Playing For Her Heart - Megan Erickson Page 0,15
ghost.
Grant smiled at the guy, who was clearly startled by Ethan’s abrupt order. “I’ll take another Riesling, thanks.”
The waiter vanished as quickly as he came. “Would it kill you to say thank you?” Grant asked.
Ethan ignored him. “My sister will be joining us.”
Grant cocked his head. Ethan had two sisters, and only one was alive—the younger one—whom Grant had never met. “What’s her name again?”
“Chloe,” Ethan said.
“That’s it. I was wondering why they seated us at a table for three.”
“I called and changed the reservation.”
“And what’s the reason for your sister coming?”
The waiter returned with their drinks. Grant spun his glass on the ivory tablecloth while Ethan sipped his whiskey. “She recently moved here. I”—he swallowed—“prefer her close. And she’s a freelance software debugger so she can work anywhere, really.”
“I didn’t realize that’s what she did.”
“Yes, and she’s very good. In high demand.” Pride was evident in Ethan’s voice.
Grant smiled. “That’s wonderful.”
“Since she’s new to the area, I wanted to invite her out.” Ethan paused and leaned forward, pinning Grant with a glare. “I had thought this didn’t need to be said, but on second thought, I believe it does.” Grant braced, not liking the ice shards in Ethan’s eyes. “You touch my sister or look at her wrong and so help me God, I’ll dismantle you.”
Grant’s stomach felt hollow, the force of Ethan’s words stealing the breath from his lungs. Ethan was blunt and a little cold, but never threatening. “Jesus, Ethan. I’m not some caveman. I’m sure I can control myself from rutting against her in public.”
“This isn’t a joke, Grant.”
“And I’m not laughing, but what is she, twenty-eight? You’re not her protector.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wished he could shove them back in.
Ethan’s entire body was one giant iceberg. Grant swore he could see his own breath in the chill.
“Don’t tell me how to treat my family,” the man said through gritted teeth.
Grant swallowed, his hackles immediately lowering. Ethan had already lost one sister, a death he blamed on himself. Sometimes Grant wondered how Ethan got out of bed every day with the weight of the guilt he’d placed on himself. Grant purposefully kept his gaze away from Ethan’s neck and jaw, where the burn scars marred his skin. “You’re right, Ethan. And I’m sorry. Either way, I’m looking forward to meeting Chloe.”
Ethan didn’t move for a minute, then slowly, his body seemed to thaw. He picked up his whiskey and drained it. “She’s a little shy, but I’m very proud of her.”
Heels clicking on the tile floor announced the arrival of shy-but-smart Chloe. Grant was midsip of his wine when he spotted her feet, encased in a pair of flesh-colored heels. Something about her ankles, the delicate bone. He flashed back to his princess, the way her breasts rose and fell as he licked at her ankle bone.
His stomach flipped.
He let his gaze travel up, his skin heating as he took in her knees, the way her thighs and hips shifted beneath the thin pencil skirt.
His fingers itched, remembering how they clutched Sari’s hips in a bruising grip, how she’d arched her back and rode his cock.
Chloe’s steps faltered, and Grant continued up, up, up until his gaze locked with hers.
His beautiful warrior princess’s green eyes met his. And Grant almost spewed his wine across the table. Instead he swallowed it, and wished he had an excuse to take the glass and gulp down the rest of it until he couldn’t remember a damn thing.
Sari was Chloe.
Two weeks ago, Grant had fucked Ethan’s sister. He’d slapped her tits and licked her clit and stuck his cock in her mouth before he’d gripped her hair and rode her while she squirmed under him, begging him to fuck her harder.
He was going to hell. Although, hell might be better than what Ethan was going to do to him. Any minute now, Chloe was going to mention they’d met. Then the questions would start, and Grant wondered if he had his will all set, because his life was flashing before his eyes right now.
Except Chloe hadn’t said a word. She stared at him, those green eyes completely terrified, unless he was reading her wrong. Her hair was short now, only brushing her shoulders in a cute bob. She swallowed, her voice trembling a little as she held out her hand. “Hello, I’m Chloe Talley.”
Grant thought maybe she didn’t recognize him, but there was a pleading in her eyes, and they were a