"He was here," Anna told Ethan when he answered the phone. He instantly knew who the "he" was."What?! I can be there in five minutes," Ethan said, panicking and running toward the parking garage."I'm okay. It's okay. He wandered off and he's not here anymore. I'm locked inside."He slowed to a walk. "I can still come over and make sure he stays away. Or you can come over here, where I can protect you.""I'll be over later for dinner, but I'm not going to let Alan Shangle run me out of my own home. I've worked too hard for everything I have.""I can respect that. I'm just worried about you. Will you let me at least send some security people over to keep an eye on things? No one will even know they're around, but they'll confront him if he comes back," suggested Ethan."Okay. That would actually make me feel better. I don't want him doing anything to my house, or to Sammy.""It's as good as done. I'll have a team assembled, and they'll be there in ten minutes. I'll keep them there unti
After her relaxing bath, Anna changed and left for Ethan's house a little early so that she'd be there when Kelly and John arrived. Before leaving, she let one of Ethan's security team members, Linda, into her house so she could monitor things while Anna was gone."Make yourself at home, Linda," Anna said. "There's plenty to eat and drink in the kitchen, so help yourself. I really appreciate you helping me out.""Anytime. My husband, Rick, and I have known Ethan for years. They're best friends, and we're all so happy to see Ethan finally find the right woman," said Linda."Thank you. You're all such wonderful friends," said Anna.Anna headed over to Ethan's and arrived shortly before her friends."I'm so excited to show them!" she told Ethan. "They're both going to be shocked.""That does seem to be the general first reaction," laughed Ethan.When Kelly and John arrived, Anna and Ethan were waiting for them in the driveway in front of the farmhouse."Oh, this is such an adorable place!
Anna awoke early the next day as the sun streaked in between her bedroom curtains. Half-awake, she gave Sammy a quick pet and laid still for a while, thinking about her relationship with Ethan. Would she move into the mansion with him? If he asked, she could hardly pass up the opportunity. But looking at all the little decorative touches she'd acquired with so much care, she wondered how she could leave the little home she'd worked so hard for.She had promised that she'd help at the school for one more day, so she put her thoughts about the future aside for now and ate breakfast, got dressed, and headed to the school.Finished with their day, Anna and Kelly left the school and headed over to Kelly's house for dinner. Ethan was out of town on his business trip, but he had texted Anna often, showing pictures of some of the sights around Los Angeles."I'd love to visit there," she told him in one of her texts, and he agreed to plan a trip when they both had some time.Anna loved having t
Ethan pulled into the garage entrance after a long, successful business trip back in LA. The clients were happy with the arrangement and were glad to meet Ethan in person, so the deal was signed and development on the project would begin soon.But Ethan couldn't think about business right now. His only concern was Anna's safety. He knew that Alan had been both physically and emotionally violent in Anna's past, and Ethan worried that things would escalate now that the man knew about Anna's relationship with Ethan. He'd dealt with far too many unstable people in his past business and personal relationships, and he knew how unglued jealous and controlling people could become when the situation became out of their control.Ethan headed straight to Rick in the security room and found him talking to John."John," Ethan said, extending his arm for a handshake, "I'm glad to see you getting started so soon." He and Rick exchanged welcoming nods as Ethan addressed John. "Are Anna and Kelly doing
Ethan and Anna were thrilled to be together again, falling into each other's arms as he met her at her car."I missed you so much, Ethan!" Anna exclaimed."And I missed you, my beautiful Anna, so very much," said Ethan, barely finishing the sentence before their lips met with a long and passionate kiss. Their lips parted but their arms stayed interlocked, squeezing each other tightly, happy that they were back in each other's embrace."How was your trip? And what did you do to Alan? Will he bother us anymore? What happened?" Anna greeted him with a barrage of questions, anxious to know everything after their brief time apart.Ethan chuckled, "Walk with me, and I'll try to answer everything." He took her hand and led her toward the elevator, where they descended into the mansion's main hallway. "The business meeting went well, and we landed the client. I just wish they'd been good with making the deal on a video conference, but the owner of that company is really old-fashioned," he expl
Kelly practically squealed when she heard of the plans for Ethan and Anna's trip. "You're going to have so much fun!" she told her friend. "I wish I could go, but I know this has to be just for you lovebirds," she added."Someday, we'll all go on plenty of trips together," said Anna."Oh my! I just realized you'll be flying on a private jet!" exclaimed Kelly."Yes, that's definitely something new. And I've never really flown much," Anna said. "Oh, my goodness, what if I throw up right there on a beautiful private jet?!"Kelly laughed. "You won't throw up. You've never been bothered by flying before, it won't start now on a plane that'll be even more comfortable than a commercial jet.""I hope you're right.""Of course I'm right," said Kelly. "So how much did they bribe Alan to get his annoying butt out of town?"Anna was surprised. "How did you know?""How else are they going to drag that greedy little twirp out of Belleville and away from our lives?" Kelly asked with a giggle."I don'
Anna was nervous as they drove up to the airport. Leaving the ground always felt so unsafe, and she had only taken a couple of plane trips in her life when she visited relatives. Ethan held her hand, sensing her uncertainty as they approached the private section of the airfield.As they boarded the plane, Anna was amazed at the wide, comfortable seats and open spaces that reminded her more of an RV than an airplane."I guess I didn't know what to expect," she said. "This is incredible.""I'm always pretty impressed with it myself," said Ethan. "I spent a lot of years taking commercial flights with my family as we built the business.""Everything is a window seat," she observed."Yes, there are great views from anywhere, and you can move around once we're in flight," he explained.The thought of being in flight made her wince slightly, but Ethan led her to a couple of side-by-side seats so he could comfort her through the takeoff.The plane started to taxi out to the runway, and Anna fe
Their busy itinerary hadn't left much time for afternoon lovemaking. In no time, Anna and Ethan were dressed to the hilt, Ethan in a black tailored suit and Anna in a strapless blue evening gown, her flowing reddish hair twisted into a stylish updo.Their limo was downstairs waiting and whisked them off to the charity gala that was held several blocks away. Anna wouldn't have minded a stroll along the downtown area, but Ethan had explained the importance of important donors like him arriving by car."Unfortunately, most people think of charity as a way to look good. It's all about themselves. Part of the perks of donating is participating in a fancy arrival experience where everyone takes pictures of you. It's stupid, but if I mess that up for others it affects how much money they give the charity. In the end, I have to keep up appearances for the greater good.""It sounds like a big responsibility," Anna observed."Too big. Frankly, it takes away from the actual good we're doing. I do