Chapter 55
Fou
Tl be back in a few hours” Ethan announces, pulling a suit jacket on. I glance up from the TV where I was watching one my favorite movies with a sea–wandering island girl and a demi–god.
“Okay. I think I’m going to stay here, if that’s okay.” I tell him, curling my legs up beneath me. I don’t feel like being at home by myself right now, and honestly, his couch is much more comfortable than mine.
“Actually, I have something for you,” Ethan says, pulling a white envelope our of his jacket pocket. “I didn’t want you to feel abandoned while I’m gone, so I scheduled you for a massage to give you some time to relax.”
He holds the envelope out for me. It has my name written on the front, and when I open it, there are two vouchers for
massages.
“Two?” I ask
“Yeah, in case you wanted to invite your friend”
“Thank you, Ethan,” I murmur, looking down at the vouchers while blinking back the tears. My heart squeezes at his considerate thoughts Jack never did anything thoughtful like this, but Ethan took the initiative not only to give me a gift but also to include my friend. The thought was sweet and a gesture I never thought would happen.
Fingers gently wrap around my chin and lift, connecting our eyes. Ethan nods and leans in, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“Have fun.”
Nodding. I offer him a smile and wave as he exits the room. Watching him leave is like watching a part of myself disappear through the door. It’s strange and unexpected, but also a little pleasant knowing there’s someone who cares about me out there.
into
Fiddling with the wolf pendant necklace, I wave at Isla as she walks up to the spa doors.
“Hey, girl! I’m so excited for what is that?”
Isla’s gaze zeros in on the necklace, and 1 drop it like it’s on fire. It slips beneath my shirt, but Isla doesn’t accept that because she jumps forward and grabs the necklace, leaning in and squinting at it
“Did Ethan give this to you? Oh my, God. He did, didn’t he?” She squeals like a teenager, and I slap my hand over her mouth.
“Shhh. I don’t need everyone in the world knowing about our relationship. I demand, and only release her when she nods in a silent promise.
Sighing, I step back, snake an arm through hers, and pull her toward the entrance. I don’t want to be late for our appointment, and I want to not have her screaming about Ethan where everyone can hear. Mine and Ethan’s relationship has changed, but I’m not sure exactly how. He made it clear in the beginning that it was just physical, but now…
Something is different
“Two for massages at four under Montgomery,” I tell the woman at the counter. She checks the computer while I ignore Isla bouncing on the balls of her feet next to me. She checks us in and has someone show us to our private room.
It takes the amount of time for us to undress and get onto the tables before Isla turns toward me and blurts out her question
“Tell me everything!” She demands, propping herself up on her elbows and nearly flashing me. “I know what I saw on the news, but I want to hear everything from your side
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Confusion bits me, making my stomach roll
“What do you mean you saw something on the new?” Tack
She shakes her head and pulls her phone cut, tapping the screen at the speed of lightning
“Oh, your know. I just saw your man saving you, like some sexy knight in shining soccer jerry, from falling to your doom,” she says with a dreamy sigh. Then, she turns the phone over for me to see Ethan launch himself off a bleacher chair and into
Cheers went off around us as he landed on the ground with me in his arms. The people around us rushed their voices a tidal wave that drowned out anything else in the video.
Until the announcer speaks,
“And this was Wits News with the latest on Mr. Montgomery’s daring rescue, the reporter’s voice says.
“T–it was he’s not my man.” I protest, but I know I can’t hide the embarrassment because my cheeks grow hot and probably red, to Isla laughs, smacking me on the shoulder yet again.
“He totally is, and it was amazing. Seary that you almost got hurt, but the way he caught you,” she swoons. “It was like the best scene of an action and romance movie. He was perfect and the way he held you, like you were the most important thing in the world to him” She squeals again, making me wince
I watch her fiddle with the video more before turning it back to me again. “Look?”
In the video, Ethan carries me over to the ambulance in a princess hold. He’s talking to me, but because of the noise from the video and the reporter talking. I can’t hear what he says. I don’t remember much between falling and being in the ambulance, so I don’t remember what Ethan is telling me.
But I want to know, So barlly, I want to know what he’s whispering as he holds me close.
As we watch the news report, two women come into the room and begin the massages. Tension melts out of my body as they work out the knots, and I make a mental note to kiss Ethan when I see him. This is exactly what I needed.
Isla pauses the video.
So, what happened after you got home? Did he leave you alone?” Isla asks then groans as the masseuse digs her elbow into Isla’s shoulder
“He didn’t take me home. I don’t remember leaving, but when I woke up, we were at his house in his bed. I’d been-
“You slept with him because he saved you?!”
A chuckle comes from one of the masseuses, and my face heats up again.
“Isla,” I scold, glaring at her, “I did not. I was drained from the adrenaline and fear, and I had nightmares all night. He held me all night long, trying to help me sleep” I explain. The woman massaging me works on the tightness in my neck, and I drog my head forward into the little hole.
“Aw, that’s so sweet, Is that when he gave you the necklace?” She asks. The memory of Ethan putting the necklace around my neck, how his fingers brushed my skin there, and how he’d felt warm and steady against me.
“Yes,” I answer, biting my hip to hold back the smile. “He said it was a family heirloom, and he told me that the necklace would protect me and remind me he’s with me”
“That is so freaking cute! Who knew the famous billionaire would be a softy under his icy shell?”
Rolling my eyes, I lift my head and look at her. The wide grin on her face is contagious, making me smile as well.
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Chapter 55
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Π
“He’s not as bad as everyone says. Sure, he can be cold sometimes but deep down, he’s a kind, caring, and attentive man There’s something about him that pulls me toward him. Isla,” I say, propping my chin on my arms while I think about the tingle that spreads through my body every time we touch. I also think about the tightening in my chest when he shows his rare smiles and the fluttering in my stomach when he’s near.
“You’re totally in love! When are you getting married?” Isla teases, but my entire body jolts as if I’ve been electrocuted.
“W–we’re not getting married,” I stammer out, feeling the familiar heat flood my cheeks again.
