Текст книги "Just One Kiss"

Автор книги: Jami Wagner

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

Chapter Seventeen

Kelsey

The remainder of the evening goes by in a blur because I can’t stop thinking about how Abby has ruined something else for me. Logan knew exactly why I asked him to switch sides with me. There was no way I was going to wait on Ethan while he was sitting with her. Instead, I just watched them from my end of the bar. I know he was trying to get me to react or at least say something. I wanted to. I wanted to tell Abby she is wasting her time, because he’s mine. But all I saw was history repeating itself. He cheated when he first kissed you, Kelsey. He will do it again.

I force back the tears as I clear the last table of its empty drinks. Why can’t I find a guy who is happy with just one woman? Rain is pouring down outside, and for the last hour, the sound of drops beating against the window is the only thing that has kept me relaxed. I stop, still holding a few dirty glasses, and watch as everything outside looks cold and depressing, much like my life at this very moment.

I have no one to blame but myself. I can’t be upset with anyone but me. Ethan doesn’t know about my past relationship. I never told him. I shouldn’t be upset with him. We hardly know each other, and one kiss doesn’t mean anything.

“Hey, is it cool if I head out?” Logan asks. He pulls on his jacket and pauses at the top of the steps while I head behind the bar.

I set the dishes in the sink and nod my head.

“Of course.” I smile at him. He studies me for a minute.

“Is everything alright?”

No.

“Yeah, everything’s great. I’m just getting tired,” I say, and when he doesn’t respond I know he’s deciding whether or not to believe me.

“Alright… well, if you need anything, just call, okay?”

“Thanks,” I say and follow behind him as he leaves so I can lock the door.

Before I reach it, the jukebox begins to play “Endless Love” by The Bird and The Bee. Does everything have to depress me right now? I used to love this song, but now the words are bound to tear me apart. It’s a song that mocks me of something I’ll never have. I head for the jukebox with the goal of changing the song to some hate music – because anything would be better than this – when I feel a cold breeze from the front doors opening. I turn to tell whoever it is we’re closed, but freeze when I see Ethan standing in the doorway.

He isn’t wearing the same clothes as he was earlier, and a pang of dread flows through me as every awful idea runs through my mind. His wet hair drips into his face and his black t-shirt and jeans are sticking to his body. His chest is moving quickly as he breathes and his now dark and determined green eyes are focused on where I stand.

My eyes go wide as I take him in. The wet look makes him even sexier than before, but his eyes are the piece causing me to take a step back. The desire in them matches the exact way my heart feels. He came here for me, I know that much. I also know I’m not letting him leave until we’ve resolved this one way or another.

Ethan stalks toward me, and when he gets close enough, I take another step behind me, bumping into the pool table. My palms grip the table to steady myself as he presses his body against me and leans forward, placing his hands right next to mine.

“I don’t want to play games, Kelsey. I want you and only you. I’m sorry about tonight. Abby doesn’t mean anything to me. I have never felt for someone the way I feel about you and I didn’t know how to handle it. I still don’t, but I do know the only way I want to figure it out is with you. I want you in my life no matter what happens.”

I’m stunned speechless. Everything is a clouded mess inside my head. I want to tell him that I want him, too, and together we could have it all, but I can’t form words. Say yes, Kelsey. Say anything. Forget the past. I manage a small nod.

He doesn’t waste any time waiting for more of a response. His lips crash against mine and I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him closer. Our mouths move desperately against one another while his hands glide down my back until he’s cupping my butt. He grips each cheek tightly, picking me up and setting me on the table.

“God, I want you so bad,” he breathes into my mouth.

My knees part as he moves between them, jerking my body into his. Since I’m wearing another skirt there isn’t much of a barrier left between us, and when he grinds his hips into my core, I can feel how much he wants me and that only fuels my body even more.

“Kelsey,” he says, separating our lips and trailing kisses down my neck. I love the way he says my name. I lean my head back to give him better access, but I don’t let go. Pleased sounds escape my lips as he moves further down my body. His hands find the hem of my shirt and a wave of desire washes through me as they rise underneath it, his fingers reaching the edge of my bra.

The soft music in the background and our rapid breaths surrounds me. It only intensifies the fire between us. Ethan removes his hands, but I grab his wrist in protest. He smiles and lets out a small laugh. “Trust me, ok?”

I lock my eyes on his, accepting his silent promise, and let go of him. He quickly lifts my shirt over my head. He drops the shirt to the ground and leans back.

“You’re so beautiful,” he says then kisses me again. He unsnaps my bra, removing it from my body, but never pulls his lips away from mine. His hands find my breasts and he squeezes them gently, letting his thumbs play with my nipples a little longer.

I moan into his mouth and the warmth between my legs tells me how much I enjoy what he does to me. I let my hands roam over his body slowly and stop at the waist of his jeans. My fingers unbuckle them and once I have them unzipped, I slide my hands underneath and around to his backside. I put my hands flat against his firm body and pull him into me, moving my waist against him as I hold him there.

“Ah fuck,” he cries, quickly moving his hands to my skirt. “I can’t wait much longer.”

With his admission we take full advantage of removing every last piece of clothing from the other’s body. Once I’m completely naked, he picks me up to move me back to the middle of the table and then he climbs up to join me, crawling over me until his body is above mine. We’re totally going to have sex on top of a pool table. This isn’t like me, but I love it.

Ethan gently lowers himself between my legs. The feel of his skin brushing against mine sets my body off. I want him to touch me anywhere his hands will go. His lips trail kisses across my cheek, down my neck, and between my breasts.

“God, you smell like cinnamon,” he says, pulling my nipple into his mouth and sucking hard. My hips lift of the table at the sensation his lips send through my body. I moan, causing Ethan to grab my waist. He holds it firm against his. Moving from one breast to the other, his hands glide to the back of my thighs, to the inside of them, climbing higher until I almost lose myself the moment his fingers touch my core. Slowing, he slides one in, then another. He keeps kissing me and with each stroke I’m more turned on. I don’t want to wait anymore. I want him inside me.

I pull my body away quickly, taking him off guard as I push him on his back. With one leg on each side of him, I gaze down at his body.

“You are so fucking hot.”

“Kelsey, don’t swear or I’m going to lose my shit.”

I smile and kiss him hard. His hands move to my waist, positioning me right over him and slowly, I lower myself on to him.

“Fuck,” he growls, grabbing my face and refusing to let our lips part.

I grind my hips, his meeting mine thrust for thrust. Each movement is perfect, rough, and when he stills my body, I try my hardest to continue. I pull my lips from his to look him in the eye.

“Don’t move,” he breathes. “Just stay right there.”

I do as I’m told and in seconds, Ethan is ramming his hips up harder and faster. My head falls back as I let out sounds I didn’t know I could make.

Two more thrusts and we both fall into a bliss I never knew existed. From this moment on, I have a feeling Ethan is about to show me a lot of things I didn’t know.

Ethan

We’re still lying on the pool table after our bodies relax. I have Kelsey firmly secured in my arms. I hadn’t planned this. Liar. Alright, so it was a possibility in the back of my mind, but I didn’t make her do anything she didn’t want to do.

Bringing Abby here tonight was a mistake, but I’m not upset with the way the evening turned out. Had I not messed up and then turned so desperate I couldn’t wait to see Kelsey again, I wouldn’t be here right now.

I pull Kelsey’s body closer to mine, her back to my front, and I trail soft kisses across her shoulders. I spot three freckles just under her left ear and I kiss each of them. Ever since our first kiss, I knew there was something between us that I would never find with someone else. We might have only been teenagers, but when you know, you know. I ruined it then, but I’m not going to ruin it now. I’m going to tell her everything. I just need to find the right time to do it.

“We should probably get dressed,” Kelsey suggests, but I don’t want to move.

“Let’s just lay here a while longer,” I tell her and she laughs as I pinch her sides playfully.

“Ethan, anyone could walk by the windows and see us if they look close enough. I don’t feel like giving a free show.”

I hadn’t thought of that. I don’t want anyone to see what’s mine. I quickly move off the table, pulling Kelsey with me, and then I stand between her and the window as she gets dressed.

“Hmmm, I’d say by the way you’re watching me, I should probably keep my clothes off,” she teases as she pulls on her shirt and stands in front of me fully clothed.

My body reacts to her words. She’s right. I’m ready to do it all over again. She bends down to grab my boxers and jeans then tosses them to me with a big smile on her face.

“If you help me finish closing this place down, we could go back your place, maybe watch a movie,” she says, already pushing chairs into the tables. I observe her perfect body from the backside as she walks away.

I better not screw this up.

Chapter Eighteen

Kelsey

There’s no easy way to say it. I, Kelsey Brian, am that girl, that girl who sleeps with her boss. Oh. My. God. I can’t stop thinking about last night. I’ll never be able to look at the pool table the same again, or the whole bar for that matter.

That’s not even the worst part. The worst part is I went back to his house to do it again. And I want it even more now than I did last night. Not in the bar of course. Although, I don’t think I would object to it if the situation were right. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a little excitement from a place where you could get caught? Oh shit. What if someone actually did see us through the window?

“Kelsey, dude…you’re freaking me out.”

I blink myself back to the present at the sound of Logan’s voice. He’s standing right in front of me with his hands on my shoulders and he’s squatting down to meet me at eye level.

“Huh?”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, and you were focused on the pool table like you were trying to make it float or something,” he says, removing his hands and waving them in the air. “All you needed was the snap of your fingers or a wand or some shit.”

He takes a step back, shaking his head as he laughs.

“Man, would I love to know what’s going on it that head of yours.”

No. No you would not.

I let out a deep breath and turn around to fill a couple of beer buckets with ice.

“It wasn’t anything important.”

“Yeah, okay,” he says with disbelief.

“Hey, Kelsey, do you have those beers ready? My table is getting antsy,” Beth says as she pretty much bounces her way to the end of the bar. She bats her eyelashes at Logan.

“Hey, Logan,” she says in a flirty tone. He looks at me then glances at Beth.

“How’s it going, Beth?” I know him well enough to know he is just trying to be polite, but that he also doesn’t really want to talk to her. It’s the tone he uses when he isn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. He’s been in a bad mood ever since he got off the phone with Sara earlier today.

“It’s going,” she says. “Are you working late tonight?”

Logan lets out a long sigh. He looks up at the same time Abby appears.

“Hey, Logan.” She smiles flirtatiously. “Want to get a drink after work tonight?”

Well, this just got awkward and interesting. I set Beth’s beer bucket on the counter and then lean my hip against it and cross my arms as I watch.

“Uhhh,”

“Shit, Ethan’s here,” Beth announces, cutting Logan off before he can say anything.

Ethan in blue jeans and a button-down shirt will never get old. There is an unfamiliar smile on his face as he comes down the steps. His grin grows bigger when his eyes land on me. I can feel my cheeks beginning to heat up.

“Crap! He sees us,” Abby whines and both she and Beth quickly scatter from the bar.

“Well, that’s one way to solve my problem. Guess Ethan is good for something after all.” Logan laughs and strolls to the other end of the bar as a couple of customers pull up a stool. I give him a look that I intend to scream “no, don’t leave me alone” as he walks away, but he shrugs his shoulders and nods his head in Ethan’s direction.

The whole place feels like a sauna and I’m convinced someone keeps turning up the heat. Ethan walks past the pool table, running his fingers along the felt. Flashes of last night cloud my mind. I focus on my breathing, and by the time Ethan reaches me, I think I’ve pulled it together.

“Hey, Kelsey,” he says in a tone I haven’t heard before. He sounds – calm, happy maybe. It relaxes and excites me all at the same time. I grab a towel to wipe the counter between us.

“Hey, Ethan.” I can’t even look at him without getting images of last night. This isn’t good at all. He starts to drum his fingers against the bar top, and as I steal a quick glance I notice they are shaking slightly. How could he be nervous after last night? He sure wasn’t nervous then. His hands didn’t shake when he touched me, while they explored every inch of my body.

“Look … I ... ugh,” he whispers. “I wanted to … um…” As he tries to find his words, he is staring down at his left hand and the right is behind his neck. “Last night was …”

Oh my god, if he finishes that sentence with the word mistake, I could possibly lose my job when I lunge my body over this counter and kill him.

“Well I…I was hoping I could take you on a date.”

That is not what I was expecting. His gaze rises and I stare into his bright green eyes. There’s a different sparkle to them,

“A date?” I repeat.

“Yeah, I know it’s a little backward considering our track record, but I want to take you out. Last night was…perfect.” He sounds more confident this time.

“What happened last night?” Logan asks and I jump when I realize how close he’s standing. Does this guy ever work, or is he always lingering—and how much did he hear?

“Nothing,” I answer automatically before stepping around Logan to attend the customers at the other end of the bar. It’s Saturday and the night is starting slow. I ask the three people seated in stools if they need anything, but they kindly decline. So much for that distraction.

I try to busy myself by organizing the liquor bottles, washing all the dirty glasses – there aren’t many since we switch to plastic after five – and wiping down the counters. Once I have cleaned everything else I can see, there’s nothing left to distract me.

I could go on a date with Ethan. It makes total sense for a new couple, but it’s completely inappropriate considering he’s my boss. I know I thought differently last night, but I was caught up in the moment and I can’t let that interfere with the right thing to do. I let out a sigh of frustration and lean forward on the bar. On the other hand, if I say no to him again, I could really mess things up. Which matters more, falling in love or keeping my job? Sara wouldn’t fire me, but if Ethan and I didn’t work out, would he?

My moment of silence is interrupted when I hear a group near the jukebox break out in laughter, gaining the attention of the entire bar. They fall silent, focusing their attention on someone nearby. I can’t hear what they are saying, but soon the group is laughing again. A woman scoots her chair back and stands slowly before heading for the bathroom. I have a clear view of the comedian and I’m shocked to see it’s Ethan.

“He seems awfully happy tonight.” Logan startles me, but I don’t even glance up. If I make even the slightest expression, he will know what it means before I do.

“Yeah, looks that way.”

“Wouldn’t have anything to do with last night, would it?” he asks.

Ethan told him. No, no, no. Logan will tell Sara.

“Please, please don’t tell Sara. She will kill me,” I start to ramble cupping my hands together as I beg. “I was just closing the bar. He came back to talk and then it got out of hand and before I knew it, it was too late and we couldn’t take it back.”

Logan finally looks up with a puzzled expression.

“Take what back?” A half smile tugs at his lips.

Giant crap! I just spilled the beans.

Logan watches me for a minute then glances at Ethan, who’s still near the same group of people, only now he is leaning against the pool table and staring down at it with a huge grin on his face. Aw, damn. Dead giveaway.

Now Logan’s eyes spring wide. He fails miserably at trying to hide the full smile on his face.

“No fucking way! Oh man, tell me you didn’t!” I just stand there. I was never quick in these situations and I have no idea what to say, so I just scrunch my face.

He slams his hand on the counter and I jump.

“Hot damn, Sara is going to love this.” He chuckles and reaches to his back pocket to pull out his cellphone. I reach for it as quickly as I can, but he pulls back.

“Please don’t tell Sara! I’m begging you, Logan.”

“Tell Sara what?” Ethan asks as he pulls up a stool across from us. Geez! Doesn’t anyone keep to themselves around here?

“Nothing,” I say and give Logan my best threatening look. “Right, Logan?”

“Right, Kelsey,” he nods.

The three of us stand there looking at each other. Me worried, Logan with a grin, and Ethan confused.

Maybe now isn’t the best time to give Ethan my answer. No audience would be best.

Ethan

After Kelsey went home last night, I laid awake – something I’ve done a lot since I met her – for hours imaging what it would be like to not give a shit about my dad. About whether or not he’s proud of me. I wouldn’t have to snoop around the bar anymore, I wouldn’t have to lie to anyone, and I sure as shit could have something real with Kelsey.

Before I fell asleep, I knew I’d made up my mind. He can send one of my brothers, but I’m not letting them anywhere near the bar or near Kelsey. I’m going to get to know her better and I’m going to start with a date. But it isn’t working out how I planned, because now she’s avoiding my question.

“So, Ethan,” Logan crosses his arms. He nods to the pool table with his head. “Something wrong with the felt?” Kelsey looks terrified. “You didn’t get anything on it, did you? By accident of course.” He laughs and walks away.

It’s hard not to laugh with him. Logan is smart and he put two and two together. But he was only messing with her.

Kelsey stands with her hands locked behind her back and stares down at her feet. How can she be nervous after what we did last night? Is she embarrassed like she was when I kissed her all those years ago?

“I meant everything I told you last night. I want to give us a real shot,” I say.

Her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink and she nods.

“Okay. Let’s go on a date then.”

“Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at six.”

“I work tomorrow.”

“Not anymore.” I give her a wink.

“You can’t just change the schedule like that, Ethan. It’s not fair to anyone else who works here.”

“I can if I want. I haven’t been this happy since I came here—you can ask anyone here and I guarantee, if it puts me in a better mood, they’d be more than willing to work for you tomorrow night.”

I look over my shoulder for Beth or Abby. Either of them would love to help. Lucky for me, Beth is headed our way and I also know she isn’t on the schedule for tomorrow.

“Beth, want to work tomorrow night?” I ask.

She pauses, her eyes flickering between Kelsey and me. “Is this a trick question?”

“Don’t listen to him, Beth. He’s still learning how to manage this place,” Kelsey says with a cheery tone.

Beth’s eyes go wide as she presses her lips together.

“I’m actually doing just fine, Kelsey, thank you.” I give her a playful grin. “I asked Kelsey out on a date, but she’s working and needs someone to cover her shift.”

“Wait, so like, you’d be gone too?” Beth asks.

I nod.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll totally work for you, Kelsey.”

I ignore the excitement in her voice and instead focus on Kelsey. It goes without question that she makes me want to be a better person and her presence always puts me in a good mood. I am determined to make this dinner perfect.

I flash Kelsey one last grin and catch the sight of her smile before I head for the office.

I close the door as my cellphone vibrates inside my pants pocket. All the happiness I’m feeling fades when I see my father’s name on the phone.

“Sir,” I answer and take a seat behind the desk.

“You haven’t called me with an update. I can’t decide whether or not that means things are going in my favor or if you’re not getting the job done. Your behavior is really starting to piss me off, and you’re about out of second chances.” His criticizing voice is firm. His mind is already made up. He just wants to test me.

“I still haven’t found anything that will lead me to the account numbers you want, but I think I’m on to something. I just need a little more time,” I lie to him. If I convince him to believe me, I can buy more time until I tell Kelsey what’s been going on. A first date isn’t the right time to drop this sort of information. A few days are all I need. She’ll believe me and trust me. I know she will.