AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nick,” Chloe says as her eyes plead with him.
“She needs to know, Chloe,” he says.
“It’s okay,” I say. “What do I need to know?”
“For starters, now that you’ve made the connection as mates, you won’t be able to just forget about him and move on with Colin. You’ll never feel complete with anyone else now, and you don’t even feel the bond to the fullest extent because you’re human. Imagine what it would be like for Ethan if you left him. This isn’t about doing what seems like the honorable thing in your head. This is about really feeling the right thing in your gut.”
There's nothing like a good, heavy conversation first thing in the morning. I look to Chloe with dread in my chest, and she confirms, “It’s true. It would be devastating to Ethan. He would likely live the rest of his life alone because he would only crave you.”
I hear what they’re saying, but somehow, I doubt the gorgeous Ethan Sullivan would live a lonely life of solitude if I weren’t around. “I don’t want to hurt Ethan, but what about Colin? Am I supposed to devastate him instead?”
“I promise you, it won’t be anything compared to what Ethan will feel if you ignore your bond with him,” Nick says.
Chloe pats me on the knee and stands. “Hey, let’s go take a tour of the grounds. It’ll help to get a little fresh air.”
“Okay,” I say with a nod. We gather our things and leave the room to head down the stairs to the main lobby.
If I thought I was going to sneak out of here without another encounter with Ethan, I was sorely mistaken. There he is, the Alpha himself, sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace in the main lobby. He’s casual and sexy in dark jeans and a light blue T-shirt. My face suddenly flushes while my heart races. He looks up to see us coming down the stairs, and he flashes that smile. He’s a combination of the charming man you want to introduce to your parents, along with a little of the bad boy you want to run away with. Our eyes are locked on one another.
Chloe nudges me and giggles. “Do you want me to pick your chin up for you?”
“Huh?” I ask, looking at a smirking Chloe. “Ugh, shut up.”
I can’t help it. He’s devastatingly gorgeous.
Ethan stands as we make our way down the stairs. His eyes are on me and only me. He takes my hand into both of his, kissing it. A tingling sensation radiates from his kiss through my entire body.
“Good morning, Olivia. I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, I did. Thank you for letting me stay here last night.”
“I’ve been worried about you.”
I stare into his inviting blue eyes, losing myself in their cool depths. Before I even know what’s happening, my knees suddenly start to collapse again. He catches me around my waist, and lifts me into his arms against his hard body as my fingers instinctively link behind his neck. My breathing is shallow and labored as my heart pounds in my chest.
I close my eyes at the warmth of his breath against my ear when he whispers, “You’re okay. I’ve got you.” His eyes meet mine, and I know he sees through any denial of attraction I have for him. “Let’s have a seat. It seems like you may still be a little weak in the knees.” He winks and eases me onto the couch, then settles next to me. “Better?”
He knows this isn’t just lightheadedness, but the impact he has on me. He knows far more about what I’m feeling than I am willing to admit. Feeling his warmth this close to me isn’t doing anything to help slow down my heart rate or stop the aching I’m getting deep in my core.
“I’ll be fine.”
I have to get control of my head. I need space so I can think. I need to leave. Now. The more time I spend here, the more I get sucked in by Ethan. “Chloe, thank you for offering to give me a tour of the grounds, but I think maybe I’ll need to do that another time. I need to be getting home.”
Chloe and Nick look at each other with concern, but Ethan is the first to speak. “Don’t go, Olivia. I think a tour sounds like a great idea. Stay. I’ll join you.”
“Listen, Ethan. I don’t want to hurt you?—”
“Then don’t,” he says as his jaw hardens.
“Ethan, you have to stop this.” I’m trying to be calm as tears threaten to surface.
He gently raises my chin so I have to look at him. “I won’t stop, Olivia. Not until you’re here with me, by my side, in my home, and in my bed, the way you should be. I’m serious. You’re mine now.”
My cheeks immediately blush. “I need to clear my head so I can think.”
“I won’t hold you hostage. That’s not really my style,” he says with a grin. “If you want to go, I’ll have Nick and Chloe drive you home. Make no mistake, though, I will see you again. You’ll be back.”
“I’m making you no promises. I love my fiancé, Ethan.”
