She dabbed the corners of her mouth with the provided napkin. “You’re not eating.”
“I’m too busy enjoying watching you,” he answered. “You missed a spot.” He leaned forward to wipe his thumb next to her mouth.
Their eyes locked—they had a habit of doing that—and she shivered.
“Are you cold?” he asked and dropped his hand.
“No.” Then she shivered again, from the loss of heat from his touch. “Yes.”
Shrugging out of his jacket, he rose and draped it around her. His hands resting for a heartbeat on her shoulders before taking his seat. “Better?”
“Yes.” And just like the sweater he’d loaned her that morning, she was once again fighting the urge to bury her nose in the expensive fabric to inhale the woodsy, masculine scent. “I have a habit of borrowing your clothes.”
He chuckled. The deep husky sound had her pulse racing. “You keep leaving your things with losers.”
“I’m still waiting for the I-told-you-so.”
Finally, he unwrapped his pie. “You don’t need me rubbing it in.” Then he took a bite.
This time it was Ethan’s turn to moan with delight. His eyes closed for a moment. It had Holly wondering what his sex face looked like. If it was anything close to this,hot damn!She mentally shook herself, needing to get the image from her mind.
“This is delicious,” he said around a mouthful of pie.
“I can’t believe you’ve never tried one of these before. Told you they were great,” she said.
After they finished their meals, they sat in silence. Ethan stared at her. She squirmed in the seat under his scrutiny.
“Do I have pie on my face again?”
“No.” He stroked his hand along his chin, the stubble made a scratching sound. “I’m still curious why you stayed at my mother’s house last night.”
“Oh, that. Well … I had a fight with Declan and ended up on your movie set. She didn’t want me roaming the streets dressed in my costume.” She didn’t go into too much detail. Her life had become a huge embarrassment and parts of it she’d like to forget.
“You didn’t have any family or friends to call to help? Especially to keep you off the streets looking like a sex worker?”
She shred the napkin in her hand. “They’re all in Melbourne.”
Ethan placed his hands over hers, stopping her from turning it into confetti. “Did you move here with Declan?”
“No, he was an old friend from high school. I looked him up when I arrived.” Before he could quiz her more about it, she sprang from the seat. Why was it so hard to tell Ethan the full story? After two weeks she’d never see him again and he’d be busy making movies and dating beautiful actresses. Holly and her story forgotten.
“Thanks for the ride, but I’m beat. I need to find a backpacker’s hostel.”
She turned to leave. Before she could take a step, he’d clutched onto her wrist and pulled her back around. “You’re staying at a backpacker hostel?” The disgusted expression on his face showed he wasn’t impressed with her choice of living arrangements.
“There’s a good one not far.” According to a travel app, she hoped it was true.
“Are you serious? I don’t think there’s such a thing as agood one. And who knows what crazies you’ll run into there.”
Her gaze snapped to his and she pulled her shoulders back. “Not everyone can afford fancy accommodation.” There was also an Ainsworth hotel not far away from there, where she could spend the night without charge. Only it would only get back to her parents. “Thanks for your concern.”
Again, she turned to leave and again, he pulled her to a stop. His hands dropped on her shoulders bringing their chests inches apart. Holly was breathing deeply and didn’t know if it was because she was pissed at Ethan for being so judgmental or the close proximity of their bodies. It took her a second to decide. The latter won by a mile.
She stepped back and he took one step forward not letting her go. She repeated the move only to discover the café wall behind her.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” His eyes shone with sincerity.
“That’s okay. It’s late, I better go.”
