ELLIE
Waking up next to Ethan only made me realize even more how hard it would be to deal with everything when the time came. But I decided I wouldn’t suffer in advance. We still had two days, and I would make the most of that time with him.
I couldn’t deny that part of me was disappointed by the resolute way he was handling what was happening between us. He didn’t even consider the idea of trying. To me, that meant he didn’t like me, not in a passionate way.
It’s not that I didn’t believe him when he said he cared about me, I did, but the way he seemed to care had nothing to do with romantic feelings. It seemed like he cared about me just because I was the woman he was sleeping with, and because the sex was amazing, he wanted to keep that going. That must also be the reason for his possessiveness.
Sex seemed to be the only reason he wanted to be with me. Not that it was a bad thing. But I knew it wasn’t enough for either of us. In his case, it wasn’t enough to fall in love, and in mine, it wasn’t enough to maintain a casual relationship. I could never agree to keep this up just for sex, knowing he didn’t like me, even though I was falling for him.
I would never settle for less again. I deserved more and wouldn’t accept anything less than having someone completely. So, I would stick to our agreement, enjoy the moment, and then forget it. After all, what good would it do to suffer for someone who didn’t like me enough to think it was worth trying? In the end, Ethan would just be a holiday fling that I would forget, even if it wouldn’t be that easy.
We exchanged no more than a few words before hitting the road back to the home. It was still early. And despite having lain together in silence for a long time after waking up, with my head on his chest and his fingers playing with my hair, when we got up, we took separate showers. Before we left, he only asked if I wanted to have breakfast at the hotel, but I said no.
The short trip wasn’t much different either—no conversation. I ended up lost in my thoughts while watching the view through the car window. It wasn’t until we finally parked in the garage that I realized we would have to face our friends.
I wasn’t exactly worried that they would interfere, but that they would think it meant more than it really did or could become. Either way, it was none of their business.
We got out of the car, but Ethan stopped me before we left the garage, holding my arm.
"Are you okay?" There was genuine concern in his eyes. I nodded. "Good, because it’s none of their business."
"I know."
His hand rested on my cheek, and he leaned in to kiss me. The kiss started tenderly but soon turned ravenous, his tongue dominating mine with urgency and his hands pulling my hips against his growing erection.
With Ethan, it only took a single spark to ignite a fire that left my panties wet and made me want to tear our clothes off. We were both breathless when he pulled his lips away.
"God! What are you doing to me, Brown?"
"I could ask you the same."
"Come on, we’ve got a hangman to face."
When we entered the living room, we were met by some of our friends. Jason, Phillipa, Zara, Jack, Neil, and Rosie were sitting on the couches. Zoe, Bennett, Will, and Anna soon appeared at the archway, coming from the kitchen.
All eyes in the room were now on us. Ethan simply started walking toward the stairs. So I did the same.
"Don’t you have anything to say to us?"
I stopped at the bottom of the stairs when Zoe’s voice sounded behind us. Ethan was already halfway up when he stopped. I turned to face her. She stood there, arms crossed over her chest, one well-shaped eyebrow arched. Seriously? She’s so nosy.
"Do you think we owe you an explanation?"
I couldn’t help but find the situation comical.
"I’ll settle for a thank you." She flashed a smile.
"Stop being nosy," I said, trying to hold back a smile. "Besides, it’s none of your business." I scanned the room, meeting everyone’s eyes. "But if you want to know something, you can ask your husband, Zoe, after all, he already knew." I smiled before turning away.
"Thank you, Ellie," Bennett grumbled sarcastically.
Sorry, Bennett, but better you than me.
"You knew?" She started to say as Ethan and I continued up the stairs.
On the second floor, our friends’ voices faded to a murmur.
Ethan closed the bedroom door once we were inside. I walked over and sat on the bed, feeling a bit exhausted.
"I have to admit, I feel a little sorry for my brother." He said, leaning against the door.
"Don’t." He’s the only one who can stand up to Zoe." I started taking off my shoes.
"I know, but he kept our secret, and you’ve just been completely cruel. I have a feeling I’ll be the one paying for it."
"Whatever he does, you deserve it."
He took a few steps, closing the distance between us, before leaning over me at the edge of the bed, forcing me to lean back on my arms.
"You’re really a cruel little thing." He whispered with an almost wicked smile. "And you’re going to be punished for that." His hands slid up my thighs, lifting my dress to my waist.