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CHAPTER FOUR

ETHAN

T he heat was suffocating, or maybe that was just the rage simmering beneath my skin. Either way, it felt like my blood was boiling as sweat trickled down my forehead, stinging my eyes. I wiped it away with the edge of my wristband and gripped the racket tighter. With a quick flick of my wrist, I spun the handle a few times, the motion more habit than necessity, before settling into my ready position. The ball machine’s hum faded into the background. All I could hear was that goddamn ringtone drilling into my skull.

“Hey, your phone’s ringing again,” Maya called out from behind me.

I shot her a glare, my jaw tightening. She just shrugged, unfazed.

I refocused, my body coiled, waiting for the next ball. The machine spit out a clean serve, and I ripped into it with a forehand, sending the ball rocketing into the backcourt with a loud thwack .

“It’s Henry Langley,” she added as I lined up for the next shot.

“I’m done with the Langleys,” I muttered through gritted teeth, letting my frustration explode through another forehand. The ball hit the net and dropped lifelessly to the ground.

“Funny, considering you’re attending your sister’s wedding in five months. How do you figure you’re going to be done with them?” she asked, her tone maddeningly reasonable.

I swung again, this time aiming for the corner, feeling a brief flicker of satisfaction as the ball landed exactly where I wanted it.

“By ignoring my fucking phone,” I snapped, the words escaping mid-swing.

“He’s calling again,” she noted.

I let the ball sail past me, deliberately stepping out of its path, and stormed over to where she stood. Snatching the phone from her outstretched hand, I held it to my ear.

“What?” I barked into the receiver.

“Why are you mad at me? I didn’t stick my tongue down that guy’s throat,” Henry said.

I closed my eyes, seething. “That’s not why—” I began, then stopped myself. Taking a deep breath, I asked, “What do you want? I’m on the court.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re scary when you get jealous?”

“Fuck off,” I retorted, ready to hang up.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Henry laughed. “I wanted to extend a peace offering. Come to the club on Friday, bring your friends—as many as you want.”

I glanced at Maya. “Is he going to be there?” I asked quietly. We hadn’t talked about the real reason I was pissed at them. At him.

“No, he’s not even in the country. Come on, Ethan. You’re my brother-in-law too. I didn’t do anything wrong, and you’re taking Ash’s little indiscretion out on all of us,” he argued.

He wasn’t wrong. I’d canceled on Oliver and Henry a couple of times already. I just didn’t want to run into Sebastian—not yet, anyway.

Sighing, I said, “Fine. I’m sorry for being a dick.”

“It’s okay, E. Not the first time I’ve dealt with one of Ash’s scorned lovers.”

I clenched my jaw. “We’re not—” I started again.

“Can you stop pretending you’re not interested in my brother?” Henry said over me. “At least with me? Because it’s a lost cause. You’re not convincing anyone. I’ve watched Ash rope guys in my entire life. Straight guys.”

I sighed. “You’re not helping.”

“Fine. Text me the names of your friends. Gotta go. See you on Friday,” Henry said before hanging up.

Maya looked at me expectantly.

“He wants me to go to one of his clubs on Friday. You in?” I asked.

I’d never seen her this excited.

Two weeks had passed since I last talked to Sebastian. He’d spent the first couple of days calling and texting, then silence.

That was that.

He was probably over it and fucking over half of Spain by now.

I didn’t know what I was thinking, agreeing to meet him in the first place. Somehow, I’d gotten the impression he was serious about me. Like I wouldn’t just be another notch on his belt, discarded the next day, leaving me to grapple with the biggest sexual crisis of my life. Charlotte was right—he was too damn charming. I got swept away, believing he meant everything he said. I thought the way he looked at me meant something. I was such a naive idiot.

The worst, most embarrassing part was that it was all me. Sebastian had pulled back, and I went after him. Even though he’d grown bored, just as I’d predicted, I still fell into his trap like a lovesick puppy. Henry clearly knew about it, making it a million times worse. Oliver probably knew too.

I wasn’t even sure what I was doing. It wasn’t like I’d go through with it—getting physical with him. His attention was just so intoxicating. I got caught up in having him look at me as if I were his equal.

I suppose I should count myself lucky I got out before it was too late.

* * *

Apparently, being a naive idiot was still my specialty. Friday rolled around, and there I was, walking straight into the lion’s den.

We arrived at Henry’s club, where the pulsing bass felt like it was vibrating in my ribcage. A hostess escorted us to our table—a prime spot tucked away but still in the thick of it. I’d invited a couple of guys from class and, of course, Maya. It felt safer, bringing backup.

The safety was an illusion.

As I glanced toward the balcony just above Henry’s office, I felt the sharp pull of a gaze. And there he was. Sebastian, leaning casually over the railing, cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling lazily around him like he owned the air itself. His eyes were locked on me, burning with the kind of intensity that made my stomach churn.

Fuck.

I didn’t need this tonight. I didn’t need him.

Snatching a drink from the complementary bottle at our table, I tipped it back in one swift motion, the burn doing nothing to dull the prickle of his attention. With a muttered excuse no one heard over the music, I slipped into the crush of bodies on the dance floor, hoping the crowd would shield me.

As I tried to maneuver further away, dodging limbs and drinks, I almost collided with Henry. He was weaving through the crowd with his usual effortless charm, clearly on his way to find me.

“E, you made it,” he chirped.

I glared at him.

His smile faltered. “You saw him already, didn’t you?”

“You said he wouldn’t be here,” I accused, crossing my arms.

“Any chance you’d believe me if I said I had no idea he’d show up?” he asked, tilting his head with a hopeful smile.

I scowled harder.

Henry rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as he grabbed my shirt and dragged me toward the bar. A quick signal to the bartender later, and two drinks appeared before us.

“Look, E,” Henry began, offering me a glass. “He’s sorry. He wants to apologize. Do you know how often I’ve heard Sebastian apologize? Fucking never—that’s how much.”

I snatched the drink and took a sip. “It’s not about that. I’m not doing this with him, Henry. I know you’ll run up there and repeat every word I say, so tell him this: I want him to leave me alone.”

Henry sighed, annoyed. “Why are you so upset? It was just a kiss.”

I slammed the glass down on the bar, the sound cutting through the music. “Because he didn’t mean any of it!” I snapped, the words spilling out before I could stop them. My frustration bubbled over. “It’s a joke to him. He doesn’t care that he’s fucking with my head. For what? To sleep with me and then move on to the next guy? I’m not playing this game.”

Henry’s expression softened, confusion replacing his usual flippancy. “It wasn’t about the kiss?”

I shrugged, exhaling hard. “Yeah, that too. I don’t want to get fucked over nothing.”

“But you knew Ash was never serious, right?” Henry asked cautiously. “I mean, E, he’s like…” He trailed off, searching for the right words. “Ash isn’t like me, if that’s what you’re worried about, but he’s not the guy you go to for a relationship. You knew that, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know what I thought,” I admitted, my voice quieter now. “I stopped thinking, and now I’ve started again. Just tell him to stay away.”

Henry nodded, resigned.

I returned to our table, grabbing the bottle and pouring another drink. Maya wandered over, her expression curious.

“He sent that over,” she said, gesturing toward the bottle.

“What?”

“The waiter said it was from Sebastian,” she explained, raising an eyebrow.

Glancing toward the balcony, I found him still standing there. Watching. Always watching.

I huffed, grabbing my glass and downing it in one go. The warmth of the alcohol did little to chase away the cold knot in my stomach.

The night blurred as our small group grew. I pulled a girl onto the dance floor, desperate to drown out the twisting feeling in my chest. She was pretty, into me, and I wanted to feel something—anything other than the weight of Sebastian’s eyes.

She kissed me. I kissed her back. But it was hollow, empty, wrong. All I could think about was him, standing up there, watching every move I made.

When we finally parted, I felt like an asshole. She deserved better, and I wasn’t that guy—casual hookups had never been my thing, not after everything with my parents.

Mumbling an apology, I excused myself and made my way to the restroom.

On my way back, an arm slung over my shoulders.

“Having fun?” Henry asked, his grin back in place, but his eyes were sharper than usual. “Take a walk with me,” Henry said, steering me toward the back of the club.

“I’m actually in the middle of something,” I protested, but he didn’t stop.

“Are you drunk?” he asked, giving me a sidelong glance.

I shrugged.

“Good,” he said, ignoring my resistance as he kept moving. He started up the stairs, and my stomach sank.

“I’m not going up there,” I said firmly, shaking my head.

“Relax. I’m just taking you to my office. Come have a drink with me.”

“No,” I repeated.

But Henry persisted, his grip on my arm light but insistent. Before I could argue again, he opened the office door and nudged me inside with a grin.

I shot him a look that could kill, but he just waved me off and closed the door in my face.

“Sorry for the ambush,” Sebastian said.

My pulse kicked up as I turned to face him. Alone with him again, the pressure in my chest became unbearable. Rubbing a hand over my face, I fought the nerves clawing their way up my throat.

“Why can’t you just leave it alone?” I asked.

“I just need to tell you one thing, and then I’ll leave you alone. If that’s really what you want.”

I hesitated, crossing my arms.

Sebastian had a way of filling every inch of a room. He couldn’t just be there; he dominated the space without trying. His tailored suit made him look even more put together—more adult—and it only made me feel younger, smaller, more out of control. I glanced away.

He stepped closer, his shoes clicking softly on the hardwood floor, each step pulling me tighter into the knot of my own tension.

“I don’t want to do this.”

“Ethan, I’m sorry. I get it now,” he said quietly, his hands finding my shoulders. His touch was firm but not forceful, his presence overwhelming.

I tried to shrug him off, but he didn’t let go. “You clearly don’t get it,” I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

He nodded, his grip tightening slightly. “You don’t like this game. You like things up front, and I’ve never said them like that. So just let me say it and then I’ll go.”

I stilled, caught off guard by the honesty in his voice. For once, he wasn’t teasing or smirking. He wasn’t pushing or pulling. He was just…there.

“What?”

Sebastian stepped closer. My back met the wall, and he loomed over me, his height making me feel both trapped and unsteady.

“I stopped because it wasn’t smart,” he began. “You’re nineteen, Ethan. If my father found out, he’d be furious. You’ve seen how hard it is for me to keep anything private.” He paused, his gaze locked on mine. “I fucked that guy because I was frustrated, not because I didn’t want you.”

I swallowed hard, wanting to look away but unable to.

Sebastian took another step forward, his body heat radiating toward me. “Now, about you,” he continued, his voice dropping lower. His fingers brushed my chin, lifting it just enough to hold me in place. “You have no idea how much I want you. You’re the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”

I scoffed, a flush creeping up my neck. My heart hammered, torn between shame and something else entirely.

“Don’t,” I whispered, trying to pull away, but he pressed closer, his chest brushing mine.

“I’m dead serious,” he said, his breath warm against my cheek. “I’m so attracted to you. You have no idea what you do to me, Ethan. I didn’t stop chasing you because I was bored. I’m not supposed to have you, but I want you . I’ve been dying to get my hands on you since we first met. I’ve been dying to fuck you, and I can’t stop thinking about it. About you .”

His bluntness startled me. No one had ever spoken to me like that.

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t?—”

“I know you don’t, but you want me too. I can see it. I can feel it,” he said, lifting my chin again to meet his gaze. “I won’t do anything until you ask me to. I just needed you to know.”

My throat tightened, heart pounding so hard it drowned out everything else. “Fine, I heard you. Now can you back off?”

He stepped back. Leaning against Henry’s desk, he maintained a respectful distance.

His eyes remained on mine. “I didn’t mean to mess with your head.”

“Yes, you did,” I countered.

“Not like this. I didn’t mean to make you doubt how much I want you,” he said, tilting his head slightly, a hint of a smile on his lips.

“What the hell do you want from me?”

“I’ve just told you,” he stated simply.

I shook my head. “I’m not doing this for a one-night stand, Sebastian.”

His smile widened. “I couldn’t be done with you after one night,” he said as he extended his hand toward me. “Come here.”

“No.” He was doing it again. “Stop treating me like that,” I snapped.

“Like what?”

“Like I’m your pet.”

He chuckled, a look of amused surprise crossing his attractive features. “Come here, Ethan,” he repeated.

I shook my head again.

He dropped his hand. “I told you I won’t do anything until you ask me to. Please trust me to respect your boundaries.”

We stared at each other, the silence charged and heavy.

Reluctantly, I stepped toward him, hating how my body betrayed me.

When I was close enough, he reached out, his hand resting on the back of my neck, drawing me nearer.

“Do you want me to tell you what I want?” he asked, his voice impossibly low. His hand was warm against my skin.

I nodded, unable to speak.

Sebastian was forceful, even while being gentle. Feeling it firsthand was unsettling—but undeniably attractive. I placed my shaking hands on his chest, intending to push him away, but he held me firmly. Not seeing his face somehow made it easier, though.

“Let me step back,” I said, though I wasn’t sure that was what I wanted. The frantic racing of my heart was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

His other hand tangled in my hair, his fingers threading through with an ease that sent a jolt straight down my spine. Gently, he tilted my head, exposing my neck like it was his right. “After I’ve told you,” he murmured, his breath grazing my ear, warm and tantalizing.

Goosebumps erupted across my skin as if every nerve had suddenly come alive.

“I want you to want this…” he began, his voice a low rumble that forced my eyes closed against the flood of sensation. “I want you to beg me to touch you.” His grip in my hair tightened just enough to make my breath hitch.

My teeth sank into my lip, desperate to stifle the sound rising in my throat.

“When you do, I’m going to get my hands all over you. And I’m going to savor every second. I won’t fuck you until you’re aching for it too. And when you are, I’ll give you the best fuck of your life. And then I’ll do it again. And again. And again. For as long as you want me to.”

His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Is that clear enough for you?”

I managed a shaky nod.

He chuckled softly.

The moment he let me go, I stepped back, putting distance between us. My hand pressed against my lips, trying to calm my uneven breathing.

Sebastian stayed where he was, leaning against the desk with that infuriating smug smile still in place, as if he knew he’d won.

“Can I go now?” I asked, my voice rough. I cleared my throat.

His smile widened. “Are you going to answer your fucking phone?”

I avoided his gaze, giving a brief nod instead.

“Then, yes, you can go.”

Without another word, I turned and left as quickly as possible, forcing myself not to look back. My heart pounded in my chest.

“Oh, hey, did you make up?” Henry called out as I passed him, but I didn’t stop.

I didn’t stop until I was outside, the cool night air slapping me in the face. Gulping it down, I threaded my fingers through my hair, trying to calm myself. My hands shook as I exhaled hard, forcing my breathing to even out.

I wanted him.

The realization struck like lightning.

It wasn’t just the attention. I wanted Sebastian. I liked how he felt against me. I liked the sound of his voice. I even liked how he smelled.

I was undeniably attracted to him.

The thought twisted in my gut, both thrilling and terrifying. I didn’t know what it meant—what it said about me. I’d never looked at another guy like this. Not before him.

How would it feel, being with him? Doing everything he’d so confidently promised I’d love?

How was this my life?

I thought I didn’t want this. I thought I had no desire to let him consume me the way he so clearly intended to.

But.

But.

But it sounded so fucking appealing coming from him.