Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
I must have, because as the idea of Ethan possibly getting married sinks into my brain, my heart sinks to my stomach.
I could just walk into Ethan's office one day and hear him ask me to buy an engagement ring for his fiancee? Or worse, find a woman in his office with a ring on her finger and a smirk on her face?
I grab my glass and gulp down the rest of my wine.
I know Ethan's my boss. I know he's a billionaire. I know there's no way we'd end up together. Still, I can't help but resent the idea of him being with another woman.
"Does your dad already have a wife in mind for you?" I ask even though I'm not sure I want to hear the answer. "Or maybe you have someone in mind."
Ethan meets my gaze. For a moment, we just stare at each other across the table, not saying a word. Then he straightens his shoulders and smooths the edges of his jacket.
"You know what? Let's not talk about that."
"Okay."
I don't mind dropping the uncomfortable topic. I just wish I had heard his answer to my question first. Is there already a woman in the running to be his wife? Yes or no?
Ethan signals to the waiter for the bill and pays it. Then he stands up.
"I know it's still early, but we have a big day tomorrow. Shall we go back to the hotel?"
Chapter Six
Ethan
"Good night," I tell Stella once we reach the door to her hotel room.
No smile. No further niceties. No stalling. Just the usual parting words we give each other when our day at work is done and we have to go our separate ways.
"Good night," she replies.
I walk towards the next door. My hand slips into my pocket to retrieve my key card.
"And thank you," Stella adds. "For accompanying me around the city today. I had fun."
My lips almost curve into a grin. This from the woman who was insisting on going alone earlier. I want to tell her that I also had fun, but I'm afraid if I say another word, it will lead to all the other things I've been trying not to say. Or worse, if I spend another minute with her, I might end up kissing her, because that's what I want to do right now. I want to pin her against that door and kiss her thoroughly, then go inside her room and do other things to her with my mouth, my hands, my entire body. I'm doing my best to hold back right now, but I don't trust my resolve to hold, so I simply nod in Stella's direction and enter my room.
Once inside, I close the door behind me and head to the bathroom. I shed my clothes, turn on the shower and step under the water. It feels good against my skin and soothes my muscles. As it trickles down my body through various paths, I close my eyes, draw a deep breath and gather my thoughts.
Stella, what am I going to do with you?
There are a million things I want to do with her, but I can't do any of them. We may be in Switzerland and we might have just spent a perfect afternoon together doing nothing related to work, but the fact that I'm her boss hasn't changed. I know that. The problem is that I'm no longer content to be just her boss. I'm not even content to be just her friend, even though I said that's what I'd try to be.
Let's face it. This afternoon was a date. We did couple things - stroll around the city, walk in the rain under a single umbrella, try different chocolates and share embarrassing stories, have a quiet, romantic dinner at a roadside restaurant. And Stella enjoyed them all. I did, too. I liked spending time alone with her, learning new things about her and sharing experiences with her.
I want to spend time with her in bed. The very thought of my cock buried inside her makes it throb. I groan.
Maybe this is just lust. Maybe I've just been without a woman for too long, what with how busy I've been lately, and it's taking its toll on me like Asher predicted. Maybe I should just go back outside and hook up with someone. But no. Something tells me no other woman will do. In fact, earlier, when we were talking about my father's demand and Stella asked me if I had any woman in mind, all I could think of was her.
I want her.
So go get her.
I'm that kind of man. I want something, I go get it. That's how I've come this far as a businessman. That's why I'm here in Zurich, determined to acquire this promising young company that many others have their eyes on. If I want Stella, and I do, I just have to take her. I've read her journal. I know it's what she wants, too.