Under the Moon's Shadow by T. L. Haddix Read Free Book Online Page A

all’s involved in a manicure.”
    “Seriously?”
    “I’m a guy. I don’t know these things.”
    “Let me see your hands.” His expression wary, he put his hands in hers. They were warm, with a few calluses, and she ran her fingers lightly across the backs. “You have such nice hands, well-shaped and masculine.” She ignored his startled jerk. “I’d start with a soak in some warm, soapy water. Then do a salt scrub, massage with some oil or lotion, and trim your nails, shape them up a little, although they really don’t need it.” Standing, she took the empty bowl and spoons to the sink and rinsed them, then put them in the dishwasher. When she turned back to Ethan, he had a contemplative look on his face.
    “Okay. Sign me up. But no nail polish, right?”
    Beth was stunned. “Really?”
    He shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
    “Well, in that case, let me get set up. Have a seat.” He resumed his seat on the barstool as she went to the closet in the hall and pulled down a large box. “You got lucky – whoever trashed this place somehow missed my stash of massage lotions and oils.”
    As she set up everything she would need, Ethan watched her closely. “I figured you’d be exhausted by now. You look tired.”
    Beth’s smile was tinged with bitterness. “Yeah, well, I am tired. I just can’t seem to settle down for more than a minute or two. Honestly, I feel like I’m coming apart inside. My skin is the only thing holding me together at this point.”
    She sat the bowl of warm water down in front of him and added a few drops of almond-scented soap, gently frothing it up so that it was bubbly. “Go ahead and put your hands in there,” she said. “We’ll let them soak for a few minutes.”
    “You’ll regain your equilibrium before long. As for tonight, just try to relax. Remember that you have a big, strong man here to protect you, and you’ll be fine.” His self-deprecating grin let her know he was teasing.
    “I do appreciate your being here. I’m independent, you know that, but I wasn’t looking forward to spending the night alone. I know you probably had more interesting things to do than babysit me.”
    He looked at her, puzzled. “What, like laundry? That was the plan for tonight. I don’t have nearly as exciting a social life as you seem to think I do.”
    Beth just snorted. “Yeah, right. You and my brothers are out every week doing something.”
    “Yeah, and people are going to start thinking the three of us are involved if we don’t add some females to the mix soon.”
    She couldn’t help it – she burst out laughing. The image he’d invoked was just too much. Holding her stomach, it was all she could do to stay on the barstool as she dissolved into giggles.
    “I’m glad you think it’s funny,” he said. “Chase asked something last week about curtains, for crying out loud, and I almost answered him ‘yes, dear.’”
    That set her off again, and this time, she laughed so hard that she cried. For several minutes, she couldn’t look at Ethan, because every time she did, he made a face that sent her back into spasms of hilarity. When she finally stopped laughing, she had to get a tissue to wipe her eyes.
    “Feel better now?” he asked.
    She nodded. “Yes. Yes, actually, I do. Thank you.”
    “Glad to help. But can I take my hands out of this water now?”
    “Of course. Here,” she said, holding out a towel for him. He placed his hands on the towel and she gently dried them. Scooping up a dollop of salt scrub, she started working on his right hand. “We’ll leave your left hand wrapped for now.”
    “What’s this stuff do?”
    “Exfoliates dead skin, and it just feels good. You wouldn’t believe how good it feels on your feet.”
    Ethan looked skeptical. “I’ll take your word for it. Speaking of active social lives, I figured you’d have something planned this evening.”
    Beth frowned. “No. I usually stay home on Sunday evenings. It’s one of the only days I