Chapter 1 Dangerous Beginnings

Chapter 1 - Dangerous Beginnings

The door to Ethan's penthouse clicked shut behind Mia as she stepped into the darkness. Her heart raced, not from fear, but from the thrill that came with sneaking around, lying to everyone who mattered. She should have been ashamed-maybe she was, somewhere deep inside-but the rush of being here with him outweighed the guilt. Every time.

Her fingers brushed against the smooth silk of her dress, the fabric cool against her heated skin. She moved silently across the marble floor, the muted city lights casting shadows through the vast windows. The space was lavish, the kind of place that screamed power and success. Everything about Ethan's world was perfect, and it made her feel like an imposter. A good girl shouldn't be here. But she wasn't a good girl anymore.

Not when it came to him.

Her breath hitched as she heard the soft sound of his footsteps, slow and deliberate, moving towards her. He was watching her-she could feel it, the weight of his gaze lingering on her body as if he owned it. And in moments like this, maybe he did.

"Close call tonight, wasn't it?" Ethan's voice was low, a soft rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. His presence was intoxicating, filling the room even before he spoke.

Mia turned slowly, meeting his gaze. Ethan stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, dressed in tailored slacks and a crisp white shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal the hard lines of his chest. He was all confidence and control, the kind of man who could make anyone feel small, insignificant. But when he looked at her like that-when his eyes darkened with something primal-she felt like she was the only one who mattered.

"I thought Sophie would walk in on us," Mia whispered, her voice shaky but laced with excitement. The risk only added to the fire burning between them.

Ethan smirked, pushing off the doorframe and closing the distance between them. His hand found her waist, pulling her flush against him. "That's what makes it fun, isn't it? Knowing we could get caught."

Mia bit her lip, her heart pounding in her chest. She was already in too deep, and she knew it. Every stolen glance, every touch, every night like this-it was a game, one she couldn't stop playing. And Ethan? He was the master of it.

But this game wasn't harmless. Not anymore.

"Someone will find out eventually," she murmured, her voice barely audible as Ethan's hands slid up her sides, tracing the curves of her body with practiced ease.

"Then we'll deal with it." His lips brushed her ear, sending another wave of heat through her. "Until then, you're mine."

That was the problem. She was his. Even when she wasn't with him, she thought about him. Even when Liam kissed her, touched her, she imagined it was Ethan. She hated that about herself, but the way Ethan made her feel-it was something she couldn't get from anyone else. Not from Liam, with his sweet smiles and gentle hands.

Ethan's hands were different. They claimed. They demanded.

She tilted her head back, allowing Ethan's lips to trail down her neck. Every touch ignited a spark that made her forget everything else-her boyfriend waiting for her at home, her father's trust in his best friend, the lies she told to keep this secret alive.

"Ethan..." She breathed his name, a plea and a confession all at once.

His mouth was on hers in an instant, capturing her lips in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was hungry, possessive. Mia melted into him, her fingers tangling in his hair as he backed her up against the glass window, pressing her harder against the cool surface. She gasped as his hands explored her body with reckless abandon, the thin silk of her dress offering little protection from his touch.

He broke the kiss, his lips hovering just over hers, eyes searching her face as if daring her to pull away. "What's wrong, Mia? Regretting this yet?"

Mia shook her head, breathless. She should be regretting it-every single time, she told herself she should stop. But when he touched her like this, all the logic, all the guilt melted away. "No," she whispered. "I'm not."

He smiled then, a dangerous, knowing smile. "Good girl."

But Mia wasn't good. Not anymore.

She closed her eyes, letting herself fall deeper into the moment, drowning in the feeling of his hands on her skin, his lips trailing fire down her collarbone. This was what she craved-the intensity, the passion. Liam couldn't give her this. He was kind, gentle, everything a girl should want in a boyfriend. But Ethan made her feel alive in a way that Liam never could.

Her phone buzzed in her purse, a sharp intrusion into the fantasy Ethan had spun around them. Mia froze, her heart skipping a beat. It was late, far too late for anyone else to be texting her.

Ethan pulled back, his eyes flicking to her purse. "You gonna answer that?"

Mia swallowed hard, guilt clawing at her as she fumbled to retrieve the phone. Her heart sank as Liam's name lit up the screen. Hey, babe. Just got off work. Want me to come over? Miss you.

Ethan glanced at the screen, his expression unreadable. "Your other life is calling," he said, stepping back, his tone casual but laced with something darker.

Mia's chest tightened. She loved Liam-didn't she? She cared about him, didn't want to hurt him. But here she was, standing in the penthouse of a man who made her feel things she couldn't even explain, ready to lie to Liam again.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she typed a quick reply. Sorry, babe. Not feeling well tonight. Let's catch up tomorrow? The lie tasted bitter on her tongue, but she hit send anyway.

Ethan watched her, his expression softening as he reached out to cup her cheek. "You're playing a dangerous game, Mia."

"I know," she whispered, her voice barely a breath. "But I don't want to stop."

Ethan's lips curved into a smile as he leaned in, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Then don't."