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The lift doors opened at the basement level and there he stood. Long wool coat draped over one arm, leaning casually against a pillar, he watched me, his face serious, as I walked towards him.
“Ready?”
“I think so.” I trailed him to his jet-black SUV and climbed into the cool leather interior while he slung my overnight bag into the boot and laid my garment bags across the back seats. He slid into the car next to me, rolling his sleeves up and unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. My gaze dropped to his muscled forearms flexing on the steering wheel, and my mouth went dry.
Ethan followed my line of sight. “Everything okay?” he asked, a hint of laughter in his voice as he started the engine.
I could feel my face reddening. “Y-yes. Everything’s fine. Is it hot in here?” I fanned myself with my hand, and he laughed, the bastard.
“I’ll put the air conditioning on, just for you.” Smirking, he fiddled with the dashboard controls and a blast of Arctic air hit me full in the face. I gasped at the shock.
“Hey! No ne
ed for that.” I huffed and folded my arms. Turning to stare at his profile, I could see the laughter dancing in his dark eyes.
“Enjoying the view?”
For goodness’ sake. As if my face could get any redder.
“I was just thinking that you looked…” I fumbled for words, and he raised an eyebrow. “Relaxed. Yes. You seem different.” Normally so serious, he’d completely flustered me with this new teasing side to his persona.
His expression turned thoughtful. “Hmm. Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve left work early for the first time in my life.”
We stopped at a red light, and he glanced at me briefly. “Or maybe it’s the company. You seem to be bringing out my playful side.”
“I am?” My voice was a hesitant whisper.
“Yes.” He winked at me, and flustered, I had to turn away. I rummaged in my handbag to find my sunglasses and slid them on in relief. This was turning out to be a mistake. I thought we were becoming friends, but I was having feelings that went beyond friendship. Help.
An awkward silence descended between us.
Ethan cleared his throat. “Could you pass me my sunglasses, please? They’re in the glove compartment.”
“Uh, sure.” As I passed them to him, our fingers touched and I jumped. Bloody hell. This was getting worse.
“Music!”
“What?” His lips curved in amusement at my panicked shout.
“Music,” I repeated. “Music. We can’t have a road trip without some good driving tunes.”
“Be my guest.” He indicated to the touchscreen console, and I stabbed ineffectually at it, swearing under my breath.
A large hand landed on top of mine, stilling it.
“Avery.” One word.
I took a deep, calming breath. He traced his thumb lightly over my hand, just once, before withdrawing it. The small contact sent shivers through me.
I was so screwed.
“Sorry. This whole trip is messing with my head,” I told him honestly. I silently added and I think I’m developing an ill-advised crush on you.
“My advice, for what it’s worth, is not to let yourself stress about it. Come on, let’s find some music you can sing along with.”
I bit my lip, willing myself to calm down.
“Okay, let’s try this again.” I narrowed my eyes in concentration. Stupid technology wasn’t going to get the better of me.
