Conflicted (Secrets and Lies) (45 page)

"Be right back," he murmured. He swept in for what I thought would be a brisk kiss. To my surprise, he made it much more intimate and longer than I preferred in the presence of other people. My body had just cooled down. He swept his tongue across the top of my mouth sparking every part of me. I squeezed my thighs as every part of me sped into a wanton ache for him. My face heated to a boil as he gave me a crooked grin and walked away.

Bastard. He knows exactly what he is doing.

"Wow! At least we excuse ourselves when we want a moment like that with each other," Bri exclaimed clearly entertained by what she just witnessed.

My attention wandered back to the table as they stared at me. "It's a lot easier to roll with the punches with him than try to figure out what he will do next," I admitted.

I rested my elbows on the table before glancing over my shoulder to confirm that Ethan was out of earshot. Bri placed her pizza down as Trey leaned back waiting for me to speak up.

"I want to tell him the truth tonight."

"I don't know Mia. Are you sure you trust him not to interfere in the ways that Harrison believes he might if he knows the truth?" Trey asked. He glanced at Bri protectively. She had her attention on me as a serene look ran through her green eyes.

"I think you should tell him Mia. After spending time with him, it's clear he will do anything to protect you. If you tell him to sideline it until you get out of this with Harrison, I'm pretty sure he will without question," Bri stated. She grasped my hand giving it a tight squeeze. "It's going to kill you if you continue to keep this from him. The conflict is in your eyes. It's eating you alive. You have too good of a heart to live a lie," she finished softly.

A large clap of thunder boomed in the sky almost shaking everything around us. The rain started to come down in sheets as it hit the windows of the pizzeria. Lightening filled the sky causing the lights to flicker for a minute. It was eerie with what I was discussing with Trey and Bri. She gave my hand another soothing squeeze before she picked up her pizza. Her eyes remained on Trey as she urged him to agree with her. He ran his hand along the side of her cheek tucking a few hairs behind her ear. She smiled at him encouragingly.

"Tell him but be careful is all that I ask," Trey said not nearly as convincing as Bri.

I understood why he was skeptical. I gave him a nod watching the rain pour down.

Maybe it's a sign. It looks dreadful out there. This storm has spine-chilling timing.

"I know what you're thinking. Let it go. Just tell him," Bri reiterated.

Ethan approached the table with a full pitcher of beer. It was hard to tell if he caught the tail end of our conversation. By the wicked grin on his face, I'd say not. His mind appeared to be savoring our over the top display of affection. "Tell me what?" Ethan asked curiously.

Bri shoved a bite into her mouth and Trey took a long drink of beer. I gave them a slight shake of the head before giving Ethan a delicate smile.

Smooth guys. Very subtle.

"Tell you how hopelessly attracted I am to you but I think that ship already sailed."

Ethan looked at me with skepticism but was wise enough to let it pass. I stretched for the pitcher to pour myself another beer but he kept it out of reach.

"I think you might have had enough to drink tonight. You're actually being sweet with me and that never happens," Ethan teased.

I poked him in the ribs to hand it over. He rolled his eyes and passed me the pitcher. I filled up my glass and did the same for him. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I give you plenty of compliments and I'm always sweet. It's not my fault if you miss it," I contended.

Ethan snorted. Trey and Bri watched us amused as ever with our bickering. The stare down I had engaged in with Ethan had them chuckling.

"What the hell are you giggling about?" I asked.

"Well, you don't compliment easily Mia and you always have your guard up," Bri said, trying very hard to keep a straight face.

"So I'm not Susie Fricken Sunshine. I do say nice things from time to time," I retorted, sticking out my tongue at them.

Ethan joined in with the growing laughter. I scowled at all three of them. He pulled me towards the edge of the booth. He grabbed his drink and motioned for me to grab mine. I did as he asked of me before sliding out. Trey and Bri did the same as they hopped out of the booth to follow us.

"I want to play darts. I'm intrigued to see you live up to your words," Ethan badgered.

Trey's smile lit up. I smiled cockily in return. Bri huffed as she brought up the rear. She knew exactly why we were more than happy to engage in a game. At least we wouldn't be playing on the same team. We were lethal when we played together against others.

"It's your funeral Donovan," I jabbed.

"Watch it Ryan. I might have a few tricks up my sleeve that I haven't shown you yet," Trey responded with as much cockiness in his tone that was in his face.

"Enough you two," Bri jumped in and separated us as we neared the darts.

"Let the games begin," Ethan said as he passed us each a set of darts.

~

We played darts for a couple of hours before calling it a night. It was long enough for us to switch over to water so the guys could drive without feeling affected by the pitchers of beers. Bri and I were in a great spirits as we held our respective men on our way out. We shared the same silly grins and sang softly to the song playing on the radio. Trey and Ethan rolled their eyes as they hauled us through the door. We had forgotten that it was raining out so we ran towards the parking lot in a rush. Trey dragged Bri towards the safety of their car. The wind howled as the rain continued to pelt us. Ethan and I made our way towards his car. The rain was drenching us but he prevented me from getting into the car once we got to it.

"Ethan, we're getting soaked out here," I whined.

"Let it pour on us. I don't care how wet I get. With you next to me, I couldn't care less what happens around me," Ethan responded with reverence.

He pushed a strand of slick hair back before grabbing my face as he lowered his mouth to brush his lips along mine. I struggled to keep my eyes open against the rain coming down. He pressed against my lips subtly requesting for deeper access and he got it immediately. Thunder clapped around us and the wind whipped through us but it didn't slow our kiss. We stood frozen in time exploring every ounce of each other. My insides started to liquefy with the heat that intensified with each swoop of the tongue. He kissed me until I started to shiver from the cold. Before Ethan pulled away, he let his top lip linger on my lower lip to keep it from quivering.

"Thank you for tonight. I'm glad you let me in to another part of your life," he whispered.

Ethan escorted me inside the car and crossed over to his side. We left not saying a word to each other. I looked at the clock seeing it was almost one. I closed my eyes feeling exhausted but knowing our night was just beginning. He rested my hand on his thigh. I opened my eyes and caught a sparkle in his as he weaved through the streets. Once we had parked at his place, he brought my hand to his lips for a sweet kiss. He got out and came over to my side to open the door. I exited the car with my hand in his as we walked towards the elevators.

Once inside, I separated myself from him by going to the opposite side. He snickered but let me have my distance. I wanted to reveal the truth the second we were back in the comfort of his apartment so I wasn't about to be sidetracked by sex. After we were upstairs, I grabbed my bag to change. I headed to the bathroom to freshen up while he went towards his bedroom to get settled in for the evening. I set my bag on the vanity and opened it. I picked up a lacy lingerie piece I had for a while but hadn't worn in quite some time. I changed and set my bag on the floor. I inhaled deeply on my way into his bedroom.

Ethan was in the middle of the bed in a fresh pair of boxers. My breathing dwindled as I took in his beauty before crawling into bed next to him. He pulled me tight to his chest as his hands ran up and down my body. He leaned in for a quick kiss before trying to dispel my attire. I grabbed his hands so that he would stop.

"What?"

"I've wanted to ask you something for the past couple of days," I murmured.

I shimmied to the head of the bed so we could talk. Ethan grunted but sat up as well.

"What do you want to ask?"

"When someone took pictures of us, you got very angry but you never explained why. I want to know why you became that angry because you scared the hell out of me at one point."

Ethan let out an agitated breath as he swung his legs over the bed. He placed his elbows on his knees as his hands supported his head. He rubbed his face a few times before sitting up straight with his back to me.

"It's complicated," he whispered.

"I'm sure I can follow," I answered.

He glanced at me with a pained look before facing forward. I sighed not liking that look so I crept over to him. My fingers made delicate strokes along his tattoos.

"It's part of my exit strategy. Part of what I promised my mother is that I'd take down the empire my father built. It's far too late to get into the details about why I'm doing it," Ethan replied in pained tone. I continued tracing along the patterns of his back.

"I gave a top notch magazine owner inside information so that he could build up an article that wouldn't be able to be disputed by anyone," Ethan admitted. He stretched for my hands so that he could secure them to his stomach. "I got angry because I've had my suspicions about him. He's the only person I can think of that would want to photograph me. I don't know what game he is playing right now so I lost my wits trying to figure it out. I'm sorry I took it out on you. I never meant to scare you."

I hugged him tightly and took a huge breath. It was now or never.

"Ethan, I have to tell you something but I need you to promise me two things."

I had never felt this terrified in my entire life. I thought I knew my worst fears but I was wrong. I felt like I was in a plane preparing to jump without instructions on how to land safely. It fit the situation at hand since heights petrified me. My heart was beating so fast that I was afraid it might stop. I kind of wished for the plane scenario over the next five minutes of my life. It would probably be easier.

Ethan released my grip around him as he turned around to face me. He picked me up and positioned me on top of him that my legs straddled around his hips. His hands tightened around my back. He saw the panic in my eyes. It was difficult to hide since my entire body was on the verge of shaking nonstop. He brought me even closer to him.

"Tell me Mia. Whatever you need me to promise you, I promise," he choked out.

"I know you're talking about Harrison Reynolds. He handpicked me to work at your company as a mole. I never supplied him with any information. I was never able to find anything out and what I did hear I never shared with him. I didn't see any potential with it."

I waited for any reaction from him but he remained stone cold not displaying any emotion.

"I tried to back out of the entire arrangement earlier this week. Harrison made it clear that if I don't show up at this meeting in Atlantic City that he'd start hurting the people in my life. He told me not to tell you anything. With how deeply I feel for you, I had to tell you the truth. I'm so sorry," I whispered.

Tears started to stream down my face. Ethan remained a silent statute. I prayed that he would give me some sort of reaction. He continued to hold me tight but he didn't speak. I heard his heart beating in his chest or maybe it was my own. I wasn't sure. The terror inside me ran ahead at full speed not allowing much room for anything else. The pressure in my chest began to suffocate me. I thought it would lessen but his lack of response intensified it so much that every part of me constricted. I didn't know if he'd keep to an unspoken promise. The thought of anyone being hurt because of me made me stop breathing all together. I started to drift to another level listening only to the beats of rain that came down in the stormy skies above us.

Ethan gave me a gentle shake bringing me out of my daze. "Breathe Mia."

"I need you to say something," I rasped.

"Calm down," Ethan demanded. He ran his nose along mine to get me to relax. My breaths continued in spurts. "Damn it Mia. You are going to pass out if you don't settle down."

I gasped. "Please tell me what you're thinking because I can't get any of this under control until you give me some sort of reaction."

"This is huge Mia. I asked you on more than one occasion why you decided to work at the company and you lied to me the entire time. I can't say I'm not upset with you or that I won't second-guess you going forward. I'm glad you told me the truth. I understand how much it scares you to open up that way. I'm glad you trust me enough to do it. It makes your behavior at times that much clearer," he stated quietly.

"I'm so sorry," I wheezed.

"I know why you're scared of Harrison. He's a ruthless bastard that instills fear around anyone that he can manipulate which is why I went to him. I knew he would get the job done. I imagine he offered you something pretty extraordinary to suck you in to his ploy," Ethan murmured

"He offered me a chance to get back into journalism by waving an offer to become the chief editor of his European circuit. I was foolish enough to believe him. Truthfully, I was so lost when the entire offer came about that I took it for all the wrong reasons. Then I met you and my life changed completely. I saw everything in a new light," I mumbled.

"He's well known for over extravagant offers to get what he wants. I'm not sure why he played upon you when he already has Ian there. I don't know what game he is playing but I will find out," he professed.

I panicked. "Ethan, please no. You can't let him know that I told you. Harrison warned me that if I crossed him that it would be even worse than whatever your counterparts could bring down around me. I'm begging you not to do anything until I go to this damn meeting that he wants me at so badly. He's convinced that if you knew the truth that you'd stop it."