Page 33 of Don't Bite the Botanist
The way she trailed off while studiously avoiding meeting his eyes felt a little like a trap to Ethan. Like she wanted him to protest.
Didshe want him to protest? He knew she was interested in things being more physical between them, but they didn’t need to share a room for that to happen. So why did it feel like he suddenly foundhimself standing in a patch of poison sumac, and one wrong move could leave him blistered and rashy for weeks?
“Right,” he said.
Tressa’s face shot up to meet his, and the heartbreak that flashed across her face was worse than any plant poison he’d ever experienced.
Okay, so that was the wrong thing to say,he thought. But what kind of woman wanted a guy to move into their room days after meeting them? Everything about Tressa screamed independent, vampire-hunting badass who didn’t need a man for anything. Was there a chance she was feeling the same intense pull that he was? That reluctance to be apart?
Part of him wanted to retract his statement and say that he’d love to share her room, but he knew exactly where that would lead. If he had to endure another night within arms distance of her, inhaling her intoxicating scent, he was going to lose the ability to be a gentleman that his mom worked so hard to instill in him.
Sighing, because he could tell from her body language alone that he’d fucked something up, he trudged back toward the house with her lagging behind.
His legs grew weary with every step he took. He’d probably pushed himself too hard with the tour that morning and the time spent wandering around the garden. Just as he was about to pause for a brief thigh massage, his legs made the decision for him. His right quad seized up, and he pitched forward, throwing his hands up to prevent eating a face full of grass.
But his palms never reached the ground. A tight band around his midsection held him aloft for a long moment before hauling him back upright.
He gave Tressa a bewildered look. “Uh, thanks. Nice reflexes you got there.”
She released her hold on him and turned away. “Comes with the training. You know, gotta be able to keep up with the vamps and their superpowers.”
Ethan nodded, studying the woman in front of him who was suddenly preoccupied with the row of tall sunflowers planted alongside the patio steps.
They were fitting for her, he mused.Cheerfully bright and bold.
“Well, the training paid off. You’re a lot stronger than I would have guessed.”
She chewed on her lip, still running her long slender fingers over the delicate yellow petals. “Like I said, training.”
“Of course.” He cast furtive glances back at her as he slowly made his way up the steps.
When he got to the top, he leaned on the railing and took in the expansive patio. Elegant French doors were flanked by Grecian statues, and the entire space was surrounded by tall oak trees that cast a dappled shade over them.
“So, um… what now?” he asked.
Tressa’s eyes dragged up and down his body in a way that was more clinical than seductive, and he doubted she missed the beads of sweat on his forehead or the shakiness in his legs he was unable to hide.
“You should probably rest,” she said gently. “You’re still recovering, and obviously your body needs a break.”
Ethan shook his head. She might be right that he overextended himself, but he wouldn’t get stronger by taking a nap every time he got a little unsteady. He would rest when either he or that creature was dead.
“I don’t think I could manage that right now even if I tried,” he told her. “What’s going on with finding the vampire? What can I do to help?” He wasn’t exactly a computer whiz with tech skills, but hewas nothing if not a quick study.
Tressa waved a hand dismissively. “Baylin is on it. Anyone else would only get in his way. He’ll find her soon, Ethan. I promise.”
“Yeah, okay,” he replied, wiping his brow and gripping onto the railing for a little more support. “I just feel weird not doing anything. What about research? Finding weaknesses or things like that?”
Tressa hopped up on a patio table with ease and perched on the edge, crossing her legs in a way that dragged the hem of her skirt enticingly high. If he shifted to the side just a bit, he was certain he would catch more than a glimpse of a luscious bronze ass cheek.
“Ethan?”
He snapped his attention back up to Tressa who was smirking at him.
Busted.
“I’m sorry,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t call him out on the blatant ogling. Just because he hadn’t been laid in forever was no excuse to be eye-fucking the poor woman. “What were you saying?”
She watched him with amusement twinkling in her gaze for another moment before thankfully letting it drop.
