You know, you owe it to yourself for the person you are, and to the community for the person they see you as, to stop being a self-pitying jerk.
He lurched at the shock of her words, such a contrast to the mood shed created. Rosie poked him in the chest. Her voice was no longer quite so soothing. I understand how you feel, Ethan
You cant have a clue.
That seemed to make her angrier. Youre obviously, rightfully, embarrassed that Michelle jilted you.
In front of two hundred people. He hadnt meant to shout, not that it fazed Rosie at all. No, if anything, she stepped closer until he felt her legs against his.
She tilted her head way back so she could stare him in the eyes. When you carry on the way you do, it looks like youre still pining over her.
Ethan snorted. Personally, he thought just the opposite to be true. People saw him with different women, saw him enjoying his bachelor life, and it proved that he was over Michelle, that he didnt care.
That she hadnt ripped his heart out.
Leaning closer still, until her nose nearly touched his chin, Rosie said, But I know youre not lovesick, Ethan. I know, because you didnt love her.
Ethan grabbed her shoulders to keep her from getting any closer. He would have moved away from her, but she had him boxed in. That thought almost made him smile. He weighed a smidgen off two hundred pounds, and Rosie couldnt possibly go over one-thirty, yet she did her best to intimidate him with her body.
Her best was pretty damn tantalizing, he admitted, when he felt her soft belly against his crotch.
All humor vanished.
She stared up at him, her eyes the color of an approaching storm. You want people to know youre over Michelle, that she didnt really affect you? Well, I have a better suggestion than what youve been doing.
Ethan could barely breathe. Her mouth was right there, so close he could smell the toothpaste shed just used and damn, it looked good. He wanted her, whether he denied it or not, whether he wanted to or not. Unable to move, he growled, What suggestion?
Get involved with a nice girl. Her gaze dropped to his mouth and her voice lowered, went husky in a way hed never heard from Rosie before. Quit playing the sexist Neanderthal and get serious again. Stop running scared.
Im not
She touched his bottom lip, stealing his thoughts, making him tense. She whispered, Let me love you.
* * *
ETHAN KEPT TO THE SHADOWS of the large elms that lined the street, skirting buildings while trying not to look too furtive. He wanted to see her without being seen himself.
He couldnt believe he was doing this.
Actually, everything hed done in the past twenty-four hours fell into the realm of the not to be believed, starting with getting rip-roaring drunk, and ending with Rosie in his bed. So what did one more idiotic thing matter?
It didnt. Besides, his curiosity was too keen to keep him away. Luckily, Rileys studio had an enormous front window, so hed be able to see what kind of lessons Rosie was taking without her knowing he spied.
He could only imagine what shed think if she knew. The silly goose already thought herself in love with him. If she thought, even for a second, that he returned that overly valued emotion
Ethan grunted, but deep inside himself something warm had started stirring the moment shed said those four little taunting words. Let me love you.
He knew it was only lust. And no wonder with the way shed been coming on to him. An ordinary woman he could have withstood, but Rosiehe hadnt wanted to chance it.
Nearly panicked, hed sent her on her way with the explanation that he loved her, tooas a friend, and only a friend.
Hed looked her right in her beautiful blue eyes and lied through his teeth, telling her he didnt want her sexually, that he saw her as asexual, like a pal. Totally sexless. No sex thoughts involved at all. Sex, no. Friends, yes.
Rosie was not stupid.
Shed sighed, patted his chest in a curiously tender way and told him shed give him a little time to get used to the idea.
He had a week.
Then shed dressed and left and he still didnt know what the hell had happened last night in his bed. Hed be deranged with curiosity in a week. He had to find out something soon.
The sun was bright, baking down on his head and back. July had started on a heat wave that showed no signs of relenting. Shimmering hot waves rose from the blacktop parking lot. Ethan wore his aviator-style mirrored sunglasses, but still he had to hold a hand up to shield his eyes when he reached Rileys.
There were few people out on this sweltering afternoon, so he stood alone on the sidewalk with only the occasional passerby. Still, he maintained a casual air of indifference so he wouldnt look suspicious. The second he peeked inside, he spotted Riley rolling around in the middle of the mat with someone. It took Ethan less than three seconds to realize the person in the baggy T-shirt, snug shorts, sneakers and headgear was Rosie.
Calm control took a flying leap.
In three long strides Ethan had the door open and had advanced halfway across the gym. He ripped off his sunglasses to better see their shameful behavior. What in the hell are you doing? The rafters trembled with his bellow.
Riley, his head stuck between Rosies thighs, looked up in surprise. His voice was a bit strangled, due to the way she had her legs clenched tight around his neck, when he said, Its called the North South Position.
He grunted, did a quick flip and ended up on top with Rosie peering at Ethan, her face red with exertion, her head now between Rileys thighs.
Ethan gawked and fought the urge to bodily separate them. Thatsthats obscene.
Rosie tried to buck Riley offand that only made matters worse from Ethans perspective. His vision started to blur.
Im learninglegchokes, Rosie managed to gasp around her panting breaths. To Ethan, it appeared her eyes were starting to water.
He was more than ready to intervene when they rolled again and Ethan had to jump to keep from getting caught in the fast-churning tangle of arms and legs. When they stopped, Rosie was on top and she had Rileys arm caught in an awkward position, using her whole body to keep a steady pressure on it. Riley, around his strained laughter, cried uncle.
Rosie jumped up, punched a fist in the air like a world conqueror, and gave a ferocious battle cry. Ha! Gotcha with a chicken wing.
Riley stood, too, grinning from ear to ear, but he shook his head at her. You hadnt sunk it good enough. I could have gotten loose if Ethan hadnt been standing here breathing fire.
Rosie gasped in high indignation. Thats just like a man to claim he lost to a woman only because of another man.
Riley slipped his arm around her. Well keep working on it. He winked at Ethan.
At that particular moment Rosie wasnt the least attractive. Her hair stuck out in crazy clumps around the headgear, some long tangled tendrils loose, some looped in and around the straps. Her face was flushed and there was sweat on her forehead and upper lip. The wrinkled, sweat-dampened clothes she wore couldnt have been less appealing.
And Ethan wanted to throw her over his shoulder, smack her behind soundly, and remind her in no uncertain terms that shed not only professed her love, but shed given him a week to get used to it.
Instead, trying to hide his disgruntlement, he said to both of them, If anyone taped your lessons, they could sell them for porn videos.
Cocking one shapely hip and giving him a sirens come-and-get-it smile, Rosie quipped, Gee, honey, ya really think so?
The pose should have been ludicrous given her present appearance. Instead, Ethan choked on a surge of lust.
Laughing, Rosie turned and sashayed her way out of the gym, heading for the showers. Be right back.
The second she disappeared from sight, Riley dropped against the wall and grabbed his shoulder with a loud groan. Man, she about tore my rotator cuff. Shes good.
Ethan stared at him. His eyes narrowed the tiniest bit.
Doing a double take, Riley asked, What? Ethan stared some more, no civil words coming to his mind or mouth.
Oh, come on, Ethan. Riley pushed his sweaty hair back and grunted. Im teaching her to defend herself with legitimate defensive and offensive moves. As a real estate agent, you know she finds herself with male clients in empty houses a lot.
Well, I hope if a guy attacks her, she doesnt stick her face in his crotch. I seriously doubt thatll deter him.
Riley tried and failed to stifle his laugh. Shes learning different ways to utilize the chicken wingand as I said, shes getting good at that. Shes also learning some good leg chokes. Usually, a woman who is attacked finds herself on her back with the assailant on top. Im teaching her how to get out of that hold.
It made sense. God knew, Ethan wanted her safe, but still
Im also teaching her the Guard, the High Crotch Series and some Silat knife moves.
Whats thenever mind. I dont want to know. By silent agreement they moved off the mats and to a bench lining one wall. Ethan plopped down, stretched out his legs, dropped his head back against the cool wall and sighed. Damn, Im beat.
Totally deadpan, Riley asked, Long night?
But Ethan was actually glad that hed brought up the subject. Slowly, he swiveled his head toward Riley and opened his eyes. Did Rosie tell you anything?
Shes not one to kiss and tell.
I didnt kiss her.
No? Well, whatever you did, she wouldnt be talking about it. Ive never once heard her mention a date or what she might have done on a date, have you? Rather than wait for a reply, Riley continued. And you know, now that Im thinking about it, thats strange, huh?
Ethan knew hed rather walk into another burning building than think about Rosie with other men. It never failed to set him on edge. We didnt have a damn date, and I didnt kiss her.
Rosie reappeared, and Ethan thought she had to have taken the fastest shower in history. Then he realized she hadnt changed, had only removed the headgear and combed her hair.
She was still sweaty.
You, she said, pointing at Ethan, dont know what you did.
He snared her gaze with his own and wouldnt let her look away. So tell me, Rosie. Did I kiss you?
Her cheeks turned pink and she shrugged. Maybe I dont remember, either.
Ethan slowly stood to approach her. Oh, if Id kissed you, Rosie, believe me, youd remember.
She squared off, facing him like a prizefighter with her hands on her hips, legs braced. Yeah? And whys that?
He jutted his chin forward to match her stance. Because Im a damn good kisser.
Maybe.
Its true. He reached back to nudge Riley with a fist. Ask Riley, he knows.
Riley almost fell off the bench. What are you talking about? His voice rose to a shout when Riley almost never shouted. I sure as hell havent kissed you!
Excuse me?
They all turned toward the front door, and there stood the redhead from the night before. Her glorious hairEthan did love the colorwas piled on top of her head in loose, very feminine disarray. She wore a pale green, knee-length skirt with a crisp white blouse and very high heels. An enormous satchel was hooked over her arm.
Great, Ethan thought, just great. He needed this like he needed a four-alarm fire.
Much provoked, Riley stood and immediately shouted, I have never kissed Ethan, swear to God.
Rosie moved with the speed of light to position herself in front of Ethan.
Ethan started to laugh. He couldnt help himself. He was still a little hungover, still very confused by Rosies recent offer, and horny as hell to boot. Could his life get more muddled?
Its true, he confirmed. Riley is as macho as they come. Hell, hes so macho he has hair on the soles of his feet.
I do not. Riley turned to glare at him. And dont help me, all right?
Biting back his smile, Ethan said, By the way, Riley, I was talking about those twins who wanted to double date, remember? The one told you I was a great kisser and she wanted to test you out to see who was better?
Rileys frown lifted, a smile started and he said, Oh, yeah.
The redhead looked beyond confused, on the verge of bolting. Her apparent nervousness kept her shifting her feet and twisting her hands. Are you open?
Obviously dismissing Ethan and his memories of the twins, Riley looked her over, crossed his arms and said, I could be.
Clutching her satchel, Red said, I need to learn some self-defense.
Riley cocked a brow at that, Rosie scowled and Ethan felt mired in guilt. Good God, I didnt assault you, did I? He never should have gotten drunk. He never should have
No, of course not. Her green-eyed gaze darted to Rosie, to Ethan and back to Riley. Her slim brows puckered in a suspicious frown. Am I interrupting?
We were just about to leave. Rosie took Ethans arm and tried to drag him behind her.
He planted his feet and refused to budge. If I bothered you last night, I am sorry. I dont usually drink like that.
Reds smile was distracted when she forced herself to look away from Riley. You were fine, she assured him. Mostly you just talked about a woman.
Ethan groaned. He felt moronic enough already, but, God, if hed been waxing poetic about Michelle, hed have to leave town.
Rosie elbowed him hard to show her displeasure. He grunted, caught her lethal pointy little elbow so she couldnt inflict more damage to his ribs and said to Red, Again, Im very sorry. You should have shoved me under a table or something.
I didnt mind. Reds expression softened. A small smile teased her mouth. Actually, I thought it was rather sweet that youre so obviously in love with her.
Ethan stiffened, embarrassed and outraged. I am not in love with Michelle.
Michelle? Red frowned and again looked around at each person in the room before settling back on Ethan. ButI thought her name was Rosie?
CHAPTER THREE
ROSIE DID HER BEST to hide her grin as she turned off the Crock-Pot and dished up heaping bowls of thick stew. Shed gotten home half an hour ago, quickly showered, then changed into cutoffs and a T-shirt. Shed barely finished before theyd arrived.
All of them.
She sneaked a peek at Ethan and felt her heart patter in excitement. He sat at her small round dinner table, behaving like a surly badger, but at least hed shown up.