How to Cause a Scandal by Tina Vaughn

Author:Tina Vaughn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc.
Published: 2014-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

Rachel was shaking all over. The world swam dizzily around her. She wanted him, flaws and all. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anything in her entire life.

Ethan traced her parted lips with his tongue and she could feel herself giving in. He could feel it too, judging by his smile against her mouth.

Ethan was a unique blend of tenderness and steel, though he’d never admit it. She’d seen a vulnerability in him when he’d spoken of his mother and father, and even his ex-wife. She imagined him as a lonely boy, serious and staid. There would have been little laughter, little caring, no real emotions. She pitied the boy he’d been and grieved for the man he’d become, a man without love.

She recalled his tenderness to her over the past few days and compared that to the callousness she’d so recently witnessed. “It’s like you’re two different people,” she whispered achingly.

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?” he offered. He grabbed her hands and pulled them to his chest.

“Maybe not that extreme—or psychotic.” Rachel’s smile was tight, tremulous as she stared down at their clasped hands.

The first drops of rain drew them apart. Ethan pulled on her hand. “Come on.” He led her toward the path. “We’re gonna get soaked.”

By the time they reached the house, Rachel was shivering, chilled to the marrow, whether in reaction to the afternoon’s events or the cold, hard rain, she wasn’t sure.

She tried to take off her shirt but couldn’t unfasten the dainty buttons. Ethan brushed her hands away and took over for her.

“Are you okay?” Ethan stripped her wet clothes from her body with efficient movements. She recalled him doing the exact same thing just days earlier when she’d arrived. She liked the feeling of déjà vu. She’d rarely been close enough with anyone else to experience it.

“Y-y-yes.” Her teeth were chattering so hard it made it difficult to talk. “I’m j-j-just c-c-cold.” Shivers racked her body.

Ethan stripped his clothes away and swooped her up into his arms, just as something outside made a loud crashing noise and the whole house went dark.

Rachel clenched his shoulders and made a whimpering sound. “Shhh,” he soothed. “It’s okay.”

“I h-hate the d-dark.” She did. She really hated it. Could already feel her chest tightening and throat closing. “I c-c-can’t b-b-breathe.”

“It’s okay,” he said, over and over, as he carried her to the den where the fire was still roaring in the fireplace. He set her on the sofa, draped an afghan around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest.

He mumbled soothing words near her ear. She couldn’t even make out what he was saying half the time. She just knew he felt and sounded like a haven. “Breathe, darlin’. Just breathe.”

“I’m all right now,” she said. “I’m all right.”

She moved to sit up and pulled the afghan more tightly around her.

“Did I forget to mention I’m afraid of the dark?” She laughed shakily, part embarrassment, mostly tired.

He brushed hair from her face. “I’m aware of it now,” he answered with a smile.

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