Chapter 6
Ethan
We make our way to the back, weaving through the crowd of volunteers. The energy in the Tidal Tavern is alive, and when we get to the bar, Blake holds up a finger, letting me know she’ll be a minute.
She slips behind the bar, helping Lucy pour drinks for those waiting to be served, before waving over one of her glass runners, a stocky young guy who looks like a rugby player. He seems thrilled to be in charge of pulling beers.
She grabs two cold ones and heads back in my direction, leaning against the end of the bar so we’re facing one another. It always surprises me just how unbelievably gorgeous she really is, even after knowing her all these years.
“So, Mr. Boss Man, what’s the inside scoop on the plan for tomorrow?” She passes me a beer, our fingers brushing, heat surging through me.
I take a sip, nodding my thanks. Normally I’d be making a move in this situation, laying down some of my best lines, but Blake would laugh in my face. “First, we’ll get everyone geared up and head to the worst-hit areas. We can start where the damage is the heaviest and work our way out.”
Blake sips her beer. “Makes sense. And what about managing the volunteers?”
“I’ll do that,” I say quickly. “But I need someone to keep everyone motivated. Think you can handle that?”
She gives me this adorable look, lips pressed together and one eyebrow raised. “I think I can manage. Just don’t get in my way, Mr. Boss Man.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it. But let me know if you need any help, okay? With anything.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to let you know if I need someone to lift heavy things. You know, since you spend so much time at the gym perfecting those muscles to impress the girls that seem to follow you everywhere.”
I laugh, raising my beer in a mock toast. “To heavy lifting and keeping things in order.”
“To getting this town back on its feet,” she counters, clinking her glass against mine.
As we drink, the air between us feels charged with something. There’s a connection, a spark that I’m probably imagining, but wish I wasn’t.
Just as I think of something witty to say, the glass runner behind the bar calls out, looking embarrassed and flustered. “Blake, there’s an issue with the beer tap. I can’t get it to stop flowing.”
Blake gives me an apologetic look. “Duty calls.”
She sets her beer down and hurries off to handle the situation. I watch as she tinkers with it for a few minutes before finally shutting off the flow of beer. Her glass runner stands by, looking relieved.
Someone calls her name, and she gets caught up serving drinks, but manages to throw a sweet smile in my direction.
I head back to find Liam, who’s already deep in conversation with two girls—they turn to look at me as I get closer to the table, and it’s the two pretty tourists we jumped with the other day. Liam intercepts me, muttering under his breath, “They’re no longer clients, right?”
He’s got me on a technicality, and I shrug. The kid needs a little fun. The blond woman turns her attention fully to me, and flips her hair around so dramatically I’m afraid she might’ve gotten whiplash.
“Hey again,” she says, actually batting her eyelashes. “Are you one of the Valiant Hearts boys, too? You and Liam stay busy!”
“Yep, that’s right.”
She leans in closer, clearly expecting more, and I take a subtle step back, creating a bit of distance. She pouts slightly, no doubt hoping for more attention.
“Come on, let’s at least go dance.” She raises her hands above her head, turning her hips in time with the music.
“Don’t worry if he says no,” Liam chimes in. “Ethan doesn’t dance. One of the few things he’s exceptionally bad at.”
I shoot him a dirty look, even though it’s true.
“How about we go on the terrace to talk?” The blond tourist rakes her gaze down my chest.
Once upon a time, I’d be willing to oblige, especially given they’re no longer clients, but not now. It’s rare that Blake and I get to spend much time together, other than the brief accidental meetings in front of my office some mornings, and she’s currently occupying every thought in my head. The last thing I’m interested in is picking up strangers.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I’ve got a ton of work to do.” I shift my focus to Liam. “We’ve got a busy day tomorrow with the cleanup. Lots to organize.”
“Do you need me?” He glances sideways at the brunette tourist, who’s looking at him like he hung the moon.
“Nah. I can take care of it.”
Excusing myself, I keep busy with some tasks for tomorrow, including touching base with the others in my group and making sure they know where we’re meeting tomorrow, before double-checking our supply lists. Gradually, the crowd begins to thin out as people start to go home, the buzz of the evening winding down.
Liam saunters over. “I’m about to head off. You sure you won’t join us?” He nods toward the girls who are sitting at a table, our friend Mike—his lumberjack beard tamed neatly for once, now chatting with the blond tourist.
I shake my head, glancing over to where Blake is still working. “Go ahead, man. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Liam shrugs, giving me a look. He knows as well as I do that this stupid crush I have on Blake is never going to go anywhere.
“Alright, your loss. See you tomorrow, fella.” He claps me on the shoulder before heading out with the girls and Mike.
I stay behind, not really sure why I’m hanging around. All I know is that I want to be where Blake is. As the last few patrons trickle out, I walk over to the bar and take a seat. Lucy waves goodbye, and the glass runners tell her they’re done, too. Blake thanks them and they go, leaving us alone.
“You’re not heading home?” She’s cashing out the till, eyes on the money she’s counting out.
“I just wanted to make sure you know where we’re meeting tomorrow.”
“What a gentleman.” Her eyes are still on the bank notes as she slips an elastic band around a stack of twenties. “So?”
“So what?” I fiddle with the clipboard in front of me, partly hating how out-of-sorts she makes me feel, but mostly loving being near her.
“Where are we meeting?” She moves over to the beer tap. “I don’t know what John did to this, but I think I’m going to need to replace the faucet.”
The Tavern is dimly lit, just the light overhead illuminating the bar area, like a giant spotlight’s been shone right on Blake. She grabs a spanner and starts fiddling around with it, her lips pressed together in concentration, a strand of red hair curling against the tan of her cheek, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
“Hey, let me help.” I jump off the stool, stepping behind the bar.
“No, I’ve got it.” Something makes a grating sound, and the beer starts flowing again. She pumps the tap several times, but no amount of working it makes it stop. “Shit!”
I step closer, the space between us shrinking, and take the spanner from her hand. She holds it for a few seconds longer, our gazes locked, reluctant to hand it over.
“I can repair a boat engine. I can repair a beer tap.”
Beer continues to run down the drain and Blake finally relents, releasing the spanner, but not stepping back. Instead, she stands maddeningly close, hands on her hips, her presence super distracting.
Glancing up, gaze on the soft plump of her lip. Her hair catches the light, the red strands glowing like embers, and the scent of sweet oranges and warmth radiates from her.
I bend down and start tinkering with the beer tap, trying to focus, but her nearness makes it hard to concentrate. Just as I think I’ve got it, there’s a sudden loud popping sound, and beer sprays everywhere, soaking both of us.
Standing, putting my hand up to block the spray, swearing as it hits me square in the chest and groin. Blake lets out a surprised shout, her eyes wide as the tap continues to drench us both, until finally running dry.
“Great job, Mr. Fix-It,” she says, wiping beer from her face. She shakes her head before breaking into laughter. “Oh my god. Could you have been any less help?”
We lock eyes, both dripping wet. “Hey, at least it’s just beer and not engine oil.” I try to shake off some of the excess liquid but it’s useless.
“Well, now we’re both soaked in beer and the keg is empty. Nice going.” But there’s no anger in her voice. One thing about Blake: she’s always had a good sense of humor. Nothing fazes her.
I take a moment to appreciate the sight of her, her T-shirt clinging to her in all the right places, the outline of her bra visible through the soaked fabric, her hair damp and tousled. Despite the fact we’re both drenched, or maybe because of it, the moment feels charged, electric.
Beer continues to drip from my soaked shirt. There’s no point in keeping it on, and I strip it off, squeezing it into the sink beside me, before tossing it on top of the bar. Blake’s eyes flicker over my bare chest, and the air between us thickens.
I’m suddenly acutely, painfully aware that we’re standing closer than we’ve ever been, with less clothes on. I can see every freckle on her nose and cheeks, the green flecks in her eyes. I want her so bad it’s a physical ache, a need that’s been building up for far too long.
Staring at her, something switches unexpectedly behind her gaze, a shift from playful to intense, the red of her lips parting slightly as if she’s made a decision. Then she leans in, her eyes never leaving mine.
There’s hunger in her gaze, and something hot and molten breaks free in my chest. Time seems to slow as her lips touch mine, soft and warm, the world fading away until it’s just the two of us, the taste of her mouth, the heat of her skin, the feel of it as I trail my hands up her arms.
The kiss is incredible, a surge of electricity that courses through my body, making my heart race. I cup her face in my hands, deepening the kiss, savoring every second. Her hands come to rest on my chest and she leans into me.
For a moment, nothing else matters. Not the oil spill, not the fact we’re soaked in beer. It’s just Blake and me.
I trace the curve of her shoulders. She shivers, her fingers roaming over my chest, exploring every inch of me, nails raking down my abs as she pushes me back against the bar.
Groaning into her mouth, my body responds, getting hard so fast I’m throbbing. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. She deepens the kiss, pressing her tight body against the length of me, and something wild and feral takes over.
Arms encircling her, pulling her closer. Her soaked T-shirt is yanked up and over her body, our kiss breaking as I pull it over her head. The T-shirt falls to the floor, and I drink in the sight of her in nothing but a lacy white bra and jeans.
My fingers spear through her hair, pulling her mouth back toward my greedy lips, before reaching behind her, unclasping her bra. It falls away, and her breasts are perfect, full and round.
I lean down to taste her, flicking my tongue across her nipple before capturing it, sucking and gently nipping. My mouth moves to her other breast, lips surrounding the pebbled peak, tongue working her.
She gasps, arching her back in pleasure, and I fumble with the button on her jeans when a thought intrudes: not like this . It’s Blake, for God’s sake. I don’t want a one night stand with her. And if we keep going, it’s probably only ever going to be this night.
A woman like Blake comes around once in a lifetime. And it’s not just that I don’t want a quick fuck, even though I’m so hard I could burst out of my pants. A woman like Blake deserves to have her body worshiped, every square inch of her, night after night, and I want to be the one who does it.
It physically hurts to pull my hands away from the front of her jeans and plant them on her hips. I move to her mouth, kissing her slowly, savoring the taste of her, before reaching down and picking up her T-shirt.
She looks confused as she takes it from me. “Is everything okay?”
“God, yes. It’s more than okay. But I don’t want you like this.”
“Wow, that’s great for my ego. Thanks.”
She pulls her T-shirt on, her nipples pressing against the wet fabric.
My erection throbs again. “You don’t understand. I want you. I want you more than you’ll ever know, wanted you for longer than you realize. I’d give anything to fuck you right here on the bar, it’s just…”
She’s staring at me and I’ve never felt more stupid. How do I tell her I’ve thought about this for years, that I want to lay her tenderly on my bed and make her come with my mouth, my fingers, before sinking myself into her over and over. I don’t want her once in the middle of the Tidal Tavern. I want all of her, for as long as she’ll have me. I just never thought I had a chance until now.
She bites her lip, then shakes her head. “Well, whatever it was, it was… unexpected. Guess that’s one way to clean up a beer spill.”
“No, Blake—”
“It’s okay. I get it. I’m not looking for a relationship, either.”
She runs a hand through her tousled hair, taking a small step back to put some distance between us, bending down to pick up her bra. White lace clutched in one hand, she takes another step back.
“Can we talk, please?”
She shrugs. “Nothing to talk about. This doesn’t mean anything. We were just caught up in the moment. Don’t go reading too much into it.”
Her words sting, and I can see the walls she’s putting up. Blake has always been fiercely independent, and I know for a fact she hasn’t dated anyone since Danny died. She’s so different from the women I usually date—she’s real, complex. Special.
“Look, you better get out of here. I have to get this place cleaned up.”
“Let me help you.”
“No,” she replies, her voice firm. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We stand there for a moment longer, the weight of our kiss still hanging in the air. I’m not going to get through to her tonight, that much is clear. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up, not by a long shot.
I’ve tasted her sweetness. I know how good this could be.
I take a step forward, leaning in to kiss her cheek even though she stiffens. My lips linger against her skin, my hand running up her arm, breathing her in for a moment. “You’re so beautiful. I’ll see you tomorrow. We’re meeting at the lighthouse.”
Turning, I head out into the night, and it’s like I’m fucking flying. I can’t believe that just happened.
Blake might not want a relationship, but that doesn’t mean I can’t change her mind. She’s worth the fight, and I’m more than ready to step up and win her over.
Holy shit. I just kissed Blake Summerton!