Falling for Sarah by Cate Beauman Page A

around her, trapping her as his voice grew cold. “Until Nicolette said what?”
    She moved to get up again, but he held her still. “It was nothing, Ethan. She saw us dancing on the deck and it upset her. I can’t blame her really…”
    “What did she say, Sarah?”
    “I don’t think she appreciated you dancing with Kylee or me tonight. That’s all.”
    There was more to it, but he knew she wouldn’t say. “I don’t care what Nicolette appreciates.”
    She put her hand on his cheek. “I don’t want to be the cause of problems between the two of you.”
    As her exotic eyes pleaded with his, thoughts of Nicolette vanished. He became aware of her firm breasts pressed against his side, of her breath teasing his lips. He glanced at her full mouth, wanting to taste, needing to see if the feelings that had constantly disturbed and confused over the last several months meant anything.
    Risking everything, he moved forward, never taking his eyes from hers as his mouth brushed hers. He saw a flash of surprise before it vanished into something else. When she didn’t push him away, he moved in again, adding more pressure. Sarah’s fingers curled into the shoulder of his shirt as her eyes closed and her lips parted. Slowly, gently, his tongue sought hers, gliding, tangling.
    Ethan turned his body, pulling her closer, until they were thigh to thigh, until her breasts crushed against his chest. A quiet moan escaped her throat and a wave of need staggered him. He moved his hands to her cheeks, changing the angle of the kiss, deepening it, and dove in again, wanting more of her surrender.
    The wail of sirens barely registered as Sarah’s arms came around the back of his neck, and he nibbled her full bottom lip. With his hands still on her cheeks, he eased away slightly. His pulse pounded in time with hers as he skimmed his thumb over her jaw and stared into blue eyes gone electric.
    So, this is what had changed. This is what they could bring each other. What he’d been feeling wasn’t all one-sided. Unable to help himself, Ethan took her lips again. He couldn’t get enough of her sweet taste. Tongues met once, twice, and their mouths grew hungry before he rested his forehead against hers. “Sarah—”
    Several sirens wailed, flying past the house, stopping close by. The flash of lights reflected in the night sky. An ambulance came to a halt, and both stood.
    “I-I wonder what’s going on?”
    Ethan’s heart thundered, thinking of their kiss, and he asked himself the same thing. “I’m not sure.”
    They walked down the hall, out the front door. Five houses down, the police and paramedics rushed around while an officer began blocking off the scene with yellow tape.
    “My God, Ethan, that house is right next to Hailey’s. Someone just bought the place—moved in a couple of weeks ago—a woman. I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself yet. I hope she’s okay.”
    He wrapped his arm around her waist. “Let’s go back inside. I’ll make some calls and see what I can find out.”
    Ten minutes later, he joined Sarah by the big picture window as the paramedics brought her neighbor out on a stretcher. The blonde woman, covered with a white blanket, cried. Her hand gripped a female officer’s as they put her in the back of the ambulance.
    “That poor woman. I wonder what’s happened.”
    “She was raped, Sarah.”
    She grabbed his hand, clutching. “Oh, my God.”
    “They’re saying the bastard went in through the back of the house. I’m not leaving you by yourself tonight. You’re coming with me, or I’m sleeping on your couch.”
    Eyes huge, nodding, Sarah glanced from the window back to him. “Will you stay here?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Let me get some blankets and a pillow.”
    As Sarah walked off, Ethan stared at the house surrounded by cruisers. It had been so close, too close. It could’ve been Sarah. What if he hadn’t come by?
    “Here you go.”
    He turned.
    “You should be warm enough. If not,