A Dangerous Dinner

Chapter 10

Lana – POV

By the time evening arrives, I’m already regretting agreeing to dinner.

Actually…

I never technically agreed.

But somehow Ethan made it sound like the decision was already made.

Which is exactly the kind of confidence that makes him so dangerous.

I stare at my reflection in the hotel mirror.

A simple black dress.

Elegant.

Professional.

This is just dinner.

A work discussion.

Nothing more.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

My phone vibrates on the table.

Unknown Number

But I already know who it is.

Ethan: Car is downstairs.

No greeting.

No question.

Just a statement.

Typical.

I hesitate for a moment.

Then I grab my purse and head downstairs.

The car waiting outside the hotel is sleek and black, its polished surface reflecting the bright Dubai city lights.

The driver opens the door for me.

“Good evening, Ms. Vale.”

“Good evening.”

I slide into the back seat.

And immediately freeze.

Because Ethan is already there.

Sitting comfortably, his arm resting along the seat behind him.

“You didn’t say you’d be in the car,” I say.

His eyes flicker with quiet amusement.

“You still came.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Maybe not.”

The driver closes the door and the car begins moving through the glowing streets of Dubai.

For a moment neither of us speaks.

The silence is thick.

Heavy.

Finally Ethan breaks it.

“You look beautiful.”

The compliment catches me off guard.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I glance out the window.

The city is alive tonight—skyscrapers glowing, luxury cars moving through the streets, people laughing outside restaurants and hotels.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“You’ll see.”

“That’s not very reassuring.”

“You’re safe with me.”

I turn to look at him.

“That’s debatable.”

His mouth curves slightly.

“You really don’t trust me, do you?”

“Should I?”

His gaze darkens slightly.

“Probably not.”

The car eventually pulls up to one of the most luxurious restaurants I’ve ever seen.

Glass walls.

Soft golden lighting.

Private rooftop seating overlooking the entire marina.

“You didn’t say this was a five-star restaurant,” I say.

“You didn’t ask.”

He steps out of the car and offers his hand.

I hesitate.

Then I take it.

Inside, the staff greet him immediately.

“Good evening, Mr. Hale.”

Of course they know him.

They lead us to a private table on the rooftop terrace.

The view is breathtaking.

The Dubai skyline stretches endlessly across the night sky.

“You do realize this dinner is extremely inappropriate,” I say once we sit down.

Ethan pours water into my glass.

“Why?”

“Because you’re the CEO.”

“And you’re the consultant.”

“Exactly.”

He shrugs slightly.

“People discuss business over dinner all the time.”

“Not after sleeping together.”

For a moment he pauses.

Then he smiles slowly.

“I like it when you say things like that.”

My cheeks warm slightly.

“That wasn’t meant to be flattering.”

“Still works.”

The waiter brings wine.

Ethan pours two glasses.

“Relax,” he says.

“I am relaxed.”

“No you’re not.”

I sigh.

“Fine. Maybe I’m not.”

He leans back in his chair, studying me carefully.

“Why?”

“Because this situation is complicated.”

“Everything is complicated.”

“Not usually this complicated.”

He swirls the wine in his glass.

“Is this about Selene?”

“Partly.”

“She’s my family’s choice. Not mine.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re engaged.”

His jaw tightens slightly.

“You’re avoiding the real question.”

“What question?”

“Why you’re here tonight.”

I lift an eyebrow.

“You invited me.”

“Yes.”

“But you still came.”

I open my mouth to argue.

Then close it again.

Because he’s right.

He watches my reaction carefully.

“That’s what I thought.”

I take a sip of wine.

“You’re very arrogant.”

“I’m very observant.”

Dinner arrives.

Delicate seafood.

Perfectly prepared dishes.

But I barely notice the food.

Because Ethan’s attention never leaves me.

Finally I sigh.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to figure me out.”

“I am.”

“Well stop.”

He laughs quietly.

“That’s not going to happen.”

For a moment we sit in silence again.

Then Ethan says something unexpected.

“My brother likes you.”

I blink.

“What?”

“Daniel.”

“He barely knows me.”

“That’s never stopped him before.”

I shift slightly in my chair.

“That’s irrelevant.”

“Is it?”

“Yes.”

Ethan leans forward slightly.

His voice lowers.

“You’re going to be working closely with him.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re having dinner with me.”

“That’s because you insisted.”

His eyes darken slightly.

“Would you rather have dinner with him?”

My pulse jumps.

“That’s not the point.”

“Answer the question.”

“I don’t see why that matters.”

For a moment he just stares at me.

Then he smiles slowly.

But this smile is different.

Sharper.

Possessive.

“It matters,” he says quietly,

“because I don’t share well.”

My heart skips.

“You don’t get to claim people like that.”

“Maybe not.”

His gaze drops briefly to my lips.

Then returns to my eyes.

“But something tells me you don’t belong with Daniel.”

“And who do I belong with?”

His voice drops even lower.

“Careful,” he murmurs.

“You might not like the answer.”

My pulse races again.

Because deep down…

I already know what he’s about to say.

And the most dangerous part?

Part of me wants to hear it.