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Chapter 31
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A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 32
“What?”“You know better. I am very guarded about my property Mae Ricci, and for the entirety of our contract, you are mine. I won’t have you acting like a hussy where Cartwright is involved.” And we were back to square one.I huffed as I jumped from his lap, ignoring the erection he was sporting. His hands slipped off me easily. ” You know what Ethan. you can take your adjusted contract and shove it up your ass because I’m no longer interested.“And then I marched to my room like the bad ass queen that I was. Soon to be very hungry, but bad ass nevertheless.I slipped down the stairs an hour later unable to contain the rumbling of my stomach. Damn Ethan Crowe for making me act like a child. I bumped into Cecilia on my way down.She shrieked startled and then placed her hand on her chest. “Miss Ricci, you scared the shit outta me. I was actually coming to check on you.”“I’m sorry. I thought it would be just me and Ethan in the house.”“It should be, I’m here on my own. I left
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 33
We drove in silence because I did not want to ask Ethan where we were going, I wouldn't know if he told me anyway."We're late, you know." he said his eyes still focused on the road.“You should have called to tell me you wanted to take me out. ""But we already had plans.""Plans that were canceled because you were being an ass." He glanced at me, "I'm trying to rectify that." "You're doing great.” I told him with a grin.I felt euphoric. I did not realize I was looking forward to spending time with Ethan so much.He pulled up to the Malroy art museum and my mouth fell open. It looked even more fancier that evening, with garlands and other decorations hanging on the walls adding to the beautiful aesthetic of the timeless art pieces in the room. I looked at him for answers.“Julia Mackintosh does a spring show every year, celebrating her favorite time of the year, spring.” Did he just say Julia Makintosh?My head was spinning.“I was expecting some fancy dinner Ethan I didn't
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 34
When we separated, he clasped my hand tightly. “On to the next activity.”I blasted Mitski from the speakers as he drove us to our new destination. Once again, my breath was taken away by the sight. It was a small cozy restaurant that boasted of one of the classiest decor I had seen, with low hanging chandeliers and a low lighting.“I didn’t know if you wanted a private dinner or something more public.” He spoke into my ear. His hands gripping my hips. “I chose this because I don’t want to think of what I’ll do if i was alone with you.”When I looked up at him he was close enough to kiss. I swallowed hard and riveted my gaze, taking a wide step away from him.I crossed my hands over my chest. “You’re going to have to do more than sweet talk me, Ethan.” He smiled at me. “I’m starting to realize that.”We took our seats away from most of the other guests. When the waiter came to take our orders Ethan was in control of the conversation, frowning slightly when the waiter’s gaze would
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 35
The drive home was the same. I shivered in the passenger seat, as he sped through LA. We marched up the stairs together till we stooped by my room.“I had a good time at dinner.” I told him as I searched his eyes for the kinder Ethan. The one who had a soul behind his eyes.“I’m glad.” He responded shutting me out.Desperate for some kind of connection, i pressed my body flush against his and kissed him, waiting for him to respond. He remained frozen for a second, and then he gripped me tightly against his body.I wasn’t sure i wanted to make love to Ethan that night. I felt alone, even with him.“My new favorite thing is you kissing me.” He said hoarsely against my lips while I trembled at the ferocity of our kiss.He groaned as he pulled away from me.“I need to leave. I have a work emergency I need to attend to.”Discomfort snaked it’s way through my chest and found it’s home in my heart. All evening I hadn’t seen Ethan touch his phone. How did he hear of an emergency then?
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 36
“Okay, send me the details.” I told her finally. This was part of my deal, blending with his people. “Oh Wynona, there’s the fashion show, the Legacy luxe by Anna-“ “Yeah, what about it? Wait are you going to be on it?” “I donno…” I said slowly.“Of course you are, and so am I.” So was Ava. “I could not make it to her last one we’ll do this one together. We’re going to have so much fun!”“I’m glad you’re excited.” I grinned, getting on my knees to retrieve the glue-gun from underneath the center table in the living room.“You should be too, I heard she’s displaying Saskia van der Meer’s works. Do you know how rare it is to see even a single dress that belongs in her collection, and we’re getting nearly a dozen!” “I gotta see that.” I admitted.“Exactly, i don’t know if I’ll ever get to wear a Saskia dress in my entire life. Now’s a good fucking time.”“Fine, I’m convinced.” I said with a laugh, still sitting on my knees. “Send your party thing okay, I’ve gotta get back to wreckin
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 37
Ethan’s grandfather made sure I was in riding gear, complete with an helmet before he let me mount one of his horses, Sage.I tried to stay calm as the horse bristled underneath me and he spoke to it like a kid.“Does baby talk usually work on horses?” I asked, amusement in my voice. He gave my horse final pats on it bottom before he mounted his in one fluid motion. His age had not limited his agility.“Oh yes, they’re basically oversize puppies. They can be cheeky as well. Which is why I told you. You gotta stay calm. If she senses your fear, she’ll react to it.”“It’s hard to stay calm when you’re on a self operating beast.”He chuckled. “You remind me of Ethan’s first rides. His father let him come with me after he turned fourteen. He refused to get on until I swore, the horse would not move an inch while he was on.”“How did that work out?”“Oh the usual, the horse made a run for it and your fiancé screamed to high heavens as he fell behind.” I cracked up at the picture of
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 38
The guilt of lying to Bron followed me all the way back home. Without thinking my feet led me to Ethan’s office, where I found him behind his desk, working.He shut off a tablet when I stepped in.“Hey,” I muttered drawing closer to him.“How’d your day go.” I let out a big sigh.”that bad huh?”“No it was good, I think. It went well. A little too well.”I though about what he said about finding love with Ethan. He was genuinely happy for his grandson and we were here faking it.“Come here.” He urged me.I jumped onto his desk and swung my legs at the bottom before he grabbed a hold of one and began undoing the lacing on my shoe. “Tell me how it went.”“Well we talked,” I shrugged “about his horses, their skills…he told me about your first riding experience.“Ethan chuckled as he slipped of the shoe and started with the second one. “My father still doesn’t know about that incident till this day.”“He asked about the restaurant.”“And?”“That went well too.”“So what’s both
A Bargain With The Devil Chapter 39
“I bless my stars that your Fiancé decided to unveil you to the rest of us.” Anna spoke as she made her way to me. “You. You will wear the dress.”“But it’s a statement piece!” Ava protested as she battled her way through the women. “It was literally the last thing Saskia’s hands touched before she chucked herself off the roof.” I winced at her wording. ”a more experienced model should wear it.” She finished.“That dress highlights the suddenness of her death, as it is incomplete…” Anna explained her eyes burning into mine. “You showed up into our world unannounced, it’s so perfect I could cry.” “That’s ridiculous.” Ava scoffed in disbelief and looked around for support. “I think the dress should be removed from the show-to honor her family.” She said finally. A few women murmured in agreement.“That’s a bunch of crap.” Wynona shot back. “The first sighting of this collection since Saskia’s passing and you think the right thing to do is hide the dress? Stick to modeling Ava, not ha
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A Bargain With The Devil chapter 71
“That went very well if you ask me.” Jace said when I had stayed deathly silent in the car on our way home. “Except for the part where you disappeared into your mind and I had to do the whole compliment thing.”“Oh, I uhh, got distracted.” Maybe I could just not go. I could tell her we were down with the cold that day and decided to stay home.“I noticed. You were not much help when she wanted to pick shoes. I hope my option would not be considered a fashion faux de pas.” He added brightly, failing an attempt at a French accent.“I think both shoes looked great. Either was fine.” If I did the sick thing, and she sent condolences then Ethan would find out that I declined an invite without telling him.“Course you do. Do you mind telling me exactly what is wrong? You know what they say about problems shared.” He wriggled his brows in the mirror.A second opinion would be great. “I would love to attend; I mean my dress, worn by one of the rich people in this state. But…I don’t want Ethan
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 70
For the following weeks, Ethan knew to avoid me, and I made sure that I kept seeing Ethan to a minimum. I was up late and spent most of my day in my room making Lindsey’s dress.The door was always locked, in case he had the bright idea to stop by. A few times, I would hear his footsteps stopping at my door for a while, before he would continue down to his own. Each time I would hold my breath, like it kept me from going to it and opening it to see his face.The only highlight in those weeks, save for watching my dreams for Lindsey’s dress come to life, was spending time with Jace. His easygoing attitude was rubbing off on me and I found that I could relax more in situations I thought were normally stressful.He had helped me pack Lindsey’s heavily beaded dress into a carrier bag and loaded the car with the things I needed.“You know, if this driver thing doesn’t work for you, you can always be my personal assistant. You’re great at that.” I joked as I climbed in with my tools in the
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 69
“You’re back early.” I uttered like an idiot, my smile fading from my face. God, why did the man have to looks o stunning in a suit.“I had some documents I wanted to get, you look…busy.” He answered staring at Jace’s outfit.“Yeah, I’m just helping out with Mrs. Lindsey dress.“ Jace explained, Ethan’s eyes clouded into an unreadable expression.“I see that. Mae, can I talk to you?”“In private?” I squeaked. Jace already started waddling out of the room.“No you stay.” He told Jace. “You can meet me in my office?” I gave a curt nod. Satisfied, he left.“Can I take this off now? I can feel a pin poking the side of my ass.” Jace groaned, and his backside in search of said pin.“They stay on till I’m done.” I informed him as I made my way out of the room. “Give me a second okay? Don’t do anything, don’t even sit down. Remember there are pins everywhere.” “Mannequin mode, got it.I moved to Ethan’s office and pushed the door open. “Hey…” he murmured, His eyes softening.When he turned fro
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 68
“Hey, hey.” He whispered, pulling me to the side. “It’s alright. She’s gone. It’s okay...“ He wrapped his hands around me and gave me a comforting squeeze.After a while, I moved out of his grasp, and tried to steady my breathing.“I’m sorry I reacted that way. I am not used to confrontation like that.” “I completely understand.” He said supportively.“You do?”He began nodding but ended up shaking his head side to side.”I have no idea what you’re feeling right now. Confrontation is my jam, I was going to sucker punch her in the face before that guy showed up.” A laugh escaped my mouth and I sniffled. “Do you feel better?”“A little.”“Hi there.” Another woman spoke up next to us. I remembered her standing off to the side when the first woman was yelling. Was she also going to give me a piece of her mind? I steeled myself for trouble. Jace did too because he turned angry eyes on her.She raised her hand in submission. “I just came to find out if you were alright? I’ve met that woman a
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 67
I made sure that Ethan was completely out of the house before I showered and went downstairs, I had a busy day... I had sent Lindsey the styles that I had finally settled on and she had chosen from the two I sent. Now I just had to go fabric shopping. Gladice was in the living room dusting the mantel when I finally went down, showered and dressed.“Mrs Gladice, so good to see you back! How are you feeling.”“Very well thank you Mrs. Crowe.”“Oh take it easy with that greeting. “ I chided. “I’m going to be out for a while, I just need to get some supplies for a project.” She nodded.“Breakfast? Before you leave. I saw that the fridge is already stocked with food. Thank you”“Oh it’s nothing. I have chef blood running through my veins.” I winked at her and continued on my way. “And I’ll have breakfast while I’m out. Thank you.”“GideoN!” I called as I made my way to his side of the house and then I remembered what Ethan had said. Gideon was gone.“Mae…” I heard Jace’s voice behind me. H
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 66
I was determined to give Ethan the silent treatment till I could not anymore. I just did not want my family be a part of this act The less dad knew him the better for us .From outside I could hear dad and our neighbor, Wes chanting. They had been on opposing teams since I was a kid.I plastered a smile on my face before I opened the door. At least dad would be majorly distracted by the game and not have the chance to focus on Ethan. I wore a green jersey, The color of dad’s team. Ethan for some reason had gone with the opposing team. Way to pick sides. I rolled myeyes.“Mia figlia.” dad greeted earnestly and he smiled proudly when he saw my jersey, and then his eyes fell on Ethan’s.“I see you have chosen the losing side.”Billionaire or not, football was something dad took seriously. So did Mr. Wes because he clasped Ethan on the shoulder and pulled the whole six feet of a man under his sweaty arm .“Oh please, we’ve been resting all this time. No one was worth putting energy.“You
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 65
“He’s a very pretentious fellow.” I commented, recalling the way he looked me over. I knew his kind, They usually came in the form of tourists to the restaurant. With their elevated sense of importance and nasal way of speaking.“It’s not about what he is, but about what he can give to you.”“I went through his website, I don’t think I’m wanted at that company.”“He told you he wanted you, did he not? I had discussed the details with him, did he go back on his word?”“No Ethan, what I am trying to say is that my designs are very different from the designs that are associated with his brand, it’s easy to tell that he doesn’t actually want me in his company. He’s just offering because you got involved.”“A lot of people would be grateful, that I got involved.”“I’m sorry that I don’t fit that mold right now, I like to know that when I’m picked to work in a fashion house it’s because I’m actually good, not because my billionaire husband forced my work on an unsuspecting victim.” My words
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 64
Did Ethan invite someone over without giving me a heads-up. I sighed loudly. I could not even force an atom of energy into my steps, they would have to manage a measly smile.I flattened my dress to my body like it would make me look more presentable. The man took a swig of his drink and dropped the glass on the bar, then he got up slowly and walked up to me. why were they drinking in the dark with just the side light? That barely showed anything.“Beth, lights on.” I paused. I waited for a second before the room was flooded with bright fluorescent light. I now had a good look at Ethan’s guest. I gaped at him when I recognized theface.“You’ve already met Jace.” Ethan said, rounding meJace grinned down at me with a charming smile. For the second time that day, we held hands. He was one of those people that loved to maintain intense eye contact during conversation, seeing as they were one of his enthralling features. With a sigh I looked away. Why was he here?“Yes, I met him. At the
A Bargain With The Devil chapter 63
“You see, my birthday is coming up. I don’t usually do anything fancy about it but I was thinking this year could be different. That’s why I’m here even. I was thinking it would be a great choice to handle the breakfast themed table.”“Oh yeah, these people are great.” Wynona interjected. “Double win if you could get the hot waiters too.”“I-I’ll see what I can do?” she glanced at her. “Anyway, I had this brilliant idea, to have you style a dress for me. We can pick one together and you change it however you think will look gorgeous-I’ ll pay you of course. We would get a really popular piece, so people can identify the before…and then my dress would be an after,” Lindsey was very lost in her imaginings. As she spoke, she used her hands to draw the picture in her mind. I waited for her to finish.“…wouldn’t that be amazing?” She laughed in glee. “I’m so sorry Lindsey, but I can’t do that…” ”What?” She looked confused.“The thing with Saskia’s dress, it was a one time thing.”“But…it d
