Dance With Secret

2

Chapter Two - I Ain’t About That Brat Life

Ethan POV

I’m chillin’ in my office, waitin’ for Ava to roll through with her answer. Real talk, I’m not actually firin’ her if she says no, but she’s gotta think I will. I always get what I want, no cap, and right now, I want her as my fake date. Ava’s cute, got that classy vibe—way less extra than the women I usually kick it with. She ain’t my type, though. I’m into skinny blondes with green eyes, not curvy brunettes with blue ones like her. She’s not from my family’s tax bracket, but they don’t need the tea on that.

They don’t even know she’s my assistant. She’s polite, and if I hook her up with the right fit, I can sell her as my girl for a day. Just one day to get my fam off my back about settling down. No more blind-date setups, please.

I need a specific kinda woman for the long haul. The girls I hook up with? That’s just physical, nothin’ deep. For a real partner, I got particular tastes, and my lifestyle ain’t for everybody. I keep my business locked down only the inner circle knows the real me. Letting someone in takes major trust, and I’m not out here handin’ that out like free samples.

I glance at my watch. Ava should be done by now. This ain’t a big ask. I’m not tryna get her to marry me or anything wild. I’ll even pay her if that’s what it takes. My patience is slipping, though, and I start tapping my fingers on my chest. She’s got two minutes before I storm her office.

Right as I’m about to bounce, I hear her moving around next door, footsteps clicking closer. I hop up, lean against my desk, arms crossed, lookin’ like I’m ready to close a deal.

Ava steps in, sighing like she’s over it. “You seriously gonna fire me if I don’t play your fake girlfriend?”

I swallow a smirk, push off the desk, and stroll toward her, closing the gap. She tenses up, breathing a little heavier, same as before. I got her shook, just like every other woman, but Ava’s too stubborn to admit I’m gettin’ under her skin.

“Yes,” I say, voice like steel.

She rolls her eyes, and I clench my jaw. That attitude? I have ways to handle it, but lucky for her, she’s not mine, and I’m not tryna go there. I don’t mix business with pleasure.

“You know I could report your ass for this, right?” she huffs, poppin’ off.

I laugh, low and smooth. “Yeah, but you won’t.”

“You don’t know me like that! Why you doin’ this to me, Ethan? You could’ve asked anybody in this office to play with your arm candy. Someone who’s actually into you would sell it better,” she fires back.

“Everybody’s into me, Ava. Even you,” I say, leanin’ in with that billionaire confidence.

She scoffs, and my fists tighten. Oh, I’d love to school her on how to act, but nah, I’m keepin’ it profesh. No crossing that line.

“No, sir, I’m not. You’re just my boss, nothing else. I don’t even like you,” she snaps, then slaps a hand over her mouth, eyes wide like she didn’t mean to spill that tea.

“Excuse me? That’s a lil’ spicy, don’t you think?” I say, raising an eyebrow.

She’s panickin’, face screaming oh no. “Sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

I shrug. I don’t care if she likes me, most people don’t, and I’m good with that. For now, I can use this to my advantage.

“You can make it up to me by comin’ to the wedding,” I say, flashing a smirk.

“Is there anyway I can dodge this without losing my job?” she pleads.

I’m not big on blackmail, but my original date bailed last minute, and I’m not tryna scroll through my contacts for a replacement. Ava’s it.

I shake my head. “Nah. But if it sweetens the deal, I’ll give you ten grand.”

Her jaw drops. “Are you serious? What am I, some kinda escort?”

I chuckle. “Chill, you’re being extra. Escorts get paid for *other* stuff. I’m just asking you to be my plus-one. Big difference.”

“No way I’m taking your money!” she snaps, eyes blazing. “I’ll go, Ascot’s gonna buy me a dress, ‘cause I’m not shelling out for that, especially since I don’t even wanna go.”

I’m used to her being timid, always doin’ what I say, but this feisty side? I ain’t gonna lie, it’s kinda hot. Nope, stop that thought. I don’t do brats.

“That’s only fair. We’ll hit the mall tomorrow at lunch. Oh, and heads-up: it’s a two-night thing. Wedding’s gonna run late, so we can’t drive back the same day,” I say, flashing a grin.

“What? You better be booking two rooms, ‘cause I’m not sharin’ with you,” she whines, crossing her arms.

I smirk. “Why not? Scared you’ll catch feelings?”

She rolls her eyes again, steppin’ back. “Please, I’m not into you. You’re not even cute. I just don’t wanna bunk with my boss. The wedding’s bad enough—I’m not tryna make it worse by sharing a room.”

“Too bad, Ava. Resort’s fully booked for the wedding. I’ll crash on the couch, you take the bed,” I say, keepin’ it real.

This ain’t some rom-com scam to get close to her. The rooms are legit taken by wedding guests. I’m not that desperate.

“Fine! You owe me big time,” she huffs.

“You know I could fire you, right?” I shoot back, half-joking.

“Try it, Ethan. I’ll make your life a living t****k nightmare,” she says, all confidence.

Damn, Ava’s got layers I didn’t see coming. I’m lowkey curious to see what else she’s got goin’ on this weekend.

“Look, neither of us is winning this, so let’s chill. Go home. We got a big day tomorrow, and we’re rollin’ out Saturday at six in the mornin’. It’d be easier if you crashed at my place Friday night so I don’t gotta swing by to grab you,” I say.

She shakes her head, hard. “Hell no. I’m not staying at your place. That’s a hard boundary. Pick me up, or I’m not going.”

God, she’s infuriating, but I need her, so I cave.

“Fine, I’ll pick you up,” I sigh.

“Good. I’m out,” she says, grabbing her stuff from her office and bouncin’ without another word.

She’s pissed, and I get it. I just strong-armed her into this. I’d be mad too. But like I said,

I always get what I want, and Ava ain’t immune, no matter how much she thinks she is.