Dirty Sexy Alphas (Twenty Book Box Set) - Hannah Ford Page 0,270

gave up pretty quick.

White tennis shoes were the only other option, which turned out to be a good choice because the street fair was more like a five street fair, and enormous. There were booths set up along both sides of the roped off streets so that people could walk right down the middle without having to worry about getting run over.

The vendors hawked everything from sunglasses to clothing to every kind of food one could imagine. Ethan insisted that they start at one end and make their way down every row. When Harper stopped to admire a seashell necklace, Ethan bantered back and forth with the woman until they were both smiling.

“Something to remember today by,” he said with a grin. “Turn around.” His fingers brushed over her bare shoulders when he slipped one arm over her head to fasten the clasp. He stood so close behind her that she could feel his breath wash over her ear.

They’d made it down one whole row and already she wanted to drag him back to her bungalow. He chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to the crook of her neck before stepping next to her and taking her hand. His thumb caressed her palm as they made their way to back up the other side.

He wasn’t an Adonis water God. Not even close. He was the fucking Devil.

But she went with it because she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been around someone who didn’t want to pry, judge, or somehow take from her while giving nothing in return.

Ethan was different from any guy she’d ever met. He was so easy, so calm and funny without needing to point a neon sign at himself to announce just how cool he was.

He just was.

She smiled, thinking about how much she was enjoying spending time with him. Then again, she would have enjoyed just sitting and staring at his smoking body, no paradise or street fair was necessary as backdrop.

“What’s so funny?” Ethan asked, leaning down close to her ear.

He made her feel like they were the only two people at the crowded street fair.

“Just thinking about you in those hot board shorts.” She turned and looked at him boldly. No games. No pretending they were flirting. She had two days left and damn it, they were going to be good ones.

His eyes darkened and his gaze drifted down to her lips.

Still holding her hand, he traced her hip with his fingers. Tiny electric shocks made her skin feel too tight.

“Funny. I was just thinking about you in that tiny yellow bikini.” His lip quirked in a sexy grin, but instead of kissing her, he stepped back and tugged on her hand. “Come on. Lots more fair to see.”

“Fucking devil,” she muttered under her breath, but he heard her because he threw back his head and laughed. When he was done, his fingers tightened around hers.

His smoldering gaze bore down on her and she swallowed loudly.

“Don’t worry,” he all but growled into her ear. “Everything you’re thinking about right now? Yeah, trust me, it’s gonna happen. But not until later.” He nipped at the sensitive flesh under her ear and it sent a jolt right between her legs.

Then he started walking like nothing had happened, except she could see the wicked grin on his face. Bastard. She should end their date with a chaste kiss and shoo him on his way for being such a tease.

Yeah, right.

Righteous indignation had never been her strong point.

They spent the morning stopping at every booth and Harper grabbed a couple more pieces of jewelry and a gorgeous silk beach wrap in the most exotic colors. Whenever she liked something, Ethan stepped in and haggled good-naturedly with the merchant. She didn’t care about saving the money, she just liked to watch him get all animated.

Laid back wasn't something she’d been used to. People in her life were calculating, intense. Always looking out for themselves. Ethan radiated relaxation. Whoever he was, he didn’t seem to have a care in the world aside from living in the moment.

She hadn't asked where he was from, and honestly, that’s not what today was about. She had no desire to share anything from her life right now and so far, they’d just been enjoying each others company without any pressure.

Harper had become a social pariah the past few months.

Ethan looked at her like she was someone special and she liked it. Why not go with it? Enjoy whatever this was because sure as