4. ETHAN

I was a professional. I looked at her with such determination that her smile faltered before she regained her composure and turned her head to look out the window. She was still just as tempting as I remembered. Her honey-milk scent, fresh and inviting, wafted to my nose and I lost track of my staring as I drank her in.

Wait.

This was not a date; wining and dining clients was one of my specialties. I refocused my attention on the road. I knew just the place to take her. She would be so distracted with the opulence that just a bit of prodding and her property would fall right into my lap.

I was delighted by the amazement on her face as she looked around the impressive restaurant. From the valet parking to the VIP service, I showed her luxury that exuded elegance and grace from the moment she stepped through the door.

The setting was lavish, with rich velvet drapes framing tall windows that overlooked a twinkling cityscape below.

I smiled as Aria slid her fingers discreetly along the soft tapestry. I was jealous of that tapestry, my wolf all but insufferable. The dim lighting cast a warm glow over the room, accentuating the golden hues of the decor.

As we were escorted to our table by an impeccably dressed server, I marveled at the grand chandelier that hung from the high ceiling, sparkling like a constellation of stars above us. The soft strains of classical music filled the air, adding to the romantic ambiance.

Our table did not disappoint, with crisp, white linens and delicate silverware, with a single candle flickering in the center, casting shadows that danced across the room. The menu was a work of art, with an array of tantalizing options to choose from.

For our main course, we opted for the chef"s special, a delicate filet of fresh fish served with a medley of seasonal vegetables and a drizzle of tangy citrus sauce. Each bite was a culinary delight, bursting with flavor and perfectly complemented by the sommelier"s carefully selected wine pairing.

As I sat across from her, I found myself captivated by her strength and beauty. She had an aura about her, an air of resilience that drew me in like a moth to a flame. Her red hair glowed in the soft light, and her brilliant green eyes held a depth that seemed to call to my soul.

As she spoke, my mind drifted back to the events of the day. I had spoken to Sebastian, my lawyer, earlier, and he had briefed me on the progress of the situation regarding Aria"s bookstore. In just a few days, I would be able to assert my dominance over that land and expand my territory.

A satisfied smile crept onto my face as I contemplated the impending takeover. But the look on her face told me that my grin was out of place for her train of thought.

The venom in her stare caused me to imagine Aria"s reaction if she ever found out that I was responsible for taking her land. But for now, I decided to push all thoughts aside and focus on charming her.

Despite the romantic tension, something was undeniably captivating about being in Aria"s company.She was not the girl from the beach anymore, but a woman. Her curves alone were igniting flickers of desires within me. .

I remembered the night on the beach when I had taken her innocence.The smell of her honey-milk sweetness I couldn"t resist..

But more than that, I felt a strong lure to be near Aria, the kind of that draws magnets to one another.

This was nothing; the feelings were purely lust. I just needed to get the deal done, and I would feel better. I would forget the curve of her bottom lip. I would be able to forget the little wrinkle near her eye when she smiled.

I shook my head imperceptibly and tried to concentrate on getting Aria to sign away her rights to the land. I had a job to do.

I knew I had to tread carefully. Aria was not one to be easily swayed, and I couldn"t afford to push her too far too soon.

I needed to play my cards right if I wanted to win her over, both in business and perhaps even matters of the heart.

With that in mind, I returned my focus to the present. Whatever the future held, for now, I was content to bask in Aria"s company, even if it was only for a fleeting moment.

We sipped our wine, and I watched as Aria curled her perfectly manicured fingers around the stem of her glass. My mind wandered off course, and I couldn"t shake the image of her fingers curling that same way around my stiff shaft.

Despite my best efforts to remain focused, my lust won over, and I kept drifting back to her inescapable attraction. I knew I had to maintain my composure, at least for now. I quickly snapped out of my fantasies. It was just a wild imagination, nothing more, I lied to myself.

"So, tell me how your day went," I prompted, taking a sip of my wine as I watched Aria"s every move.

She paused, setting down her glass with a delicate clink before meeting my gaze. "Well, I found out today that I am a failure as a business owner," she began. As she recounted the events of the day, her anger became palpable.

"First it was the bank; now, it's some crook businessman who wants a piece of me," she continued, her words laced with resentment. Her eyes flashed with defiance as she spoke.

"You don"t say!" I exclaimed, feigning surprise as I cocked my head.

She then told me about her mother's legacy and how she felt it slipping away.

"Your mother's legacy is not brick and mortar." I knew how quickly I could look suspicious, so I made sure my voice remained level and filled with concern.

"Oh wow. Why am I burdening you with this?" she said.

"It sounds like you just needed an ear."

"You're probably right." She smiled softly at me.

"Selling might be a blessing in disguise." I pressed.

Her face shot up at me with distrust. "I don't see how selling is a blessing. . Why did you want me to come to dinner with you?"

At that moment, the waiter arrived, balancing our plates with effortless grace, and I thanked my lucky stars for the distraction.

The heavenly aroma of the food filled the air as he unveiled the dishes, eliciting a satisfied smile from both of us.

"Bon appétit," he said with a friendly nod before disappearing.

As we indulged in our delicious meal, our conversation resumed with a slight change of topic.

I couldn"t shake the unease I felt about offering assistance to someone whose business I was actively plotting to acquire. But I continued.

"Tell me, Aria, what can I do to help?" I asked, my voice softening as I leaned in closer, my eyes searching hers with genuine concern.

Aria paused, her lips parting slightly as she gazed back at me, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features. "I don"t need anything, Ethan," she began. "I will find a way out."

Leaning forward, I reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her face, my touch lingering as I traced the curve of her cheek. "You don"t have to face this alone, Aria," I murmured, my tone filled with reassurance. "I"ll be here for you every step of the way."

Her breath caught as our eyes locked, the intensity between us palpable. "Let"s get to this food," she whispered, breaking contact with me.

Aria"s lips curved into a telling smile, her eyes sparkling with unspoken emotion. As our conversation continued with mundane topics, the air between us crackled with tension.

Each word exchanged only served to deepen the connection between us. And at that moment, amid the dancing candlelight and soft strains of music, I reveled in the pulse of energy I felt with her next to me.

As much as I wanted to convince her to sell, I couldn"t ignore the growing attraction I felt toward her, one that threatened to complicate our already tangled relationship.

As the night continued, it became evident that the situation was taking a larger toll on her than I'd thought it would. My protective instincts kicked in, urging me to offer her a place of solace.

"Hey, how about we head up to the roof? Get a bit of fresh air."

Aria"s eyes brightened at the suggestion before narrowing again. "Yes, that sounds perfect," she said, her head tilting in suspicion.

It struck me then how she seemed to welcome the idea as if she had been waiting for someone to extend the invitation.

The cool evening breeze greeted us as we made our way on to the rooftop, offering a momentary respite from the world below. I noticed the way Aria"s hair danced in the wind.

A smile played at the corner of my mouth as I remembered my previous conquests. I'm not the type of guy to show concern to any of my women. They always understood that their only assignment was to satisfy me. In and out, nothing more, nothing less.

If only Aria knew the game I had up my sleeve. But this was different. She was an obstacle that once removed, would allow me to move on with my development.

"It"s beautiful up here," she remarked, her voice melancholic.

I nodded in agreement, my thoughts still consumed by the unexpected twist in our relationship. Despite my efforts to maintain a fa?ade of indifference, I couldn"t deny the growing attraction I felt.

"It"s strange, isn"t it?" I began, choosing my words carefully. "How things can change so quickly."

Aria"s gaze shifted to meet mine, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions – uncertainty, vulnerability, and perhaps longing and loneliness.

"Yeah, it is," she replied softly.

Silence enveloped us as we stood side by side, gazing out at the city skyline bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. At that moment, it felt as though time had come to a standstill, allowing us to escape our responsibilities, if only for a moment.

"I remember that summer," I finally spoke, breaking the silence that hung between us. "The beach house, the endless nights filled with laughter and mischief."

Aria nodded, a wistful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It feels like a lifetime ago," she admitted, her voice laced with nostalgia.

"And yet, it"s still so vivid in my mind," I confessed, unable to suppress the memories that flooded my thoughts.

"I never imagined you would forget me the next day or tell me it was a mistake," she said.

"I'm here now, and it sounds like I'm needed," I smoothed my words to caress her back into comfort.

Aria"s expression softened as her eyes met mine. "Life has a funny way of surprising you," she mused, her words carrying a wisdom beyond her years.

As we stood on the roof, I felt a surge of desire from my wolf. Being so close to her was making it even harder to control.

"You know, Ethan," Aria began, breaking the silence, "this cool breeze is really easing my tension. Are you feeling the same way?"

"Yes," I replied, trying to sound casual as my heart raced. "I was going to say the same thing, but you beat me to it."

Aria nodded, her hair catching the faint moonlight. "It"s moments like these that make everything else seem insignificant."

I couldn"t agree more. At that moment, with Aria beside me, nothing else seemed to matter.

As I mulled over the situation, I couldn"t shake the desire to lean in and kiss her. But memories of our past encounter held me back. She wouldn"t trust me easily after what happened before. But if I played my cards right, I knew she wouldn"t pose a problem. I just needed to get her to trust me.

"Ethan, are you okay?" Aria"s voice broke through my thoughts, concern etched on her face.

"Yeah, I"m fine," I replied, trying to sound composed despite feeling quite the opposite.

"You seem a bit distant," she remarked, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Just lost in thought," I said with a forced smile, hoping to brush off her concern.

Aria nodded, but her gaze lingered on me.

Even though my wolf was raging at the proximity between us, I was calm. I didn't give anything away. But the wave of longing for Aria my wolf displayed made it hard to keep my composure.

I leaned in and placed one hand on her back to support her, grazing her lips before I found the nape of her neck. She exhaled a shaky breath. As my tongue danced along her skin, I let my other hand move up her thigh.

She shivered under my touch, and I knew she felt the same pleasure I did. The deepest part of me flickering back to life. A delightful experience only enhanced by the wetness at the apex of her thighs..

I pressed the palm of my hand to her core, cupping it in anticipation. I turned my face to hers and hovered just above her perfectly plump pink lips.

"May I?" I breathed out.

I didn't wait for her response, my wolf demanding a taste of her. I leaned in, and it was electric. As our lips touched, my body demanded more, and I pulled her in deeper. Her hands wrapped around my neck and she moaned as I slid the thin fabric aside and plunged deep inside her folds.

Her legs widened a bit to accommodate my hand, and I slowly searched for the small spot of pleasure and danced along the line. She moaned in pleasure, releasing my lips to find her breasts through her bra. Suddenly, she froze, and I released her to look her in the eyes. But she pulled away, pushing my hand away.

"Ethan, I think I should go," she said, her gaze flickering away from mine.

I froze, my heart sinking with disappointment. I had let my desires get the better of me, ignoring the consequences.

"Yeah, of course," I muttered, unable to meet her eyes as she turned to leave.

I watched Aria walk away, leaving me alone on the roof as my cock strained against the material of my pants. This was a good start. I would get her in my bed eventually, then I would get her land. It was all just a matter of time.