Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“It will be fine.”
But he could tell she didn’t believe that. He followed the GPS instructions. Fuck, he hated driving in the city.
“Cate, it’s not fine if you’re not looking after yourself.”
Fuck. He wanted to offer to take over. To ensure that she ate and slept and had some balance in her life.
But that definitely did overstep the bounds of his job. Although if they were friends . . .
“I’m just worried about you. As your friend.” He turned his attention back to the road, placing both hands on the steering wheel.
He was tense as he navigated traffic.
“Um, are you all right? The tight way you are holding the steering wheel indicates you might be stressed, but I’m not sure why.”
“Just not used to this sort of traffic, sweetheart. I’m fine.”
Great. Now he sounded like her. Saying he was fine when he clearly wasn’t.
“You should have used the service if you don’t like driving.”
“I like driving, just not in the city. And I prefer to be in control.”
“Even though you don’t like driving in the city?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Sounds logical.”
To his shock, there was a note of humor in her voice. “Are you laughing at me, brat?”
“I am not a brat.”
It was his turn to snort. “I’m not so sure about that. Something tells me that if I had stopped you from having ice cream in the middle of the night, you would have thrown an epic tantrum.”
It was a risk to bring up what happened. It might push her away from him. But he was starting to think that part of the problem was that she didn’t talk about it. To her therapist, sure. However, he’d been here three weeks and she hadn’t seen her therapist or mentioned going either.
What if she felt ashamed of regressing because no one spoke about it? Ethan didn’t want her to think she’d done anything wrong or bad.
“I would not throw a tantrum. I’ve never thrown a tantrum.”
Relief filled him at her reply. “Oh, you would have. I can see that your Little side could absolutely be a brat.”
“I don’t . . . I don’t really like that word.”
Shit.
He snuck a glance over at her. “Hey, Cate. Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to.”
Pulling the car over, he parked.
“This isn’t where my office is.”
“I want to talk to you, and I can’t do that properly while I’m driving.”
“Ahh, yes. Men find multi-tasking difficult, don’t they?”
“Stop being sassy.”
“I was being sassy? I thought I was stating a fact.”
“I’m touching you now.” Reaching over, he put his fingers on her chin, turning her to face him.
20
Cate could feel herself blushing.
That was so strange. She never blushed except around this man.
He was the only person, besides Rhodes and Oliver, who she could stand to be touched by.
Face it, Cate. You do more than just put up with him touching you. You enjoy it.
“You know you’ve been touching me without warning me,” she informed him.
Ethan’s eyes widened, and she thought he looked surprised before something else filled his face. “Shit. I have. I’m sorry, baby.”
“You don’t . . . uh, you don’t have to apologize. I’m rather . . . I mean . . . I don’t abhor your touch.”
Lord.
She hadn’t meant to say it like that.
“That’s good to know. I’m glad you don’t abhor it.”
Oh, dear. She was making a mess of this.
“I’m not very good at communicating. Perhaps it would be best if you kept driving. I have to get to my meeting.”
“Hey, look at me.”
No. She didn’t think that was a good idea.
“Cate. Look at me.” His voice was firmer this time.
She shook her head.
“Please. Just for a moment.”
Her eyes moved up to his, then quickly down to his nose. Sometimes, she struggled to look people in the eyes. Especially when she was feeling uncomfortable.
“I’m glad you like my touch. I don’t mind if you have trouble communicating as long as you try. I do need you to let me know when you don’t understand what I’m saying or what I mean and if I inadvertently hurt you in any way.”
She licked her lips and his gaze dropped to her mouth.
Oh dear.
That . . . that felt rather good. Warmth filled her body as he stared at her, and she wondered what it would feel like to have his lips against hers.
She wasn’t any good at kissing. She knew that. But she had a feeling it wouldn’t matter with Ethan. Because he’d be in charge. He’d guide her through what she needed to do.
“I want to thank you for telling me that the word brat is upsetting.”
He was . . . thanking her?
“Why would you thank me?”
“Because you communicated that you were upset. I’m good at reading people, but you are very good at closing down your emotions. So for you to open up and tell me, that means a lot. Okay?”