‘Ready?’
Ethan spun around and simply stared at the woman who stood in the doorway. Where had she come from? CJ felt as if he’d never seen her before. Dressed in the most stunning of black dresses, with diamonds everywhere and long, luscious legs. His jaw dropped open and he felt paralysed with desire.
‘Claudia-Jean...you are stunning,’ he breathed, and, finally able to move his legs, he walked to her side. ‘Ready?’ He crooked his arm for her to take.
‘Thank you.’ She smiled up at him and he almost capitulated. The urge to sweep her into his arms and carry her back to their house was increasing at an alarming rate.
‘Ready to go?’ It was Bonnie who broke the spell as she walked down the corridor towards them.
CJ cleared her throat and looked away first. ‘Yes. She’s fed, burped, clean nappy and sleeping like a baby.’ Bonnie wheeled the cot down to the nurses’ station as the two of them walked behind. CJ blew her girl a kiss. ‘Sleep sweet, princess.’
Ethan led her out to the car and for once she was glad he’d put up the soft top. ‘Are you going to be warm enough?’
‘Yes. From the hospital to the car, to the restaurant, to the car, to the hospital. I should be fine.’ He walked her around to the passenger side and held the door for her. ‘Thank you.’
‘Where are we going?’ she asked as they drove along, the scent of his aftershave winding itself around her.
‘Chateau Cregg.’
‘Oh, they have a lovely restaurant there, or so I’ve heard.’
‘Never been?’
‘No.’
He smiled. ‘I’m delighted tonight is the first time.’
They were met at the door by the maître d’ then shown to their table. She smiled across the table at him, determined to enjoy every moment they had together. They talked on a variety of topics while they ate. Ethan told her a few stories from his childhood and the silly things he, his brother and sister had done. She was able to counter a few of them with crazy tales about herself and her sister. After dessert, they made their way back to the car.
‘It’s been a lovely evening.’ CJ sighed wistfully as Ethan pulled away from the restaurant. ‘Thank you, Ethan. You can’t know how much a night out like this means to me. In fact, I can’t recall ever having been out on a night like tonight.’
‘I’m really glad to hear that. I had a good time, too.’
‘How long is it since you’ve been out on night like this?’
Ethan slowly shook his head. ‘Far too long to even remember.’
He changed gear and indicated to turn. ‘If I hadn’t had a mild heart attack, I would never have come here. I would never have met the people of these districts, seen the way they all seem to look after each other.’ He glanced across at her for a quick moment. ‘I never would have met you and I never would have been privileged to experience Elizabeth’s birth. To see her so...complete.’ He nodded. ‘It’s how it should be.’
‘Yes. She is rather awesome.’ It was then that CJ looked out the car window and realised they weren’t headed back to the hospital. ‘Where are we going?’
‘To the lookout.’
‘Oh?’
‘Donna mentioned it today and as I haven’t managed to get here yet, and as it’s sort of on the way back to the hospital, I thought you wouldn’t mind stopping and taking in the sight with me.’
‘No, I don’t mind. It really is beautiful, especially on a clear night like tonight.’
‘And we have an almost full moon.’
CJ grinned. ‘So we do. A full moon. A clear night. If I was working in a city hospital emergency department, I’d be worried.’ They both chuckled at her words. ‘Out here, the same night holds a different purpose.’
‘And what purpose is that?’
‘That anything can happen.’
Ethan nodded, then drove up a small hill and parked in the car park before coming around to her side to help her out.
‘I’m not pregnant any more, Ethan. I can get out of the car by myself.’
‘I know...but a gentleman always escorts his date.’
‘Is that what I am tonight? Your date?’
‘Absolutely, m’lady.’
CJ giggled as he led her over the low stone wall that ringed the car park. ‘I think the last time I went on an actual date was...probably high school.’
‘Well, tonight you’re with me and that’s all I care about.’
‘Is it?’
He looked down into her face. ‘Right now, yes.’ He brushed his fingertips across her cheek. ‘You really do look extraordinarily beautiful tonight, Claudia-Jean.’
‘Thank you.’ She dipped her head slightly, hoping he wouldn’t see how much his words had pleased her. ‘You don’t scrub up too badly yourself.’
‘You’ve seen me in a suit lots of times.’
‘Yes, but tonight you’re looking... I don’t know...different. Handsome different.’
Ethan quirked an eyebrow. ‘I don’t look handsome at other times?’
She laughed. ‘That’s not what I meant and you know it. There’s something...different about you tonight. I think it might be more in your eyes, rather than what you’re wearing.’
His gaze was intense. ‘I don’t want to hurt you,’ he said softly, and CJ’s heart was pierced by his tenderness. Again, he brushed her cheek with his hand before cupping her face and drawing it closer to his own. When his lips met hers, CJ sighed into the kiss.
His mouth was soft, gentle, as though she’d break if he exerted any more force. He made her feel precious, treasured and...loved. Was she insane to hope that one day Ethan would come to care for her as deeply as she cared for him?
After a moment, he gently pulled away and gazed at her before gathering her closer in his arms. When he felt the coolness of her skin he pulled back, took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. ‘Not that I want to cover up your exquisite dress but neither do I want you to get sick. Bonnie, not to mention Donna, would have my hide.’
CJ
