Chapter 10

Two hours later, I was putting pressure on the gas pedal. However, as I drove, I’d decided sometime between leaving my driveway that morning, and now, ten more miles had mysteriously attached themselves to the road. The fifteen-minute trip seemed as if it was taking forever.

I glanced at my watch—I was being silly, and I knew it, but I needed reassurance that time hadn’t stood still. I pulled a face when the numerical digits on its face confirmed I’d only been on the road for seven and a half minutes.Two hours later, I gripped the gas pedal, feeling the pressure under my foot. The road stretched out before me, but it seemed like additional miles had magically appeared since I left my driveway. The once-fifteen-minute journey now felt like an eternity. I glanced at my watch, seeking reassurance that time hadn't frozen. The digital digits on its face confirmed that only seven and a half minutes had passed. Frustration crept in.

Finally, I reached my trailer and swung open the door. A rush of scorching air hit me like a wave. I had completely forgotten about the air-conditioner. Disgusted with myself, I tossed my purse onto the couch and hurried towards the window fan. I cranked the knob to the highest setting and stood in front of it, flailing my arms like a desperate bird preparing for takeoff. The blades blew warm air over my sweaty face, providing little relief.

Realizing the fan was futile, I groaned in dismay. The sweltering heat was unbearable.

I quickly made my way to the kitchen, shedding my jeans as I hopped across the linoleum floor. As I reached the refrigerator, I yanked open the freezer door, burying my face in the icy depths. I didn't care if there was a hidden village of ice-dwellers inside; I needed the coolness. A goofy grin spread across my face, resembling Beaky from The Bashful Buzzard cartoons, as I found some much-needed relief.

A few minutes later, as the ice clinked in my glass, I heard the abrupt screech of a vehicle coming to a halt outside my trailer. Startled, I jerked and accidentally banged the back of my head on the freezer door. A sharp pain shot through my skull, causing me to almost drop the glass. Rubbing the tender spot on my head, I moved away from the cool haven I had found and made my way towards the window, where standing on my tiptoes, I peered over the sink and through the screen. A small flustered squawk escaped my mouth as I caught sight of Ethan climbing out of the cab of his pickup. Taking a deep breath, I quickly glanced down at my nearly naked body, feeling a flush of embarrassment sweep over me. I cursed under my breath, realizing that I didn't have any kitchen towels large enough to cover myself. The chilled air from the freezer had caused my nipples to protrude prominently, resembling twin peaks on a mountaintop, and my bare stomach and legs still bore a red, flushed heat, glistening with a thin layer of sweat.

I let out a frustrated huff and spun in circles, unsure of what to do. Finally, I returned to the window, and leaning against the sink counter, my panic evident in my voice, I shouted, "Don't you dare come any closer!" Then, pulling my head back from the window, I took a few steps towards the living room, only to realize that I couldn't reach my clothes if he followed my orders. Ethan had an unobstructed view through the open front door, directly into the trailer. Frustrated, I muttered, "Goddammit," realizing that I would have to pass right in front of the door, knowing there was little chance he wouldn't catch an eyeful. I retraced my steps, heading back to the kitchen, my plan to grab some paper towels to cover my breasts. Despite my best efforts, I didn't make it in time before he burst into the trailer.

"Nicole, what in the fuck—" his words trailed off abruptly, his jaw snapping shut with a loud crack as he laid eyes on me.

Blushing a deep shade of pink, I let out a high-pitched squeal as I hurled chunks of ice from my glass towards him. "Get the hell out of here! Can't you see that I'm missing a ton of my clothes?" My anger and embarrassment left me on the verge of hyperventilating.

Suddenly, he spun around, presenting his back to me. "Uh, yeah, I'm not blind. But what the hell are you doing like that?" His voice emerged deep and hoarse.

"Well, for fuck's sake, isn't it obvious? I'm getting ready for a masquerade orgy tonight, trying on my costume," I retorted, dripping with sarcasm. Shaking my head, I added, "What the hell do you think I'm doing? It's hotter than shit in here!"

Instinctively, he turned to face me, his eyes quickly scanning my body. He swallowed hard, then swiftly turned away, a red stain creeping up his neck beneath his ponytail. "That's why I'm here. I don't mean for the orgy, I mean... Oh, fuck me..." His words trailed off as he blew out a breath and rubbed the stain on his neck. "I brought an air conditioner... a peace offering, if you will, for having been such an ass lately."

As I cautiously maneuvered around him to reach my clothes, his words melted my insides. "Thank you," I murmured.

He simply nodded.

Continuing towards my clothing, I finally reached the pile on the floor. Bending over, I scooped them up and pressed them against my chest. "Promise me something?" I asked.

He replied, sounding distracted, "Uh-huh."

“That you won’t turn around until I’m in the bathroom,” I continued.

He let out a choked laugh. "I won't turn around, I promise."

With a nod, I turned and sprinted towards the bathroom.

Two minutes later, I hurriedly slid my legs into the cool, smooth pant legs of my jeans, the fabric whispering against my skin. Under my breath, I muttered to myself, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "Well, if that wasn't embarrassing as hell." My grumbling continued as I pulled the jeans up over my hips, the sound of the zipper being fastened around my waist echoing in the room.

As I tugged my shirt down over my stomach, the soft cotton brushing against my skin, a sense of calm washed over me, replacing the earlier frustration. A small smile danced on my lips as I imagined the comical sight I must have presented, darting through the living room like a startled nun caught without her habit.

Returning to the living room, a refreshing breeze greeted me, carrying away the lingering discomfort of the stifling heat. "Oh my God... That feels wonderful," I moaned, the earlier grin still lingering at the corners of my mouth. But in the next instant, the smile vanished, overtaken by a powerful wave of arousal that settled deep between my thighs. My eyes locked with Ethan's as he turned to face me, and I saw an insatiable hunger burning in the depths of his gaze, mirroring the blatant desire evident in the bulge straining against the zipper of his jeans.

Boldly, I let my gaze roam over his erection, not bothering to conceal my interest. My tongue darted out to swipe at my bottom lip, a nervous anticipation coursing through me, before my eyes returned to meet his face. There, I was met with the intense heat radiating from his amber eyes once more. A low, feral growl escaped his lips, sending shivers of arousal down my spine. Lost in the moment, I instinctively took a step closer to him, my body responding to the magnetic pull between us.

He hissed out a low, feral growl that reverberated from deep within his chest, sending a shiver down my spine. The sound made my arousal heighten, and I mindlessly stepped toward him, drawn by an invisible force.

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ!” he barked out the words, his voice resonating with a raw intensity, like gravel being scraped against concrete. The air seemed to vibrate with the power of his voice. Turning, he almost ripped the hinges off both doors on his way out, leaving behind a trail of destruction in his wake.

Within seconds, I was immersed in the deafening roar of his pickup as he floored it out of the drive, the sound echoing through the stillness of the night. The scent of burning rubber and gasoline filled the air, mingling with the electric tension that lingered.

Stepping toward the storm door, I pulled it shut again, the sound of the latch clicking into place offering a small sense of security. Afterward, I pushed shut the front door, the solid thud resonating through the house, sealing me inside.

Bracing my back against the wooden structure, I felt the rough texture against my skin as I slid down its length until my rear-end hit the floor. The coolness of the floor provided a temporary respite from the chaos that had just unfolded.

Oh my fucking God, what a mess, I thought, shaking my head in disbelief, the weight of the situation sinking in.