One Secret Night Read Free Page B

information she shared.
    She found it easy to fill the next hour with flip conversation of some of the funnier exploits she’d experienced. Ethan leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily at her recitation of her reaction to a giant centipede coming out of the hole in the ground she’d been using as a toilet during a trip through Nepal. Her own lips turned up in response to his unfettered joy. He had a great laugh, she decided. She liked it when a man could really give in to mirth. It was, in her mind, a good indicator of just how much he’d give in to anything else he was passionate about. Right now, she hoped that was her.
    “Can’t say I have anything in my experience to equal or better that,” he said through his laughter. “And none of that puts you off or makes you want to take a more mainstream route?”
    “No.” She shook her head. “You don’t really see the world as other people are forced to live it when you do that.”
    “Interesting choice of words.”
    “What?”
    “Forced. Aren’t most people living the life of their choice?”
    She gave him a pitying smile. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
    “I believe it’s up to each individual to choose his own path.”
    “In a perfect world, maybe. Not everyone has the privilege of a perfect world.”
    Ethan considered her words before responding. “You’re right. I’m being too general and thinking only in terms of here and my life, my choices.” His face suddenly became serious and she felt his withdrawal as if it were a physical thing when in reality, he was no farther away from her than he’d been two seconds ago. “Even I don’t have control over everything in my world.”
    He said it so bleakly, Isobel wondered for a moment what had happened to him that was so terrible. She reached across the table, pressing her fingertips lightly on the back of his hand where it rested on the pristine white tablecloth.
    “I’m sorry,” she said simply.
    “Why sorry?”
    “You strike me as the kind of guy who likes to be in charge of what happens.”
    “Yeah, I am,” he admitted with a rueful smile. “And at least I can be in charge of how I react to what happens, right?”
    They turned their conversation to more general topics after that, Isobel wringing more laughter from Ethan and reveling in the fact that she could. Seeing that glimpse of vulnerability in him had only made him even more attractive to her. It took a strong man to admit his weaknesses and she was hardwired to appreciate a strong man.
    They’d been lingering over their coffee and dessert when she saw Ethan look at his watch. Around them, the restaurant had all but emptied.
    “It’s getting late,” Ethan said. “Is there anywhere I can drop you off?”
    “Oh, I’ll be fine. I’ll just check into the nearest hostel or hotel,” she answered blithely, though she was admittedly a little sorry that their evening was drawing to a close.
    The attraction she’d felt toward him all through the meal had only sharpened as she’d spent more time with him, and she wondered if perhaps he was too much of a gentleman to expect their evening together to lead to anything more. As much as she respected honor in a man, she wasn’t feeling particularly honorable herself right now.
    “You haven’t booked anywhere?”
    “No, I just flew in this afternoon. But it’s no problem. There are a few places within walking distance of here, aren’t there?” She could see Ethan bristle at the thought and she couldn’t help the chuckle that bubbled from her at the expression on his face. “I can look after myself, you know.”
    “Like you did back at the pub?”
    “I would have shaken him off eventually.”
    “Yes, it certainly looked that way.” His delicious mouth firmed into a straight line.
    “Hey, it’s not a problem. I can get the restaurant to call me a cab if you’re that worried. I only need a place for a night, anyway.”
    * * *
    One night? One night of no