Run to You (6 page)

“I'd pick you.”

Her gaze flicked to his and held. “Well, that's good because I have another rule for us. No kissing or sleeping with anyone else while we're doing this. It might be just pretend, but I won't be made a fool of either.”

“I would never make a fool of you, Gabby.” He gazed into the honeyed depths of her eyes.

“Just so we're clear, you and I are not sleeping together either. So you're agreeing to no sex for as long as this lasts.”

No sex. That well and truly sucked. “Okay.”

“And this…attraction, it won't be a problem for you?” She closed her lips over the straw of her soda and sucked. He watched her swallow and felt himself go hard.

Oh, it was a problem all right. “I can control myself if you can.”

Her cheeks flushed a warm pink. “It won't be a problem for me.”

“Well then, I guess we have a deal.”

Gabby forked another bite of enchilada into her mouth and tried not to stare at Ethan. Her pretend boyfriend. How in the world had she let that happen?

“So if we're going to pull this off, we need to get to know each other,” she said.

“Okay.” He met her gaze across the table. “So tell me about your family. Brothers? Sisters?”

“I have an older brother, John. He's an investment broker in Atlanta.”

“And your parents?”

“They live in Charlotte. My mom's a doctor, and my dad is also an investment broker.”

“Are you close?”

She lifted a shoulder halfheartedly. “We get along okay. We don't always see eye to eye, but they're good parents.”

“And how long ago did you break up with Brad?”

“Last fall, so it's been almost a year now. I moved in with my parents for a while, but that just wasn't working out, so I packed up and came here.” She sipped her Diet Coke. “And you? Siblings? Crazy ex-girlfriends?”

“None of the above. My relationships don't last long enough to get messy.”

She wondered why. What made Ethan so sure he'd never want to settle down? He'd mentioned before that his mom died when he was ten. She didn't want to pry, and he didn't volunteer any more information, so she let the subject drop.

“Your grandmother says you're a local celebrity around here,” she said.

“Does she now?” He shook his head, his expression softening with affection for Dixie.

“I guess I'd better do my homework and look for some YouTube clips of you in Beijing.”

“Or you could come see me in action right here in Haven. I'm in the pool at Off-the-Grid every morning swimming laps.” His smile had gotten flirtatious again.

And her cheeks were on fire. “Maybe.”

He leaned forward. “So, Gabby, can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?”

A refusal rose on her tongue, but she bit it back. God, she wasn't ready for this. Not with any man, but definitely not with this man, who tempted her more than any man ever had before.

He grinned at her hesitation. “It's just a free meal and another chance for us to get to know each other better. I'm certainly not opposed to exploring the chemistry between us while we're at it, but you have my word that I won't put any moves on you. That ball is totally in your court.”

She sucked in a breath and nodded.

His grin faded. “My grandmother knows everyone in town so we need to be seen out and about some.”

Gabby sobered at the reminder of why they were doing this. Dixie was dying. She'd only met the woman a handful of times, but she liked her a lot. And Dixie had obviously done a fine job of raising her grandson. If not for the lying, Gabby certainly didn't mind doing whatever she could to help Dixie enjoy what time she had left.

“Dinner tomorrow then. But right now I need to get back to work,” she said. She needed to get back to the quiet safety of her cabin so she could process everything that had happened in the past hour.

They finished up their lunch, and he drove her back to Off-the-Grid Adventures. She shivered at the sight of Brad's green Chevy Silverado parked around back. How had she not noticed it there before?

She hopped out of the Jeep and hurried back to her car. Ethan caught up to her before she could climb inside. He rested his hands against the car on either side of her, caging her in. Then he leaned in close, and
oh God
, he was going to kiss her! His word was no better than Brad's. Desire warred with disappointment inside her.

“In case anyone is watching,” he whispered in her ear then pressed his lips to her cheek. At the angle they were standing, it would have looked like a real kiss to anyone inside the house.

With a wink, he stepped back. “Bye, Gabby. I'll call you about dinner, okay?”

She nodded, still feeling the warmth of his lips on her cheek, the tickle of his scruff on her skin. He'd kept his word.

And before she could question why she felt disappointed, she hopped into her SUV and headed home.

E
than unclipped from the zip-line and gave the all-clear for Ryan to come down the final line to join him. From there, they hiked toward the rock face where Ryan would teach rock climbing.

“Tell me again why you're having to bribe chicks to date you these days?” Ryan elbowed him in the ribs with a grin.

“Fuck you.”

“But seriously, why this chick? Why not find a girl who actually wants to date you?”

“I told you. Because Gram thinks Gabby is the one for me.”

Ryan sobered. “I just can't believe it, man. Gram's supposed to live forever.”

“Tell me about it.” They hiked for a few minutes in silence.

“Sure did look like you and Gabby were hitting it off, though,” Ryan said.

“Chemistry's not the problem. She's messed up after her last relationship, I think.”

“She doesn't seem like your type anyway. She's the type to put down roots, not jump into bed with a jerk like you.”

Ethan had been very careful not to put down roots with a woman. He never let his relationships get that serious or that complicated. He'd seen the statistics. Children of domestic abusers were more likely to someday become one, and Ethan had been in enough fistfights to know he had at least some of his dad's temper in him. There was no way in hell he'd ever allow himself to become the monster his dad had been.

But Ryan was right. Everything about Gabby was serious. And complicated. Up until now, Ethan had been thinking about their relationship in terms of what it meant for him and Gram, but he hadn't really thought about what it might mean for Gabby, too. “No worries. It's hands off behind closed doors. Her rules.”

“Fuck, man. You're dating the hottest girl in town, and you're still not getting laid.”

A fact he was painfully aware of. “Oh yeah, when's the last time you got any?”

Ryan's face turned smug, and Ethan realized he was going to regret that question. “I've been out with Tina a few times since I got to town. We don't do much sleeping.”

“You're an asshole.”

“I'm an asshole who's getting lucky.” The rock face came into view ahead of them, and Ryan picked up the pace. “Yo, that is sweet.”

“I heard a rumor the property next door might be going up for sale at the end of the year,” Ethan said as he tested out his footing at the base of the rock. “It would make a great addition. There are some wicked hills over there for a mountain biking course.”

“Always been fond of mountain biking.” Ryan hooked his right hand in a crevice and began to climb. He was halfway to the top before Ethan had gotten both feet off the ground.

He enjoyed rock climbing, but he was an amateur. Ryan was a pro.

Ryan looked down at him. “This place is great, you know. I'm really glad you convinced Mark and me to come back home and make a go of it together.”

Ethan drew a deep breath and lunged upward to grab a small ledge above his head. He knew what Ryan meant. It had been a long, hard road for all three of them, and it was pretty epically awesome that they were making this happen together. “Me, too, man. Me, too.”

Gabby had no idea what to wear for a date that wasn't really a date. She finally settled on a long turquoise skirt paired with a slinky navy top. She ditched the Doc Martens in favor of matching strappy navy sandals.

She hadn't seen Brad since their run-in at Off-the-Grid yesterday, but she was under no illusions that he'd left town. He'd made it pretty clear that he wanted a second chance with her, and he'd never been very good at taking no for an answer.

She squeezed her eyes shut and pushed thoughts of him out of her mind. Better that she faced him now. Sooner or later he'd get the message and slink back to Charlotte. Then when she was ready to go home, she wouldn't have to dread running into him there.

Ethan knocked on her front door promptly at six thirty. Lance pinned his ears and ran for the pantry. Coward.

Gabby took a deep breath, unbolted the lock, and opened the door. Ethan stood on the other side, wearing khaki slacks, a blue button-down shirt that matched his eyes, and his usual panty-melting smile. He looked even more handsome all dressed up, and holy moly, she was in over her head even fake-dating him.

“Wow.” His gaze slid from her face to her toes and back up. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” She felt herself blushing because the way he was looking at her made her
feel
gorgeous. And sexy. And she hadn't thought of herself that way in a long time. Under Ethan's heated gaze, she felt bold and daring.

Maybe a fake boyfriend had its benefits after all.

“So how do you feel about steak?” he asked as she motioned him inside.

“Love it.” She walked toward the kitchen to extract Lance from the pantry. “Let me just take Lance out quickly and then I'm ready.”

There were some other benefits of a fake boyfriend, too. Like, she hadn't had to worry about sexy underwear. And there were no pretenses. She could leave him standing in the kitchen while she took her dog out because he was definitely not expecting her to get cozy and make out with him before they left for dinner. And even better, there would be no awkward moment when he brought her home, deciding whether or not to invite him in.

“Does Brad have anything to do with the reason you always keep your deadbolt locked?” Ethan asked as she locked the door behind them.

She stiffened. “I'm from the city, remember?”

“You didn't answer my question.” The steely look in his eyes told her he'd already drawn his own conclusion.

“I've always locked my doors. It's a responsible thing to do.”

Ethan stepped closer. “He hurt you, Gabby?”

She flinched, and Ethan's scowl darkened.

“Godammit, if I ever lay eyes on him again—”

“No!” She whirled away from the door, away from Ethan. “It wasn't like that.” Not until the end anyway. “He just liked to have things his way. That's all.”

“If he so much as looks at you funny, I'm going to kick his ass.” Ethan's eyes still snapped with anger.

Gabby managed a smile as she walked toward his Jeep. “You're awfully protective for a pretend boyfriend.” Ethan had a rough side to him, a quick temper, and she had no doubt he could kick Brad's ass if he needed to. He'd probably handed out other ass-kickings in his lifetime. For some reason, that didn't bother her a bit.

“Any decent man would do the same,” he said.

Was that true? She wasn't sure. “I appreciate the sentiment, but believe it or not, I'm perfectly capable of kicking Brad's ass myself should the need arise.”

At that, Ethan grinned broadly. “I knew I liked you for a reason.”

They kept the conversation casual on the drive to the restaurant. Ethan parked, and they strolled down Main Street hand in hand. Downtown Haven was so picturesque it belonged on a postcard. There were boutique stores for clothing, arts, crafts, jewelry, souvenirs, and even the most adorable bookstore. Ethan kept walking, leading her past the string of storefronts and around the corner onto Sullivan Street.

He held the door open for her at the Skyline Grille. “You been here before?”

She shook her head.

“Well, since you're stuck with me for the near future, the least I can do is show you around town. This place is great, and wait until you see the view.”

She followed him inside, and the hostess led them upstairs to an outside deck overlooking the Smoky Mountains. It was even more spectacular than the view from her own back deck.

“Wow,” she said as she took her seat. Their table was against the railing with uninterrupted views. In the distance, gauzy clouds wrapped around the mountaintops.

“Told ya.” Ethan sat across from her, so handsome he was short-circuiting her brain just sitting there. He was awfully thoughtful and romantic even when he knew he didn't stand a chance of seducing her. She could only imagine what he was like when he was actually dating someone. No wonder he had such a reputation with the women in town.

“This is really nice, Ethan, but you don't have to wine and dine me. We should probably just hang out with your grandmother.”

“We'll do that, too,” he said.

“I'm going to her house tomorrow for book club.”

“She'll love that.” He smiled softly, looking out at the mountains beyond.

She and Ethan chatted easily while they stuffed themselves on steak and potatoes. She drank two glasses of wine, which was not the best idea in retrospect because she was feeling rather silly and a whole lot flushed by the time they'd finished eating.

The sun had dipped below the mountaintops, and their table was lit by a votive candle. She sighed as she stared into its flickering depths. “If this were a real date, you would
so
be getting lucky tonight.”

Ethan choked on his wine. “That is a damn shame,” he said when he'd finally regained the ability to speak.

Gabby giggled. She was tipsy, maybe a little past tipsy, and it only made her even sexier.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “I wouldn't have pegged you as the type to put out on the first date.”

Her eyes widened, and her pretty lips pursed. “Well, I'm not.”

“I bet guys have gone to a lot of effort to woo you, Gabby Winters.”

She gave him a puzzled look.

“Come on. What's the most extravagant thing a guy has ever done to get your attention?”

She frowned, then her eyes brightened. “There was one guy in college who sent a dozen roses and some chocolates after our first date.”

That might be romantic by college standards. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Please tell me some guy since college has done something more romantic for you than have flowers and chocolates delivered.”

“I guess my dating life is boring. Sorry.”

“Well, shit, don't apologize. Absolutely nothing about you is boring, so the problem definitely lies with the men you've dated.” And he really wanted to change that for her. He wanted to show her just how desirable and amazing she was, how a real man should treat her. But with the attraction simmering between them, he was already toeing a fine line he didn't dare cross.

She shook her head, and a lock of hair fell across her face. She swiped it back. “No, I think it might just be me.”

“Not a chance. You're exceptional.” He leaned closer. “You've probably got your dream date all planned out in your head. Tell me.”

Gabby's breath caught, and she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “This is pretty nice. This restaurant.”

“It's nice. But I want to know your most romantic fantasy date.”

Her eyes fluttered shut. “The beach,” she said softly. “Candlelit dinner on the beach, just the two of us. And afterward…you know.”

“Sex on the beach,” he said.

Her lips curved in a smile, and she nodded. “And maybe even skinny-dipping. I've always wanted to go skinny-dipping.”

“Goddamn, Gabby. You are the opposite of boring.” And holy hell, he was so turned on right now, his whole body ached with it.

Her eyes flew open, and she pressed a hand over her mouth. “I can't believe I just told you that.”

He grinned. “That was hot.
You
are hot. And if a guy doesn't tell you so, then you need to show him the door.”

She ducked her head with a shy smile. “Thanks.”

Gabby's smiles were his weakness. They gave him a boost like a PowerBar after a long swim. When she smiled, she projected all the sweetness that made her so irresistible but with a hint of something wicked beneath, like she had a naughty side she rarely let anyone see.

“I have an important question.” He said it with absolute seriousness, even though his intent was to lighten the mood. And shift the conversation so that he'd be able to stand up from the table without embarrassing himself.

“Okay.”

“Pie or ice cream?”

She giggled again, and the sound of her laughter was definitely not helping the situation in his pants. “This place does a mean pecan pie, but the ice cream shop around the corner is pretty great, too.”

“I've always been partial to ice cream,” she said.

“All right then. Ice cream it is.” While he paid the bill, she went to the ladies' room. He met her downstairs and took her hand to walk back outside.

The night was balmy, not too hot or too cold and not even all that humid. A perfect night for strolling down Main Street with a pretty girl on his arm.

“This is awfully romantic for pretend.” She leaned against him, and at that moment, nothing about this felt like pretend. Sure as hell his attraction for her was the real deal.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing right,” he said.

“That's a good motto.” She still sounded a bit dreamy, reminding him that she was tipsy as hell.

They went into One More Scoop. He got a scoop of salted butter caramel, while she went for chocolate peanut butter crunch. Then they took their cones and walked across the street to the town commons, where they found an empty bench and sat together.

“Have you always lived in Haven?” she asked.

“Since Gram adopted me when I was twelve.”

“And before that?”

“I bounced around a lot.”

She licked her ice cream and watched him. “It must have been hard for you.”

“Wasn't that bad.” He crunched into his waffle cone.

“Tough guy.” Her lips quirked.

He liked that. Not many women asked about his past, but when they did, they usually either responded with some sort of pity or got all awkward and couldn't change the subject fast enough.

Not Gabby. If he told her the darkest, ugliest truths about his childhood, the reason why he could never offer a woman his heart, would she take it in stride the same way? Probably.