Chapter 8
737 Words
Lara hadn't seen Ethan all week. Not in the hallway. Not at dinner. Not even in passing. Their path didn't cross, and when they did, it was accidental and brief, always filled with awkward silence or mumbled greetings. It wasn't just space, Ethan was actively avoiding her. At first, she tried to act like it didn't matter. She threw herself into work, stayed late at the firm , and responded to email at odd hours just to keep her mind busy. But by Friday night, the weight of it all pressed heavily on her.
She needed air, something fun.
Arielle was busy , and Zayne had plans for the weekend, so Lara decided to head out alone.She slipped into a figure - hugging black dress, short enough to tease but not scream attention. Her soft curls framed her face, she applied just enough glass and shimmer to feel daring. Tonight wasn't about anyone else. It was about her.
The club pulsed with neon lights and bass heavy music, washing over her light a second skin. Bodies moved around her , laughing, dancing, clinging glasses. For the first time in a while, she didn't feel out of place. She feels alive.
She had just ordered a cocktail when she saw him.
Ethan.
Her heart skipped a beat before thudding painfully. He was seated in a corner booth, with his arm slug lazily around a brunette in a tight red dress. The girl leaned into him, whispering something into his ear. Then , just like that, she pressed a kiss against his jaw.
Lara turned away sharply, her fingers tightening around her glass.
She is not going to feel jealous. Not here.
Downing the drink in one go , she pushed into the crowd. She wasn't sure if it was the music, the alcohol, or the ache in her chest that drove her , but she let go. Her hips swayed with the beat , her bands in the air, her movement filled and confident. When a tall ,dark haired guy approached and started dancing behind her,she didn't stop him.He wasn't bad looking.He smelled like expensive cologne.And he was here, paying attention to her.
She laughed flipping her hair as she danced closer.
Ethan saw her.
His jaw clenched the moment their eyes met.The smile on her lips only made his blood boil.And the guy - that guy? Of all people? Ethan knew him or rather,he knew about him.A womanizer. Trouble. Not the kind of guy you let grind on you in a club.
He stood , the girl beside him trying to pull him back down.He brushe her off without a word and made a beeline for Lara.
Before she could react ,he grabbed her arm ."We are leaving."
"What the hell,did we come here together?" she snapped trying to pull away.
He didn't either.
He stormed through the parking lot,opened his car , and dropped her inside.Then he got in and slammed the door shut.
"Are you crazy?" she shrieked .
"Do you have any idea who that guy was?
" I don't care !" She shouted back."He was nice, handsome and there.Unlike some people !"
Ethan's hands tightened around the steering wheel."That guy has a reputation. He is dangerous. I wasn't going to let him put his hands on you".
Lara scoffed."But it was okay for you to let the girl hands all over you ? To let her kiss you?
His eyes darted to her .Dark . Burning.
"So now you cared ?" he said quietly."Now it matters to you?
Her throat tightened." You stopped talking to me.Avoiding me as if I was a plague.What was I supposed to think?
He didn't answer.
"Exactly," she said, voice cracking, "Don't show up now pretend to give a damn."
He reached across the console, cupping her face,She froze.
" You really think I don't care?"
She opened her mouth to speak , but before she could say a word,he pulled her to him and crushed his lips to hers.
Hot. Demanding.Consuming.
It's wasn't gentle or careful. It was the kind of kiss that burned.That left no space for doubt or questions. Her hands,braced against his chest, but she didn't push .She didn't pull away.She was caught - utterly, wildly caught - in him.
And then , just as suddenly,he pulled back .
Breathing heavy.
Her lips swollen.
"I'm taking you home",he muttered.
But neither of them moved.
- Writer
