Chapter Nine: Who is Ethan?
1067 Words
Tara Blakewood
“Since you defied me, I’ll show you something you never expected, Tara.”
Kaiden said this while his breath seemed to numb my mind and all my senses, yet I forced myself to stay composed.
His closeness was dangerously intense, and I didn’t feel comfortable with it. I quickly pulled my hand away from under his palm.
I wanted to run, but before I could turn, he opened the secretary’s office door and gently pushed me inside, stepping in behind me and closing it without using a key.
Alarm bells rang in my mind, heart, and body as he approached slowly, his eyes fixed on mine, deliberately making me flustered.
“Kaiden, stop your secretary might come to her office any moment.”
I said, looking anywhere but him.
“If this is her office, then it’s my company, Tara Blakewood.”
There was no room to argue he was right.
He stood just a few inches away, his palm resting next to my head, forcing me to glance at him.
I looked into his eyes and I wish I hadn’t. They were dark… menacingly dark.
The same look I had seen in therapy sessions that lasted over six years because of him.
That alone terrified me. And now, he was looking at me.. and my body like this.
So, as a natural reaction, I closed my eyes, squeezing them tightly. My body trembled as I gripped the edges of my short skirt with both hands.
My palms were sweaty; I’m sure a few drops had trickled onto my forehead. I lowered my head, thinking only about what he might do next after giving me that look and shutting the door.
I didn’t care about his handsomeness or those tempting features I had always cherished.
I felt strands of hair I had brushed down my forehead that morning get pushed back completely behind my ears by fingers. not anyone’s, only his.
Then I felt touches on the back of my hands, curled over my skirt.
Light, teasing touches that made my body shiver, yet somehow pleased me. I relaxed my grip slightly and loosened my closed eyes.
I opened my eyes when he took both my hands into his, each of his hands holding mine gently.
His thumbs brushed the back of my hands in slow, deliberate motions, making me feel calm, melting the fear and panic that had seized me.
It was the exact same scenario and movements that had occurred twice in my home in Italy.
I suppose that’s why I overthink him, examining every detail.
Just these subtle touches simple yet comforting had an effect Ethan Roilan, my doctor and fiancé, never could. Their effect on me was strong, for reasons I didn’t understand.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Tara. I… I’m not doing anything. I was just teasing.”
I didn’t like what he said I hated teasing.
“For your information, Kaiden, you’re not someone I can be toyed with.”
I said this despite the kiss he had pressed on the back of my hand, which didn’t thrill me or send shivers through me.
I didn’t know why, only that I felt I needed to step back.
As soon as I finished the sentence, I pulled away, heading for the door, feeling an overwhelming urge to cry. Perhaps it was my hormones, or maybe because I was a sensitive girl, but nothing tangible had triggered this.
I finished my workday without speaking another word. The last thing I said was that sentence to Kaiden.
Now, I was heading to the parking garage.
My phone vibrated in my hand, making me pause. It was Ethan.
I answered, and as usual, he was the first to speak.
“Hello, Tara. How was your day at work?”
I smiled slightly because of him. He was the only one checking on me these days.
I continued walking toward my car, my back aching from sitting on that hard chair.
A Jaguar, lavishly parked beside my car on the left, caught my eye. My Bugatti was low to the ground, making it impossible to sit on. So I turned and perched on the hood of the Jaguar.
“It was a bit tiring, but okay. I’ll get used to it,” I said.
I heard him hum through the phone. Not as exciting as Kaiden’s presence, damn it. Here I go thinking about him again didn’t my brain agree not to?
“Tara, please don’t tire yourself this way. I need you at your full energy.”
His words registered a few seconds too late, prompting me to snap at him, ignoring anyone around. The echo in the garage only amplified my voice.
“Don’t speak to me like that, you know I… I’m blunt… blunt, Ethan, how many times have I told you!”
I said this, staring at my black heels, oblivious to anything else.
“Who are you talking to?!”
I looked toward the rude interruption and it was him. The one I was struggling not to think about.
“Wait a moment. Since when are you here, Kaiden?”
“I was inside the car when you plopped that perfect rear of yours onto my hood. I wouldn’t be surprised to find dents there.”
He looked at my phone screen, his features sharp, a few rebellious strands falling over his forehead, only enhancing his allure as he spoke with a casual confidence that contrasted his scowling expression.
I think he hung up, because I saw him tap something.
“Who’s this?”
I really didn’t understand what he meant.
“Who do you mean, Mr. Kaiden?”
Forget it, his furrowed brows looked exhausted, like I cared.
He reopened the phone, tapping several times until he said:
“Who’s Ethan?”
Wait… is he really asking about the person I was speaking to? What business is it of his?
“My phone… it’s none of your business, Mr. Kaiden.”
“You don’t give the orders, Tara,”
he said, tossing the phone into the air before catching it again.
“Get down from my car and get into mine,”
he commanded, his eyes directing me toward the car door.
“I won’t. Besides, I have a car.”
He grabbed my hand, pressing my back against his chest. I tried to pull away.
- Writer
