Ethan hung up and sat beside her. “Beautiful, isn’t it? I love it out here. I usually come out with a drink when I get home from work. Thank God for the pool man and the landscapers, though. It’s a lot to take care of.”
He reached for her hand and rubbed his thumb across hers, as was his habit, and the cold, tense feeling in her chest began to melt. This was her Ethan. He’d stood up for her. With him, she was protected, cared for, safe.
He let go of her hand and stood. “I’m going to bring out the wine. We have about fifteen minutes. If you don’t mind, I’ll ride along to your house. I want some more one-on-one time with you.”
“I’d like that.” His arms around her was exactly what she needed right now.
When the car arrived, Dallas bid an awkward goodbye to Linda, who did the same, flashing Dallas a brief, cold smile.
As they pulled away from the house, Ethan folded her against his chest and kissed her on the forehead. “My poor Dallas. What a horrible evening. I’m so thankful you stayed. Mother had to be shown that she couldn’t run you off. I was so proud of you when you stood up to her bullying. She was an absolute disgrace. I don’t know if I’ll forgive her.” He tilted Dallas’s chin up and kissed her. “You didn’t deserve tonight. If Mother doesn’t think you’re worthy of me, she’s wrong. You’re strong, intelligent, caring, and a great mother. What else should I look for in a woman? And I didn’t mention that you’re gorgeous. You’re perfect for me.”
Dallas smiled and snuggled in closer to him. “Not perfect, but thanks for the compliments. I have to be honest, Ethan. I can’t in my wildest dreams imagine having Linda as my mother-in-law. Unless they were nightmares. No offense. I never want to go through another evening like tonight.”
He turned her face so she could see him clearly. “I promise, Mother will come around. I’m everything to her. Once she knows that you’re what makes me happy, she’ll cave in like a damn sinkhole. I think you’re right. She’s just scared for me. I’ve honestly never seen her like this. She’s being a protective mother bear.”
Dallas couldn’t bring herself to agree but let it go.
With the lights of the city surrounding them, Ethan looked into her eyes. “Let me make it up to you.” Sliding his hand into her hair, he tilted her face to him. He kissed her eyes, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and then kissed her slowly, deeply, caressing her with his tongue.
She kissed him back. Oh, did she kiss him. She could drown in her need for him. She yanked him to her, wanting his weight on her.
He whispered in her ear, “I wish we weren’t in this damn car.”
Huh? She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Dammit. Again? What had happened to her normal self-restraint? She kissed him softly and pulled away, sitting squarely in the seat. Maybe his mom was right. Dallas might be a slut. For the love of ... where did her mind go when she was being kissed? Egypt? Thank God, she hadn’t been like this in high school. She’d never have made it to college.
Smiling, Ethan, with his arm around her shoulder, pulled her in close and kissed her temple.
Her pulse was still thrumming from his kisses. Damn, he was good at kissing. But his kindness was what really spoke to her. Just like he knew she needed to leave tonight. Immediately. He rescued her with such finesse that she didn’t have to say a word. That was so like him—her protector. She leaned her head on his shoulder, thankful to have this man in her life.
SATURDAY MORNING, CASH shoved his clothes into the locker in the men’s room at the Cove Water Park. It was the first time he’d seen Dallas since The Cowboy, and he was hoping things went smoothly today.
He walked out into the bright sunshine and meandered over near the women’s dressing room entrance. Dallas and Piper must still be inside. Leaning against the building, he glanced around the park, still relatively free of people. They’d be able to get on the fun rides quickly. Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. His heart plowed into his chest wall. Dallas wore a bright turquoise bikini, showing off a rocking-hot body. He bounced away from the building and waved.
She grinned and waved back, holding Piper’s hand and walking toward him. “There you are. Where shall we go first?”
He kept his gaze safely locked on hers and away from that body. “Let’s let Piper decide.” After he described several things around the park, the little girl chose the kids’ water slide. Clasping her little hand, he said, “This way. Come on.” Dallas walked on his other side, and his breathing quickened. How in the hell would he keep his eyes off her today? Of course, he’d been attracted to her before, but this was way over the top. Did she have any idea what she did to a man in that bikini?
Dallas looked up at him and smiled. “Thanks so much for bringing us. Piper has been so excited all week. I guess you could tell that on the ride over. I should bring her, but the tickets for both of us really add up.” She clasped his arm and leaned into him.
Fingers of arousal tripped up his belly, and he slung his arm around her. This was going to be an awesome day.
When they got to the tall water slide, Piper eyed it, frowning, and reached for her mom’s leg, curling her arm around it.
Cash squatted in front of her. “That’s kind of high, isn’t it? What if I went down
