Falling for Sarah (21 page)

“Champagne?”

The asshole moved forward, took two flutes. “Thanks.” He turned, gave one to Sarah, put his hand on the small of her back again, and they walked off.

Oh, he couldn’t wait to deal with Master Ethan Cooke. The remaining glasses on his tray moved ever so slightly as he trembled with rage. Perhaps tonight was finally going to be the night. Moving back to his corner, he watched and waited for just the right time.

Sarah smiled at Ethan as they moved together on the outside balcony, surrounded by the scent of flowers and other couples. “I know you weren’t super excited about coming here tonight, but you have to admit, it’s been pretty fun.”

His brow rose. “It’s been bearable.”

“Stop with all the enthusiasm, Ethan. I can hardly take it.”

He grinned.

“Now that’s a look I rarely see,” Wren Cooke said, sliding up next to Sarah. “My big brother’s actually smiling.”

Sarah stepped out of Ethan’s arms and into his sister’s, giving her a hug. “Wren, you’re absolutely stunning. I love that color on you, and the cut.”

“What, this old thing?” She winked, fingering the fabric of her deep red halter dress. “Thanks. I actually picked it up at your mother’s boutique.” She moved forward, kissing her brother’s cheek. “Beat anybody up lately, bodyguard?”

“That’s close protection agent to you.”

Identical grins beamed back at each other. Wren was the petite, female version of Ethan.

She turned to Sarah again. “How’s the squirt? I haven’t seen her in ages. You two should come by and visit.”

“Kylee’s good. She went to Europe with my parents for a couple of weeks.” And she already missed her like crazy.

“Lucky little girl. She’s a globe trotter and she’s two.”

Put that way, Sarah smiled and relaxed a little. “Yes, I guess she is.”

Thunder rolled in the distance as lightning lit the sky.

Wren’s gaze wandered to the heavens. “It looks like we’re in for a little rain. I don’t think the weather gods checked with Mother. She’s not going to be pleased.” She rolled her eyes and smiled.

Sarah’s gaze darted past the lights of the party into the dark edges of the well-tended lawn. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. She stared hard into the shadows, trying to find the direction of her discomfort. The tinkle of laughter from a group of guests snapped her back. She stepped closer to Ethan and his arm came around her waist. Feeling silly, she focused on the thread of sibling banter he and his sister spewed back and forth.

A waiter walked by again with champagne. Wren took a glass, handing it to Sarah, and two more for herself and Ethan. “Thanks.” She took a sip as the man strolled away. “So, did you check out Mom’s hot new lover?”

Sarah’s eyes popped wide as her champagne flute stopped halfway to her mouth.

Ethan choked on the liquid bubbles. “Jesus, Wren.”

“It’s the personal trainer she’s been working with. He’s been sending her puppy eyes all night. And I’m pretty sure Dad’s banging his new secretary. It’s so clichéd. You would think that with all their practice at the big game of infidelity, they’d try to be more original.” She gave a good humored shrug, took another sip from her glass.

“You’re really sick, Wren. Doesn’t it bother you, even a little, that our parents have never been faithful to each other? That they act like two dogs in heat?”

“No. Why should it? They’re adults. If they choose to continue with their farce of a marriage, there’s nothing I can do about it. And quite frankly, I just don’t care, so I might as well find the fun in it.” She kissed Ethan’s cheek again, hugged Sarah. “See you two later.” She walked off.

“I always feel like I’ve been through a whirlwind after spending time with your sister.”

“Imagine growing up with her,” Ethan said, voice tight.

Sarah took his hand. His clenched jaw told her his light mood was gone. “You know, I think your sister has a very healthy attitude about the way things are between your parents. Their behavior isn’t a reflection of who you are.”

A flash of doubt moved through his eyes just as a rustle in the garden caught both their attention. His hand tightened on hers when his mother and an athletic looking man kissed before walking into the large shed and closed the door.

Sarah looked away from the building, met his steely stare. “Ethan—”

Lightning flashed bright in the sky, followed by a blast of thunder. She shuddered, certain she and Ethan were not alone. “I want to go back inside.”

“What do you say we call it a night? Let’s get the hell out of here.” Ethan took the champagne flute from her hand, placed his and hers on a patio table. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and they walked into the comfort and light of the ballroom.

Sarah glanced behind her one last time, out into the dark. Rain began to fall in sheets. She turned back to the music and laughter filling the room and admonished herself for being silly and overly paranoid. There wasn’t anyone here tonight that wanted to hurt her. Stalkers didn’t hang out at five-thousand-dollar-a-plate charity events, did they?

“I need to use the restroom before we go.”

Ethan followed behind as Sarah headed down the hallway.

She stopped, more at ease, smiling. “You don’t have to come with me.”

“Yes, I do. I’ll stand outside the door.” The line was four-people deep. “Follow me. You can use the bathroom in the other wing.” He took her hand as they turned down another long hall. The noise of the party grew distant.

“Do they give out maps when guests stay here?”

Ethan smiled, but it didn’t reach his weary eyes. “They didn’t when I was a kid. To the best of my knowledge, everyone made it out alive.”

She stopped and turned to him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.”

She nodded, knowing him well. He’d talk about the scene with his mother and her newest lover if and when he was ready. If she didn’t push, he’d open up eventually. “Can I say one thing?”

He blew out a breath, smiled a little wider. “You’re going to anyway, aren’t you?”

She smiled back. “Yes.”

“Well, go ahead then.”

Sarah brushed her fingers over his cheek. “You’re nothing like them, Ethan. Nothing.” Eye to eye in her heels, she touched her lips to his.

He grabbed her hips. “Sarah,” he said against her mouth.

She pressed her lips to his again, wanting to feel him, needing to give comfort.

Hesitating, he groaned, meeting her mouth with fever, diving deep, playing tongue against tongue. He gripped her hips tighter, nipped her bottom lip with his teeth.

Rockets of need coursed through her body.

Thunder crashed and he pushed her back. “Damn it, Sarah.”

Confused, frustrated, she moved forward again. “Why are you angry? I want to kiss you. I want you to kiss me.”

“No.” He paced away and back to stand in front of her. “This isn’t going to happen. We’re friends, Sarah, only friends. I’m not interested in anything more.”

Flashes of the night at the resort ran through her mind, and the way he kissed her just now told a different story. “I don’t believe that. You’re the one who changed things in the first place.”

“Well, now I’m changing them back.”

Sarah walked to the bathroom and slammed the door. She moved to the sink, watching the rain pour through the reflection in the mirror as lightning brightened the sky. Resting her hands on the countertop, she closed her eyes. Was she wrong? It’d been so long since she dated. She had no idea how to play the game, but this wasn’t a game.

She wanted Ethan, but he said he didn’t want her. She sighed out a weary breath. Her instincts, although rusty, told her he did. Why was he doing this?

She turned on the water, took a cloth from the ornate silver rack. As she dampened the soft fabric, she glanced in the mirror again and froze. A man’s tuxedoed silhouette filled the window behind her. He stood, holding a blue rose in his hand.

Her breath rushed in and out as she tried to scream, but the strangled sound wouldn’t leave her throat. Sarah whirled and staggered to the door, struggling with the handle, never taking her eyes from the man’s.

In the next spark of light, he stepped forward, slamming a paper to the window. The crack of his gloved hand against the glass echoed like a gun blast. The red marker ran like blood in the rain. She made out the words, ‘Now Bitch’ as she frantically yanked at the knob.

Ethan ripped the door open, and she fell against him, trying to catch her breath.

He pulled her against him. “What’s wrong? What is it?”

“He-he’s out there.” Her whole body trembled as she pointed to the window.

There was no one there.

“He was wearing a mask. It was him. I know it was him.” She gasped for air, clutching at Ethan’s jacket. “Get me out of here, Ethan. I can’t be here anymore.” Her legs buckled as she tried to move forward.

Ethan picked her up and brought her to another room. He sat with her in a chair.

It was too quiet. Sarah’s ragged breathing and the rain pounding on the roof filled the room. She needed people and bright light. Her eyes darted from window to window, certain the man still watched. She curled against Ethan, who gripped her tight in his lap. “He’s still watching me, Ethan. I can feel it. He’s laughing while he watches me.”

“Okay, Sarah. It’s okay. I’m here. He won’t touch you.” Rage edged his voice as Ethan picked her up and hurried up a flight of stairs. He brought her to an office, set her on a couch in the dark. He closed the curtains before turning on a light.

Blinking rapidly, she looked up as Ethan made a call.

“Tucker, it’s Ethan Cooke. I have Sarah with me at my parents’ house. He was here.”

Chapter 14

I
T WAS WELL AFTER MIDNIGHT by the time Sarah walked into Ethan’s guest bedroom. She froze two steps in, staring at the massive glass doors exposed to the dark and pouring rain. The pleasure and comfort the view had given her hours before no longer existed. Fear that the man with the black mask and white latex gloves stood on the other side consumed her.

Heart pounding, braced to run, she stepped back, never taking her eyes from the door. She gripped the doorjamb, fighting the need to flee.

She made herself stop and breathe. Her chest constricted with short, rapid breaths, making it hard to steady herself. She had to settle down. Closing her eyes, she took air in through her nose and let it out through her mouth. She consciously loosened her grip on the glossy wood before she opened her eyes.

Calmer, Sarah moved forward again as she told herself he wasn’t there—couldn’t be. She paused mid-step. Wasn’t that what she’d thought at Ethan’s parents’ house? Turning to retreat, she stopped when the familiar jingle of Bear and Reece’s collars moved down the long hallway toward her bedroom.

The dogs entered the darkened space and she relaxed. Even if the man was standing outside, waiting for her, they wouldn’t let him hurt her. With all the courage she could muster, she made her way to the windows, never stopping to enjoy the city lights reflecting off the water in the distance. She snapped the navy blue fabric over the thick glass and flicked on the lamp on the bedside table.

Too tired to change, Sarah pulled off her heels and sat on the floor. The dogs joined her, resting on each side of her outstretched legs. She rested her head against the dark beige wall, ran her hands through soft fur, listening to their steady panting.

Sarah closed her eyes and rehashed her interview with the detective, trying to remember if she’d forgotten any major details. Her mind shot her back to the reflection in the mirror and she shuddered.

“Sarah?”

She flinched and looked up.

Ethan stood in her doorway. His tie had long since been removed, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. “Are you going to bed?”

She shook her head. “I’m not ready yet.”

He walked in, sat on her bed. “You’re exhausted.”

“I know, but I can’t stop seeing that man. It was dark and he wore a ski mask, but I saw his eyes, Ethan. He’s crazy and he won’t stop until he has me.”

Ethan stood, signaled for the dogs to move. They got up and lay down outside the door as he sat next to her. His cologne and warm hand over hers eased the tension along her shoulder blades.

“I’m not going to try to tell you this isn’t a dangerous situation. It is. But he’s not going to get to you, Sarah.” Ethan’s fingers tightened on hers until she looked at him. “I promise you he’s not going to get to you.” His gray eyes, hard and intense, stared deep into hers.

She nodded, needing to believe him. “I hate that I’m so afraid. It gives him more power than he deserves.” She glanced at the curtains. “I don’t know how long it’s going to be before I can stand in front of a window at night and not see his eyes and that horrible blue rose.”

Ethan pulled her to her feet and walked toward the massive panes of glass. He yanked the curtain back.

Sarah tried to step away.

His hand tightened on hers, moving her body until she stood in front of his. “You aren’t going to be afraid in my home.” Their reflections stared back at her as rain poured and puddled on the balcony.

Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist. “He’s not here, Sarah. There’s no way for him to climb the cliffs.”

Sparks of need tingled along her skin as his lip brushed her ear with each word.

“You’re safe. The security system is absolutely solid with several backups—not to mention Reece and Bear. Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

Sarah rested her head against his shoulder, finding peace for the first time in hours.

Ethan reached over and turned off the lamp. The blurry lights of the city twinkled in the rain.

She covered his hands with hers and their fingers laced. “It really is beautiful.”

They stood in silence for several minutes until Ethan finally spoke. “It’s been a long night. I’m going to let you get some sleep. I’ll be in my room if you need me.” He stepped back and she turned.

“Okay.”

“See you in the morning,” he said, voice strained.

Sarah moistened her lips, staring into gray eyes gone black in the dim light. “Ethan,” she whispered as she rested her hand on his chest, his heart pounding against her palm.

His jaw clenched as he reached up, grabbing her wrist.

She needed to be with him, needed to be lost in him. He wanted her. She was sure of it. It was there for her to see.