Dirty Sweet Cowboy

“Yeah, I saw he was there. I suppose he gets asked to do a lot of those kinds of things .”

“Yeah, I wonder what kind of scam he’s running,” Aden sneers .

“I don’t think it was any kind of scam,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “People pay him to talk. So what? He’s a big success story .”

“His whole family is a bunch of con artists and money launderers, Ava,” Aden huffs. “You need to stay away from him. You know that, right ?”

“I didn’t even get to see him talk,” I retort. It’s totally true, too. Sort of. I mean, kind of. I barely remember it .

“Good. I shouldn’t have to tell you these things .”

Biting my tongue, I remind myself to count to ten. I hate the way that he thinks he can just lord it over me. Like I’m supposed to take on his personal battles as my own. But if I defend Ethan, it’s definitely going to sound suspicious .

“Yeah, I need to get back to work here. I think break time is over …”

“What are you doing? You got an internship ?”

“Yeah, an internship,” I repeat uneasily, hoping that the sound of the water and seagulls will conceal the tone of my voice .

“You have a contract? Send it to me .”

“Yeah, okay, fine, bye,” I say in a huff, thumbing the button to disconnect the call. Then I open my mail client, save the PDF locally and then start a new email, just shooting it off to him. He wants the contract, he gets the contract .

I just hope he leaves me alone .

I walk back, and it seems to take a very long time. After a while, I begin to feel a little exhausted from being pushed around by the wind and booming sounds. When I finally get back to the patio, I’m weary. I really want a nap .

But Ethan strides out at pretty much just the same time, grinning broadly when he sees me. I watch his eyes drift toward my hair, which must be quite a fright right now, tangled and enormous .

“I thought you ran away,” he smiles .

I climb the stairs, relieved as the sound of the ocean recedes slightly. When I reach the top stair, he holds me in his arms, sliding his strong muscles against me, pulling me close. His hands play with the tangled mess of my hair as he lifts my chin, tipping my face toward his for a kiss .

“I think I would like to have you tonight, Ava. I don’t think I can wait anymore,” he murmurs, his lips pressing against my lips with every word .

I gasp, startled to hear it

so succinctly. He holds me tighter as I begin to tremble .

“Only if you want to, Ava,” he assures me. “You have to tell me this is what you want .”

Pausing for a moment, I ask myself that very question. Do I? Do I want to spend the summer with this playboy? Do I want to give myself to someone who I could never develop feelings for? Who could never feel for me? Someone who’s probably made the same speech to a thousand other girls ?

“Tonight,” I sigh, glad to hear myself say the word. “That’s all I want too .”

“Perfect,” he growls, pulling me even tighter, closing his mouth over mine. He kisses me deeply, plunging his tongue into my mouth, lifting me gently off my feet. It’s so easy to just submit, to just get swept away by Ethan Mercer .

Chapter 31

ETHAN

T he afternoon crawls by, while I’m distracted and edgy. Unfortunately I can’t just blow everyone off, but I find myself being short with people who deserve better from me .

After three more video conferences and markups on two more contracts, I’m nearly done. The sun is setting .

And my phone goes off yet again .

It’s Aden .