Ethan's gaze stayed in hers. for a moment longer, the air between them charged. Then he nodded, his expression unreadable.
"I think you're right, Miss Grant," he said, his voice low and silky. "I do have secrets. I don't know that I'm prepared to share any of them with you yet, though."
Lena's heart missed a beat at the hint of intrigue in his voice. She stepped closer, her gaze locked on his.
"I'll risk that," she breathed.
Ethan's gaze narrowed, his look incendiary. For a moment, Lena believed she saw a glimmer of lust in his eyes, but it was quickly extinguished.
"I don't know if you understand what you're stepping into," he told her, his tone weighted with foreboding.
Lena laughed, her own excitement pumping through her very life.
"I'm willing to take the chance," she told him, never lifting her eyes from his.
Ethan's eyes held hers for a long moment, the air between them growing thick with tension. Then, he nodded, a soft smile curving around the edges of his mouth.
"Very good," he said. "Let us walk."
Lena's heart missed a beat as Ethan stood up, not once breaking eye contact with her. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he held out his arm, inviting her to take it, his fingers shooting a spark of electricity through her body. When they stepped outside, the night air hit Lena like a blow. She trembled, still warm for that summer evening, and Ethan immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, speaking softly and intently.
Lena nodded, feeling a flutter in her chest as his arm brushed against hers. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, trying to be casual.
Ethan smiled, the dim light flickering in his eyes. "Good," he said. "I wouldn't want you to get cold."
They walked, Lena being acutely conscious of how Ethan's arm felt around her shoulders. It was warm and solid, and it made her feel secure and safe.
They moved in silence for a few minutes, the only sound the distant rumble of cars and the rustle of leaves beneath the trees.
Finally, Ethan spoke. "So, Miss Grant," he said in a low, silky voice. "Tell me about yourself."
Lena smiled, a surge of relief rushing through her. "Call me Lena, all right?" she said trying to sound casual. "So what do you want to know?".
Ethan shrugged. "Everything," he answered, his eyes glinting in the faint light.
Lena laughed, a sense of thrill welling up within her. "Okay," she said. "But you have to promise to tell me more about yourself too."
Ethan smiled, his eyes wrinkling at the corners. "I promise," he said.
With every step and conversation, Lena felt more and more at ease with Ethan. She couldn't even begin to imagine how she found it so easy to talk to him, how much enjoyment it was just to be near him.
But the longer the night went on, the more Lena couldn't help but feel that Ethan was still hiding something from her. She didn't know precisely what it was, but she knew there was something more to him than she had first encountered.
As they walked, Lena and Ethan continued to chat, from their favorite novels to their childhood memories. Lena was becoming more and more relaxed with Ethan, and she found herself unable to help but notice the way he smiled when discussing something he loved.
As the night progressed, Ethan suggested that they go for a cup of coffee at a café around the corner. Lena agreed, and they walked to the café, relishing the crisp night air and the sounds of jazz music drifting out from inside.
They sat down with a cup of coffee and continued, really digging into their feelings and thoughts. Lena was amazed to discover that she was sharing with Ethan in ways she had never shared with anyone, and that conversing with him was so easy.
As the night went on, Lena realized that she had been talking to Ethan for hours. She glanced at her watch and was surprised to see that it was already past midnight.
"I'm sorry," she said, a little embarrassed. "I've been yapping your ear all night."
Ethan smiled and leaned in close. "I've enjoyed every second of it," he said, his voice low and husky.
Lena's breast heaved when she met Ethan's gaze. She couldn't help but wonder if he had experienced the same flash of attraction as she had.
They sat there, locked in each other's gaze, and Lena felt as if time had stopped. The din of the café faded into the distance, and all she could focus on was Ethan's piercing blue eyes.
Suddenly, Ethan pulled away from the table, breaking the illusion. "I should leave," he said, his voice slightly rougher than it had been a moment before.
Lena nodded, and a pang of sadness. She didn't want the night to end. "Yeah, it is late," she said trying to sound indifferent.
As they walked out of the café, Ethan turned to Lena. "I had a great time tonight," he told her, his eyes sparkling in the night.
Lena smiled, her heart fluttering. "I did too," she whispered, her voice little more than a breath.
Ethan checked his watch. "I ought to get going," he told her. "But I'd like to see you again soon."
Lena grinned, a rush of exhilaration. "I'd like that," she said.
Remaining there, Lena realized she had to go back to Rachel. "I need to go back to my friend," she said. "She's waiting for me at the restaurant."
Ethan's eyes narrowed a little. "Oh, I didn't know you were with someone," he said.
Lena smiled. "Yeah, my friend Rachel. We were going to have dinner together, but then I ran into you."
Ethan nodded, his lips curving into a small smile. "I'm glad I did interrupt," he said.
Lena laughed. "Me too," she said.
Lena felt a thrill as she said her goodbye. She had the feeling that she was going to see Ethan again in no time.
As Lena walked back to the restaurant, she couldn't help but feel a bit dizzy. She felt as though she had just met someone special.
When she arrived at the restaurant, Rachel was waiting there, a curious expression on her face. "So, how did it go?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lena smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It went really well," she said. "We had a really great time."
Rachel grinned. "I knew the two of you would hit it off," she said. "So, what happened? Did he ask you out?"
Lena paused, unsure of how much to reveal. "Not exactly," she said. "But I think he might be interested."
Rachel's eyes glinted. "Ooh, I want all the dirt," she said.
Lena laughed, feeling a little overwhelmed. "Okay, okay," she said. "But let's get out of here first. I'm starving."
Rachel smiled. "Me too," she answered. "Let's go grab some street food"
As they left the restaurant, Lena couldn't suppress a thrill. She knew that she had felt that this was the beginning of something great.