WAR AT DAWN
1586 Words
CHAPTER 16
AT THE PENTHOUSE
The night felt quiet over the city, the kind of silence that fell heavy. Ava sat at the edge of the couch in the penthouse, her hands clasped together.
Ethan had barely spoken since returning from the office.
She watched him stand by the window side. His jaw clenched, as his eyes looked lost in thought.
He turned slowly, his eyes landing on her, and something in his chest melted.
He walked towards her without hesitation. Just certain.
“Ava,” His voice was low but firm. “Don’t push me away anymore.”
Her breath hitched. She hadn't expected it.
“I…I love you.” Ethan said.
The words echoed in her ears. It was just as real as anything she'd ever heard.
Like the truth had finally unravelled.
“This feeling didn't start today,” he continued, moving closer to her. “Not even yesterday. I've just been in denial not to accept it and own up to it.”
He stopped directly in front of her. “I can't pretend anymore, Ava.”
Ava’s hands trembled, her heart racing fast. She didn’t look up immediately, she didn’t know if she could handle his eyes.
“You don’t mean that,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “You’re overwhelmed. Everything is a mess right now. The rumors. The company. Miranda…”
“Don’t say her name,” Ethan cut in. Not angry. Just tired.
“I will handle Miranda. Whatever needs to be ended, I’ll end it.”
Ava’s lips parted, but no words came out.
No one ever fought for her. Not even Lucas, He had let her go the moment she needed his assurance, the moment being with her required effort.
But this wasn't the case for Ethan.
She swallowed hard.
“Ethan…” her voice was barely more than a breath. “I’m scared.”
“So am I,” he admitted.
His hand reached for her face, giving her time to pull away. When she didn't, his knuckles brushed her cheeks.
His touch was warm.
Their eyes locked and the air between them charged with everything they've held back.
The longing was so much that it hurt to breathe.
He leaned in, slowly.
This time she didn’t pull back.
She fell into him.
The kiss was slow at first. Soft and unsure; then it deepened, a quiet hunger, a release of every held-back moment.
Ethan pulled her closer, his hand behind her neck, their breaths mixing
He kissed her like he had waited years for it; like he couldn’t stop even if he tried.
“Tell me you want this,” He whispered against her lips. “Tell me I'm not the only one losing my mind.”
“I want this.” She said desperately. “I've wanted you for so long, Ethan.”
That was all he needed, the confirmation.
He lifted her gently from the ground and her legs wrapped around him.
He carried her to his bedroom, gently putting her down on the bed.
He climbed over her, settling gently. She could feel the heat emitting from his clothes and the hardness that pressed her thighs.
His lips found hers, this time it didn't just end there, he went all the way down her jaw, her neck and the sensitive part that made her gasp.
“Ethan…”
“I've got you, love.” He moved his hands to her blouse as he undid the buttons.
When her blouse was open, exposing her body. “You're beautiful,” He confessed.
“You’ve never told me that before.”
“Then I've been an idiot.”
He kissed her pale neck as his hands traced the lacey edge of her bra.
She reached up and unbuttoned his shirt as well, exposing his masculine and broad shoulders and well carved abs.
She gently traced the lines of his abs and chest, making him shudder beneath her touch.
“You're killing me.” He groaned.
He unhooked her bra with ease and pulled the strap down her arms. When his mouth found her n****e, she slightly arched off the bed with a slight moan.
“f**k!”
He gave her other breast equal attention as his hands moved slowly towards her pants.
“Can I?” He asked.
Consent first.
“Yes. Please, yes,” She pleaded.
He took her pants off, leaving her completely bare. The vulnerability should have terrified her but it didn't.
He slid his fingers into her entrance and felt how wet she was and groaned.
His thumb circled her c**t, slow and deliberate while his two fingers, worked in and out of her. The sensation made her hips j******f.
“That's it,” he murmured. “Let me see you come apart.
She reached for his belt and fumbled with it.
“Now, please.” She pleaded.
He removed his pants and underwear, exposing his thick length, suddenly the reality of it hit her.
He noticed this.
“We can stop,” he said. “If this is too much…”
"No." She pulled him down to her. “I want this. I want you.”
He positioned himself, the tip of his c**k pressing against her entrance.
“I love you, Ava.” He said again.
“I love you too.” She finally said those words. “I love you, Ethan.”
Something fierce flashed across his face, then he pushed into her, slow and steady.
“Oh f**k!” She let out a moan. She wrapped her legs around his waist in ecstasy.
“You feel incredible.” He groaned and kissed her recklessly. “So tight. So perfect.”
He dotted every part of her body with kisses satisfying his intense hunger.
“Touch yourself,” he commanded. “I want to feel you come around me.”
She obeyed and slid her fingers between her legs and circled her c**t in a quick motion. This added more stimulation and pushed her closer to the edge.
“Let it all out.” He murmured against her lips.
Ethan's pace increased, each thrust brought shivers to her as they both climaxed together.
Finally, he pulled out and collapsed beside her and immediately pulled her to his chest.
“Stay with me, Ava.” He whispered into her hair.
She didn't say a word, she just pressed herself to him.
For once, she let herself believe; just for tonight that happiness could come to her.
Ethan held her close, finally at peace. It felt like he finally had something to lose.
THE NEXT MORNING
Light slipped softly into the bedroom when Ava opened her eyes. The space beside her was empty, but warm.
She didn’t remember falling asleep. She only remembered the way he held her; the way his voice broke when he whispered her name.
She sat up just as Ethan walked in carrying a tray of scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee.
“I wasn’t sure what you'd like it,” he said quietly, setting it down beside her.
She blinked.
Ethan Hale. CEO. The cold, and intimidating Ethan Hale making breakfast.
Her heart tightened with emotions.
“You didn’t have to…”
“I wanted to.” He cut in gently. “I want to do a lot of things for you, if you'll let me.”
He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“I love you, Ava.” He said, like it was a promise.
Her throat tightened.
She forced a smile, but her chest ached again.
What if? She thought.
Because happiness felt temporary, like it could slip at any moment.
“What if this doesn’t last?”
The thought crept into her head like cold water.
She smiled anyway.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He didn’t push her. He simply sat beside her, watching her breathe, watching her exist.
And somehow, that made it worse.
Because she wanted all of him.
And she feared losing all of herself.
HALE’S MANSION
The gates opened slowly, iron and gold.
A car pulled in black, tinted, quiet like a shadow.
Lucas stood at the front steps, hands behind his back, posture straight but tension running through him like wire.
The car door opened.
Black Louboutin heels touched the marble first.
Then a tall woman stepped out elegant and beautiful, sharpened by age, not softened.
Susan Hale. Lucas's mother and Ethan's stepmother.
Her coat was long and looked expensive.
Her hair pulled back tightly, not a strand out of place.
Her eyes were sharp.
Calculating. The kind of gaze that didn’t look at things, it saw through them. She looked like she was in her late sixties.
Helen, the housekeeper, froze at the doorway. Warmth drained from her face.
“Mrs. Hale…” she whispered.
The woman looked at her, just once.
Helen lowered her head immediately, as if standing before royalty or a threat.
Lucas forced a smile.
“Mama Hale!” He exclaimed as he greeted his mother with open arms.
She embraced him only lightly.
Her attention was elsewhere.
Scanning the foyer, the staircase, the air itself.
“Where is Ethan?” she asked immediately.
Lucas’s jaw tightened. “He's not here at the moment.”
Her eyes narrowed deliberately.
Something cold slid into the room. The beginning of a storm that would not pass quietly.
And the mansion – the whole Hale world shifted.
Her return meant only one thing:
Secrets would surface.
And someone would pay for them.
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