Page 17 of When We Ignite
Ice-cold silence drenched us both.
I closed my eyes.
Fuckingidiot.
Still, he was unfazed. “Curious, considering you still sound like your teenage self. Do you think I don’t handle the fallout from your behavior? Fiddling with twenty-something men, pictures splashed across tabloids. Is that how you run a respectable business? The times I’ve had to reassure shareholders that you’re responsible—even when you don’t act like it. Reevaluate the budget for your little project. I won’t watch you shred our reputation.” With that, he hung up.
Damn it.
I rubbed a hand over my face.
Couldn’t keep my mouth shut.
Aria knocked and peeked in. “All done?”
I nodded, standing up. “Ari, I need a favor.”
She looked up attentively.
“Talk to the tabloids. Offer them more for any pictures of me—have them sent to me before publishing. Anything about my personal life, I want off the radar.”
She nodded, curiosity evident. I’d always embraced a “do whatever you want” attitude. Seems I needed to be more careful.
Glancing at my phone, I thought about Ethan.
I’d have to be a hell of a lot more discreet about that.
* * *
Less than a week had passed since I’d last seen Ethan. We still texted, and he’d reply, but keeping a conversation going was tough. Every time I edged into flirting, he’d either stop responding or send one-word replies. Meeting him in person seemed the only way forward.
Henry, ever helpful, set up a lunch with Oliver and Charlotte, inviting Ethan along. He didn’t mention I was coming.
As I approached the table, they all looked up, surprised.
“Don’t look so shocked. Last I checked, we’re still brothers,” I told Oliver as a server added a place setting.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were in Madrid this week,” Oliver said.
“Next week. Flying out Tuesday.” I bent to kiss Charlotte’s cheek, then turned to Ethan. His blue eyes met mine, a small smile playing on his lips. I leaned into him. He didn’t flinch this time.
“Even lovelier to see you,” I whispered, lingering before taking my seat.
Ethan looked flustered but tried his best to hide it—lips pressed tight, hand near his face.
“Just floored you’re here,” Henry said, feigning shock. He shot Ethan a look, but Ethan shook his head, avoiding eye contact. A little uncomfortable jolt of something went through me as I witnessed the exchange.
“It’s a welcome surprise,” Charlotte chimed in. “We were talking about going to the Hamptons next month. Oli said your dad and Vivian could make it. A family weekend before the wedding.”
“Sounds great, Charlie. Let me know the dates, and I’ll try to be there,” I replied. A weekend with Ethan sounded like the best idea.
The server brought me a whiskey, and we ordered. I kept stealing glances at Ethan, but he was seated too far away for casual chat. I needed to get away from the lovebirds.
Ethan was electric when prodded.
That car ride lingered—his subtle smiles, nervous bravado, sharp wit. It made him incredibly appealing. He could’ve been just a pretty face with a great body, but he was so much more. I should’ve moved on by now and found someone else, but seeing him reminded me how much I wanted him.
I was dying to fuck him.
