Chapter 08: Exactly What He Wants

ELLIE

“Damn it,” I groaned in frustration. “Okay. He’s attractive. Any sane woman would think so. Satisfied?”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. We both know he’s visibly hot. I’m talking about what he makes you feel.”

“Please, stop.”

“Own it, Ellie, and everything will get easier between you two. If you want him, then take him. It’s that simple.”

“It seems like you’ve forgotten everything I’ve been through because of men like him.”

“It would just be sex. You’re both adults. It could be good for you.”

“Why do you think sex is the solution to my problems?”

“Why are you looking for reasons to hate him? Just because he wants to have sex with you?” she questioned, laughing.

“I just want him to leave me alone. I don’t want anything to do with him, no matter how attractive he is. Got it?”

“Alright,” she sighed. “Then stop thinking that everything he does is to get at you. You’re being paranoid.”

“You say that because you didn’t see the satisfied smile on that bastard’s face.”

“That’s because he’s getting exactly what he wants, driving you crazy.”

I took a deep breath.

“So what should I do then? Let him provoke me and just stay quiet?”

“Either you play the game, and we both know where that’s going to end, or you forget he exists. If you even can.”

Yes, I was playing his game without even realizing it, but I wouldn’t let this end the way he wanted.

Ethan Morgan might make my skin tingle with his deep voice and turn me on with his provocations, making me crave the feel of his hands on me, but I would never let the bastard get what he wanted.

I couldn’t risk getting involved with him. My intuition told me it would end badly if I continued. I had to forget about him.

But how could I do that if he could show up at my work whenever he wanted? And he was also the brother of one of my friends, who I saw frequently.

Damn it, Ellie! You’re not a teenager anymore; you’re a grown woman, so get a grip. You can’t let a man who’s just come into your life make you lose control and your sanity.

I would work with him if necessary, in an extremely professional manner, and I could try to pretend he didn’t exist when I saw him at meetings with my friends. Yes, that’s what I had to do. Ignore him. Ignore the things he made me feel. Ignore his provocations.

“Where did you go just now?” Anna asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“You’re right. I can’t let that man make me lose my mind. He’s getting exactly what he wants.”

“Great. And what did you decide? I’m rooting for the option that ends in sex,” she said, making me roll my eyes.

“If you really think sex would solve something in my life, you should know I could find someone less of a bastard.”

“Then do it. It might help you forget him.”

“You think so?”

“We both know the benefits and honestly, you need to get rid of that tension.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Well, while you’re thinking, I’m going home to get rid of mine,” she said with a wink.

“Thanks for reminding me that while you have Will waiting at home, I have books, TV… and a lonely bed.”

✽ ✽ ✽

ETHAN

I managed to meet with Will and my brother late in the afternoon to go over all the information Alice had provided about the laboratory issues. This would be my first client since returning from London, and I was determined to do my best, as always.

Apparently, neither Will nor Bennett had realized earlier that this was the lab where Anna and Ellie worked. Now, the two of them sat at the conference table, staring at each other in silence.

“I think it would be more appropriate for Will to handle this client,” my brother said, his fist pressed against his lips.

“What? Why? I’ve already made the first contact with the client.”

I was indignant because I knew exactly what he was thinking.

“His wife works there, as you mentioned.”

“And that has nothing to do with Miss Brown, right?” I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms and leaning against the bookshelf behind me. “Are you seriously questioning my ability to act professionally?”

“It’s not that. We should just avoid any risk.”

“Of course! Because you, my dear brother, are the most suitable person to judge someone for that!” I scoffed with sarcasm.

Was Bennett forgetting that his own wife had worked with him when they first met?

“Enough,” Will said. “I believe your brother knows exactly how to handle this.”

“Thank you. At least someone here can see that.”

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