hug

I figured, if I couldn't have Ethan's heart, at least I could have him.

Turns out, having him only made me feel like I was the one being played.

Until he tossed me his Porsche keys and said, "Didn't you say you wanted to date all the zodiac signs and Myers-Briggs types, drive a hot car, and have a younger guy riding shotgun?"

… Mortified.

1

I’d had a couple too many at the celebratory dinner. My usually impeccable composure slipped, and I blurted out to Ethan, “Why don’t you come with me?”

My friends erupted in laughter. Ethan, however, remained reclined in his chair, one eyebrow elegantly arched, his chiseled features giving nothing away. He was, as always, unfairly attractive.

His silence drained the alcohol-fueled courage I’d mustered.

Don't back down, I told myself. You’re usually so bold, now that you've put yourself out there, you can’t chicken out.

Yet, the words that tumbled out were a pathetic attempt at a graceful retreat: "Uh, I think I'm really drunk…"

To my surprise, he gently tilted my chin up and murmured, "Me going with you? No. You coming with me? I’ll consider it."

The room roared with renewed laughter. The air buzzed with the heady mix of alcohol and excitement. Ethan pulled me out of the restaurant. The October air was crisp, and the sudden chill sobered me up.

Seeing my dazed expression, he gave me a playful look, his eyes twinkling. "Sober now?"

I didn't know whether to nod or not.

He shrugged out of his coat and draped it over my dress. "Wearing so little, no wonder you're cold."

I mumbled, "Oh."

"Let's go," he said, taking my hand.

His palm was scorching against mine.

I thought of how I’d practically begged my uncle to let me work in his lab, just to be close to Ethan. I’d spent the whole semester toiling away, and finally, here was my chance.

This opportunity wouldn't come again.

I gripped his hand tighter. "You started this, Ethan. You're spending the night with me."

"Alright," he challenged, a smirk playing on his lips. "What did you have in mind?"

Ethan clearly hadn't expected me to pin him against the door the moment we stepped inside, cupping his face and kissing him. He was momentarily stunned, then quickly took control, his arms pinning mine against the wall as our positions reversed. The kiss deepened, possessive.

I never had the upper hand with Ethan.

Thinking of his reputation as a heartbreaker at his previous university, I couldn't help but wonder how many other girls he’d kissed like this, how many times he'd pinned someone down with such practiced ease.

I pushed the thought away. If I couldn't have his heart and him, then just him wasn't so bad.

I woke up with a pounding headache, partly from the alcohol, partly from the awkwardness of the situation. I pulled the covers higher, staring at the bright sun streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Morning, Ethan," I mumbled.

He looked at me like I was an idiot.

"Sleep in a bit more?" He handed me my clothes.

My face burned.

"No, ...