UNTIL I MET HER

CHAPTER EIGHT

Bethany entered the dressing room, scanning the crowded space for a familiar face. Seth spotted her and made his way over. "B, what are you doing here?"
Bethany hesitated. "Uhm, Seth... have you seen Liam?"
Seth's expression turned cautious. "He's in his room... but, B, you're not supposed to be in here."
Bethany's determination was evident. "I know, it'll be quick... What room?"
Seth relented, his voice low. "Room 39... it's on the left."
Bethany hugged Seth briefly before hurrying off. When she arrived at Liam's room, she was taken aback by Gary, who was wearing only a towel. She tried to leave, but Gary quickly grabbed her hand.
"Hey, pretty" Bethany wriggled free from Gary's grasp. "Uhm, is Liam here?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.
Liam emerged, his gaze locking onto Bethany. Gary released her hand, and Liam's smile was casual. "Hey, babe..."
Bethany's voice was firm. "Liam, can we talk?"
Liam's tone was nonchalant. "Sure."
Bethany's eyes flicked to Gary, her discomfort evident. "Uhm, alone..."
Liam's expression turned stubborn. "Gary's not leaving this place... so it's either you talk or you leave."
The tension between them was palpable as they stared each other down.
Meanwhile, Ethan entered the men’s room, his eyes scanning the space until they landed on Seth. "Hey, man... I know you felt offended the last time we saw each other."
Seth shrugged. "It's cool... just don't touch my girl."
Ethan's expression was neutral. "No problem."
But Seth's next words sparked Ethan's anger. "Your girl came in here a few minutes ago."
Ethan's frown deepened. "What? Where’s she?"
"She's in Liam's room?"Liam replied
"How did she find out his room number?"
Seth's casual tone infuriated Ethan. "I told her his room number..."
Ethan's voice rose. "You did what? Why the f**k did you do that?"
In a flash of anger, Ethan hit Seth and stormed out of the room, leaving Seth reeling.
Bethany's gaze met Gary's before she turned back to Liam. "Fine, Liam, I think we should break up."
Liam's eyes widened in shock. "What?"
As he moved closer, Bethany took a step back, but Gary caught her from behind. Liam's smile was smug. "This is because of Ethan."
Bethany's voice was firm. "Don't involve him in this... this is between me and you, Liam."
Liam sneered. "Oh, really... You're funny, you know... When and how did it start, huh? Ethan Smith doesn't love, he f***s and then moves to another. You know that right... You're f*****g cheap for letting him in."
Bethany's slap cracked across Liam's face, but he just smiled. ".. You've got some nerves... or has Ethan made you a little sharper?"
As Bethany tried to leave, Gary lifted her off the ground. "Let me go!" she struggled.
Liam's voice was cold. "Gary, let her go... Leave us... we're not done yet."
When Gary released her, Bethany 
turned to face Liam. "What are you talking about?"
Liam's eyes gleamed with obsession. "You know, B... I won't give you up to anyone, not Ethan, not anyone... until I've had my way with you."
As he touched her shoulder, Bethany shuddered and moved away. "I'm leaving."
But Liam was relentless, grabbing her waist and pinning her to the wall. "Take your filthy hands off me "Bethany yells
 "These filthy hands would still have their way with you."
Bethany struggled, slapping Liam again before making a desperate dash for the door. Just as she reached it, Ethan burst in, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Bethany.
With a swift movement, he grabbed her waist, saving her from falling. Bethany turned, her eyes locking onto Ethan's. "Ethan..."
But as Ethan's gaze turned to Liam, Bethany stopped him. "Please, let's just leave."
Liam's smile was still etched on his face as Ethan dragged Bethany out of the room, to his room, slamming the door shut behind them.
"Bethany, why were you in his room?" Ethan demanded, his voice low and urgent.
Bethany hesitated, "I..."
Ethan cut her off, his eyes blazing with intensity. "Tell me, Bethany... Are you in love with him?"
Bethany's eyes widened in protest. "What?
Ethan's voice was low and menacing. "You went to his f*****g room, don't play dumb with me."
Bethany's protest was weak. "Ethan, it's not what you think... You're overreacting."
But Ethan's expression only darkened. "You almost got r***d twice," he spat, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Bethany's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to respond. "Please stop saying that... It's not your problem."
Ethan's frown deepened, his eyes flashing with anger. "It is my problem," he growled, his fist clenched at his side.
Bethany's gaze met Ethan's, searching for answers. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, his jaw clenched in frustration. He turned away, slamming his fist onto the slab. The sound echoed through the room, a testament to his simmering anger.
Ethan's voice was laced with frustration. "Haven't I told you this already? Isn't it f*****g obvious?"
He took a step closer to Bethany, his eyes burning with intensity. "Because I care about you," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I can't stand seeing you with other guys. I want to be the only one who gets to touch you... I want to protect you."
As he spoke, Ethan's hands wrapped around Bethany's waist, pulling her close. Bethany's eyes fluttered closed, her body relaxing into his touch.
"I want you in my life," Ethan whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "I want to taste all of you..."
Bethany's eyes opened, her gaze drifting down to Ethan's hands, still wrapped around her waist. She felt a shiver run down her spine as Ethan's lips brushed against her neck, sending waves of pleasure through her body.
As he kissed her neck, Bethany turned to face him, her eyes locking onto his. The air was charged with tension, the only sound the soft whisper of Ethan's lips against her skin.
Ethan's hands grasped Bethany's waist, pulling her close as their lips met in a passionate kiss. They gazed into each other's eyes, lost in the moment.
Bethany's voice was barely audible, a soft whisper. "I'm sorry..."
Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, his expression tender. He slowly lowered himself, his lips tracing a path down her neck, his hands cradling her legs. He lifted her gently, placing her on the counter, their kiss never breaking.
As they continued to kiss, Ethan's hands roamed her body, his fingers brushing against her breast. He caressed her gently, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He unzipped her gown, his lips still locked on hers, his hands tracing the curves of her body.
His fingers grazed her n*****s, and Bethany's body arched, responding to his touch. The air was charged with tension, their kiss deepening as they lost themselves in the moment.
As Ethan's lips trailed down her neck, Bethany's body trembled. He moved his mouth to her n****e, his tongue swirling around it, sucking gently. But Bethany's initial pleasure gave way to discomfort, her body tensing up.
"Ethan..." she whispered, her voice laced with unease.
But Ethan continued, his mouth still fixed on her breast. "Ethan, please stop," she pleaded, trying to push him away.
He pulled her closer, his grip tightening, his mouth still sucking her n****e. Bethany's discomfort turned to distress, and she pushed him harder, trying to break free.
Finally, Ethan looked up, his eyes locking onto hers. Bethany quickly pulled her gown up, covering her breast, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"What's wrong?" Ethan asked, his voice laced with anger.
Bethany shook her head, trying to brush it off. "Nothing... I'm just going to go."
But Ethan's eyes narrowed, his voice firm. "Can you be f*****g honest with me?" he demanded, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Bethany's eyes narrowed, her voice cautious. "What do you mean?"
Ethan moved closer, his eyes locked on hers, but Bethany backed away, her hands raised in defense. "You like me as much as I like you," Ethan said, his voice low and husky.
Bethany's gaze met Ethan's, her expression unreadable. "I don't," she said finally, her voice firm.
Ethan's smile was knowing. "Your body tells me something else, something different."
Bethany's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't have any feelings for you."
Ethan's eyes glinted with challenge. "We'll see."
As he grabbed her, Bethany struggled, trying to break free. "What are you doing?"
Ethan's hands roamed her back, his fingers tracing her unzipped gown. "You know there are many other ways I can get you to stop struggling," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.
Bethany's plea was desperate. "Ethan, please."
But Ethan's grip only tightened, his fingers, pulling the fabric falling down to her waist. Bethany's hands instinctively covered her breasts, but Ethan's fingers wrapped around her wrists, holding them in place.
"Don't you f*****g dare," he growled, his eyes blazing with intensity.
As he caressed her breast, Bethany's body betrayed her, a silent moan escaping her lips. Ethan's smile was triumphant. "Look at me, baby girl."
But Bethany's eyes refused to meet his, her face turned away in shame. Ethan's fingers continued to caress her breast, his touch hard and insistent. Finally, Bethany's eyes met his, her gaze flashing with anger and desire.
Ethan's smile grew wider as he pulled her closer, his lips claiming hers in a fierce kiss. Bethany's n*****s brushed against his chest, and Ethan's kiss deepened, his tongue tracing the curves of her mouth.
As Ethan's kiss deepened, Bethany's breathing grew labored. Ethan broke away, his eyes locking onto hers as she struggled to catch her breath.
"And you say you have no feelings for me at all," he whispered, his gaze roaming her breasts.
But before Bethany could respond, Cody's voice cut through the air, his applause echoing off the walls. "Bravo, Ethan, bravo."
Ethan's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he grabbed Bethany and covered her. "What the f**k are you doing here, Cody?"
Cody sauntered over, his eyes fixed on Bethany. "I'm thirsty... and I think she's got enough for both of us."
Ethan's gaze dropped to Bethany's hands, which were clutching his shirt as if seeking comfort or protection. He felt a surge of possessiveness and concern, his eyes then shifting to Cody with a deepening frown. His brow furrowed, and his jaw clenched, as if daring Cody to come closer or make another comment. The air was thick with tension, Ethan's body language screaming warning and defiance, as he positioned himself wrapping his hands round her, shielding her from potential harm.
Ethan's grip on Bethany tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. "Cody, leave. Now."
But Cody just chuckled. "Chill, man... You know, princess, if you want to have s*x, this isn't the right place. Remember, you're in the men's room... We can all take turns f*****g you."
Ethan's face darkened, his voice low and menacing. "That's never going to happen."
Cody shrugged. "We'll see."
As Cody left, Ethan's hands moved to Bethany's face, his touch gentle. "You okay, Queen?"
But Bethany pulled away, her eyes flashing with anger. She quickly put on her gown, zipping it up as if to shield herself from Ethan's gaze.
"Forget about his threat," Ethan whispered. "I won't let anyone hurt you."
Bethany's eyes met his, her expression unreadable.
Bethany's voice was laced with sarcasm. "You won't let anyone hurt me? Should I be thankful?"
She begged Ethan, "Please stop whatever this is. I'm begging you."
But Ethan just offered, "Come on, I'll drive you home."
Bethany refused, her voice firm. "No, please don't. Just stay far away from me."
She grabbed her purse and left, leaving Ethan standing alone.
Ethan went to Cody's room, where he found a girl giving Cody a blowjob. Ethan's anger flared, and he grabbed the girl, lifting her to her feet. "Leave," he growled.
The girl quickly exited, and Ethan turned to Cody, his eyes blazing. "You can do whatever you want with any other girl here, but touch Bethany, and I'll forget we used to be friends."
Cody smirked, zipping up his trousers. "Is that a threat?"
Ethan's grip on Cody's shoulders tightened. "Don't forget, your father needs me. He'll be dead, and you both would be dead if I didn't choose to hide you from Christopher."
Cody's eyes narrowed, his voice cold. "f**k anyone but Bethany. She's mine."
Ethan's pat on Cody's shoulders was a warning before he turned and left, leaving Cody seething with anger and desire.