CHAPTER NINE ETHAN 'S POV

CHAPTER NINE ETHAN 'S POV


My vibrating phone woke me up. My head was still fuzzy, the after math of my orgasm still coursing through my system like a fever.

I had a vague recollection of how I'd ended up in bed, but my vibrating phone beside me was the unwanted wake-up call that I needed.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear the fog in my mind, but my hand stopped when I saw the name on the screen.

Liam.

The message itself was short, one sentence, but its effect nearly destroyed me.

"I need to see you."

That's it. Short, straight to the point, and devastating.

The familiar heat, the passion I'd believed I'd been able to keep in check, returned with a rush, swamping my mind. My body hurt, responding to the mere idea of him.

The image of Liam, the danger in his eyes, the sexual tension between us, he had a claim on me that I couldn't ignore.

I swallowed. What was I doing?

I didn't say anything immediately. I just stood, restlessly pacing back and forth across the room, trying to clear my head. I had to get a handle on this. This thing with Liam, this feeling that I was experiencing, it was far too complicated, I was infatuated.

But I had a fiancée. I had responsibilities. I couldn't get involved in something that could destroy everything I'd worked for.

And yet…

I couldn't resist the temptation, the necessity.

I simply stood there for a moment, immobile, before my fingers took a life of their own. It dialed Liam.

The phone rang twice before his deep voice answered.

"You're awake," he said, with humor in his voice. "Good."

I could hear the smirk in his voice, and it shot a burning spear of heat through me. Shit, I didn't need this. I wasn't supposed to desire him this much.

"Are you sure of this?" I questioned, my voice echoing the doubt that I was feeling, although a part of me already knew the answer.

"You're asking if I'm sure?" Liam's laughter was lethal. "I don't ask for much, Ethan. But when I do, I expect a little respect."

I closed my eyes, exhaling a shaky breath. I had to fight it. I had to. But it was like I was teetering at the edge of a cliff, the winds howling, and the compulsion to take that step was agony.

I grabbed my keys, making a run for the door before I could think twice.

I needed answers. I needed closureif closure was even possible with Liam.

My heart pounded as I drove towards his house. I couldn't ignore the excitement in my veins, yet there was a sinking sensation in my chest. What was I doing?

I arrived, and he was already waiting. Liam stood against the door, posture relaxed, but tension in his eyes evident. He eyed me up and down, a quick assessment, before stepping forward, his hand brushing against mine as he pulled me into a hug.

The moment the door closed behind us, he pressed me against it. His body was tense, warm, and suffocating. His breath teased my ear as his lips brushed against the skin of my neck.

"You're here," he whispered. "Good. I was starting to wonder."

I gritted my teeth, struggling to resist the wave of need flooding my body. "We can't do this," I told him, but it came out more as a prayer than an order.

He pulled back from me, his eyes narrowing, even as his mouth twisted in a wicked smile. "Still playing this game, huh?" He lowered his head, his lips brushing mine, close but not quite close enough to steal the heat.

"Tell me, Ethan… are you really going to try to pretend like you don't want this? You can't lie to me. Not now."

His words sent shivers down my spine. My body ached for him, but I fought it. I couldn't surrender like this.

But Liam did not want to leave me alone. He kissed me again, hard and persistent, his tongue outlining my lips. I bit back a groan, clutching his shirt to balance myself as he extended the kiss.

I tried to push him away, but my hands weren't obeying. They went to his chest, pulling him close, and I could feel the heat of his body against mine like fire.

When he finally broke away from the kiss, he leaned in close, his breath warm in my ear. "You know what this is, don't you? You can't keep pretending anymore, Ethan."

I stepped back, my chest aching with yearning and doubt. "I cannot be with you. Not this way. I am engaged, Liam."

His eyes darkened, and for a second, I could see something almost. sadistic sparkle in his eyes. "If you want me, you're going to have to choose. You can't have both, Ethan. I don't share."

My stomach clenched, my heart racing in my chest. What the hell was I going to do now?

"I'm not breaking up with Diana." The words were out before I could trap them, my voice steady. "I'm not losing everything over this."

Liam stepped back, a sneer curling his lips that never reached his eyes. "Then I guess that's it, then." He shook his head, his face a picture of disappointment. "You'll never have me. Not the way you want."

That hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I couldn't say anything, could only stand there. Liam's words branded, burning in my chest. He was right.

"Go home, Ethan. You've made your choice."

I did feel the sting of rejection wash over me, but pride would not let me turn back. "Fine." I was angry, frustrated even. He was so selfish.

I turned and began to walk away, not looking back, not wanting him to see how much it was affecting.

As I walked to my car, I heard him call after me, but I didn't stop.

I had to make a decision.

And I wasn't so sure I had an idea what I chose.

……….

I was barely in my car when my phone rang.

It was my father.

"Come home, Ethan. Now."

The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.

I didn’t question it. I drove straight to his place, my mind still reeling from the conversation with Liam. What the hell had just happened?

My father was waiting for me in his study, his expression as stern as always. "Sit down," he ordered.

I did, though I was restless, my mind a million miles away.

"You need to get your shit together," my father said bluntly. "The wedding is soon, and I expect you to start acting like a man with responsibilities."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off. "I’m not asking. Diana’s family is already making preparations. This wedding will solidify our position in the company."

I clenched my fists. "I’m aware, Father."

But the pressure was unbearable. How could I go through with this? How could I marry Diana knowing that Liam had just shattered everything inside me?

……….

The next few days felt like a blur. The wedding preparations moved forward, and Diana kept her distance, but I could feel the tension growing between us. She knew something was off.

And then, one night, as I was sitting at home, thinking about everything, Diana came to visit.

Her presence was a familiar comfort, but tonight, there was something different in her eyes.

"I think we need to talk," she said softly, closing the door behind her.

I looked up at her, unsure what to expect.

She walked closer, her fingers brushing the back of my neck. "Ethan…" Her voice was low, almost seductive. "I can feel the distance between us. I want to help you. Let me."

I stared at her, unable to speak, the weight of my emotions, my guilt, my desire and my shame crushing me.

She moved closer, her body pressing against mine. I could feel the warmth of her skin, the softness of her lips, and in that moment, I almost gave in.

But something in me pulled back.

"I’m sorry, Diana," I said, stepping away. "I can’t do this."

She looked at me, confusion in her eyes. "Why?"

"Because I can’t give you what you want. Not yet."

And with that, I stood up and left.