Chapter 3

"Consider this dance to be the apology you owe me for accusing me of being a thief," Ethan suggested smoothly extending his hand toward Mia. Ethan could see the gears turning in her head considering the option and eyeing Ethan with mistrust at the sweet offer he presented her, after the face-off they had with words. 

“Consider this a truce between us.” Ethan added so that she could agree. “i do not want to be your rival miss Anderson, in fact I like the way you think and your confidence.”

“Fine,” she said, no matter the reason she agreed to this dance Ethan was glad that she agreed. 

They moved to the dance floor hand in hand as the new song started playing.

The dim glow of the dance floor cast a warm ambiance bathing Mia in the soft glow and making her look divine. They swayed to the rhythm matching each other's moves with ease. There was a certain gentleness in the way Ethan held Mia as if afraid to scare her away from him.

 “What you did this evening rushing in a dangerous situation like that was foolish...” Ethan said, earning himself a glare from Mia.

“Why did i ever believe your words for truce to be true?” she asked, trying to pull away, but he held on pulling her close.

“I didn't complete my sentence miss Anderson.” Ethan bent to the level of her ear and murmured, “but it the brave and sexy.” he could hear her pull a deep breath in. He twirled her away. There was a different type of boldness that had come over Ethan even he was surprised by it.

With every twirl and dip their breaths quickened. They spoke without uttering a word, their eyes conveying the chemistry that was brewing between them. The attraction between them was palpable. They wove through the dance floor conscious of the boundaries they had carefully maintained

After the music stopped, they both stood in each other's arms for a beat too long as if they hadn't realized their actions.

The party was still going on full blast, Ethan made his way among the crowd to the exit. He doesn't have the privilege to stay all night long and party with the civilians; at the end of the day, he is still an officer with responsibilities on his shoulders; his job is to protect and serve the people of this country. He said his goodbyes and went to find his car. That is when he saw Mia Anderson, she seemed to be everywhere he looked. 

She was in her car exiting the party as well. It was when she was about to open the driver's side door that Ethan went to stop her. 

“Miss Anderson, what are you doing?” 

“What does it look like i was going to make go home. I promise I wasn't committing a crime.” she replied smirking at Ethan.

“You were going to commit a crime by drunk driving.” Ethan pointed out. He has seen her drink a few times at the party. There was no way he was going to let her drive while drunk.

The memories of the past flooded his mind, his hands shook slightly as snatched the keys out of her hands, and he clenched into fists taking a deep breath he tried to regain control of his emotions.

“I hold my liquor well, there is no need to worry i only drank two glasses.” She tried to reach her keys which he held out of her reach.

“no. You could get arrested, or worse....” He paused, not finishing his sentence as a shudder wrecked his whole body. 

Mia sensed that Ethan was more disturbed about her drunk driving than he let on. She was intrigued about what it was that made him so stressed and frazzled at the thought of it. She agreed to let him drive. 

As she was moving to the passenger side of the car, she felt something warm drape over her bare shoulders. She saw that it was his jacket. 

With a small smile, Mia agreed in her heart that Ethan Parker was a good man.

A small smile graced his lips as he took her sleeping form she looked so peaceful and innocent contrary to her usual confident and sassy look. She looks somehow vulnerable, it took a moment for Ethan to realize that he was staring at her sleeping form like a creep. He gently tapped her arm trying to wake her as they reached her house, she opened her sleepy eyes staring at him dreamily making his heart stutter, he gulped trying to control his emotions. “let me sleep,” she replied drunkenly.

 after the unsuccessful attempt to wake her, he decided that he had to take matters into his own hands and got out of the car, opening her door he carried her in his arms, she was not so light, but he could easily lift her in his arms by the grace of his training.

“Mia, at least me where should I drop you,” Ethan asked shaking her gently to which she mumbled her address, Ethan followed the instructions and opened the door expecting the house to be empty, Suprise colored his features when a woman the same age as his mother opened the door. Her expression mirrored his when she took in her daughter, who was in the arms of a stranger.

“Hello mam, please don't worry I am your daughter's friend.” He said even though they barely know each other, he can't exactly tell her that he is a stranger who offered to drive her home, that would paint a bad picture of them. 

“What is your name?” she asks her face lighting with a smile, Ethan blinked in surprise at her sudden behavior change. 

“I am Ethan parker mam.” he replied, a gasp escaped her as she accessed him. 

“Don't tell me you are Nathan parkers son.” 

“I am.” 

“Oh, my what a pleasant surprise. You look so handsome, no wonder I thought I know you from somewhere, your father used to look just like you.” she gushed.

Ethan nodded not knowing what to do he was still holding Mia in his arms and from the looks of it Mrs. Anderson did not look like she was ready to move anytime soon, not that he had any objection to holding her it just felt awkward holding her in his arms in front of her mother.

“Where should I put Mia?” he asked, moving inside. 

“In her room,” Ethan turned to her in surprise, 

“You know she will be more comfortable in her bed,” she said with a very innocent smile. She showed him the way to her room. After he made sure that Mia was comfortable in her bed he moved to remove her shoes and put a blanket on top of her. All the while her mother stood staring at him with a warm smile.

“I'll take my leave. Good night.” 

“Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked abruptly, making him stop in his tracks. Her intention behind the question is very clear Ethan hid the smile that tried to escape him.

“No, mam.”

“So...” she started hesitating, Ethan knew even before she asked what she was going to say, “What do you think about my Mia.” still a faint blush appeared on his cheeks in such a blunt way she was interrogating him.

“I guess I have my answer.”