I did everything I could to avoid Ethan at work after what happened at the rehearsal dinner. I buried myself in paperwork, took the longest possible routes to my desk, and even dragged Rachel to lunch with me just to make sure I wasn’t alone.I had made a decision to never kiss Ethan Blackwood again, I was not even going to be in the same room with him for more than five minutes, but of course none of my plans and efforts were going to work.My phone buzzed with a message.Ethan Blackwood: My office. Now. Bring the files from the bottom drawer.My stomach twisted in knots. I had barely slept last night, the memory of his lips, the kiss and his touch was tattooed in my mind. I could still feel the way he had pulled me close, how his hands had roamed, how he had looked at me like he wanted to devour me whole. And now, he wanted me in his office?No! But he was my boss, I couldn't defy him.I took a deep breath, grabbed the files, and forced myself to walk like I wasn’t seconds away from
Today was the day my mother was getting married again.I had put up my best fake smile as her designated chief bridesmaid knowing fully well that month after this wedding we won't be on speaking terms till she divorces Robert and eventually gets remarried.But on the positive side, champagne and cheers right?This has to be her best and most expensive wedding yet, from the classical music to the pristine white roses lining the aisles, and a sea of finely dressed guests watching as my mother prepared to say I do for the seventh time.I should have been focused on the moment. On the vows and the opulence bullshit, or on my mother’s ridiculous display of affection as she batted her lashes at Robert, giggling like a teenager.But I wasn’t interested in any of that shit because Ethan was here.I had avoided him like the fucking plague since I slapped him.He stood a few feet away, looking like he belonged in a goddamn magazine, his suit tailored to perfection, his tie slightly loosened, al
I had swore to avoid the devil's spawn on the reception, but then his hand was on my waist.I sucked in a painful breath as I turned to face him, my heart beating hard against my ribs. I hadn’t even noticed when he had taken my hand, guiding me into the dance floor“Relax,” Ethan murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “You’re acting like I’m about to eat you alive.”I stiffened. “Aren’t you?”His lips curved into a slow, cocky smirk. “Depends. Would you let me?”My stomach clenched.“And besides, I wouldn't do anything you didn't want me to do.”I hated how he got under my skin so effortlessly, how his low taunting voice felt like it was undoing me from the inside out.We moved in perfect sync, his fingers pressing just a little too firmly against my waist, his body too close, the space between us practically nonexistent.“Come, let's dance.” How could I say no to a face like that?Every brush of our bodies sent heat deep in my stomach, my breathing became uneven.“Do you feel it,”
Instead, my fingers curled into his hair, pulling him closer. His mouth was on mine again, and this time, I kissed him back like I needed him to breathe.We were reckless and he was intoxicating. His hands slid down my body, gripping, exploring me, making my knees weak. I felt myself melting into him, getting lost in the fire we were playing with.We had already crossed the line, but I should care or think about the consequences.But then Ethan lifted me onto the nearby desk, stepping between my legs, his lips tracing a path down my neck.I let my head fall back, my hands slipping under his coat trying to unbutton his shirt and feel the heat of his skin.I was drowning in him.“Is there a zipper?” He asked as his hands were struggling to remove my dress.This was happening! I was going to have hot sex with the notorious Ethan Blackwood in a random room in his family mansion where our parents' reception was being held.And I would enjoy every second of the sex.“It's at the side.” His
Of course it has to be Rachel, that girl was a hound dog, always being in places she wasn't meant to be in and finding out things she wasn't supposed to.Her voice rang out, she was loud and visibly impatient. “Ethan? Sophia? Are you in there?”How did she know that we were here?“Ethan you're needed for the best man's speech, so hurry up.”Panic filled my chest. Before I could react, Ethan’s hand was over my mouth, pressing me back against the wall, his body shielding mine from the door as if Rachel could see straight through it.And when his body was pressed against mine, I swear I felt his hard on and I wanted to forget that Rachel was knocking and let him take me right here, right now."Shhh," he whispered in my ear. “She will go away if we keep shut”But the knocking only intensified. “Ethan, I swear, if you’re ignoring me—”My heart pounded. I could barely focus on anything but the way Ethan’s body was molded against mine, the way his palm felt against my lips, his scent thick i
I should have known Ethan Blackwood wouldn’t make this easy for me.After the wedding and the way he had kissed me like he was starving for me, after the way I had almost let him have me right there in that empty room, I swore I wouldn’t let him get to me. I had told myself it was a mistake, a lapse in judgment fueled by my need to break my stupid virginity.I thought I could pretend it never happened. I was wrong because Ethan didn’t forget and he absolutely will not let me forget.His presence was a constant reminder, I got chills everytime he passed my desk.It was almost as if the little things he was doing were turning me in.The brush of his fingers when he handed me a file. The way he said my name, The way he looked into me across the conference room table.And the worst part was that he never for once mentioned it., not the kiss or the way I had melted for him. Not the way I had run.Ethan Blackwood was playing a game, and I hated that it was working.So when Chris Carter wh
At exactly six fifty-five, I was finishing up my last email when Chris appeared at my desk with his hands tucked into his pockets.“Are you ready?” he asked, his smile easy and very much charming.I grabbed my purse, opening my mouth to respond but was interrupted by a buzzing sound, my phone lit up with a text and I knew who it was from.Ethan Blackwood: My office. Now.I ignored the motherfucker, he had ruined my day and he doesn't get to ruin my date. “Let's go Chris.”I barely had time to process before the intercom clicked on, Ethan’s voice filling the office with his usual controlled and teasing tone.“Chris Alister, please report to my office immediately.”Chris frowned. “What the actual hell?”I forced a smile. “It’s probably nothing. I’ll wait.”But as the minutes dragged on, my patience was wearing very thin, fifteen minutes gone and then twenty.By the time Chris finally emerged from Ethan’s office, he looked very disappointed and defeated.He exhaled sharply, rubbing the b
My breath almost stopped as my fingers tightening around the door handle. I hated how easily he unraveled me, how his words slipped beneath my skin like a drug I couldn’t resist.I forced myself to straighten, meeting his gaze with defiance. “I’m done with this conversation.”He stepped forward. “Are you?”I took another step back, I was very aware of the way he towered over me now, his scent was wood and spice and mixing with the heat rolling off his body was pure sin.I felt like I was caught in a web, trapped by the desire between us, and I couldn’t tell if I wanted to escape or if I wanted to give in.“You can’t keep doing this, Ethan,” I managed, my voice sounding smaller than I intended.His lips twitched with a half-smile. “Doing what, exactly?”His voice was thick, taunting. He was enjoying this.“Toying with me,” I bit out, but the words were weak, I wanted to step away, but my body refused. Every muscle felt locked in place because of him.“I’m not the one doing the playing
Ethan drove us to the golf club, but I supposed it was the one he played with Dr. Callahan.It was quiet with its wide lawns damp and other things I supposed were to be in a good club, I'm guessing because I have never been to one before.We pulled up near the clubhouse, Ethan’s eyes scanned the well groomed landscape until he spotted Callahan.He was dressed in soft grey slacks and a pristine polo shirt, one hand gloved, the other wrapped around a club. His swing was lazy and arrogant, like a man who didn’t have a care in the world.I could see why Ethan dominated him on the field.As we stopped a few feet away, he turned and smiled when he saw Ethan.“Well, well. Look who finally crawled out of the shadows,” he said smoothly, walking toward us. “You still haven’t taken me up on that rematch, Ethan or are you afraid I will beat you again?”“If my memory serves me right, I remember I was the one winning.”Callahan laughed and raised his hands like he was guilty. “You got me Ethan.”Et
Rachel took a long pause and then her eyes went to Ethan but I knew her next words were for me.“Do you even know why he is with you, Sophie?” she repeated. “Have you ever asked yourself what he really wants?”Ethan’s body stiffened like she was about to hit a nerve. His jaw clenched and his hands balled into fists at his sides.“Rachel,” he warned.But she ignored him, which was very predictable.She took a single step forward. “He found you at your lowest, didn’t he? When you had no one, when you were confused, vulnerable, lost…” She tilted her head. “That’s what he does. He thrives on women who need saving. But once you’re whole, he’ll walk away. Just like he always does.”My fingers clenched around the edge of my towel, knuckles white. “You’re lying.”Rachel didn’t flinch. “Am I? You never wondered why it was you? Of all people, why the broken, quiet girl who didn’t belong? Or did he make you feel special enough to ignore the math?”I turned to Ethan.He looked at me, but he was n
I reached the door with incredible speed but before I could open it, Rachel's voice called out.“Sophie, please sit down, it's nothing important.”Her voice was sweet like she was trying to convince a child not to lick candy.I paused as my hand was on the doorframe every though. everywhere was heavy with steam“Are you sure?” I asked, turning slightly to face her.She gave me a nice innocent smile that did nothing to calm me down.“I am positive, it might just be a mix-up or someone looking for the wrong person.”She stepped closer with her usual calmness, but there was something about her that offered the fact that this wasn't the Rachel I was friends with.Her fingers brushed my arm lightly like she was coaxing me back into the tub.“Come on,” she said. “Let it go, we are supposed to be relaxing, remember?”I hesitated but eventually, I sat down even though I didn't want to.My mind was far from calm. It was racing, I could hear Ethan's voice pleading for me to stay and the way Rac
I turned back to Ethan, his hand still hovering like he wanted to reach for me again but didn’t dare.“Ethan,” I said, almost begging him to say, “What were you going to say?”His eyes met mine. “Don’t trust her, Sophie.”My pulse jumped. “Why? Make me believe you just don't tell me what to do.” He opened his mouth to speak but then Rachel appeared with a smile on her face.She was dressed in something effortless and expensive, her designer sunglasses pushed up into her waves. She looked like a magazine cover come to life.“Sophie, oh my God,” she said, eyeing me from head to toe. “That dress is stunning on you, you’re glowing!”I blinked, still wanting Ethan to speak, but I could tell he wasn't going to Rachel's gaze went right past Ethan like he wasn’t even breathing in the same room.“I’m parked outside. Come on, they’re expecting us you are gonna thank me by noon.”She held out her hand and I was about to take it, Ethan stepped between us.“She’s not going with you.”Rachel’s sm
Sophie's POVRachel kept on talking as if what Ethan was saying wasn't her concern.“Well don't listen to Ethan, what I planned was amazing.” Her eyes gleaming with excitement. “It will be just us girls and I have got us booked at Valentina’s, with all the VIP things, steam rooms, facials, massages—the works.” She paused and glared at Ethan. “You will love it, Sophie. So relaxing, play you need to loosen up.”I opened my mouth, unsure what to say.Ethan didn’t say anything., but I could sense that he had a lot to say. “I thought it would be nice for her to get a break from all… this.”She waved vaguely toward him, but we both knew what she meant, that Ethan was the problem here.That’s when Ethan coughed out loud.Rachel flinched before regaining her sugar-drenched composure. “Just saying—it’s bonding and I am trying.”Ethan stepped forward, clenching his jaw. “Sophie is not going anywhere.”Rachel scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder like the queen of chaos she thought she wa
Sophie's POVEthan was pacing my room, like a mad man on rampage and I actually understood where he was coming from.“He’s been sending money to Callahan.” He repeated.He kept walking and then finally he started staggering and the, his back but the wall and he sank like his legs gave up on him, he looked like he was about to drown.His hands clawed at his shirt, as he was hyperventilating.I walked up to him and then dropped to my knees to stay beside him. “Ethan, hey please look at me.”But he didn’t look.“Ethan—look at me.” I repeated as I cupped his face trying to make him feel calm, my thumbs brushed over his cheeks. His eyes were glassy like he wanted to cry, but he was trying to hold it together.“Breathe with me,” I said calmly. “Okay? In... one, two... hold it. Now out. Nice and slow.”I repeated it until I felt him mimic my breathing and then his breathing calmed down, our backs were against the wall looking like two people whose life was over.He let his head fall forward
Sophie's POVI didn't know what to say, but Ethan was giving me a very apologetic look, but my look was anything but accommodating.He needed to know that his mere presence wasn't going to change anything.“What the hell are you doing in my house?”“I need just five minutes of your time.” He said and I nodded because it was rare to see Ethan Blackwood begging for something from a common girl like me. “I came to apologize.”A laugh escaped from my lips before I could stop it. “It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think?”“Sophie—”“No, do not say my name like we are still fine and like you didn’t shut me down and tell me to mind my business when all I did was trying to care.”He flinched at words, I was pleased that she was flinching like he should.“I was angry and I wasn’t thinking—”“Exactly,” I cut him short. “You weren’t thinking Ethan you were freaking spiraling, and I tried to help and you practically told me to disappear.”His silence only made me more angry and when I lo
Ethan's POVI have been missing Sophie, and I have been a terrible asshole that doesn't deserve her one bit.she was too kind, he was like a freaking saint who but up with me ever fucking time, she could do way better than a broken bastard like me but she still stayed.But it doesn't change the fact that I still wanted her.I know I hurt her. Maybe not with my hands, but with my words first and then my silence.I could apologize. But I won’t, because apologies don’t fix people like me.I want to make myself believe that she was better off without a sadistic mother fucker like me and a woman like her needs someone softer, who doesn’t wake up every morning with a bitter ass mood and snaps when he didn't .Still… I miss her.But not enough to seek her out.But the only thing I've been doing right this week is following Callahan, and the bastard's life was indeed monotonous.I parked my car behind him, as he stepped out of his sleek black BMW at Silver Pines Golf Club, he was laughing int
ONE WEEK LATER- Sophie's POVIt had been a week, seven freaking long, quiet days since Ethan last spoke to me.He hadn’t called or even texted, I didn't even get a forwarded meme or a “hey.”And I didn’t reach out either, not because I didn’t want to, but because I meant what I said. If he wants to talk to me, he knows where to find me.And more importantly, he owed me an apology. I wasn’t going to chase someone who could so easily brush me off like I was just another person in his life So when Monday came and I went to the site for the hotel expansion because we have been neglecting it. If he wanted to pretend I didn’t exist, fine. I could still work without him.I didn't know if it was because I hadn't been here for a while but everything came together just perfectly, to say that it was stunning was an incredible understatement.It was regal with floor to ceiling windows and it didn’t look like something built in under a year.“This is impressive,” I muttered to myself as I smooth