Chapter 2 2

There was an unmistakable magnetism in Ethan's gaze, something that held her in place, even as the shock of his name reverberated through her. Lila's mind raced, fragments of memories and emotions clashing-a cocktail of hurt, betrayal, and bitter irony. Of all the people in this city, it had to be Julian's brother.

"What are the odds?" she murmured, a hollow laugh escaping her lips, though her hand hadn't moved from his grasp.

Ethan's gaze didn't waver, dark and unreadable. "Strange, isn't it?" His voice held a trace of amusement, but there was something else-a curiosity, a glint of intrigue that seemed to mirror her own. He leaned closer, his tone low. "You looked like you could use the company."

A shiver ran down her spine, and she found herself leaning forward too, pulled by something she couldn't define. The heat of his presence was intoxicating, blurring the line between curiosity and desire. "And you don't mind? Sitting here with the ex of your brother?"

His lips quirked, a shadow of a smile dancing at the corner of his mouth. "I make my own decisions. I don't follow Julian's lead." His voice softened, dipping just above a whisper. "You shouldn't either."

The words struck her harder than she expected, tapping into a raw part of her, and for a moment, the ache of Julian's betrayal flickered to the surface. She swallowed, breaking eye contact, looking down at her fingers, still entwined with his. "It's hard," she admitted, almost to herself, "to let go of something you thought was real."

Ethan's fingers tightened gently around hers, his thumb brushing lightly along her knuckles. The touch sent a jolt of warmth through her, steadying her breath. "Real or not, it's in the past now," he murmured, his voice resonant and sure. "Sometimes, letting go is the only way to take control again."

She looked up, meeting his gaze, and in that moment, she felt understood in a way she hadn't expected. This wasn't Julian's brother, not really-not the polished, arrogant facade she'd come to despise. No, Ethan was different. His eyes held a depth, a sincerity that disarmed her.

"Easier said than done," she whispered, the confession slipping from her lips as her gaze fell back to his hand, still holding hers.

"Maybe," he replied, his voice softening, "but you don't have to do it alone."

Her breath caught at the gentle weight of his words, her pulse quickening as his fingers tightened ever so slightly. Lila's gaze drifted to his lips, and for a split second, her mind stilled, the noise, the pain, all of it fading into the background. It was just him and her, locked in a moment that defied every bit of logic.

She knew she should walk away, that this was a complication she didn't need, yet everything in her rebelled against it, craving the brief escape he offered. Maybe just one night.

"Ethan..." Her voice was barely a whisper, as if speaking louder would shatter whatever fragile thread held them together. She didn't know what she wanted to say, and it didn't matter, because in the next instant, his hand slid to the side of her face, his thumb grazing her cheek in a slow, deliberate touch that sent her heart into a wild rhythm.

"Lila," he murmured, his voice like a caress.

She leaned into him, her pulse thrumming as her resolve crumbled. His hand moved to her waist, guiding her closer, until their lips were a breath apart. The tension between them thickened, an unspoken invitation hanging in the air, and for once, she let herself fall into the moment.

Their lips met in a kiss that was slow, deep, and consuming, every ounce of frustration, hurt, and longing pouring into that single connection. His touch was firm yet gentle, possessive but controlled, as though he was savoring every second of their closeness. Lila's hands found their way to his shoulders, her fingers curling into the fabric of his suit jacket, grounding herself in the warmth of his embrace.

Time melted away, the world shrinking until there was only him, his hands tracing the curve of her back, his lips pressing soft, heated kisses along her jawline, down to her neck. Every touch, every kiss felt like a balm to her wounded heart, each one stripping away a layer of the pain she had carried for so long.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless and slightly dazed, Lila looked up at him, her heart pounding. His gaze was softer now, the hard edges softened, a vulnerability peeking through that she hadn't expected.

"I should go," she said, her voice barely steady, though the words felt hollow even to her.

Ethan's fingers brushed a loose strand of her hair back, his touch lingering. "Do you want to?" His voice was low, the question holding an unspoken promise that sent a thrill through her.

She swallowed, her gaze dropping to the floor as she considered her options. Every rational thought screamed for her to leave, to put distance between herself and the complicated world the Sterling brothers inhabited. But tonight, in this sliver of time, rationality had no hold over her.

Lila lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes with a newfound boldness. "No," she whispered.

A flicker of something dark, intense, flashed across his face, and in the next moment, he took her hand once more, leading her wordlessly toward the elevator at the far end of the lounge. Neither spoke as they entered, the silence thick with tension as they ascended, floor by floor, until they arrived at his suite.

He opened the door, gesturing her inside. The room was vast, elegant yet understated, with sleek modern furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the glittering city below. Lila walked to the window, her breath catching at the sight, but before she could take it all in, she felt his hands on her shoulders, warm and grounding.

She turned, looking up at him, and once again, the pull between them was undeniable. In one swift movement, he lifted her off her feet, carrying her toward the bed with a confidence that sent a thrill through her. Lila's hands tangled in his hair as their lips met again, this time with a fierceness that stole her breath.

It was as if he could sense her every thought, every need, and he met it all with a quiet intensity that made her ache. They shed the remnants of their careful facades, their vulnerabilities and pasts stripped bare until there was nothing left but the heat of the moment, the rawness of their connection.

As the night deepened, she found herself drowning in him, lost in the rhythm they created together, the unspoken understanding that bridged the gap between them. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this free, this utterly unburdened by the past.

Hours later, as dawn's light crept into the room, Lila lay tangled in the sheets beside him, her head resting on his chest as she traced soft, absentminded patterns along his skin. The events of the night felt surreal, like a dream that could dissolve with the first hint of morning. She knew she'd have to face reality soon, to return to a world where Ethan was more than just a distraction-but for now, she allowed herself to exist in the calm of his presence.

"You know this is complicated," she murmured, breaking the silence.

Ethan's hand stroked her back in a steady rhythm, his tone calm, unwavering. "Complicated doesn't scare me. And I don't think it scares you, either."

She smiled faintly, a sense of warmth blooming in her chest. "Maybe it should."

He chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through her. "Maybe. But I think you're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Lila."

The sincerity in his words touched her in a way she hadn't expected, chipping away at the walls she had built so carefully. And as much as she wanted to deny it, to retreat back into the safety of her defenses, she couldn't help but wonder if, perhaps, he was right.

As dawn turned the sky into soft hues of pink and gold, she closed her eyes, allowing herself a few more moments in the cocoon of his embrace. It wouldn't last, she knew that, but for now, it was enough.