2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ethan

Any scent preferences , she asked. Yours, Lily. Your goddamn smell. I want it all over the place—or perhaps not. I want it to hypnotize me and make me drool over you, but the rest shouldn't smell you. They shouldn't come close to you.

If there is anything I despise, it is being in elevators. I grab my laptop and check the newly received email from Alfred. Alfred is my advisor, so whatever he is emailing me for is important.

"Screw this," I say as I slam the laptop close when my eyes spot the word ‘FDA'. I do not have the patience for this.

I am still trying to grasp that I have just seen Lily for the first time in ten years. I wonder if it is fate or a set-up.

I feel strange, and not entirely in a good way. It is like being in heat. How is this even possible? Seeing Lily after all these years did something to me. The only thing that can stop this feeling is grabbing her by the face and fighting the urge not to bite those luscious lips of hers.

"Mr. Rothschild. How was the meeting with the florist?" Alfred asks as I step inside his office.

"I assume you're talking about Lily Snow? It went well," I clear my throat as I stand tall in front of his desk and fix my posture.

"I knew it would go smoothly."

"Her portfolio proves that she will do wonders here."

"How was the reunion? Nick told me about your unresolved history with Ms. Snow."

"Nick has no business talking about me or my past relationships," I say as I place my hands in my pockets. Nick Rothschild is my second advisor, as well as my brother.

"You look tense, Ethan."

"I do. The last thing I ever expected was to have Lily walking into my office."

"Her name is written on the file. You must have expected her arrival."

"I haven't looked at her file. You know I don't do any reading in the morning. I have been feeling thirsty all morning. I simply couldn't care who was going to oversee the project."

"You didn't even read the first page?" Alfred asks, slowly sipping from his flask and grinning afterward.

"Like I said, Alfred, I couldn't care less. When someone wins any sort of bidding inside this company, they are granted the job. Whatever it is."

I look at him and shake my head. He is analyzing my every move. I can't think straight.

"Lily Snow. A florist." I mutter to myself and walk to the large windows. It is a gloomy day.

Alfred doesn't say a thing. Before he can, we are interrupted by Nick, my brother. I watch him confidently make his way inside the office as I attentively run my hands on the glass windows.

"Are you all right, Ethan? You look odd?" Nick asks as he places his belongings on the sofa.

"Don't pretend like you don't know what is going on, Nick."

"What is wrong with him?" Nick grins as he asks Alfred.

"Apparently, seeing Lily after all these years was not something that I was prepared for," I say, taking a deep breath.

"New lesson for the day, I believe. Always look at candidates' files," Alfred says.

"Funny guy, Alfred," I scoff and finally sit down.

"Maybe it is a good thing that Ms. Snow is here for now. I am aware of your past relationship," Nick pats me on the shoulder.

"You have no business talking about that, Nick."

"Right. My apologies," he nods and apologizes. He does not seem apologetic, though.

"I just cannot believe how she is still holding a grudge against me even years after leaving her. She does not know that leaving her was for her own sake. I did everything I could to keep her away, and here she is. She can't be here. How did I miss this?"

"Did she suspect anything about you or the company?" Nick asks.

"I don't have a clue, but she is in the office right now, working diligently."

"So, she is interested in the project after all. That is good news. I would love for her to come into this office today. Have her look and see what she can do with this place," Nick says, leaning back in his chair.

"Nick, I know you are my older brother, but I don't take orders from you."

"I am just trying to be friendly, Ethan."

"Lily will handle my office for now. And given the strange, shared attitude of the two of you, she might only deal with my office," I say, pointing at both Nick and Alfred.

Nick and Alfred always try to get in my way, but I will not allow them to do so. Lily will not go anywhere other than my office in the meantime.

"There is no harm in introducing us, Ethan," Alfred says as he looks at Nick, who looks like he is enjoying the conversation.

"Stop it. Both of you. She will only work on decorating Rothschild Pharmaceuticals, and you will remain far away from her," I add as I unbutton the collar of my shirt.

There must be a reason Lily and I meet again. I must do it right this time, but I am not sure what is the right thing to do. What I am sure of is that I need to be next to her. I have missed everything about her.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I will be heading back to the office."

"We must discuss the email that I forwarded to you, Ethan. It is important."

"I have more important business to take care of other than false accusations."

I don't have time for this. Lily is in the office, and I wish to keep talking to her and know more about her. I must also keep her safe, I think to myself.

"Tell me you've seen the email at least? The FDA is after us again. We need to take our customers' data a bit more seriously. "We don't want to attract attention," Alfred says as I head out.

"What attention are you talking about, Alfred?"

"The things we do here might be considered unethical by some. And that has undoubtedly attracted attention. Unwanted, for sure."

"Alfred, the only attention the Rothschild Pharmaceuticals attracts is that of wealthy investors."

"I am aware of that. We all are. I am just saying that the last thing we need right now is the FDA investigating this place again. We got a warning last night. Our second one. We do not need that happening again," Alfred says, seeming worried.

"If the FDA ever decides to investigate us again, we'll find a way around it. We always have. Give our attorney a call and have him meet me tonight. Our usual place. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have a more important matter to deal with."

I leave the room and walk into the hallway. The scent of Lily's perfume is getting stronger as I get closer to my office. It is not only her blood, but also her vanilla-scented perfume.

"Your meeting ended so soon?" she asks as I walk towards her.

"Nothing that I cannot handle," I reply as I place my laptop back on my desk, which now has a vase full of fresh tulips.

"Do you like them?"

"They're my favorite. Thank you. Are these the new decorations?" I smile at her. Her face looks so soft and innocent. I can't believe she still remembers my favorite flowers.

"Just a little. I've put up a few things, but nothing too much. I figured that you could use a little bit of color. I still have more work to do, though."

"Got a decoration plan for the office?" I ask her.

"A basic one. It will take me some time for sure. What was your meeting about?" she asks, walking toward me, her eyes locked on mine, her lips almost calling my name. I can tell she is faking a friendly aura.

"The usual. Making more money."

"Is that why you became the CEO of your own company?"

"Not exactly. It is true I was the only heir to Rothschild Pharmaceuticals, but I had other goals in mind. I wanted things to go the way I wanted them to," I reply.

"You were always so driven. I remember how hard you worked in school back then."

"I was different back then. More human."

"More human? What are you now, like a zombie or something?" she chuckles, infusing the urge in me to grab her face and kiss her.

"That was a poor joke, Lily. I meant that I am no longer that human boy who used to sit next to you in class and try to talk to you."

""Oh, you did more than just sit next to me and talk, for sure."

I look down at her heels. I wonder how she can walk in those, but at the same time, I enjoy the fact that I can see her legs a little better.

"We were just kids, Lily. I saved you by leaving you," I say, ever so gently. It felt wrong to say it.

"Why would you say such a stupid thing?" she scoffs and walks past me. I can tell the statement bothered her.

"The thought overwhelmed me the moment I saw you. I never really apologized for leaving you so suddenly. I was a naive kid back then."

"And what are you now? A full-grown man?"

"I have changed."

"For the better, I hope."

"You can be the judge of that."

"Maybe," she says.

Lily looks at me, not even bothering to say another word. The way she talks to me is so casual, yet it feels like she knows something that I don't. The way her hips move as she walks toward my windows fills me with passion.

"What do you mean maybe?" I finally snap out of my daydreams.

"I just meant how exciting it is to be owning a massive company such as this one. It must give you immense power. So, yes, perhaps you really have changed. I almost didn't recognize you."

"Is it the suit? Or the watch?" I ask, attempting to make her laugh, but she doesn't. She only smiles at me lightly.

"Neither. Maybe the blazer a little."

"You think so?"

She doesn't say a word. She just looks my way and smiles again, tempting me to get closer to her.

"You know what's funny, Lily?"

"Enlighten me," she says, unbothered.

"It is true that I have not seen you in so many years, and yet, you make it seem like no time has passed. It is a good thing, right?"

"Well, if you say so, Mr. Rothschild, then who am I to say no?"

I scan her appearance. Lily looks marvelous. She always has. Her almond-green eyes match her emerald serpent ring. I can't keep my eyes off her legs.

Her long black hair cascades down her back like a waterfall. Her black skirt clings to her curves, paired with a blazer that lights up her presence. Although I never expected it, seeing her again after so long feels like a forbidden dream come true.

"I am almost done with your office. I suppose I will dedicate a day to every office in this building," Lily says, bringing me back to the present moment. I must have stared at her feet for too long.

"That's a whole season of non-stop work."

"I know. But that means that I get paid better. It is my revenge for your sudden disappearance," she says teasingly and approaches me.

"You can drain my wallet for all I care."

There is something about her that is captivating to me, body, and soul. I am just so thirsty. I just missed her like crazy. I try to contain myself, yet a certain feeling overwhelms me.

"It really feels as if we never drifted apart, Lily. I mean it."

"You've said that already," she says, placing her hands on the desk, revealing the godlike sight of her delicate skin.

"I know. I know. The thought is just consuming my mind."

She giggles, then bites her lower lip. That sight alone is enough to turn me on. Her lips are so perfect and kissable.

I remember them being so soft. It is taking all of me not to approach her and take her right here, on top of this desk.

"I suppose some things never change. Like the way you look at me, Mr. Rothschild," she says, her voice soft and smooth.

"Ethan. I am just Ethan for now."

"I see."

"Really, I am."

"It is too bad you're not the Ethan I once knew and fell in love with."

"I had to leave. I had to protect you. If I stayed, you wouldn't know what we would've gotten each other into. There would be no escape."

"Who said I wanted one? Who said I wanted an escape when I was with you?"

"Lily, I-" I try to speak but she is quick to interrupt me.

"It does not matter now, though, does it? Like you said, it has been years, and I think I handled it maturely."

"It was me who gave you that strength, Lily. I watched over you for days and months. I was closer than ever to you even when we were apart."

"No, all that strength was forced by one person: me. Do not take credit for something you didn't do, Mr. Rothschild," she says sternly, pointing her index finger at my chest, slightly pushing me backward.

I smile at her and grab her arm. She instantly flinches at my touch. It must feel so cold to her: an unhuman touch mingling with her human one.

"Oh, Lily. Always so stubborn," I place my hand on her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin. I am craving her like never before.

It suddenly hits me. I left her for this very reason. The warmth of her skin. The aroma of her blood is making my fangs grow a bit longer, and it is not easy for me to calm myself down and contain my smile.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" she asks.

"No. I am just enjoying the moment. You look so different, yet so good."

"Different?"

"Different than the way you used to. You used to be so full of fear back in the day, and you used to look at me like I was your only hope of life."

"And now?" She smirks, and it drives me insane.

"Now, I am the one who should be full of fear for all the things you can have me doing just by looking at me like that. You grew up to be this strong, fearless woman."

"I think you should stop looking at my neck like that. I am not your feast, Ethan."

"You might be. You smell so delicious." I smirk back at her, taking her hand and softly kissing it.

"Is this how you treat people who work with you?"

"Only the ones I like, Ms. Snow."

Lily does not say a word. She gasps and leans back on the desk, allowing me to access every part of her. My thirst is getting out of control, and I can feel the tips of my fangs brushing against her neck.

"I have truly missed you, Lily," I pull back and cup both of her cheeks.

She is looking up at me like I am the only person she wants to see. Suddenly, her facial expression change. I wonder what is wrong.

"Ethan, wait. Your eyes."