Chapter 19

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

 

 

The morning after the club, I leave Isabella’s house as promised, but the unease stays with me. Something is wrong. The way she looked when she opened the door, ... she is angry, yes, but she is also panicking... keeps replaying in my head. It is like she is hiding something.

 

I call the head of my security the moment I get into the car.

 

“I want discreet eyes on the house. Round the clock. Do not contact them. Just observe. I want to know who comes and goes, and if anything unusual appears.”

 

The order is given. Within hours, the surveillance is put in place.

 

Julian meets me for lunch later that day. The moment he sees my face, he starts laughing.

 

“You look like a man who got exactly what he wanted and still managed to fuck it up,” he says, dropping into the seat across from me. “She ran again, didn’t she?”

 

I don’t answer.

 

Julian leans forward, grinning. “You’re watching the house now, aren’t you? Good. Stop giving her space. Your pride already cost you three years. Keep pushing. She will crack I can feel it.”

 

His words stay with me even long after he leaves.

ISABELLA’S POV

The days after the club feel heavier than usual. My body still remembers every touch, every thrust, every time he made me come. The morning-after pill packet sits in my trash like a quiet accusation. I am angry at myself for losing control so completely, and even angrier that part of me already wants it again.

 

But I immediately throw myself into the twins. Liam continues his serious inventions, presenting me with a new “engine” made of cardboard and tape. “It will go faster now, Mommy. I calculated it.” Lila climbs into my lap every chance she gets, soft curls tickling my chin as she pats my face and whispers “Love you.” Their presence is the only thing that keeps me steady.

 

When Ethan messages me two days later, reminding me of the personal conversation I promised him, I almost refuse. But I agree to meet him in a private room. Better to get it over with than let him keep showing up at my door.

 

AT THE PRIVATE ROOM

 

I arrive first and Ethan walks in ten minutes later. The air between us is immediately charged. We start with the documents, but the tension is too thick to ignore.

 

“You’re avoiding me,” he says.

 

“I’m keeping things professional.”

 

“After what happened at the club?” He stands and walks around the table. “You came three times on my cock and then ran like it meant nothing.”

 

“It *was* nothing,” I snap, standing as well. “A mistake. One that won’t happen again.”

 

He steps closer. “You’re lying. To me and to yourself.”

 

The argument escalates fast. At one moment we are at each other's throat and the next second we are kissing each other...hard, angry, and desperate.

 

Our clothes comes off in a frenzy as he lifts me onto the conference table, spreads my legs, and drops to his knees. His mouth is on me instantly, hot, hungry, and relentless. Taking me back. His tongue circles my clit while pushing his two thick fingers inside me, curling against my perfect spot. I come hard, my thighs shaking, while I bury hands in his hair.

 

He stands, frees his cock, and thrusts into me in one deep stroke. The stretch is so intense and hot. He fucks me hard on the table, with one hand gripping my hip, and the other pinching my nipple. The wet sound of our bodies fills the room. I come undone again, clenching around him.

 

He pulls out, turns me onto my stomach over the table, and takes me from behind with deep, powerful strokes. One hand fists my hair, the other reaches around to rub my clit. I shatter for a third time and he follows soon after, flooding me with hot cum.

 

 

ISABELLA’S POV 

 

 

For a long moment I lie there, still filled with him, and my body trembling. The words rise before I can stop them.

 

“I have...” I start, my voice breaking. “There are… I need to tell you...”

 

I freeze as the twins’ faces flash in my mind. I can't do this, NO, what the hell is wrong with me...

 

I push him away and scramble for my clothes.

 

“I can’t,” I whisper. “I can’t do this.”

 

I dress quickly and run out of the room before he can stop me.

 

 

ETHAN’S POV

 

 

I sit on the couch long after she leaves, still half-dressed, and the taste of her still lingering on my tongue. She almost told me something. Something I feel is important. But the panic in her eyes was real.

I stare at the closed door, determination hardening inside me. Whatever she is hiding, I will find out. I am done giving her space.

ISABELLA’S POV

Later that afternoon, I sit in a quiet café near my neighborhood, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The almost-confession that still burns in my chest. I came so close to telling him. Too close, just because of a wonderful sex. When did I become this loose.

A familiar voice suddenly interrupts my spiral.

“Isabella.”

I look up to find Julian standing beside my table, smiling in that easy, knowing way of his.

“Julian,” I say carefully.

He sits without waiting for an invitation. “Funny running into you here. Ethan’s been in a state since you left the club the other night. And after whatever happened in that private room today… he’s worse.”

I stiffen.

He leans in slightly, still smiling. “He’s not giving up. You should know that. Whatever you’re hiding, he’s going to find out. Pride or no pride, the man is obsessed. Just a friendly warning. I think you should put your bias aside and have a reasonable conversation with him.”

He stands, gives me one last pointed look, and walks away.

I sit frozen, as the weight of his words settles heavily over me. I can feel the pressure now coming from every side.

And I am running out of places to hide.