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“You are none of those things,” he said sternly. “And I will tell you that as often as you need to hear it until you believe it.” He cupped the side of her face, turning her toward him. “Don’t let what other people say dictate the way you feel about yourself.”
“I try not to, but sometimes that is difficult.”
“Lucky you have me to drown out the negativity with positive words. Isn’t it?”
But for how long?
He was only here for a job and she had to remember that. Even though she found herself wanting more. She’d never felt this at ease with anyone before. Except for her brother, but that was different.
Ethan’s touch didn’t make her skin crawl. She didn’t shy away. Or want to scrub herself clean.
Instead, his touch settled her. He made her feel so safe and secure. As though nothing could get to her. And she could be herself without having to worry that she would offend him.
“If I ever upset you, will you tell me?” she blurted out. “I won’t always know.”
“I will,” he told her. “Now, eat your burger before it gets cold.”
She gave the burger a skeptical look but picked up the knife and fork.
It wasn’t exactly easy to cut, and a small noise of frustration escaped her. Then he reached over and calmly took the knife and fork from her.
“Is it that you don’t like to touch the food when you feed yourself, or you don’t like anyone else touching it?”
“I don’t . . . I don’t know. No one has ever tried to touch my food before I ate it. I mean, I know they touch it to make it, but no one has ever . . .”
“Fed you?” he asked.
She nodded.
Ethan picked up the piece of burger and held it to her mouth. “Want to try, baby?”
“This is . . . you don’t have to do this.”
“If you think I don’t want to do this, then you’re very much mistaken.”
“I don’t think this is something friends do.”
“Sure it is. Open.”
The word was said firmer, and she took a bite of the burger.
Oh. That was really quite delicious. And strangely it didn’t seem to matter that he was touching her food.
She chewed and swallowed, then took the rest of what he was holding up into her mouth.
“Good, huh?”
Nodding, she looked around for another napkin. Grabbing it, she dabbed at her mouth. “Very good.”
“Try a tater tot.”
He held up a fried potato.
Cate hummed in appreciation and he smiled down at her.
“That’s delicious.”
“Isn’t it? Now, try it with the mayo.” Ethan dipped the bite into a tiny cup and held it up for her.
