Ean again recalled his mother’s comment: “It may surprise you to know that Ramona isn’t my first choice for you or my second. Or my tenth.”
“I don’t think so.” Ean shook off the memory. “By the way, I enjoyed watching you stand up to Ramona.”
Megan’s gaze flew back to his. “When did I do that?”
Ean’s brows knitted in confusion. “During your store’s Halloween costume party. You made her take responsibility for hiring Stan. Not one of her better ideas.”
Megan gave him her slow blink. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Why did she seem surprised by what he’d said?
She was silent, seemingly lost in her thoughts until they arrived at her home. What was on her mind?
“Thank you for walking home with me.” Megan led them up the winding walkway to her front steps. She’d left her porch light on.
“It was my pleasure.” And he meant it. He’d enjoyed the sound of her laughter, her gentle voice and serene silences.
Megan lifted her winged brows above her chocolate eyes. “You may not be as pleased if Ramona finds out you escorted me home.”
“She’d rather I let you walk by yourself at night?” He stood only an arm’s length from her. It wasn’t close enough.
Megan chuckled as though he’d said the silliest thing she’d ever heard. “You must have forgotten how possessive Ramona can be.”
“She broke up with me.”
“But she’s not done with you.”
Ean held her gaze. “What if I was done with her, Megan?”
“What do you mean?”
He knew of one way to clear up her confusion. He stepped forward and lowered his head to hers. Megan’s eyes widened and her mouth parted in surprise. Ean touched the tip of his tongue to her top, then bottom lip. They were soft and sweet. He laid his mouth on hers and swept his tongue inside. Megan trembled against him. Ean wrapped his arms around her to comfort and reassure. The feel of her body in his embrace—even through the layers of clothing—drew a primitive response from him. He was man. She was woman. His body shook in reaction.
Megan pushed away from him. She mounted the bottom step before facing him. The boost in height put t
hem at eye level. “That was a mistake.”
Not to him. “Why?”
Megan started to respond, then seemed to change her mind. She turned and climbed the steps. “Good night, Ean.”
He caught her wrist to stop her. Her pulse fluttered beneath his thumb. “Tell me why you think my kissing you was a mistake.”
“You think Ramona stayed in Trinity Falls because she broke up with you?” Megan whispered the question.
“She did.”
“You’re wrong. She’d always intended to go back to you.”
When Megan turned to leave this time, Ean let his hand fall free. Not because he wanted to, but because she’d caught him by surprise.
He remained on her walkway until Megan entered her house. When he heard her lock her door, he began the return trip to his home.
Ramona had intended to restart their relationship? Interesting. Maybe things would have been different six years ago. But he didn’t have feelings for Ramona any longer. What would it take to convince her of that? How could he convince Megan?
CHAPTER 10
Ean wished he’d never agreed to this Saturday evening dinner with Ramona. It had started badly and was skiing downhill at Olympic speeds. She’d wanted to go into the city to dine at a fancy chain restaurant, but Ean had disagreed. He hadn’t seen the point in driving for more than an hour for a meal. Besides, he wanted to try the local restaurant, Trinity Falls Cuisine. It had been under construction when he’d been home for his father’s funeral in February. Ramona’s terse responses as they sat in the comfortable booth conveyed her displeasure with his decision.