pin. I didn't pull away-instead, I let myself sink into it, my body responding to his touch as his hand cupped the back of my n

kiss deepened, and I felt the intensity of his hunger, the way he seemed to pour everything into that moment. My body pressed against his, and f

elow my ear, and I gasped, my body reacting involuntarily to the sensation. His hands slid up and dow

adrenaline. All I knew was that Ethan's touch consumed me, making me forget everything else.

slip, my head heavy with the weight of too much vodka. The worl

es fluttered open, and I immediately realized I wasn't in my bed. Panic surged through me as I took in my surro

at the hell?" I muttered under my breath. A wave of dread washed ov

k him frantical

opening. He blinked up at

sing in my chest. "Did we

g up. "What? No. We didn't

y heart still racin

he still looked groggy. "You were drunk. I was dr

before-of Ethan's touch, of the way he had kissed me-came flooding back. I felt

ge in my expression. "What's yo

ped, pulling

't have brou

ve kissed me-why

ritated. "You kissed me back. Do

but it didn't change the fact that I felt used. "T

e to mocking. "Oh, I get it now," he said with a chuckle.

lared at him. "That's n

with amusement. "Maddy the vir

elieve he was doing this-mocking me, just like he used to back

othes, my hands shaking. I needed to get out of there. "Stay away from me

infuriating smirk on his fa

ket over my shoulders. "I'm done w

hurried toward the door.

liation, the confusion, and the anger were too much to hold in. How co

-

ep my distance from Ethan. But on Friday, I received an email informing me that I ha

usea as I headed to the conference room, dreading the confrontation that was sure to come. But

calmly, gesturing for me

s from him, crossing my a

ious. "About the other night-I'm sorry.

ine" I

He asked, a hint of de

ere this was going.

ng. "Good. I think it's better that way.

wing in the pit of my stomach. "W

a sleek black binder, sliding it across the table toward me. My heartbeat

eally made my breath catch in my throat was the bold heading: Marria

sbelief and anger flooding my v

under my glare. "It's a proposal,

ounding in my ears. "A business arran

Look, you know how the corporate world works. Our families... our reputations. This marriage could be benefi

like this after what happened? You think you can just-" I struggled to find the words,

. "It's not just a deal. It's an opportunity. I

aughed bitterly, the absurdity of the

's not forever. It's just... a few years. Until we both get what we need.

You're offering me marriage just so I wouldn

rowing darker. "How

old punch to the gut. "Ar

didn't leav

nity to get my revenge. Bit by bit even though it would take a while. T

ying on my lips "I want 30 million an