ELLIE
He stayed silent for too long, and the way his gaze seemed to drift into his thoughts for a few seconds confirmed my suspicions.
This still bothered him, though I wasn’t exactly sure how.
“I’m sorry.” He finally said, his fingers running up and down my arms in an attempt to comfort me. “I really wish you didn’t have to go through this.”
“Me?” I frowned, skeptical. “You’re worried about me?”
“Who else would I be worried about?” It was his turn to frown.
“Maybe about how this makes you feel.”
“What are you talking about?”
I took a deep breath, trying to find the words. I wanted to be patient, but I no longer knew what to do to make him talk to me. Not knowing what he was feeling was frustrating and almost desperate.
“She’s getting married... The woman you loved.” I finally said.
Letting go of my arms, he sighed in frustration, exasperated.
“You mean the woman who cheated on me? Oh, for fuck’s sake! Just stop this shit... I’m tired of it. I don’t know what you’re trying to make me admit, but you won’t get it. Because there’s not a fucking thing to admit.” He shot back, letting his irritation come to the surface.
But I didn’t want to argue, nor did I want to irritate him.
“I just... I just want you to talk to me. But, fine. Let’s pretend there’s nothing behind all this anger.”
“Oh, yes, I’m angry. But how do you expect me to stay calm when you’re testing me all the time? Is that why we came here?”
“I don’t want to argue. Let’s talk later when you’ve cooled off.” I said, turning away, but I only managed to take one step.
“No way.” He growled lowly, tangling his fingers in the hair at my nape and yanking me abruptly against his body.
My back pressed against his chest, and I gasped in response, feeling my entire body awaken.
Wrapping an arm around me, he spun my body while keeping a firm grip on my hair.
The next instant, his lips claimed mine, hungry and wild. Every movement of his tongue threatened to send my reason spiraling away.
I couldn’t let him continue, but feeling his sweaty, warm, firm skin against mine was enough to make my body crave surrender.
Pressing me even harder against him, never abandoning my lips, he made me walk until I felt the edge of the bed against my legs.
Laying me down, he grabbed my thigh, positioning his hips between my legs. Breathless, I pulled my lips away when he started moving, rubbing against me with force, making me feel just how hard he was.
“Wait...” I murmured, trying to regain my senses, but it seemed impossible to fight the desire when my entire body was already burning, pulsing, and aching for more.
“I’m going to make you come.” He murmured, his voice rough, firm, and sensual, as if I had no choice or nowhere to run. His words sounded like both a promise and a non-negotiable offer.
His gaze and the expression on his face, as well as the sight of his bare chest, were too much for my sanity. I had to close my eyes to resist.
“Stop,” I said, trying to make him stop moving his hips. Each friction between my legs only made my desire grow. “Ethan...” I held his face, searching for his eyes. “Stop.”
“Really?” His gaze changed, as did his tone, turning almost into a plea.
I nodded, pushing him off me and getting up immediately.
“What do you want me to do?” He asked, sighing in frustration and sitting on the bed.
“You know... So, no sex until then.”
“Fine... You can ask me whatever you want, and I’ll try to answer. Just tell me what you want.”
“I don’t have any questions.”
“That’s what I don’t get.”
Lie. Deep down, I knew he knew exactly what I wanted. But it seemed like he still needed more time.
“I need to get ready to have lunch with the girls.”
“I thought you had breakfast with them.” He countered. “Is this some kind of punishment? Are you trying to push me aside?”
“It’s nothing like that. I just thought you were going to play golf with the guys.”
“You know that’s not my kind of sport.”
“Alright, then you can come have lunch with us.”
“Never mind. But I hope you don’t have any more plans that don’t include me for dinner.”
✽
Unfortunately for Ethan, the guys decided we should all have dinner together. Even though I had hesitated to say yes to the girls during lunch—because of his complaints—it seemed he couldn’t do the same and just agreed with his friends.
And, even though it was his decision, he kept a scowl the entire time, from the moment he got back from the golf course, while we got ready to go downstairs, and even during dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
The place was packed due to the New Year’s festivities, and the atmosphere was lively and cozy, with music and special dishes. But not even that was enough to lift the bad mood of the man sitting next to me.
He remained silent most of the time, and I knew it was because of what was happening between us, especially because I could feel the tension lingering in every glance and every gesture.
“I think we should call it a night.” He suddenly said, leaning in just enough for me to hear him.
It was still early, we had just finished eating, and the other two couples seemed engaged with the music and their partners. They were in perfect sync.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same about us.
“Sure.” I nodded, trying to hide my frustration.
“Well, we’re heading out.” He announced, standing up and drawing the attention of everyone around the table. “Enjoy the night.”
“Already? But it’s still so early.” Phillipa said.
“We’re just tired.” I offered her a reassuring smile before standing up. “Enjoy the rest of the night for us. Good night!” I said, following Ethan.
We left the restaurant in silence, walking side by side, stopping only to wait for the elevator.
I wasn’t sure which of us was more frustrated. The tension in the air was starting to make me wonder if I was making a mistake.
Maybe I should just ignore all of this, stop pressuring him to open up to me, and just enjoy the trip and celebrate our engagement. After all, this trip was supposed to represent a fresh start for us.
But the moment the elevator doors opened, I confirmed once again that I couldn’t just do that.
Charlotte was standing before us, and beside her, her fiancé, David.