Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
“Did she?” he asked gently. I shook my head.
“There was never any time,” I shrugged.
“Then sometime we’ll go skating,” he said. I looked at him dubiously.
“That’s sweet but, um, I haven’t skated in probably fifteen years, and I can’t exactly picture you on roller skates.”
“Thank God,” he said with a laugh. “I wanted to be sweet, but I can’t see myself on skates either.”
“It’s the thought that counts,” I said and kissed his cheek.
“Are you sure I can’t follow you?”
“I’m sure. I’ve been driving myself around for years. I’m good at it.”
“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to take care of you.”
“Thanks. I’m good. And you and your brothers have been a godsend. I’m not sure what I would have done, as much as I hate to admit that.”
“You’ve got a lease, right? There’s no reason why your landlord shouldn’t pay to bring the place up to code. Legally, he’s liable for it.”
“He’s dragging his feet. I think he knows I don’t have the money for a lawyer.”
“You don’t need one. I’ll have my friend Judy make the call. She’s a lawyer at our firm. She’ll say she’s calling on your behalf and won’t let him off the line until he agrees to get it done.”
I shook my head. “You really don’t have to do that,” I said.
“I know I don’t, but I want to. It’s the least I can do. Please, let me help,” Ethan prodded.
“Okay,” I said. “It’s—I don’t like giving up control or asking for favors. It’s outside my comfort zone.”
“We all need a little help sometimes, Madison,” Ethan said.
I found the number in my phone and texted it to him. “Let me know how it goes?” I asked.
“Of course. I don’t think there will be anything to tell. He’s out of options. Plus, it helps Leo to get a big project like that.”
“I like the idea that it will help Leo too. I just feel bad taking all this help from you guys.”
“Don’t. Accepting help is a skill, and we all have to learn it.”
“That sounds wise, but what kind of help do you ever accept?” I said, giving him a suspicious eyebrow raise.
“Besides the help of my parents putting me through college? Noah manages my finances and gives great advice. Leo fixes anything that needs fixing around here and is my go-to when I’m making a big purchase like a car because he knows the technical side. If it’s electronics, I’m asking Noah, obviously. You might not know it by looking at the way he dresses, but Leo has an eye for design and fashion as good as my own. We go shopping together sometimes for events and household things. That ottoman?” he pointed to a big, round gray ottoman in his living room.
“It’s great,” I said. “I have ottoman envy.”
“Leo picked it out at one of those home places, the discount one in Jersey City, when he was in town for a buddy’s wedding. It has storage.”
“So practical,” I teased. “Well, I really should get going, I have to open the shop early tomorrow. Thank you again for letting me use your kitchen.”
“Any time. You’re coming back tomorrow, right?”
I nodded. “If that’s okay.”
Ethan’s eyes found mine. “It’s okay. I like spending time with you.”
“Me, too,” I said a little shyly. He was so handsome standing there in his rolled-up shirtsleeves that I almost couldn’t look right at him. He laid a hand on my shoulder, stroked down my arm and took my hand. Then he held my hand as he dipped his face and kissed me. I had expected and wanted his kiss, but the way it felt was a surprise.
The kiss didn’t feel like a pale copy of another man’s skill. The workaholic brother, the serious one, was hiding a deep well of passion. I felt the blur of sensation, the sweetness of our lips locking together, a gentle tug, and then his tongue swept into my mouth, his arm going around my waist to steady me. It was a good thing he held onto me because my knees nearly buckled in reaction to the sweep of attraction and pleasure that rocked through me from head to toe. I pulled back a little and smiled at him.
“Good night,” I said.
He nodded, held the door for me, and looked slightly shocked. Like the force of the kiss had stunned him as well. This was another twist for me, another something to think about. I’d hardly dated, too consumed with working, saving, building a business of my own. Now I was interested in three men at once. Three men from the same family. It was absurd and kind of ironic that I could go four years without meeting anyone I liked at all and in a matter of days I’d stumbled upon a trio of brothers who could make a nun recant her celibacy vow in the blink of an eye.