ETHAN'S POV
I had no idea where Victoria lived. As I helped her stumble out of the restaurant, that reality hit me hard.
I managed to get her to my car and carefully eased her into the passenger seat. Her head lolled to one side as I struggled with her seatbelt.
"There we go," I muttered, finally clicking it into place.
I was about to close the door when I found myself pausing, caught off guard by her face in the dim glow of the parking lot lights. I'd never seen Tori Martinez completely unguarded before.
Her long lashes rested against her cheeks, her usually stern mouth soft and relaxed. My eyes traced the delicate curve of her nose, the fullness of her pink lips, involuntarily drifting lower to where her shirt had slipped, revealing a hint of cleavage.
She was beautiful. Not just hot or cute, but genuinely beautiful.
I mentally slapped myself. What was I doing staring at her like some creep? I quickly shut the door and jogged around to the driver's side.
Once inside, I grabbed her phone from her bag, hoping to call someone who might know where she lived. Of course it was password protected.
"Damn it," I muttered, tossing it back. Now what?
I started the car, driving aimlessly while contemplating my options.
Did she live in the dorms? I'd never heard her mention roommates. Maybe Maya would know, but I didn't have her number.
"Tori," I tried again, gently shaking her shoulder at a red light. "Where do you live?"
She just sighed and curled deeper into the seat.
After thirty minutes of driving in circles, hoping she'd wake up or her phone would ring, I checked the time. Almost midnight. This was ridiculous. I couldn't keep driving around all night, and I couldn't exactly leave her passed out in my car.
That left one option.
"I guess you're coming to my place," I said to her sleeping form.
When we arrived at my apartment, I sat for a moment, wondering if this was really the best solution.
But what choice did I have? I couldn't wake her, couldn't contact anyone who knew her, and couldn't leave her.
"Here goes nothing," I whispered, going around to her side and carefully unbuckling her seatbelt.
I slid one arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her against my chest.
She was surprisingly light but solid, all lean muscle. Her head nestled naturally into the crook of my neck, her breath warm against my skin.
Carrying her bridal-style into my building and up the stairs was more awkward than romantic, especially when she mumbled something about "stupid tennis" that made me almost drop her laughing.
By the time I reached my bedroom, my arms were burning. I approached the bed, ready to lay her down, when suddenly her eyes fluttered open.
I jerked upright in surprise, nearly fumbling my hold on her.
"Where am I?" she asked, voice heavy with sleep, her dark eyes unfocused.
"I... I don't know your address," I explained nervously. "Do you mind? I didn't know where else to take you."
She blinked slowly, looking around the room without real comprehension. Whatever sugar-induced fog she was in hadn't cleared yet.
"S'nice," she murmured, eyes already drooping again.
I gently lowered her onto the bed, then knelt to remove her shoes.
The domesticity of the gesture wasn't lost on me—Ethan Harrington, untying Tori Martinez's sneakers, what universe was this?
After pulling the duvet up to her chin, I stood watching the soft rise and fall of her chest for a moment. She looked peaceful, so different from the fierce competitor I was used to seeing.
"Goodnight, Tori," I whispered, turning to leave.
Something caught my wrist, stopping me. I looked back to find her hand wrapped around mine, her eyes half-open again.
"I'm cold," she muttered, tugging weakly.
"I can get another blanket," I offered, trying to disentangle myself.
Instead of letting go, she pulled harder, catching me off balance. I toppled onto the bed beside her, bracing myself on my free arm to avoid crushing her.
"Tori, what are you—"
Before I could finish, she lifted her head from the pillow and pressed her lips to mine. Not an accidental collision like before, but a real kiss.