strained, but he took one step further back before she could touch him. “Not right now. Let’s get that last item and win this thing.”
He snagged the unicorn that had fallen to the ground. “Camouflage.”
He grinned and stepped out of the alley, the unicorn firmly planted in front of him. She slowly followed him out of the alley.
She was so screwed.