Opposites Attract (13 page)

Ethan shook his head and gripped the steering wheel tight as he drove them home. Hearing Alexis hum softly, he turned to study her. She looked damned fine tonight, but she always looked good. However, tonight it was more than her outfit, it was her whole demeanour. She was smiling more, a bright smile that lit up her whole face. It was like she was happy, relaxed. Maybe it was the alcohol. She had five beers and to a skinny girl that could be a lot. Ethan had no idea why he kept track of how much she drank, but he had.

She’d gotten more than her share of attention that was for sure. She was asked to dance twice. He wondered at the satisfaction he felt each time she refused.

‘I like this town,’ Alexis said, leaning her head to the side.

Ethan chuckled. ‘You look like you like everything right now.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ she demanded, sitting straighter.

‘Ah, do we have to do this tonight? It’s late. I’m tired.’ Ethan shot her a sidelong glance. He had had a few beers himself and needed to concentrate on the road. He wasn’t even close to drunk, but he didn’t want to risk driving recklessly with other people in his car. ‘Can’t we call a truce until tomorrow morning?’

‘Fine.’ Alexis yawned. ‘But don’t think this means I like you, because I don’t.’

She just couldn’t leave it alone, could she? Ethan rolled his eyes. ‘Fine. I don’t really like you either.’

‘Good.’ This time her voice was a sleepy mumble. ‘I actually think I loathe you.’

‘I loathe you too.’ His voice was low. Ted and Susan looked to be asleep in the back seat.

‘I hate your tattoos,’ Alexis said, her voice softer with each word.

‘You’re too skinny,’ Ethan whispered. He glanced at her.

Alexis’s head lay against his seat. She was turned to the side, facing him. For a brief moment, her eyes opened to look at him. She blinked several times. ‘Do you really think I’m ugly?’

‘I never said you were ugly.’ Ethan wondered at the sadness in her voice. Where was the confident she-demon who’d tormented him for days? ‘I just think you should stop starving yourself for no reason.’

‘Then do you think I’m pretty?’ she asked, not looking at him again. He forced his attention back to the road.

Yes
, Ethan thought,
I think you’re gorgeous.

He didn’t answer her. His body stirred to life, all too ready to remember her softness from the night before. She didn’t seem to notice as her breath deepened. She was asleep.

Alexis opened her eyes. Her vision swam a little, but not bad. Her body felt delicate from drinking the night before, but nothing she couldn’t handle with a shower and some strong black coffee.

Slowly, she became more aware of her surroundings. A pink and yellow macramé wall-hanging came into focus in front of her. A warm body curled behind hers in bed and she felt the unmistakable push of an erection to her back. Alexis tensed. It took several seconds for her to remember where she was.

Doing a quick assessment of her body, she realised she was still in her dress. That was good. Her panties were on. Even better. Ethan’s smell was unmistakable and she knew it was him. She closed her eyes, automatically snuggling back into his protective warmth. Mm, perfect.

What?
Her eyes popped open in shock at her own thoughts.
No, no, not perfect. Not perfect at all.

Alexis started breathing hard. What should she do? Outrage. She should feign outrage.

Yeah, yeah, outrage.

‘Not again,’ she said sharply, jerking her body from Ethan’s. The movement jarred her head and she instantly felt nauseous. Covering her eyes with her hands, she moaned, ‘Oh.’

‘What . . .?’ Ethan said in sleepy confusion. ‘What are you doing down here?’

‘What am I . . .?’ Alexis lowered her tone. ‘That’s a good question, Ethan. What am I doing down here? I mean, besides the obvious?’

Alexis gave a scornful look down his naked body. Gasping, she couldn’t help but stare at his erection. There were piercings on it. Her mouth worked, but no sound came out. Ethan grimaced and covered his waist.

‘What is it about me sleeping that makes you think I want you to dry hump my back?’ she asked.

‘Hold on one second,’ he said, sitting up. ‘I was not dry humping your anything.’

‘Really?’ Alexis glanced down at his waist, secretly hoping for another peek. Piercings? She wondered what they were for. ‘Then how did you explain that?’

‘Morning wood,’ he said, unashamed. ‘I’m a guy. It happens. Now, what I want to know is how did you get into my bed?’

‘Well, I think that’s obvious. I fell asleep in the car and you put me in here.’ Alexis made a move for the door. The last thing she wanted was to get caught in Ethan’s room when she had one of her own. How in the world would she explain that to Susan?

‘No, I distinctly remember carrying you to the couch.’ Ethan stood up, gripping the covers around his waist.

She shivered. The room suddenly seemed too small for the both of them. Ethan looked really cute in nothing but pink bedcovers.

‘I don’t want to hear it.’ Alexis stormed out, marching straight to the bathroom to take a shower. It didn’t take her long to strip out of her clothes and jump into the warm stream of water. Closing her eyes, she groaned. What in the world did he need those piercings for?

‘
Mary Margaret, Sammy’s Pride, Rachel’s Promise.
’ Susan stopped walking along the docks where she was reading the names of boats. She glanced at Alexis. ‘Why do men always name their vehicles after women?’

‘It’s a compliment,’ Ted assured her, kissing her head.

‘Having a boat named after you is a compliment?’ Susan asked, unconvinced.

‘I think it depends on the boat.’ Alexis pointed across the water to a beaten-up sailboat with chipped paint.

‘Hey, don’t knock it. The guy’s probably fixing it up himself. There is some pride in that, you know,’ Ethan said.

‘Please,’ Alexis said. ‘Quit being so sensitive. We’re not talking about your precious car.’

‘I’m only saying –’ Ethan turned to her.

Alexis held up her hand, cutting him off. ‘Can you just not talk to me? Ever.’

‘What did I do to – ?’ Ethan reached to touch her arm.

Alexis pulled away from him, walking faster along the dock.

Susan caught up to her. ‘Wow, what was that all about?’

‘Nothing,’ Alexis said.

‘Lexy?’ Susan insisted, nudging her playfully in the side. ‘Don’t make me tickle it out of you.’

‘Really, it’s nothing. We just don’t like each other. You can’t make two people like each other when they don’t.’ Alexis glanced over the water. She’d much rather spend the day out sailing than inside a yacht cleaning. Still, she’d said she would do it and do it she would. She needed the money. ‘By the way, just wanted to remind you that you promised to clean any and all toilets on this trip. I’m holding you to that.’

‘Ew, I was hoping you forgot.’ Susan made a face, laughing. ‘Now, come on, please tell me what’s going on. It’s like this trip started and you don’t talk to me any more. Are you mad at me for making you come?’

‘You didn’t hold me at gunpoint.’ Alexis stopped walking. Noticing that there were no longer footsteps behind them, she turned. Ethan and Ted were talking to a man with a beard. The men were far enough away that they wouldn’t be able to overhear their conversation. ‘I was mad at first, but not any more and never really at you. You were right. There is nothing for me in New York. Let’s face it. I don’t have the best employment record. I’ve never held a job longer than two weeks, so I’ve already burned whatever bridges I had. No one in their right mind would give me a recommendation. I have no actual higher education and any place decent isn’t going to hire Francine Grant’s daughter for anything more than a sideshow novelty. So, the way I look at it, I can either stay in New York and get a job as a hostess in some one-star restaurant or I can go to California.’

‘And get a job in a two-star restaurant?’ Susan teased, grinning.

‘Exactly,’ Alexis said. Leaning her head back, she took a deep breath. ‘How did it come to this, Susan? I was so defined by my station in life. Now I’m no one. I have no money, no connections, no social status, no education –’

‘Hey, stop that.’ Susan pulled her arm, drawing her attention back. ‘Stop the pity party. You have me and together we can handle anything, remember? You have to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Look around you. You’re actually free. You’re young, pretty and so what if you haven’t been to college? You’re smart. Alexis Samantha Wellington Grant will always land firmly on her feet.’

Alexis smiled. She hugged her sweater around her body. She really hated to clean ships in her designer clothes. Only problem was, she didn’t have any non-designer clothes. Hearing footsteps, Alexis turned. A cute man in white slacks and a bright-blue jacket made his way along the docks. His blond-tipped hair blew around his head. Alexis instantly smiled at him.

‘Hi,’ he said, nodding as he made a move to walk past. He had a bright smile and though he wasn’t drop-dead handsome, he wasn’t bad to look at.

‘Oh, sir, excuse me,’ Alexis said. She affected her most helpless look.

The man stopped, turning. She could tell he came from money. He had that look to him, the look of breeding and sophistication. Besides, he was wearing what had to be at least a two hundred dollar track jacket. If Alexis knew anything, she knew her clothes. This one’s cut was too precise and elegant to be from a shopping mall. Growing up rich had taught her a few things. Spotting others with money was one of them.

‘Can I help you?’ he asked, still grinning. Alexis liked his straight, white teeth. This was a man who took care of himself, or at least had good doctors to do it for him.

‘We’re a little lost,’ Alexis said, without thinking. ‘Have you seen a sailboat called . . . ah . . .’ She glanced quickly at Susan. Susan didn’t move. ‘. . . 
Teresa’s Mischief
?’

‘No,’ he said, ‘I don’t think I have.’

‘Mm, darn.’ Alexis pouted, pushing out her lower lip.

‘These docks can be a little confusing,’ the man said. ‘I’m Brice.’

‘Lexy,’ Alexis said, holding out her hand for him to take. He held it briefly, looking her in the eye.

‘I’d be happy to help you find it,’ Brice said. ‘My yacht is just down the dock. It’s being cleaned this morning, but maybe if we can’t find your sailboat then you and your friend, of course,’ he stopped to smile at Susan, ‘might want to come out with me this afternoon –’

‘Hey, you guys ready?’ Ethan called. ‘We’re all set.’

Brice blinked several times and took a step back as he looked at Ethan. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here with someone. Still, I’d be honoured if you’d all join me.’

‘Oh, we’re not with him,’ Alexis said quickly. She glanced desperately at Ethan, hoping he’d go away. If she played her hand right, she’d be able to squeeze a decent meal out of this guy and a night in someplace classy.

‘Alexis, Susan, come on,’ Ethan yelled. ‘These ships aren’t going to clean themselves!’

Alexis wanted to die.

‘Well, it looks like you’re busy. Another time, perhaps,’ Brice said, starting a fast retreat the way he’d come. ‘It was nice to meet you.’

Alexis glared at Ethan as she made her way over to him. Pushing his arm, she said, ‘You’re a real jerk, you know it.’

‘What?’ Ethan glanced at Susan. ‘What did I do now?’

‘I’ll tell you what you did. You just ruined my chance at getting a decent meal in a nice place.’ Alexis pushed his arm again when he tried to get too near. ‘I had him practically eating out of my palm before you had to open your mouth. He’d already invited us out on his yacht.’

‘You were going to whore yourself out for a meal and a boat ride.’ Ethan frowned. Was it just her, or did he look disappointed?

‘Did you just call me a whore?’ Alexis asked. She looked to Susan for confirmation.

‘If the hooker boots fit,’ he mumbled.

‘Ah, let it drop, Lexy,’ Susan said. ‘We couldn’t have gone out this afternoon anyway. We have boats to clean.’

Alexis growled, pushing past Ethan to join Ted by the docks. He was helping the bearded man carrying buckets and cleaning supplies.

‘Where did Mr Trenton go?’ the bearded man asked, more to himself.

Susan asked, ‘Guy in the blue jacket?’

‘Oh-yah, that’s him. One of the richest men in the county,’ the bearded man answered. ‘He owns three boats. Says he’s fixing them up to sell them. It’s kind of a hobby with him. You’re cleaning two of them today so make sure you do a real fine job. He’s very particular.’

Susan pointed down the docks. ‘I think he headed back that way.’

Alexis turned to glare at Ethan. Under her breath, she said, ‘Really, one of the richest you say.’

‘Sure.’ The man cleared his throat. ‘OK now, you have the list. I’ll be back in three hours to see what you’ve got done.’

Ethan did his best to avoid Alexis most of the day. Scrubbing boats wasn’t exactly his idea of a good time either, but he wasn’t scared of a little hard work. Besides, it would be a great story to tell one day. How many people could say they once scrubbed yachts in Wisconsin?

The boats had an elegant, streamlined beauty. Ethan rubbed down the railing along the sides. The docks were quiet, except for the sound of the boats drifting lightly into the wood planks they were tethered to.

He’d known exactly what he’d been doing when he ruined Alexis’s chances with Mr Trenton. At the time, he’d been disgusted that she’d throw herself at the man like that, just because he looked rich. OK, so he was rich, but that didn’t excuse her behaviour. Besides, how could he not embarrass her after her little stinging comments that morning about him not being able to control himself as he dry humped her leg? And then she’d treated him as if he wasn’t worthy of even talking to her.

‘Hey, easy, or you’re going to rub right through the metal,’ Ted said, laughing. ‘I think it’s polished.’