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He raises his eyebrows. “Pretty good, huh?”
“Yes,” I say with a smile. “Pretty good.”
A deep growl emanates from his chest. “This is driving me crazy, Olivia. I can’t stop thinking about you.” He raises my chin to meet his serious and penetrating eyes, and he’s got me. “If he didn’t like what he saw the other night, he certainly wouldn’t like what I’m about to do right now.” He lowers his mouth to mine, starting slow and gentle at first, then growing impatient and urgent as we wrap our arms around each other, and I moan into his kiss.
I have to push away from him. “What am I doing? We have to stop,” I say, breathing hard.
“How many times do I have to say it, Olivia? I won’t ever stop until you agree to be mine. It’s the way it’s supposed to be. We both know it.”
“I told you I need to think. I need to sort things out.”
He throws his hands out to his sides and sighs. “What’s to sort out? I watched you all evening while your fiancé’s attention was on everyone in the room other than you. Stop lying to yourself. We both know who you want, and it’s not him. You’re mine.”
“Stop saying that. You have no idea what I want. We don’t even know each other.”
“Bullshit. You and I knew who we were to each other the moment we locked eyes. My senses can tell me things about you that you don’t understand yet, Olivia. You’re in denial. Just give in and feel this with me.” He pulls me in by my arms and kisses me again, harder this time.
I reluctantly push away from him again. “I can’t do this right now. I’m going out to tell Colin I’m going home. You should go home too, Ethan.”
“No. You’re not leaving me again,” he says, catching my hand, his eyes pleading with me.
“Ethan, not now. Please. He’s going to wonder where I am. Please, don’t cause trouble for me.”
His eyes soften at my plea. “We’re not done, Olivia. You’re just delaying the inevitable.”
“I have to go.” I walk out of the conference room and back to the ballroom to search for Colin, finding he hasn’t moved, and neither has the blonde.
“Olivia, there you are. Are you having fun?” Colin asks, taking a drink of his bourbon.
Fun? Yes, Colin, I was having fun just a minute ago, definitely more fun than I’ve had with you all night.
“Listen, my headache is back, so I’m going to get a car and go home.” The lies are just flying out of my mouth these days. “I’ll just talk to you tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’d go with you, but—” Colin looks around at everyone waiting for his attention. The blonde doesn’t budge from his side, giving me a phony smile.
“It’s fine. I understand.”
“Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow,” Colin says, kissing my cheek.
I go out to the sidewalk and pull out my phone to call for a car. “Need a ride?” I look up to see a black BMW with black wheels. The window is down, and there’s an amazing set of blue eyes waiting for me on the inside.
I’ve had enough of being ignored, and there’s a man in front of me offering me all of his attention. “Sure. Why not?” Ethan flashes that sexy smile while I make my way over and get in his car. The air is thick and silent as he drives off toward my apartment.
Ethan
I’ll take any opportunity I can get to spend more time with her. “You know, I’d never treat you the way he did tonight. I’d want every single person there to know you’re mine. That’s how it’ll be when you’re with me.”
“Not if, but when, huh? You sound pretty confident this is going to happen.”
“I was confident when you left this morning. After what I saw tonight, I’m certain.” When we arrive at her apartment building, I get out of the car to open her door for her.
“Thank you,” she says, “but you don’t have to walk me to the door.”
“As a gentleman, I believe I do. I thought I could also come inside to keep you company.” I’m hit with disappointment when she stops walking and turns to me.
“Ethan, not tonight.”
“We need to talk about this, Olivia. This is happening with us.” She bites her lower lip as if she’s thinking through the consequences of her actions. “He doesn’t treat you the way you deserve. You know there’s something between us that you just don’t have with him. Please. Just talk to me.” The restraint is killing me, but I’m doing my best to be patient and take things at her pace.
