Sacrifice (Book 2)

Chapter 17- Longing for Blue

Her eyes closed and her lips parted on a quiet gasp as Ethan stroked his thumb across her bottom lip. He knew he shouldn't touch her, but he couldn't stop himself. All evening he'd been distracted by her mouth.

When Mariposa and he first met, she refused to speak to him. Initially, he tried intimidation and the usual interrogation techniques to make her talk, but it got him nowhere. Then came the horrific details of her past. He realized the situation required a different set of skills. He tuned in to her body language and facial expressions, learning the subtle ways she communicated what her words could not. In less than 48 hours, he'd become familiar with her enough to know when something bothered her and when it didn't, when she wanted to tell him something but couldn't, when he frightened her and when she felt safe. Under this intense scrutiny he made other unexpected observations, like how her eyes twinkled when something excited her, how graceful she moved, and how much he was attracted to her cherry-red lips. He tried not to focus on them, but damn, he couldn't help but wonder if they were as soft as he imagined. Would they taste as sweet as they looked? And what would it feel like to have those rose petals pressed against his?

He drew his hand back and looked at Mariposa laying on the recliner, an expression of rapture on her beautiful face. From what he gathered, she had little joy in her life. And while she was a woman of few words, she was an open book to him right now. She radiated pure bliss, and he created that for her. His chest swelled with pride. He wanted to see her happy like that all the time, and he wanted to be the one to put the smile on her face. It had been just a simple touch. If that was how she responded to something as trivial as a brush across her lips, how would she respond if he indulged her with kisses all over her body? The thought made him hard. Yeah, he wanted to kiss those dewy lips and every inch of her from head to toe.

Long, dark lashes crested the tops of her cheeks. She lifted her lids and looked up at him with a plea, her baby blues flicking between his mouth and his eyes. She wanted him to kiss her. He saw the desire in her expression and he wanted nothing more than to grant that wish. But he couldn't. It wasn't right. Mariposa might think she was ready, but she wasn't. He needed to make sure she wanted him--not that she was offering herself because the men in her life had taught her it was her obligation. Ethan wanted her healthy in mind and body.

He also had to keep in mind that Mariposa was Madison's best friend. If he did anything that hurt her, unintentional though it might be, not only would he curse himself but he would have to deal with Madison too.

Leaning over, he closed his eyes and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. Yes, he would wait, but that didn't mean he wouldn't let her know he cared. He would find little ways to show her how she had captured his heart.

The corners of Mariposa's mouth turned up slightly in a shy smile. He knew the kiss had disappointed her, but she hid it well. He scooted his lounge chair closer to her and sat down. Bridging the distance between them, he picked up her hand and squeezed it.

"Can I ask you some questions?" Ethan said, rubbing a finger over the back of her knuckles.

Mariposa peered at him hesitantly from under her lashes and gave him a timid nod.

He was back to small talk trying to loosen her up. "What's your favorite color?"

She giggled. It was the sweetest sound he'd ever heard.

"What's so funny?"

She didn't answer, but raised a shoulder. He guessed she expected something different.

"What color?" he asked again.

"Hmm. Green."

Ethan thought a minute. "Why green?" She couldn't answer this question with a single word.