Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Wasn't he just trying to get into Violet Cleary's good graces earlier? And now he's using those same charms on someone else? And not just anyone else. He does know that Stella is my assistant and therefore every bit as off limits as Odermatt's head of finance, right?
I try to be patient. I try to focus on the good food and drown some of my frustration in the wine. I remind myself that Asher is my brother and that's reason enough not to strangle him. I remind myself that we're in public and so I should get a hold of my temper. For the most part, I succeed. But when Asher ambushes Stella on her way back to the table from the restroom and starts to whisk her towards the garden, I lose it.
I excuse myself from the table and walk towards them. I stand right behind Stella and clear my throat.
"I'm going back to my room," I tell her. "I need those documents from Mr. Odermatt's secretary."
"Can't they wait until tomorrow?" Asher asks me.
"No," I tell him without averting my gaze from Stella. "Do you have them?"
"Yes." She starts to open her purse. "I - "
"I need you to transfer the files to my computer. Now."
Stella draws a deep breath and nods. "Yes, sir."
Chapter Nine
Stella
Is Ethan mad at me?
The question rattles my thoughts as I follow him quietly to the elevators.
It's not the first time. When I went to his room this morning, I got the feeling that he was upset with me, especially since he didn't say anything about my dress. Not that I was expecting a compliment. Just a smile, maybe? Some kind of approval? But I got nothing. Then in the car, on the way to the meeting, he didn't say a word to me, which made the trip seem much longer than ten minutes. He wouldn't even look at me. Surprising considering he's been so warm and kind lately.
Then again, that was before last night, before Ethan and I had sex.
I try not to blush at the memory as I step inside the elevators after him. Just in case I fail, I stay behind him in a corner.
Don't think about it, Stella.
Then something occurs to me. What if that's why Ethan is mad at me? What if he's upset with me because he thinks it's my fault?
I can't deny it is. I'm the one who decided to go to his room and accept a drink from him in spite of knowing the risks. I'm the one who couldn't say no when he asked if I wanted him to kiss me and again when he asked if we should have sex.
Is that why he can't stand to look at me now? Has he lost all faith in me? Am I going to get fired?
I want to ask him outright, but fear gets the better of me.
"I think the meeting went well," I say instead. Best to start with small talk. "Mr. Odermatt seemed pleased."
"I think so, too," Ethan answers.
Inwardly, I let out a sigh of relief. He spoke to me. That means he's not mad at me, right? I'm just overthinking things.
"Just as I thought, you and your brothers make a good team," I go on. "And they're both very nice, too. I mean, I never thought they weren't, but I've never actually spent much time with them or talked to them before. I didn't know Mr. Asher was an avid reader. He - "
I stop because Ethan glances over his shoulder. No, not glances. Glares.
Shit. Have I been talking too much? Is he mad at me after all?
Just then, the elevator doors open. Ethan steps out. I follow him down the hall.
"Where are the files?" he asks.
"In my tablet."
I take it out of my purse and try to turn it on but frown when I realize the battery is dead.
"Shit."
"What's wrong?" Ethan asks.
"I need to get my charger."
He says nothing. As I open the door to my room with my keycard, I feel his eyes on me. Is he glaring again?
I can no longer stand it so I turn around and face him.
"Ethan, I'm so - "
I don't finish my apology because his mouth swallows the rest of my words. He closes the door behind him then pins me against it. My purse drops to the floor.
His lips crush mine and I can't breathe. His tongue enters my mouth and pins mine down.
Heat rushes down my spine. My thoughts start to blur. Somewhere amid the chaos in my head, an alarm goes off, telling me that I'm about to make another mistake, that I should stop right now. I know I should. But my body won't listen. My heart is already racing, leaping, ecstatic that Ethan doesn't want to get rid of me, that on the contrary, he can't get enough of me. My skin is tingling all over in excitement, already remembering all of Ethan's touches and anticipating more. My hands find Ethan's chest. I can feel the firm muscles through the layers of clothes he's wearing and heat stirs in my palms. My tongue pushes his back. I suck on its tip before my lips press hungrily against his.