Chapter 16

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Ethan balled his hands into fists. Behind him, he could hear her footsteps as she walked away.

A huge part of him wanted to yank her back and finish what they'd started- his need surged within him, the need to make love to Erin again and again till he could make himself forget the blistering anger her little deception had caused.

The door closed with a soft click. Erin was gone. Ethan set his jaw; he would not go after her.

Her cousin. The words cut through the haze of desire, turning him cold as he recalled the scene in the hallway of her apartment. She'd stood there, silent and watching while he made a complete and utter fool of himself...fighting over a manipulative little bitch.

Was this her way of getting back at him?

Dammit! How could one woman make him lose control every single time? Ethan raked a hand through his hair in frustration. Perhaps Marcus was right and he was letting Erin get under his skin. He had never fought over a woman in his life, had always prided himself on the ability to remain emotionally detached in his affairs with the opposite sex.

One night with Erin Gosling, bitch extraordinaire, had changed that. He hated the feeling of being so vulnerable that her actions could pierce through the layer of detachment he’d created for himself.

He'd set out to humiliate her and yet she'd so cleverly turned the tables on him.

Ethan exhaled slowly, trying to get his anger under control. He needed to think, had to purge the memory of Erin from his thoughts and get this craziness under control.

But hot damn. The woman could make love like she'd been trained. His mind flashed back to the night on his boat and he groaned aloud as his body caught fire again.

How could he get her out of his mind when just being in the same area code as Erin set his brain to sex overdrive? His damn thoughts were plagued every waking hour with the desire to see her, to touch her, to even be in the same room with the woman who’d ruined his chance at happiness all those years ago.

What the hell was happening to him?

He had to get Erin out of his system. He needed to – for the sake of his sanity.

Decision made, Ethan strode towards his bedroom. He would take a long cold shower to cool off this blasted desire and work out the rest of his frustration in the gym. Then he would carefully and methodically erase the memory of a brown-eyed witch from his thoughts.

****

Marcus raised an eyebrow in surprise as he spotted Ethan pounding away on the treadmill. He consulted his watch, wondering how long the guy had been down here. His friend rarely used the treadmill unless he was angry or obsessing about something and wanted to lose himself in his thoughts, preferring to do his running outdoors.

He was willing to bet a month’s pay Ethan’s mind was not on business at this moment.

“How long have you been at this?” Marcus asked, coming up to the front of the treadmill. Ethan looked startled at the sound of his voice and broke stride for a second, nearly tumbling off the machine.

“Dammit man!” Ethan yelled, gripping the bars to stop from falling off, setting his feet on either side of the tread, sweat pouring down his face. He shot a glare at Marcus who stood there with an apologetic grin. “A little warning next time?”

“What kind of warning?" Marcus grinned. "Maybe one of those little trumpet things to herald my arrival.”

Ethan was not amused. “I’m not in the mood for your meaningless jokes today Marcus. What do you want?”

Tossing his friend a towel, Marcus leaned against the machine and studied Ethan intently, noting the tensed shoulders, and the anger smoldering in his eyes. “How long have you been down here?”

Ethan stepped off the machine, his breath only slightly hitched from the exertion. Dabbing at his face with the towel, he glanced at the watch strapped on his wrist and shrugged. It was seven a.m. “Maybe three hours….give or take.”

“You’re going to kill yourself one of these days.” Marcus admonished with a shake of his head. “Three hours on the treadmill ET? Are you insane?”

“Fuck off Marc. I don’t need you mothering me.” Ethan growled, his anger threatening to boil to the surface. He snatched up a water bottle from the nearby bench. “And I didn’t spend the entire three hours on the damn machine.”

“You have got to stop obsessing over this chick man.” Marcus ignored the earlier insult, watching as Ethan sat down on the bench and began untying his sneakers. “It’s not healthy.”

Ethan shot another glare at Marcus. “What part of that earlier sentence did you not hear?”

“The last time you were this fucked up was when the other blonde one dumped you. Now you’re letting yourself get involved with another Gosling chick and look where you are now – in a gym, riding out your frustration on a poor defenseless machine instead of focusing on work.”

"I don't want to hear this Marc." Ethan stood up, still glaring daggers in his direction.

Marcus sighed, shaking his head. "I know and I can't believe I'm saying any of this to you. Not after the "Great Screw-up. I mean, I told you Nicky was bad for you and I was right. Now, I'm telling you Erin is just as bad."

"I'm not emotionally involved with Erin." Ethan replied, chin thrust out. "It's just..."

"Revenge." Marcus cut in. "I'm aware of that. See, this is why you should have gone with my plan in the first place. There'd have been none of this emotional nonsense to begin with."

Ethan struggled to hold back a wry grin. "The Screw and Lose?"

"Exactly!" Marcus laughed, the sound echoing around the empty gym. "No strings, no baggage, just 'wham bam eff you ma'am' sex."

Ethan chuckled and stood, draping the towel around his shoulders. He scooped up his gym bag and headed towards the door "You’re an ass.”

“No, I merely speak the truth. Wanna tell me what happened with the Gosling chick this time?”

Ethan's expression changed, amusement replaced once more by a cold distant look. "No."

Marcus held up both hands in surrender. "Fine, suit yourself.”

*****

“Are you sure you’re strong enough to do this dad?” Erin leaned across the seat to place a hand on her father’s own resting on the table. Her brown eyes were filled with concern as she took in the slightly pale pallor of his cheeks and worried that he was finding this meeting stressful.

Harold waved away her concern with a quick smile, his attention focused on the sheaf of papers spread in front of him. “I’m fine Erin, stop worrying.”

She returned the smile and leaned back, pulling her own stack of papers closer. Still, she kept an eye on him, ready to spring to his aid. It had been a week since he’d left the hospital and this was the first time he’d gone back to work, insisting she organize an emergency meeting with Ethan Lachlan.

She’d thrown herself into the task, grateful to have something to take her mind off Ethan and the fiasco in his penthouse. To her relief, she'd dealt with his personal assistant, who'd informed her in a crisp professional tone that Ethan was out of town, but would be present for the meeting.

Though it had been a week since that ill-fated event, Erin still cringed at the memory – her nights had been spent in sleepless thought, replaying the scene over and over in her head – pain and need clashing within her. A small part of her regretted that she’d stopped him when she had, while the larger part was just thankful she’d not succumbed, though it still hurt that he’d made no move to stop her from leaving…had let her walk out there without so much as a second glance.

She’d apologized for god’s sake. So why had he been so angry? Granted, she should have told Ethan the truth about Lane earlier and saved them all a lot of anger and pain on Lane’s part, but she had apologized. The least he could have done was accept her apology and move on.

Instead, he’d tried to punish her with sex.

Erin suppressed a sigh, rubbing at her tired eyes. She’d had very little sleep in the past week, between trying to keep busy during the day and her nights spent tossing and turning on her bed, trying to figure out the next step in her non-relationship with Ethan.

Thankfully, Ethan had left her alone since that night, but now, she would have to face him again today - and even worse, in her father's presence. Harold Gosling's quick mind missed very little but Erin sincerely hoped he would be too preoccupied with business matters to notice the undercurrents that sparked whenever she and Ethan were in the same room.

That thought was enough to set her heart racing a million miles a minute in trepidation. She silently prayed for fortitude to survive this particular unpleasant encounter.

"This Lachlan character seems to have wormed his way in deeper than I thought." Her father's voice broke into her thoughts. She turned to find him frowning down at a paper he held, glasses perched on the tip of his nose. "He must be a very persuasive character to have convinced even tough old MacNeal to sell out."

"He is...persuasive." Among other things, Erin added silently, drumming her fingers on the smooth gleaming table top.

"Well, he's about to find out I'm no pushover." Harold said, his tone firm with resolve. "I will not have some nobody slink in and effect a takeover of my own sweat and blood."

"Dad.." Erin sighed, brushing back a strand of stray hair. "Remember your blood pressure."

He harrumped and shifted in his seat, glancing up at the huge oval wall clock on the opposite wall. "He's late. Says a lot about a man's character if he can't afford to turn up on time for a business meeting."

"I'm sure he'll be here dad." Erin could feel the faint beginnings of a headache. She rubbed at her temples, shutting her eyes and wishing her father hadn't insisted on her being present for this meeting. Oddly enough, she recalled Ethan also arriving late on the night they'd first met five years ago. That alone had made her suspicious of him.

The door behind her opened.

Erin stiffened, knowing without turning around to look that Ethan had entered the room. Her heart sped up, and she could feel color drain from her face.

"I apologize for the delay." Ethan's voice washed over Erin. She could feel his gaze boring into her back, her entire skin burning hot under that gaze. "My flight was held up."

He moved close, drawing out the chair next to hers. His warm spicy colonge washed over her nostrils, sending hot pulses of need running through her veins. As he took his seat, his thigh brushed hers and Erin stifled a groan, resolutely keeping her gaze fixed on the papers in front of her.

God help her.

Her father cast a disapproving frown Ethan's way. "A good business man always endeavors to be on time.”

Silence greeted the statement and Erin stifled yet another groan. She could just imagine what was going through Ethan’s mind at the moment. Probably recalling the way she had accused him of deliberately being late all those years ago.

She stole a glance at him, nonplussed to find Ethan watching her intently, his ice blue gaze taking in every detail of her face. She resisted the urge to wipe her sweaty palms on the skirt of her gray suit, unwilling to betray just how nervous he made her feel.

Ethan looked good. She admitted, tearing her gaze away, her face flaming. His dark hair was expertly styled, complimenting the dark blue suit and white shirt underneath.

What was going through his mind? Erin wondered, studying her hands as though she could find the answer in the tips of her bright pink fingernails. Was he thinking about the last almost encounter in his apartment or had he brushed the memory aside like a bothersome insect?

Her instincts told her the latter was likely true. A few days ago, Kim had shown her a copy of a gossip magazine – the cover picture one of Ethan, his arms wrapped around a buxom red-head. The sight had stirred feelings of jealousy within Erin – feelings she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge for fear of admitting she was more than just sexually attracted to Ethan Lachlan.

“I will try to remember that next time.” Ethan replied drily, adjusting his tie. He placed a briefcase on the table and snapped it open. “Shall we begin?”

For the next hour, the main focus was on business. Erin gradually felt more comfortable as the meeting progressed, though a bit piqued at Ethan. He made a point of ignoring her, never looking her way when she spoke, casually dismissing every single thing she said with disdain that was apparently only evident to her.

Slowly, resentment at his rudeness built, till she was a quietly seething mass of anger. How dare he treat her as though she were unimportant? He fielded questions from her father with an ease that bordered on boredom, his manner lazy and casual.

Erin drummed her fingertips on the table, glaring daggers at Ethan, who, other than that first glance, had paid no attention to her at all. In fact, she suspected if she got up to leave right this moment, he would barely notice.

“So,” Harold leaned forward, his gaze piercing Ethan. “How much?”

“I beg your pardon?” Ethan replied, his shoulders tensing for a moment as he returned her father’s stare with one of his own.

“How much will it cost to get you to relinquish those shares you’ve acquired?”

Erin heard him exhale slowly, the atmosphere in the room suddenly becoming tense once more. He rubbed at a slight shadow of hair on his chin, studying the gray haired man seated in front of him.

“What makes you think I would be willing to trade in my shares?” His gaze flickered to Erin, mouth set in a grim line. “Did your daughter give you the idea that there was some way I could be persuaded to sell?”

Erin bristled at the accusation. “I did nothing of the sort.”

He swung sideways to face her, his eyes cold and detached…so different from the passionate man that had made love to her. “And you expect me to believe that? Come now, Ms. Gosling…you and I are well aware of your particular…skills in manipulation.”

“What’s going on here?” Harold cut in, his eyes going from Ethan to Erin.

Erin took a deep breath. She knew Ethan was baiting her, trying to get her to lose her temper. She would not give him the satisfaction. “It’s nothing dad.”

Ethan chuckled, the sound at once bitter and amused. “Liar.”

The single word set her teeth on edge and Erin gripped the armrests of her seat, trying to hang on to control. She could not afford to lose her temper, would not fall for his goading.

She shrugged her shoulders and faked indifference. “Believe what you will Mr. Lachlan.” She replied coolly. “I have no control over your thoughts after all.”

His eyes narrowed to slits. Seconds ticked by as he watched her, seconds she kept her gaze pinned to the table, praying for some sort of intervention.

After long moments, Ethan turned back to her father. “I have no interest in selling Mr. Gosling.” His voice was cold. “Rather, I intend to fully participate in all facets of running this business as a major shareholder. Better get used to it.”

Harold banged his fists on the table, anger radiating from his in waves. “You wouldn’t know the first thing about running this business. How dare you come in from nowhere and try to sabotage my efforts?”

“Dad…” Alarmed, Erin shot to her feet and crossed to him. She shot a glare at Ethan, hating him for riling her father up. “There’s no need for this. I’m sure some sort of arrangement can be reached for our mutual benefits.”

Ethan’s brows rose in mockery. “Are you offering yourself as some sort of appeasement Ms. Gosling?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I would never do such a thing.” Erin shot back.

“I would warn you to watch your tongue around my daughter young man.” Harold growled, hands balled into fists. “That is no way to speak to a woman.”

Ethan was unapologetic. He glanced at his watch and leaned forward, snapping shut his briefcase.

“My apologies.” The words were a mockery. He unfolded his length from the chair, straightening his clothes. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a very important meeting to attend.”

He did not wait for a response, simply strode from the room. Enraged, Erin spun on her heel and went after him, intending to rake him over hot coals for his arrogance.

She caught up with him in the elevator, stepping into the space just before the doors swished closed.

“You bastard!” She snarled, getting in his face, eyes glittering in fury. “How dare you?”

He stared down at her, his expression implacable. “How dare I what Erin?”

“Insult me the way you just did.” Erin poked a finger in his chest. “I don’t know what your problem is Ethan, but you have got to lay off the insults. Yes, I made a mistake by not telling you about Lane, but seriously? I apologized. Get over it.”

His hand came up to close around her wrist, his eyes boring into hers. “Oh, but I am over it. You are the one bringing it up now, aren’t you Sweetcheeks?”

“That’s because you keep acting like a jerk!” She nearly shrieked in frustration, then shut her eyes and took a deep breath. His touch set her pulse racing again and she struggled to hold on to her anger.

“Look Ethan,” She tried again, in a much calmer tone. “I’m sorry about everything. For Nicky, for Lane…everything. Ok? Just leave my dad alone? He’s not well and all this tension is not doing him any good at all. If you want to keep torturing me, then fine. Do your worst, but leave my father and his company out of this.”

He regarded her for a few minutes, his grip loosening from her wrist. “Go back to your father Erin.” He said with a sigh. “I’m not seeking to ruin your father’s legacy, and I told you the last time we talked that I was done with you.”

The words cut her deep. So he had slept with her and discarded her like yesterday’s rag? How typical of him to seek revenge in this way. “So, that was your phase two? To seduce me to bed and throw me away?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened and he looked away briefly. “Believe what you will Erin.”

“So what was that thing with Lane? Why did you act so jealous and punch him if I was just a casual lay?”

He graced her with a grim smile. “Call it a moment of weakness. You were rather spectacular in bed and I confess to wanting a repeat performance.” The smile faded, to be replaced by a hard look. “But that’s all over and done with now.”

The elevator doors opened at the lobby. Erin stared at Ethan in disbelief, hurt beyond comprehension at his words.

“You really are an asshole.” She whispered, hating how broken she sounded, how vulnerable she felt at his words. “A vile and utter asshole.”

“Perhaps.”

She swallowed the pain and stepped even closer, not caring if a million people watched the exchange.

“Then let me tell you something Ethan Lachlan. I am not a puppet, neither am I one of those silly women you use and discard without a second thought. You think you’ve won? Well, think again asshole. Because I will make you suffer till you take back every insult, every vile thing you have done to me and my family. Consider this a heads up, cos there will be no more warnings.”

With that, she stalked past him, feeling his gaze boring into her back all the way to the hotel kitchens.

 

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