Page 60 of Awakening

“That’s the weird thing. I had to slam on my breaks to avoid hitting him, and then he was just gone. I don’t understand how he could disappear so quickly.”

I sigh and shake my head when I think of what could have happened. “Thank God, you’re okay. Listen, Olivia, I don’t want to scare you, but you can’t be taking off like that again. Not when Ian is still out there. I need you to take me seriously.”

She nods, biting her bottom lip. “I guess I didn’t even think about him. I understand.”

I bring her hand to my lips for another kiss. “You’re coming home, and you’re safe. That’s what matters now.”

Olivia

I’m too embarrassed to look at the guards as we pass through the gates of Pinewood. I really did fly through here like a crazy woman. I’ll have to find out who the woman is that I practically ran over and apologize.

My stomach starts to turn when we pull into the garage as my encounter with Anthony enters my thoughts again. If Ethan and I are going to start over, I don’t want secrets between us. I have to tell him. Going into the kitchen, I sit at the island.

“Can I get you anything?” Ethan asks, opening the refrigerator.

“I have to tell you something.”

His body stiffens as he closes the refrigerator and turns to look at me. “What is it?”

“Something happened tonight, and I don’t want to lie about it.”

“Tell me,” Ethan says with a firm jaw.

“Anthony tried to kiss me.”

Fifteen

Olivia

Ethan’s biceps tighten as he braces himself on the kitchen island. “He what?”

“He tried to kiss me, but I stopped him. It was really barely anything.” God, why did I even decide to tell him this? How could I possibly think any good could come from this?

“Kissing you, or even trying to kiss you, is not fucking barely anything. What else happened? Is there more?”

“Ethan,” I say, looking away.

“I said is there more, Olivia?”

“He told me he still loves me.”

“I’m going to murder him with my own bare fucking hands,” he grits out, storming toward the door to the garage.

Rushing up off of my seat, I step in front of him. “Ethan, stop. I didn’t want it. I stopped him.”

“So, he forced himself on you?”

“No, it wasn’t like that. It just didn’t go anywhere. Okay? Please don’t do anything stupid. I just wanted to be honest with you.”

“I told you he wants you for himself. Fucking friend, my ass.”

“To me, that’s all he is. He used to be more, yes, but not now. Don’t make me regret telling you.”

He stares at me. His steel blue eyes are cold and icy. “Did you fuck him?”

I take a step back from him as my eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’m not stupid, Liv. Don’t act like the lines haven’t been blurry. You’ve had plenty of opportunity since he took you in. Did you fuck him?”

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