Page 33 of Lost Without You
She nodded since she felt safe in Ethan’s arms. She should be scared, but none of what happened today seemed real yet. Her and Ethan, the change in their relationship—that was like a dream. The investigation—that was turning into a nightmare.
Either way, Rachel wasn’t sure she wanted to fall asleep. Tomorrow would come too soon and with it, all the uncertainty that lay ahead.
Chapter Fifteen
Ethan
“Ready?” Ethan asked Rachel as he held her hand and she nodded in return.
They had arrived at Tina’s apartment and Rachel was vibrating with nervous energy. He couldn’t blame her. He was on edge and barely slept last night and not just because he was distracted by the beautiful woman in his arms.
The door opened and they found themselves face to face with Ryker, his hair tied up in a messy bun, his blue eyes filled with warmth.
“Come on in, guys, breakfast is ready. Mom’s making coffee.”
“Thank God. We didn’t have time to grab a cup this morning and I’m scared Rachel’s going to hulk out on me,” Ethan quipped, trying to lighten the mood.
Rachel elbowed him as Ryker chuckled.
“Yeah, it’s a family trait. Keep us caffeinated or else there’ll be a lot of arguing,” Ryker murmured as he led them down the hallway to the open living and dining space. “Have a seat, I’ll be right back.”
Ethan and Rachel sat down at the dining table. Platters of pastries, mini frittatas, and sliced fruit and cheese were laid out buffet style.
“Hey,” Ethan turned to Rachel. “I was trying to add some levity, so you don’t break a tooth with all that jaw clenching.”
He cupped Rachel’s face and she turned her head to kiss his palm. Unable to resist, he reached down and kissed her.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” a familiar voice echoed behind them.
“Button it, Wes. I haven’t had coffee yet,” Rachel replied sharply as Wes rounded the table and sat across from them.
Wes simply laughed it off as he glanced between the two of them, a huge grin on his face making his dimples pop.
“Ooh, there’s a good story here. Come on, Rach, spill the deets,” Wes murmured as he grabbed a pastry and took a big bite.
“Wesley, are you eating before we’re all seated?” Tina commented as she entered the room, followed by Ryker. Wes placed the half-eaten croissant on his plate and aimed a rueful smile at his mother-in-law.
“Sorry,” he mumbled as pastry crumbs dusted his lips.
Ryker handed out coffee to everyone then sat beside his husband and swiped his thumb over the crumbs on Wes’s bottom lip. “Can’t take you anywhere.” He grinned as Wes playfully licked his finger.
“All right you two, no flirting yet. It’s too early,” Tina said as she turned to hug Rachel and then nodded at Ethan. “Help yourself.”
There was a lapse in chatter as everyone filled their plates and began eating. Ethan sipped the deliciously sweet coffee and finally felt his nerves start to ease.
“I caught Ethan and Rachel k-i-s-s-i-n-g,” Wes sing-songed and pointed a finger between them.
Oh, shit.
Ryker groaned, Tina shook her head, and Rachel threw a blueberry at him. Wes being Wes, he deftly caught the berry before it smacked him in the face and threw it right back at her.
“It’s like I’m living with teenagers again,” Tina said as she gave Ethan a glare that he knew all too well. “You’re dating my daughter? When did this happen?”
“Well, you see…” Ethan began to sweat.
Now he had empathy for all the people he’d interrogated in his FBI career. It wasn’t fun being on the other side. And how would he adequately describe his feelings about Rachel? There was so much he felt but couldn’t express yet.
“Yesterday,” Rachel answered matter-of-factly as she continued eating. “It’s brand new so don’t give him the third degree. I’m 39 not 19.”