I put my hands on his chest and push him away gently.
"Ethan, stop. We're in a public restroom."
"Would you rather I kiss you on the balcony?" Ethan asks with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Just like last time?"
I blush. "Not funny."
"Don't worry," he whispers in my ear. "I just want to kiss you. I've been wanting to since we got here."
He has?
Then he licks my ear. I gasp.
He grasps my chin and kisses me again. He tugs on my lower lip, then captures both lips and rubs his tongue against mine. His hand strokes my cheek.
Heat stirs in my mouth. It spreads to my chest, to my belly and between my legs. My knees quiver.
Shit. When is Ethan's kiss ever just a kiss?
I know this is wrong. We're in a public restroom and someone might knock any second. But as usual, Ethan's tongue and lips melt my common sense and my fears. I resist just another moment before clutching his chest and kissing him back fiercely. He pulls me closer. I want more of him.
I'm about to put my hand on Ethan's crotch when his phone rings. He pulls away with a groan and answers the call.
"What?"
I hear a man's voice on the other end of the line. One of his brothers? His father? They're the only ones I know who have his personal number.
Ethan frowns. Not a good sign.
"Okay. I'll go back to the hotel right now," he says. The expression of concern remains on his face after he hangs up.
"What's wrong?" I ask him.
"Everything," he answers before opening the door. "We have to go."
~
Ethan doesn't give any further details about the call as we walk to the car, or during the ride back to the hotel. I don't ask because he looks troubled enough. I haven't seen him this troubled in a while.
When we get to the hotel, I follow him straight to our floor. Ryker is waiting in the hallway. They disappear inside his room. I wait outside and pace the floor.
I know I look like someone in a hospital corridor, restlessly waiting for an update on a surgery. I should probably go to my own room. Whatever Ethan is dealing with, I don't think I'll be able to help him. Still, I can't help but worry. I want to make sure he's alright.
Or at least that he will be.
Please let everything be alright.
After what feels like an eternity, the door opens. I hold my breath, hoping to see Ethan and talk to him, but it's Ryker who comes out.
"Is everything okay?" I ask him.
If I can't get an update from the surgeon himself, maybe I can get one from the other doctor in the room.
"No," he answers. "There's a chance the acquisition of Odermatt Corp. might not push through."
My heart stops. What?
"What do you mean?" I ask curiously.
"Exactly that, but the details are complicated at this point." He gives me a puzzled look. "Have you been waiting here the whole time?"
"Yes," I answer. "I'm worried about Ethan. I was with him when..."
I stop talking as I notice Ryker's eyebrows arch slightly. Blood rushes to my cheeks as I realize I've just slipped. Shit.
"I mean Mr. Hawthorne," I correct myself quickly. "Mr. Ethan Hawthorne, that is. Sir Ethan."
Ryker narrows his eyes at me but doesn't speak. A lump forms in my throat.
He knows.
He backs me against the wall. I swallow and clutch the scarf around my neck. Ethan's scarf. Shit.
"So it's true," Ryker says. "Ethan's sleeping with you."
What does he mean? He already knew? Did Ethan tell him? I thought we weren't supposed to tell anyone.
I grip my chest. What do I do? Deny it? But if Ryker already knows, if Ethan already spoke to him, I have no choice but to tell the truth.
I draw a deep breath. "Yes."
Ryker nods. "I see."
I hear the disapproval in his voice.
"I'm sorry." I look away as I feel a stab of guilt. "I didn't mean for this to happen."
"But you allowed it to."
I did. And I know I shouldn't have. That's why I can't look him in the eye.
"I'm sorry," I tell him again.
I don't know what else to say.
"I'm not saying this is entirely your fault," Ryker tells me. "But I'll tell you this. Both of you are making a mistake. Ethan is your boss and you're his assistant."
I know that.
"That means Ethan is never going to allow himself to feel anything for you, which means he'll only hurt himself. And you're going to get hurt,