The Prequel to Ethan: Chapter 2

I’m writing a prequel to Ethan, which takes place seven years before the novel so you can see how Ethan and Skye met. I’ll drop a chapter every morning until the release on Friday. Enjoy!

Skye knew Ethan was watching—could feel his eyes as she moved across the floor. For his benefit, she added a little more swing to her hips as she placed one foot in front of the other and slipped through the glass doors.

For some reason, she wanted this man’s attention. Well, in all honesty, she knew the reason. He was handsome. No, calling him handsome didn’t fit. He was way too… striking for such a tame word. He had mahogany-brown skin, a square jaw, and a voice that made her wonder what he would sound like if his voice was nothing but a hot whisper in her ear.

Too bad he’d made it plain he wasn’t looking for anything serious.

Skye entered the bathroom, where classic jazz oozed through the speakers and marble countertops gleamed under the recessed lights. She checked her makeup and refreshed her lipstick, her thoughts drawn again to the man at the bar.

She laughed, shaking her head at how rude she’d been to him at first. That was all Joshua’s fault for putting her in a bad mood.

“Well, Joshua,” she said to her reflection, “if you’re not interested in meeting me tonight, I guess I’ll be my own date and have dinner by myself.” She didn’t mind dining alone, and the food here was notoriously excellent.

After a quick assessment of the back of her dress—yes, her butt looked amazing—she exited the bathroom and took the stairs to the second floor. She strolled to the hostess stand of The Petal Room, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, and waited her turn while other guests were served.

Finally, it was her turn.

“Good evening. I’m here for dinner. You should have a reservation under Joshua James at eight o’clock. I’m a few minutes late.”

The Petal Room was a popular spot for Atlanta residents who wanted fine dining and a quiet ambience. Having done her research, she knew the restaurant was typically packed on the weekends, and reservations were hard to come by. Joshua insisted he had made a reservation weeks before, so she was confident that though she’d be dining alone, there was a table waiting for her.

Two young women and a man worked behind the large podium, which housed a computer screen displaying the dining room and the reservations for the night.

“Did you say the reservation was for eight, ma’am?” A woman with the name tag Cheryl, asked. She was Asian, with long black hair falling past her armpits in a body wave.

“Yes, and I’m late, but I was waiting downstairs for my date. Unfortunately, he didn’t show up, and I can’t reach him by phone. I’d still like to take advantage of the table, however.”

Cheryl’s eyebrows drew together as she stared at the screen. “Could the reservation have been on another night?” she asked cautiously.

Skye craned her neck forward, trying to see the screen but unable to. “No, absolutely not. We agreed on tonight. Unless he made a mistake and scheduled dinner for tomorrow night?” She hoped this fool hadn’t screwed up the dates.

“Let me check.”

Skye kept her gaze on the young woman, noting how her eyes scrolled down the options. Unease filtered into her belly the longer the search took.

Seeing the frowning consternation on the hostess’s face, she asked, “Nothing?” Though she tried to remain optimistic.

“I don’t see a reservation, but let me speak to the senior hostess and find out if she knows something I don’t.”

“Wouldn’t it be on the screen? Could he have canceled the reservation?” Skye asked. This night couldn’t possibly get any worse.

“I doubt that, ma’am. Even if he did, we would have it notated in the system. I don’t see where there was ever a reservation made in the name of Joshua James. Is it possible it could have been in another name?”

“I can’t believe this. If he didn’t make the reservation…” Skye did her best to put a friendly smile on her face. “Check under my name. Skye Thorpe. I was really looking forward to eating here. That would at least made tonight not so terrible.”

“Of course.” Cheryl nodded vigorously and continued her search. Finally, she looked at Skye and shook her head regretfully. “I’m so sorry, but I don’t see a reservation for James or Thorpe, and I tried spelling your name with an E and without an E.”

“This must be a mistake. Maybe someone forgot to take the reservation. Are there any cancellations? Maybe I can take someone else’s table.” She grimaced at the desperation in her voice, but she simply wanted to salvage what was left of an already rotten night.

“We had one cancellation tonight, but guests on the waiting list have already taken that table. If you like, you can sit at the bar and—”

“I do not want to sit at the bar.” Skye fixed a tight smile on her face. “I had plans to eat in the dining room, and that’s where I want to eat. Is there a manager here? Maybe they can come up with a solution for me.”

She shouldn’t be so worked up about a reservation, but she had looked forward to eating here for a while, and to be deprived of the one treat she’d allowed herself in weeks—due to no fault of her own—seemed unconscionable.

“Problem?”

The smooth, low voice came from behind her, and when Skye cast a glance over her right shoulder, she caught her breath. It was the man from downstairs—Ethan. Seated at the bar, she hadn’t experienced the full effect of his height—several inches above six feet. Rather nice, considering she felt like an Amazon in these five-inch heels.

“Nothing for you to concern yourself about,” she said. Though, oddly, his presence added a sense of calm to her frayed nerves. He had a certain take-charge energy.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Connor. Miss Thorpe says she had a reservation, but we can’t find it.”

Cheryl appeared to be genuinely distressed.

“I’m not trying to upset you,” Skye said, feeling guilty. “I just assumed that my date, Mr. James, had made the reservation, but now I’m not sure. Which means he never had any intention of coming tonight at all, and he just didn’t mention it to me.” She fiddled with her wristlet, utterly humiliated by the turn of events. “I had hoped to have a nice dinner, but I see that’s not in the cards.”

“Maybe I can help,” Ethan said smoothly. “If you still want to have a nice dinner.”

Skye shot him a benevolent smile. “Let me tell you a secret. Unless you have a reservation, you’re not getting a table here tonight. They’re completely booked. She already checked.”

Amusement filled his dark eyes and tugged at the corners of his full, enticing lips. “I have a table.”

“Your usual table is ready, Mr. Connor,” Cheryl said.

Something about the hostess’s deference gave Skye pause. She looked between them, sensing this man must be very important. “What am I missing here?”

He smiled. She didn’t think it was possible, but he looked even sexier when his expression softened. Her skin heated and the sudden tug of attraction pulled at her loins. Her gaze ran over him quickly, studying the savage beauty of his face and the glovelike fit of his suit. What does Mr. Ethan Connor look like under that suit? she wondered. She imagined him with the mouth-watering physique of a muscular chest, firm biceps, and long, powerful legs. Almost immediately, she took a deep breath to clear away the dirty thoughts that threatened to drag her mind into the gutter.

“This is my hotel,” Ethan said. “I also have an ownership interest in the restaurant. As I mentioned, I have a table available, if you’d still like to have dinner and wouldn’t mind joining me instead of dining alone.”

Skye felt her eyes expand. “This is your hotel and restaurant?”

“That’s correct.” The smile tipped the corners of his mouth higher.

Skye covered her lips with her hand. “Oh, my goodness. You never said a word.”

“It didn’t come up. So, about dinner, would you care to join me?”

He extended an elbow, and after an embarrassed laugh, Skye hooked her arm around his.

“I would love to join you. Thank you,” she said, glad her voice wasn’t shaking the way her insides were.

Just as she suspected, firm muscle pushed against her forearm beneath the expensive jacket, and her skin tingled from the excitement of their touching.

The scent of his cologne invaded her nostrils—something sort of minty and fresh—and she had the overwhelming urge to lean into him. What the heck was wrong with her?

They walked through the crowded dining room to a table way in the back, next to a window overlooking the street one story below. Typical weekend traffic caused cars to crawl while pedestrians hustled to their next destination.

The hostess placed two menus in front of them and disappeared. Ethan didn’t look at his. He kept his eyes on her.

Skye met his gaze. “I owe you an apology. In the bar…”

He shook his head. “You don’t owe me an apology. I have no doubt men bother you all the time, trying to buy you drinks and do much more.”

“Sometimes,” she murmured.

“Your date sounds like quite the character.”

“Joshua. Believe me, if I never see him again, it’ll be too soon.”

He chuckled. Once again, his softened features caused a sensual pull in her loins.

She smiled—genuinely smiled in relief. Her mood had improved, and she was ready to enjoy her meal. “So, what do you recommend?”

“Everything is wonderful here.”

She laughed, feeling light-hearted and flirtatious. “That’s a very biased opinion, yet I’m sure you have a favorite.”

“I do. But before we get started, I have one question for you.” He leaned closer, eyes narrowing slightly.

“What’s that?”

His gaze dipped to her lips for only a fraction of a second, but in that brief moment, she experienced a series of warm sensations. Not only on her lips, but in the pit of her stomach too. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so enthralled by a man. So excited. So attracted.

“What’s your name?” Ethan asked.

Her heart rate accelerated, as if she were on the road to an exciting adventure.

“Skye. Skye Thorpe.”

___________

Ethan arrives on January 28, 2022.

Buy links: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | BN | Apple | Kobo | Google Play

Join my Readers Lounge to participate in the release party on January 28 and the book chat on February 10.

The Prequel to Ethan: Chapter 3

The Prequel to Ethan: Chapter 4