I blink at him, running his question through my mind. “Not that drunk,” I whisper.
He pushes a fallen tendril behind my ear and rests his hand over my pulse that’s fluttering so fast I know he can feel it. “What if I wanted to kiss you?” he whispers.
This is like a dream come true for me. I press up on my toes and seal my lips over his. It’s perfect, and they are just how I remember. His breath tastes like the gin and tonic he’s been drinking, and it’s all the more intoxicating. He wraps his large hand around the back of my neck and pulls my body flush with his as he deepens the kiss. My heart is hammering out of my chest as I fist the lapels of his suit jacket, trying to get closer to him.
He pulls back all too soon, and I’m breathing heavy. He drops his forehead to mine and whispers, “Sorry.”
I look directly into his eyes. I need to know this isn’t a dream, that I didn’t make this up because I want it so fucking bad. I’ve wanted him since I met him. “Ethan.”
He drops his arms from me and turns, giving me his back. The heated moment passes, and I want to cry. My heart aches as he steps away from me and drops his head to his chest. “I’m sorry, Addy. We shouldn’t have done that.”
I reach my hand out for him, but he moves away further. My chin quivers as I fight back the tears that want to fall so badly. The ultimate rejection. I didn’t think it would hurt as bad as it does. I square my shoulders and raise my head. No one is going to make me feel this way.
“I’ll catch my own ride home for the evening.” I turn on my heel and leave him standing there, alone.
The sad part is, he has no idea how much he’s hurt me, or how hard it’s going to be to face him Monday morning. I hear him call out for me, but I don’t turn around. I gather my stuff and call for a rideshare.
Chapter 10
Ethan
Ipull my mask all the way off my face. It feels like I’m suffocating with it on.What the fuck did I just do?I was so fucking consumed with how she’d taste, I broke my own fucking rule. Don’t mess around with employees. I learned that after my fuck-up of a father. She mutters something about catching a ride, and then she’s at the door before I have a chance to even think this through.
“Addy, wait,” I call to her, but my voice falls on deaf ears. “Fuck,” I mutter, rubbing my hand along my jaw. I look around at the empty space and slam my fist against the wall. The dull ache travels through my clenched hand and up to my elbow before dissipating.
On my way back to the ballroom, a few more people stop to chat with me about possible projects. I only halfway hear what they tell me. I nod and smile where appropriate and ask them to contact me at the office as I hand over a business card.
I walk back into the ballroom, and Roxanne glares at me.Yes, I know, you probably hate me right now.
“Roxanne, do you know where Addy went?”
“She told me she wasn’t feeling well and was heading home early. Blamed it on something she ate.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
I don’t miss the icy glare she gives me. I’m sure she saw right through that bullshit, being her friend and all. Cal offers a sympathetic shrug.
“I’ll leave the car for you two to get home. I’ll call a rideshare. Enjoy your evening.” I turn to look at Cal. “I expect you to get her home safe.”
He puts his hand over his chest and feigns shock. “I’ve been a perfect gentleman all evening.” He smirks. “She’ll be fine. I’ll get her home.”
I nod and head out the door to catch my ride. Before ordering it, I went back and forth on which address to use, but I know I made the right choice as the driver pulls up and I climb in the back. The ride is silent, which I’m thankful for. When I look up to her apartment floor, all the lights are off. It’s been about an hour since she left, so maybe she’s in bed, asleep.
Addison:Can you come get me?
My heart pounds. She told me she was going home. Where the hell is she?
Me:Where are you?
Addison:RISE.
What the fuck is she doing there?I don’t have time to ask questions. She needs to get out of that place. I call for another ride and send a small prayer up that it’s around the corner. I hop in the back.
“I will pay you an extra hundred bucks in cash to get me toRISEin under twenty minutes.”
He gives me some disgusted look in the mirror, which I choose to ignore, and floors it.Money always talks. I text Addy to tell her I’m on my way as my leg bounces with nervous energy. I pull at the tie knotted around my neck, trying to find the air to breathe. A million questions are running through my mind, starting with why the hell she would go there in the first place.
I swear to God, if some asshole has touched her in any way, I’ll kill him. The guy pulls up to the front door and stops. Fifteen minutes, that might be a new record. “Wait here. I need a ride back. I will be right back.”
“Man, I’ve got other rides I can get.”
