Harper put a hand to her chest and pulled in a shaky breath. “Perfect timing for a heart attack?”
Ethan’s eyes raked over her from head to toe and back up again. Harper’s heart beat fast for a totally new reason now. He stood before her in an all-black tux, looking both classy and dangerous. That messy hair had been calmed, but the stubble along his jaw lingered, as if he needed just that bit of scruff to remain true to himself.
“Have I told you today how sexy you are?” he murmured, taking a step forward and backing her into her suite.
“You don’t say the words, no,” she replied, suddenly feeling like prey...and she had to admit she didn’t mind. “But I get the gist by how you look at me. And touch me.”
Ethan took another step until he came within inches of her. His hands rested on her hips, and he tugged her pelvis to line up with his. The dress was clearly a hit.
“Let me rectify that,” he growled. “You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. You’re the sexiest fiancée I’ve ever had.”
Harper laughed and flattened her hands against his chest. “Have there been other fiancées?”
Ethan eased closer, grazing his lips ever so softly against hers. “You’re the only one.”
Oh, how she wished he truly meant those words. Was she naive and foolish to want more from him than a businesslike marriage?
“It still doesn’t feel like a real engagement,” she murmured. “I’ve never been engaged, though, so I’m not sure what it’s supposed to feel like.”
Ethan released her and smiled. “Something else I plan on fixing.”
Confused, Harper stared at him as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Breath caught in her throat and her gaze went from the box to his cocky smile.
“I hope you like it.” He slowly lifted the lid to reveal a bright emerald-cut ruby nestled in a simple gold band. “It’s not a traditional diamond, but we don’t exactly have a traditional relationship...if there is such a thing.”
Harper couldn’t believe the stunning ring he presented to her. Never in her life had she expected him to get an engagement ring. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
“If you don’t like it, we can get something else,” he added. “This was my mother’s ring. I just figured since family was important to both of us—”
“It’s perfect, but how did you get it here so fast? I assume you don’t travel with your mother’s jewelry.”
Ethan smiled and shook his head. “I pay my assistant extremely well to go above and beyond.”
She reached for the ring, but he pulled back and took it out. Ethan grabbed her hand and slid the ring on her finger. Harper felt the familiar sting of tears, and she didn’t even try to hold them back.
“Are you sure you want to waste this on me?” she asked, admiring the ring and thankful it fit. “I mean, shouldn’t you save this for someone... I don’t know. Special?”
Ethan squeezed her hand. “You’re the mother of my child. I’d say that makes you pretty damn special.”
A tear slipped out, followed by another. Ethan swiped the pads of his thumbs across her cheeks and eased forward. Harper gripped his wrists as he framed her face and slid his lips over hers.
Ethan eased her backward, farther into the suite, all the while slowly making love to her mouth.
Harper’s body tingled with anticipation. The silky lining of the gown caressed her bare skin like a lover’s caress.
They weren’t going to make it to the party downstairs...not while they were busy having their own private celebration.
Harper’s dress hit the floor in seconds with a flitter of hands and lips working their way over her body. She stepped out of the puddled material as Ethan continued to walk her backward, leading her toward the bedroom.
But then he turned her in the hall and pressed her back against the wall. Harper wasn’t about to have another repeat of the other night in the kitchen when she was bare and he remained clothed. She wanted him, all of him, and she wanted him now.
While his mouth continued trailing up her neck and back to her lips, Harper reached between them and slid his jacket off his broad shoulders. Then she went to work on each little button of his tuxedo shirt until she rid him of that garment, too.
Finally, she eased her fingertips over each taut muscle of his pecs and abs. Ethan growled and reached around to cup her backside as her hands ventured to the top of his pants. She hurriedly unfastened, unzipped and seesawed his pants down his hips.
Ethan took a step back, releasing her as he toed off his shoes and stepped from his pants and boxer briefs. Then he was on her again, gripping her waist and lifting her to meet him.
Instinctively, Harper wrapped her legs around him and was even more turned on by his strength, his hunger and his clear need to have her before they even reached the bedroom.