Page 91 of The Enemy of My Enemy Is… My Fake Boyfriend?

Once she nodded, I practically ran to my office, bursting through the door, finding Mr. Stratton scrolling on his phone. "Sir," I rushed out, "I have immediate business with your daughter I need to take care of, but please don't leak that security tape, and let's wait on everything else regarding Chase until we canallmeet."

His thick brows shot up in surprise, but he nodded. "Okay. We'll wait."

I glanced out the door to check on Aria, and thank fuck, she was still standing by the elevators. Sensing Mr. Stratton had more to say, I waited impatiently while he rose up and buttoned his suit jacket.

Finally, he reached out an arm, his eyes boring into mine as we shook hands. "I trust you not to hurt my daughter," he said.

"Absolutely." I nodded. "She means the world to me, and I would never hurt her."

That seemed to placate him, and he gave me a firm nod, his phone ringing and distracting him. After placing the record in my desk, I took the opportunity to leave, knowing Aria's dad was smart enough to see himself out.

There was nothing in this world more important to me than Aria and keeping her in my life.

Twenty-Nine

Aria

Ethan walked toward me, making my heart gallop. But that was nothing compared to when he smiled at me, that adorable dimple popping, such a cute contrast among his handsome features and chiseled jawline.

I was such a goner for this man. And maybe, just maybe, he felt the same?

What he'd said earlier, that he didn't want to break up with me, that he wanted this to be real, had that been a dream?

I'd give anything to hear that again, and again, just to be sure, and maybe one more time.

Once he reached my side, he took my hand. "Ready?" he asked, looking down at me, his eyes unreadable.

"I think so?"

He laughed as an elevator opened up and we stepped on, people moving aside to make room in the crowded space. Instead of stopping in the lobby like I assumed we would, Ethan pressed the button for one of the garage floors that was underneath the building.

I kept quiet, an insane amount of energy swirling around inside me—anxiety, excitement, anticipation—as we walked toward... a motorcycle.

"Oh, God," I groaned. "Are you serious?"

Ethan's low chuckle met my ears, and he pointed to a really nice car next to his bike. "These are both mine. Your choice."

My eyes went back and forth between the sleek car and the motorcycle, knowing that of course the car was safer. But also, screw that. I needed to live a little. Take some chances. Gamble on life. Say a big fuck you to everything in my old life.

"What's it gonna be, Stratton?"

"The bike."

His smile lit up his whole face, that beaming expression lighting me up inside. "That's my girl."

The breath left my body at that, and even more so as I watched Ethan put on his helmet, getting an extra one from his car and handing it to me. He was ridiculously sexy. Putting my arms around him and holding on to his incredible body was not going to be a problem at all.

I sat behind him, feeling déjà vu, remembering that night that seemed like forever ago. "Will you do that thing again?" I asked before he started the engine.

He didn't ask for clarification, and I wondered if he had any idea what I was talking about. The bike roared to life, and it lurched forward slightly, propelling me against Ethan's back. The complete happiness that gave me was unreal, that Ethan knew what I wanted, that we were so obviously on the same wavelength.

Unlike that first time, I didn't hesitate to wrap myself around him as we took off, smiling while relishing the feel of him beneath me as his muscles worked, the strength in his body alive and palpable. I couldn't believe the absolute trust I had in him now to keep me safe.

Getting to know Ethan had completely transformed my life.

He effortlessly wove through the traffic crowding Manhattan's snarled rush hour streets, and I held on tightly,the rush of adrenaline mixed with swirling newfound love the ultimate high.

The city flew past us, Ethan clearly a man on a mission, exactly what mission I couldn't be sure.Sitting behind him, I couldn't help stealing glances at his handsome profile whenever I could, the way his jawline carved shadows in the fading light, the way his strong hands gripped the handlebars with such confidence and ease.

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