Chapter 46 Rollercoaster Of Emotions (Ethan’s POV)
The energy coming off through my veins drowned out logic, restraint, and pride, but I cared not.
Her breath hitched, and I knew a lot was going on in her mind from how I started kissing her.
For one terrifying second, I thought she would turn to her old self and push me away. Instead, she melted in my arms, that I was left in shock at her sudden behavior.
Her hands curled into my shirt, her body leaning into mine, her lips responding in a quick hungry manner, not hesitant, not confused. It was more like she had been craving for that all these months but never had the opportunity to tell me. Or lacked the courage to approach me with such information.
I groaned against her mouth in pleasure, memorizing her the way I always did with my eyes, the way she fit against me, the way she softened only with me. There was no doubt that I had been fantasizing about having her melt under my arms for months now, but I never took the second step because I don't want to be caught up with the very one thing that I have been running away from, love. “You drive me insane,” I muttered amidst a kiss.
Within me, I prayed that it never come to an end, that whatever was making her cooperate in such a manner, should keep her that way. I needed her to always melt into my arms each time I come close to her, but I already know it might be just a wish that never comes to reality.
She didn’t answer me. She didn’t need to, as she was glued to our little moment together. The way she shifted her head, the way her fingers tightened around my neck said everything she refused to say with her mouth.
I traced my hand along her waist, familiar, reverent, claiming without taking.
“You shouldn’t,” she whispered faintly. I kissed her again instead of answering.
And she let me still, withholding nothing. She obviously enjoyed our moment together, just like I did.
“What the hell is going on here?” Vanessa’s voice shattered our beautiful unexpected reunion.
Demilia froze, and we both did as we had already forgotten she was still around. I pulled back slowly, my breath heavy, racking my brain to get clarity on what just happened. It was more like guilt.
Vanessa stood in the doorway, and I could see how furious she was from the way her eyes were blazing like coal.
Her gaze dropped to Demilia’s flushed face, from how obvious it was that she enjoyed the moment. Her hair was disheveled, showing that we did not just kiss, we were into each other. The way she still clung to my shirt, unaware she was doing that.
“You,” Vanessa hissed all of a sudden. “You planned this, to get him for yourself while I was away, asking a fool of me.”
Demilia stepped back immediately, shock flashing across her face at the accusation. For all I know, we were not on speaking terms not long ago. To think that we were all clinging to each other's bodies a few seconds ago, without a prior conversation on that, is still a shock to me. “No...”
But that wasn't what she was thinking about. She obviously had a lot going on in her mind, but decided to stay calm, though it was just for a few minutes.
Vanessa turned on me, her gaze still terrifying, like she had a lot to say but was holding back. “You let her touch you just when I organized a feast in your honor.”
I said nothing to her, though I had a lot to say, but my silence was enough answer to her already. She knew I would always go on with anything I focused my mind on doing. The contract was just my reward for excellence, as I never fail in business. We hadn't gotten it before because I didn't see the need to, but when I finally decided to pursue it, I got it without any hesitation or blockage from anyone. And now, Vanessa wants to leverage that to get my attention.
Vanessa’s laughter was sharp, broken. “I should’ve known this would happen. You don’t even realize when you’re being played, to at least back off for the sake of your heart.”
Demilia looked between us, confusion mixing with hurt, but she still didn't say anything.
Vanessa smiled coldly at her, and I knew she still had a lot to say. “Enjoy it while it lasts, before the day you would cry for help, and none will be made available for you.”
She walked out, heels hitting the floor aggressively like a warning. Silence swallowed the room the moment she was out of sight. Somehow within me, I hope we could go back to whatever we were doing before she rudely interrupted.
Demilia didn’t look at me, not even for a second, to show she acknowledged my presence.
“I shouldn’t have..” she started. I quickly reached for her instinctively.
She stepped back, stepping away from me like I had a contagious illness.
“No,” she said quietly, though not putting on so much effort. “Not tonight.”
And just like that, she was gone like nothing ever happened between us. Like the kiss meant nothing to her.
She left me, and I stood alone like a statue, still burning, still aching, still realizing far too late that Vanessa hadn’t just tried to seduce me. She had tried to destroy what little control I had left.
It was the purpose of the dinner she had organized in my name, but she used the contract to cover up.
But before I decide to confront Vanessa, I need to make Demilia understand that this new Ethan is willing to give her whatever she deserves, whatever that would make her happy, but it would only be a gradual process.
I want to love. I want to love Demilia, to allow all of me to love her. But how can I do that without losing control? Is loving her really worth it? Or will it bring only troubles my way?