Free Souls ReAligned by Tricia Daniels Page B

at their vulgarity. Not that it surprises him, but they’re talking about Olivia; and that, he won’t tolerate. “How about, I knock out the teeth of the next asshole that opens his mouth and says something crude about her?”
    Silence washes over them as they note the anger in his voice.
    Scanning the group, he establishes eye contact with each one of them, confirming with a glower that he’ll keep his word. Nigel holds up his hands in a surrendering gesture. “I’m good, Brant. Not another word.”
     
    Olivia leans her back against the Challenger, expressionless as Ethan approaches. Pressing his body against hers, he smirks from ear to ear. Putting his hands on the car on either side of her, he captures her there and leans in for another kiss.
    “Are you driving?” he asks curiously.
    She tries to hide her laughter, “Ummm, No… do you know how hard it is to drive in these shoes?” She twirls the key fob on her finger.
    Reaching over, he takes it out of her hand, and then very carefully removes the sunglasses from her face, revealing her eyes in the brightness of the sun. Dark green rims with the most delicious flecks of brown and gold. They sparkle at him like jewels. He’s lost in them for a moment, craving the journey they promise.
    Taking her by the hand, he gently leads her to the passenger door and helps her into the seat. Watching him make his way around the front of the car heightens her excitement. He’s the sexiest man she’s ever seen. The perfect balance of well-honed muscle and absolute masculinity; all held together in flawless bronzed skin. She can’t wait to touch him; it’s been too long.
     
    By the time he pulls into traffic his friends have gone back to their male bonding, hardly noticing that he’s left. Scott however, managed to get the entire thing on video. He sends it to his wife with the subject line. “Are you responsible for this?” After he attaches the video, he types… “Ethan says THANK YOU!”
    A few moments later, he receives Rachel’s reply. “OMG! Hurry up and get your ass home!”

Chapter Five
    There’s a strange tension between them as they make their way out of the city. Many things were said the other night that they would eventually have to deal with, but not today. This tension is sexual, the result of their attraction to each other. It’s there whenever they’re together. For Olivia, it’s there even when they aren’t together. She can’t deny the effect he has on her. The way her body is drawn to him; needs him. She can’t fight it anymore. She’s not sure if she has ever really fought it. She’s never been able to hide it from him.
    When they stop at the traffic lights, he leans over and brushes his fingers on her cheek. She turns to look at him with an air of innocence, so pure and utterly feminine.
    “You’re so beautiful. Looking up to see you walking toward me, looking like that…absolutely took my breath away,” he says, watching her face flush with color. He grins at her reaction. “Look at that beautiful blush.” Running the back of his hand across her cheek, he feels the heat. “You’re okay with wearing a dress like that, but you blush at a simple compliment?” he teases.
    Her blush continues, her face a bright red hue now. Looking into his eyes, she gives him a coy smile. When the light turns green, Ethan hits the highway and takes advantage of the powerful engine, shifting gears, and maneuvering through the traffic.
    Olivia is overwhelmed by the desire she feels for him right now. Reaching over, she presses the back of his hand under her palm, lacing her fingers between his, so that when he shifts gears her hand moves with his. There is something virile and purely masculine about the way he changes gears.
    Glancing at her sideways, he swallows hard, a clear sign that he feels it too: the connection, the energy wrapping around them, binding them together. When he hits a steady speed, he lifts his hand off the shifter. Placing it