Chapter 3 Unspoken Desires

The following week, Lily couldn't help but find herself searching for Ethan's name in every conversation and every corner of her mind. She had made peace with the fact that he was an enigma, someone whose presence tugged at her in a way she couldn't explain. Still, she hadn't planned on seeing him again so soon.

It was a Tuesday morning when the invitation arrived: Private Business Meeting with Ethan Stone at Stone Enterprises. Her first instinct was to decline, to tell herself that it wasn't worth her time. But something inside her told her that this was a chance she couldn't pass up.

She had spent years building her empire-fighting her way to the top-and she wasn't about to let some fleeting attraction distract her. Yet, as she read the invitation again, a shiver ran down her spine. It was a business meeting, nothing more.

But that didn't stop her from thinking of him during the drive to his company's headquarters. She'd done research on Ethan Stone before, but the man behind the public persona was always a mystery.

When she arrived at the towering building, a sleek modern structure that loomed over the city like a giant, she felt the weight of anticipation pressing down on her. Ethan Stone wasn't just another billionaire-he was one of the most powerful figures in the business world. And yet, despite all that power, he had an air of hesitation, like someone who didn't want to be seen. It made her want to understand him even more.

The receptionist led her to the penthouse office on the top floor. The elevator doors opened to reveal a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city. And there he was-standing by the window, looking out at the skyline, his back to her.

Lily paused in the doorway, not wanting to disturb the quiet.

"Miss Bennett," Ethan's voice was calm and collected, but it sent a jolt of electricity through her. "I'm glad you could make it."

She stepped inside, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "You seem surprised," she said, her voice laced with curiosity. "I thought I'd be just another guest in your long list of meetings."

Ethan turned, his eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, Lily felt like the air between them had thickened. It was as though the distance that had once existed between them had evaporated, leaving only raw, unspoken tension. He offered her a faint smile, but there was something guarded in it.

"I'm not used to being around people who don't want something from me," he said, his voice softer than usual. "But you-" he hesitated, "-I didn't expect you to agree to come here."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment?"

He chuckled, but it was low, almost bittersweet. "Maybe. Or maybe I just don't know how to read people as well as I'd like."

There was an awkward silence between them as Ethan walked toward the large oak desk in the center of the room. He motioned for her to sit. "Please, make yourself comfortable. I thought we could discuss the partnership proposal."

Lily sat down, her eyes never leaving him. Despite the business at hand, she couldn't help but notice how different he seemed when they were alone-less like the powerful businessman she had seen at the gala and more like someone who was struggling with an inner conflict.

"We both know what this meeting is about," she said, leaning forward. "But I also know that there's more you're not saying."

Ethan's gaze hardened for a moment before he looked away. "I didn't expect you to get straight to the point. But you're right. There's more. I'm not sure if I'm ready to share it with you."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. There was something fragile in his tone, a vulnerability she hadn't expected from someone who seemed so composed on the surface. She felt an instinctive urge to reach out, to bridge the distance between them, but she resisted.

Instead, she simply nodded. "I understand. But if we're going to work together, there has to be trust. No one can succeed alone. Not even someone like you."

Ethan's eyes flickered with something unreadable. Then, to her surprise, he leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "You're right. I just..." He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I don't know if I can trust anyone, especially after everything that's happened."

Lily didn't press him further. She could see the weight of his words, the struggle in his eyes. It wasn't her place to ask about the demons haunting him, but something about his raw honesty in that moment made her want to help him, even if she didn't fully understand why.

"You don't have to do this alone," she said quietly.

Ethan's gaze met hers again, this time with a deeper intensity. "I've been alone for so long, Lily. I'm not sure how to change that."

Lily wanted to say something comforting, but the words caught in her throat. The distance between them had shifted, and though they were still two separate people with different lives and struggles, there was an undeniable connection that seemed to pull them closer.

She didn't know what it meant. She didn't know where it would lead. But one thing was certain-this wasn't the last time she would see Ethan Stone.

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