Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Lighting the Fire

At her request, Ethan spread his arms and stood still, his gaze fixed on Emma with a subtle, teasing smile. She was a whole head shorter than him, looking dead serious about the task.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Emma muttered, a little lost on what the smile meant. She circled around to his back with the measuring tape, jotting down his shoulder width, chest, waist, and leg length. Her fingers inevitably brushed against his body a few times, but she didn't let it bother her - work was work, after all, and she always kept it professional.

"Alright, you're good to put your arms down."

As she scribbled the final numbers in her notebook and turned to leave, Ethan suddenly pulled her into a hug.

"Really? Just gonna throw me aside after using me?"

His low, husky voice brushed against her ear, warm breath grazing her skin and sending a strange shiver through her. Her ears were practically tingling.

"Haven't you already got women around you? Why are you suddenly acting all horny with me?" Emma snapped back, trying to ignore her own fluttering heartbeat.

Ethan's smirk widened as he looked at her sharp tongue. "Yeah, but none of them compare to you. You got real talent."

"You-"

Hearing that, Emma's eyes welled up without warning.

"Ethan, don't you think you're a bit too much..."

She shoved at his chest, trying to escape his arms, but her efforts went nowhere. The strength difference was just too obvious; no matter how hard she tried, he didn't budge.

Seeing her cheeks flush with anger and frustration, something twisted inside Ethan's chest. The words were already out; it was too late to take them back. His gaze landed on her face, soft and pink with emotion, and, almost without thinking, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her deep and hard.

Emma was still fuming, running through ways to ditch him and leave, when suddenly his hand was on her neck, and his lips, warm and familiar, were on hers.

She hated his arrogance, hated the things he said... but as that familiar scent wrapped around her, her body betrayed her. Her resistance melted in a heartbeat.

Outside, the breeze was gentle. Sunlight poured in, warm and still.

...

Two hours later - Ethan's office at Hunt Group, in the private lounge.

Emma quietly got dressed, not saying a word. Her pale neck was scattered with red marks, and her reflection in the mirror showed cheeks a little too rosy. She frowned at herself.

"Don't go back to work this afternoon. I'll drive you home."

Ethan was sprawled half-naked on the bed, looking every bit like a beast who had just eaten well and was now lazily licking his paws.

Emma lifted her head at his words. Her face was calm, expression unreadable.

Ethan stared at her silent reaction, unease creeping in. He thought of Michael giving her a ride home not long ago, and his brows furrowed again.

"You said you didn't like the cars at home, right? I ordered you a new one. From now on, just drive yourself."

While talking, Ethan threw off the blanket and got out of bed. His tanned skin stretched over firm muscles that moved with every step.

"From now on, I don't want to hear about anyone 'happening' to give you a ride home. If they try it again, just tell them to buzz off."

He pulled a fresh shirt from the closet and began buttoning it up with practiced ease, his tone casual, but there was no mistaking the warning in his words.

"...Got it."

Emma sighed quietly. Sure, that double standard was annoying-he could flirt around all he wanted, but the second some guy was nice to her, it was a problem. Still, she'd learned by now there was no point arguing with someone as arrogant as him, so she just gave in.

"Alright, let's go."

Fully dressed, Ethan glanced at his watch-it was already 6:00 PM.

...

After they left the office and got in the car, Emma suddenly remembered she'd left her notebook with the measurements back in the office.

"I need to run back up and grab it."

"No problem. I'll wait here," Ethan replied easily, waving his hand. In a surprisingly good mood, he told the driver to wait while he followed behind her.

"Hey, you again? I told you before, not everyone gets to meet Mr. Hunt! I can't believe you snuck up earlier, and now you're back?"

Because Emma had gone down to the garage with Ethan directly, the receptionist hadn't seen her earlier and was now giving her attitude again. Dressed plainly, she didn't exactly look like someone important in the sleek building.

"I..."

Before Emma could say anything, Ethan, who had followed closely behind, already guessed what had just happened.

"She's my wife. And you-you're fired."

With one arm around Emma's waist, Ethan shot the words at the receptionist without even looking at her again.

"Mr... Mr. Hunt?"

The receptionist, all smug just seconds ago, instantly switched faces when she saw Ethan. And when his words sunk in, her expression turned ghostly.

"Y-Your wife? I-I didn't know she was..."

She stammered out an apology, face flushing as she mentally cursed Emma to hell. Dressed like that, who'd ever think she was the president's wife?

"Save it. Tell your manager to find someone who actually knows how to treat people. This kind of attitude? Totally not what Hunt Corporation needs."

Without glancing back to see her reaction-or the nosy stares around the lobby-Ethan kept an arm lightly around Emma as they walked away.

"Was that a little over the top...?" Emma asked hesitantly once they stepped into the elevator.

"What's over the top about holding people accountable? If everyone at our company had her mindset, Hunt Corporation wouldn't even exist today."

Still holding her close, Ethan's fingers lazily brushed the fabric at her waist, his voice calm and steady.

"Alright then."

Emma didn't continue arguing. She knew she had no say in running a company compared to Ethan. Business wasn't her field at all.

But even so, watching him step in and speak up like that... she couldn't help but feel a little vindicated.