Chapter 4: No Escape
1121 Words
Amelia woke up to the memory of Ethan’s lips on hers.
The sensation still lingered—warm, demanding, consuming.
Her eyes flew open, her heart pounding as the reality of last night came crashing down on her.
She had kissed him. No—she had let him kiss her.
And worse, she had kissed him back.
Her fingers trembled as she touched her lips, her stomach twisting in disgust—not at Ethan, but at herself.
How could she have let that happen?
Amelia shot out of bed, pushing the thoughts away. It meant nothing. Just a moment of weakness.
But deep down, she knew the truth.
Ethan wasn’t just dangerous because of his control. He was dangerous because of the way he made her feel.
And that terrified her more than anything.
She spent the morning at work, trying to ignore the thoughts creeping into her head.
But then—he walked in.
Ethan.
Effortlessly dressed in a tailored black suit, oozing power, arrogance, and dominance. He strolled through the office like he owned the place—because, knowing him, he probably did.
Her boss, Mr. Carter, practically tripped over himself to greet Ethan.
“Mr. Knight! What an honor.”
Ethan gave him his signature lazy smirk, but his eyes were already locked on Amelia.
“I’m here for Amelia,” he said smoothly.
Her breath hitched.
Mr. Carter’s brows shot up. “Oh, of course! Take all the time you need.”
Amelia’s jaw clenched.
Of course, her boss would bend over backward for Ethan Knight.
She was about to protest when Ethan stepped closer, his voice dropping just for her.
“Let’s go, sweetheart.”
She glared at him. “I’m working.”
Ethan’s smirk widened. “Not anymore. You have the day off.”
Amelia’s eyes snapped to her boss, who looked anywhere but at her.
“You gave me the day off?” she hissed.
Mr. Carter cleared his throat awkwardly. “I, uh… just thought you could use a break.”
Translation: Ethan made me do it.
Her blood boiled. “You can’t just show up and dictate my life,” she whispered harshly, her hands trembling in anger.
Ethan leaned in, his voice dangerously soft.
“Watch me.”
She wanted to slap him. She wanted to scream. But most of all—she wanted to run.
Ethan took her to a high-end restaurant, the kind where waiters wore gloves and glasses were crystal.
She sat across from him, arms folded, glaring as he ordered their food without even looking at the menu.
“You had no right to interfere with my job,” she spat as soon as the waiter left.
Ethan sighed, swirling his wine glass lazily. “You’re too stressed.”
“Oh, so now you care about my stress levels?”
He smirked. “I care about what’s mine.”
Her stomach twisted. “I am not yours.”
Ethan leaned forward, his silver-gray eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch.
“You will be.”
Amelia’s fingers dug into the tablecloth. “You can’t force me.”
Ethan tilted his head. “Who said anything about force?”
She narrowed her eyes. “You expect me to just give in?”
“I expect you to understand that there’s no other option.”
His voice was calm, but his eyes were deadly serious.
“I want you in my house, Amelia. With me.”
Her throat tightened. “And if I refuse?”
Ethan sipped his wine, then set it down, his expression unreadable.
“You won’t.”
Amelia shoved back her chair. “Watch me.”
She stormed out of the restaurant, heart pounding, hands shaking.
She needed to get away.
For good.
That night, she packed her bags.
Her hands trembled as she zipped up her suitcase, her breath coming in fast, uneven bursts.
This was it.
She was leaving the city.
She grabbed her passport, her savings—everything she needed.
By the time she stepped into the quiet night, she felt her first sense of relief in days.
She made it three blocks.
And then—a black car pulled up in front of her.
Her stomach dropped.
The door opened.
Ethan.
He leaned against the frame, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
“Going somewhere?”
Her breath caught. How had he found her so fast?
She clutched the handle of her suitcase. “Move.”
Ethan didn’t. He just watched her, calm, patient—as if he had all the time in the world.
“Get in the car,” he said smoothly.
She shook her head. “No.”
Ethan exhaled slowly, stepping toward her.
Amelia turned on her heel, ready to run—
But he caught her.
His fingers wrapped around her wrist, spinning her back toward him with terrifying ease.
She gasped, her body colliding with his chest.
Her suitcase hit the pavement.
Ethan caged her against the car, his hands on either side of her, trapping her.
Her pulse pounded.
“Let me go,” she whispered, but her voice wasn’t strong.
Ethan leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. “You keep running, Amelia. But tell me… what are you really running from?”
She turned her head away, but he was too close, too consuming.
His scent—a mix of expensive cologne and raw masculinity—wrapped around her like a drug.
Ethan’s fingers tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him.
His silver-gray eyes darkened. “Do you want me to prove it?”
Her breath hitched.
The challenge in his voice sent a dangerous thrill through her.
She should say no.
She should push him away.
Instead—she kissed him.
Hard.
Angry.
Desperate.
Ethan groaned against her lips, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her against him as he took control.
The kiss was raw, intense, undeniable.
She felt it everywhere—the heat pooling in her stomach, the way her body arched into his without thinking.
Ethan bit her lower lip, smirking as she gasped.
His grip tightened, possessive, consuming.
Amelia snapped back to reality.
She shoved him away, her chest heaving.
Ethan wiped his thumb across his lower lip, watching her with knowing amusement.
“Still think you don’t want me?”
Her hands trembled.
She did.
And that was the most terrifying part.
Ethan stepped closer. Not touching her—but claiming her all the same.
“You’re coming home with me,” he said softly.
His voice wasn’t a threat.
It was a promise.
And Amelia knew—there was no escaping him.
To Be Continued...
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