"You pervert!" She spat. "Did you also touch me against my will?"

"Cmon, Daisy, you know me better than that!"

She rolled her eyes openly at him. "I never knew you. Well, I thought I did but the man I know will never accuse me of sleeping with another man and kick me out of his damn house!"

"I deserve that, but for now, you need to rest," He lifted his hands and demonstrated in peace.

"I'm not a baby, stop acting all motherly!" She was trying to spook him and hated that he wasn't responding as she wanted him to. Why is he being so kind?

"I'm going to transfer back your funds, Ethan, I'm not going to accept it."

"Well, that means you will have to get the permission of your friend first, because I know you two own the business."

"Amanda, trust me enough to know it's for the best." She flung the cover and stood to face him. "She knows you are not who we all thought you were so if you think you will use her against me, think twice." She tried to leave, he won't allow that, he knows she is mad at him and he wants to make sure she doesn't make any rash decisions because of that.

Even before he donated that money, he knew she had the money but he still did it because his money would help take the project to another level. So now, he won't stand and watch her lose it because of her contempt for him. He rushed forward and grabbed her.

She stiffened, a shockwave of need rushing through her. It reminded her of Mandys accusation about her behavior being because she hasn't gotten some in a while and maybe she was right because recently, she can't put a stamp on why she is easily whipped by Ethan.

"Let me go," She said snidely.

"I will, but you have to listen to me," He said slowly in a plea.

"I don't want to listen to you, Ethan. You didn't listen to me when I needed you most, why should I now?"

"Because I'm an asshole, and you are not. You are the sweetest woman I have ever met in my life and I fucked up. Unless you want to wake up tomorrow and hear that I jumped the bridges you might as well listen to me."

Daisy's heart stopped. She hated him so much, but she would rather have him suffer alive than bear the thought of him dead. So she exhaled and looked at the spot he was holding, that burnt with flames of passion. "Put on something," was her response.

"Why? Do I make you horny?" Her breath hitched and without thinking, she met his hot gaze, which at the same time, made Ethan very hot. He realized he might have said the wrong thing and quickly rushed away to the closet to look for something to wear.

Putting on his vest, which wasn't helping at all but a fat cry from before, he indicated the bed for her to sit on and when she did, he went to stand by the open window to look outside, mentally calling on all the love forces out in the air to help him. At least he was satisfied that she didn't want him dead. That was fair.

"I sent that money because I recall back then when you used to tell me that you would want to own a design that would rock the world and make your work the number one. I am proud of you for coming this far, Daisy. You didn't let the hindrance I caused you hamper you from striving but went ahead to prove me and any other shallow-minded person out there wrong. So, that is my own little way of telling you that I'm no longer the man I used to be. I have changed."

She fiddled with her fingers, shutting out her mind not wanting to be cajoled by his words.

"I share in your dreams now. I want to be part of it, whether or not you want me in your life. I only ask two things from you..." He indicated with his fingers, his face muddled.

"Which are?"

He came and fell on his knees in front of her, took her hands against her will and kissed her knuckles, pulling heat between her legs. "Please allow me to see my son, and allow me to invest in your business as I want. You know money is not my problem."

She yanked her hand away and when she made to leave, he held her waist down, meeting her defiant eyes with just his own.

"I don't care about your money, Ethan and I don't want you near my son."

"He is also mine."

"You denied him."

"I was a fool. Have you not done anything you frankly regret?"

Her eyes twitched. Of course, she has, but she has never and would never do the kind of thing he did to her to anyone.

"I know you have a good heart, Daisy. I was the devil who turned you this way and I want to make things right. I won't stop, Daisy. So the sooner you accept, the easier it would be for us. I am never taking him from you, never! But let me be a part of his life, please."

A tear skidded down her face in pain. She reached up and wiped it and then sniffed. "If I do that, will you stay away?"

"Maybe..." He said honestly. He can't promise to stay away after seeing the woman that had kept him awake for the past five years, wishing he would be given another chance with her.

"I don't think this is a good idea!" She managed to escape him and stood, folding her hands in her full bosom. "I don't want you around us, Ethan, but if I I'm going to allow you with him, it's only because I love him so much and I don't want to allow what I hold against you to affect him. I want him to have you in his life, not in my life!"

He stood and came to her, she jumped away, eyeing him viciously.

"I will never stop coming, Daisy."

"Then I will tell the cops."

"And tell them what?" He stalked closer, she went backward, her heart hammering from the way he appeared hunky and alluring. Is it the light or her head playing with her?

"You are a stalker!"

He snickered darkly and then when she was least expecting it, took a large step forward. Having no option, she acted out of instinct and humid back, collided with the wall, and winced. His hand came about her, molding her to him.

"I'm sorry," He mumbled, rubbing her side, his breath fanning her face. "Can you try not to be stubborn, please?"

"Ethan..." She whispered, desiring to tell him to let her go but then lacking the courage to ask it. She needed him right now more than air. Maybe it's truly the weather causing this or she was losing her senses but when he reached out and tuck a strand of wayward hair behind her ear, she leaned into his hand and whimpered.

Or she might still be drunk, she reasoned, refusing to accept she was whole in the head and doing this.

"I missed us, Daisy, I missed you so much I thought I was going to die."

"You left me," Her bleary eyes searched his, her skin tingling from his mindless brush.

"I'm a fool," He muttered and inched close.

Was this really happening? Is he coming near or was it still her imagination playing games on her? She reflected.

He pulled her into a hug and wrapped his huge arms around her and without any restraint she flattened against him, needing his warmth more than anything.

They were in that position for long listening to nothingness, each engrossed in their thought of disbelief and rising the moment never passed.

When he pulled away from her, her heartbeat thundering in her breast, while his eyes were still pinned on hers, his hand went behind her neck and drew her head close, and merged their lips. His lips moved on hers, and when she gasped in alarm he took advantage of it and drove his tongue down her throat.

This is not right, rang in her head, yet, she didn't pull away. Instead, her hands went about his neck and deepened the kiss. In the five years that had passed, she imagined this over and over again, wishing for the day to come that she would have this opportunity again but knowing it would never be. Yet, here it is come and after all her hardcore resolution never to permit it, she was giving it freely

When his hand found the rope on her robe and tugged, she didn't complain and when his finger brushed over her pebbled nipple, she thought she had finally arrived in paradise...

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