Crossing borders
1112 Words
Ethan's POV
Control.
It was what built my career.
What helped me negotiate billion-dollar deals. Allowed me to avoid many fake lawsuits against Blackridge Enterprises that buried companies twice our size.
Control was the reason I became a successful businessman.
And yet lately… it was currently the only thing slipping through my fingers.
I stepped into the elevator, hitting the button for the executive floor.
The office was already on the clock. Assistants running between cubicles carrying coffees and itineraries. Business calls being taken per second. Everything, a familiar rhythm.
One that usually settled me.
Not today though.
My office door closed behind me with a soft click then silence.
I dropped the thick acquisition file Helena from HR handed me earlier onto my desk. Instead of opening it, I walked toward the office windows my gaze drawn to the city skyline beyond them.
It's been weeks since Mikael’s birthday.
Two weeks, three days, fifteen hours and forty-five seconds since I had kissed Isla Monroe to be exact.
One reckless yet electrifying kiss.
I should have regretted it more. Instead, I remembered every second. That kiss was practically engraved in my mind at this point.
The softness of her lips, the fullness of her curves beneath my palms. The way she sounded when she moaned and her legs parted unconsciously for me.
But that wasn't the most breathtaking part.
No.
The most breathtaking part was the way she looked up at me with those big brown doe eyes and a blissed out expression all over her face.
She was never good at hiding her facial expressions. The surprise, the hunger… the guilt. I scrubbed my hand over my two day stubble.
I'm thirty-nine years old.
CEO to one of America's largest firms.
Reduced to fantasizing about a woman almost twenty years younger.
My best friend's daughter.
My jaw tightened.
It's never going to happen again.
That was the promise I made to myself the night after the party.
No unecessary conversations, no lame excuses to keep myself around her and definitely no lingering glances.
I intend to see that promise till the end. I can't imagine what Mikael might do if he had been the one to walk into his study at the time.
And it had to happen in his study of all places.
A brief knock interrupted my thoughts.
“Come in.”
My personal assistant, Sofia, enters with her tablet in hand.
“Sir, you're ten o'clock executives meeting with the Foundation has been confirmed.”
Well i guess life clearly enjoyed the irony.
“We're finalizing the partnership with Haven Biotech today, sir.”
Turning around in my position to face her, I gave her a brief smile and nodded once.
“I'll be there, thank you Sofia.”
Sofia hesitated a bit. I guess the little smile I offered was too much?
“Everything alright Sir?”
I nodded once more. “Perfect. If I need anything I'll do well to inform you.”
She left without another question.
As the door shut, I let out a mirthless laugh. Everything's perfect my ass.
*20 minutes later*
I adjusted the cuff of my shirt as my assistant held open the door to the conference room.
The itinerary for today meeting was simple.
The Foundation was finalizing a partnership with Haven Biotech and Blackridge Enterprises is required to be present as one of the Foundation's primary shareholders.
The numbers had already been reviewed weeks ago so today's meeting was merely a formality.
I took my seat at the head of the table and set the proposal folder infront of me, my assistant seated close to me ready to take notes.
Executives filed in one after the other, exchanging greetings and small conversation.
Then the door opened. She strode in just in time.
Off-white blazer and matching pants.
Her fiery red hair packed neatly into a bun with some stubborn strands falling onto her face.
My fingers itched to tuck them behind her ears. I fisted them, looking away from her.
Despite the confidence in her stride, there was something quite…
Different.
“Good morning” she greeted the room with a small smile, going to take her stand infront of the conference room.
Heads turned towards her in response, my eyes lingered a little longer than others.
Then as if catching myself in the action I look away quickly before anyone noticed.
Now's really not the time for your silly infatuations Ethan.
She apologised for keeping everyone waiting despite arriving right on time.
Classic Isla. Always convinced she might have inconvenienced someone else.
The presentation began.
And just like her father did, she commanded the room.
Articulate and confident were the two words I’d use to describe her in this very moment.
She spoke about scholarship initiatives, healthcare programs and project expansions with the intelligence of someone twice her age.
There wasn't a single thing she couldn't prove nor question she couldn't answer.
Pride somewhere uncomfortable on my chest. She had earned the respect of everyone seated at this table…including mine.
The meeting concluded, another successful partnership.
Everyone began filing out, I stayed back.
I got up from chair and walked toward her where she stood gathering her things.
“Miss Monroe”
She turned and her expression softened just a little before turning blank.
“Hello, Ethan.”
“Nice work on the negotiation today.”
She folded her arms against her chest, drawing my eyes to peek at her cleavage.
I immediately looked away, being a head and half taller doesn't do any favours when you have to look down to address your best friend's daughter you're currently fantasizing about.
“That’s all?”
Very dangerous question.
I held her gaze. “Should there be more?”
Herr expression shifts a little and she almost looked disappointed.
Almost.
“No, I guess not.”
That was the safer, smarter answer.
“You seem a little different today” I pointed out before I could stop myself.
“Well, I'm not.”
“Liar.” The word slipped out of my mouth.
Her eyes widened.
“I have work to do” she voiced but made no move to leave her position.
“So do I”
There it was, that pull to remain standing exactly where I was. Close to her, within the very space she breathes air.
To forget the reason I told myself to stay away from her in the first place.
I took a step back.
“Have a good afternoon, Isla”
She smiled.
“You too, Ethan.”
I turned around and walked out the door before I could make another mistake.
- Writer
