“The family business,” she murmured. “You never wanted to go into construction.”
“I didn’t have a choice. There were six people depending on me. My mom fell apart. The girls were still in high school, my brothers needed to finish college. So I did what had to be done. But I didn’t like it.”
She hadn’t liked being responsible for a newborn. Maybe that’s what life was about—doing the things that had to be done without expecting anything in return.
“I grew up those first few years,” he admitted. “Painfully, kicking and screaming. Then one day I realized I liked building things. I liked starting a project and seeing it through. By then nearly four years had gone by and I hadn’t been out on a date. One day Rayanne walked into my office and asked me out. It shocked the hell out of me.”
Because Ethan wouldn’t see himself as sexy, smart and dependable. Three irresistible qualities when it came to picking a husband.
“We started dating,” he said, averting his gaze. “One thing led to another. I liked her, but I knew she wasn’t ‘the one.’ The day I planned to break up with her, she told me that she was pregnant.”
Liz did her best to keep her expression neutral. To not give in to the churning emotions inside her.
Pia had already told her that he’d married Rayanne because she was pregnant. But she couldn’t help feeling annoyed. No, more than annoyed.
There was a voice in her demanding why Rayanne and not her? Reminding the voice he hadn’t known she was pregnant didn’t make her feel any better.
“You seem to have a track record of unplanned pregnancies,” she told him. “Haven’t you ever heard about birth control?”
One corner of his mouth turned up. “That’s what my mom said. Only with a little more emotion.”
“I would think so. If we weren’t having this very nice moment, I’d smack you on the back of the head and tell you to be more careful.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She sighed. “So you married her. And then I showed up and because you’d told her about our relationship, she felt threatened.”
“Probably.”
“We’ve both really messed up,” she said.
“I guess we have.”
They smiled at each other then, and she found herself getting lost in his gaze. When he shifted toward her, she moved the last few inches, bringing her mouth to his.
This kiss was more tender than the last one. His firm mouth teased hers, making her melt even as she wrapped her arms around him.
He pulled her closer, their legs tangling on the sofa. She parted her lips and he eased inside, his tongue stroking hers. Need blossomed, but she ignored the wanting. Not only were there three kids upstairs, she wasn’t ready to make love with Ethan. Last time had been unplanned—an event driven by passion. She’d been able to walk away, only slightly scarred by the experience. This time would be different. This time there would be emotional complications and they were the last thing she needed.
Apparently he was feeling the same. They kissed again and again, but he didn’t push things further. She savored the feel of his body next to hers, enjoyed the heat building inside. It had been a long time since she’d really wanted a man. Wanted this man. Because Ethan could do things to her no one else could.
He drew back and they stared at each other.
“I should probably go,” he murmured.
She nodded, and shifted so he could stand. When she rose, he pulled her to him and kissed her again. After glancing at the ceiling, he exhaled slowly.
“You have a houseful of kids up there,” he noted.
“I know.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Damn.”
She touched his face, rubbing her fingers against the stubble. For a second she allowed herself to think what it would be like if they were alone. If there weren’t other considerations. If she didn’t have to worry about losing her heart to a man she couldn’t trust.
He kissed her lightly, then walked to the door. “I’ll see you soon.”
She nodded and followed him onto the porch. He walked down the steps, along the path, then turned onto the sidewalk. After he was gone, she stood there, looking up at the night sky, admiring the stars. Two months ago her life had been so routine, she thought. So predictable. Things had changed quickly, and she couldn’t be sure where she would be two months from now.
There was something fun about the not knowing, she told herself. Then she leaned against the porch pillar and breathed in the scent of the night.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN