CHAPTER 4

Naomi’s fingers tightened around the phone. A chill slithered down her spine, but she forced herself to stay still, to not betray the fear racing through her veins.

“What do you want, Damian?” she asked, keeping her voice level, even as her pulse hammered wildly in her chest.

“You, Naomi.” His voice was a whisper of steel, just as always. “I want you to remember who you belong to.”

Her stomach twisted. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

A low chuckle. “That’s where you’re wrong, darling.”

The call disconnected.

“Pom Pom Pom”, came the sound of the disconnection

She stood frozen for a moment, her skin crawling, Damian’s possessiveness suffocating. Then, she did the only thing she could and wanted, she called Ethan back. She wanted to feel even.

He answered immediately. “Naomi?”

Her voice came out in a whisper. “I need to see you, I’m weak.” She said.

Ethan’s penthouse was exactly as she remembered, dark wood, glass walls overlooking the city, and the lingering scent of him, smoky, masculine, utterly intoxicating. The moment she stepped inside, he was on her. His hands gripped her waist, his lips crushed against hers, rough, desperate, claiming.

She moaned into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair as he backed her against the nearest wall. His body pressed against hers, hot and demanding, and she melted, just like she always did.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured against her lips.

“I shouldn’t be here.” Ignoring the question.

 Her breath was uneven, her body betraying every word.

“But you are.” His thumb brushed over her lower lip. “Tell me why, Naomi.”

I had to leave work just to make it up to you.

Her resolve cracked. “Damian. He…He’s watching me.”

A muscle in Ethan’s jaw ticked. His grip on her tightened. “That son of a bitch.”

She pressed her forehead against his chest, inhaling his scent. “I don’t know what to do.”

Ethan tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Stay with me, let’s make things right this time.”

Her lips parted, a protest forming, but Ethan didn’t give her a chance. His mouth captured hers again, this time slower, more deliberate. He was unraveling her, breaking her down until all she could feel was him.

His hands slid beneath her dress, fingers trailing up her thighs, pushing the fabric higher. She gasped as he lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist. He carried her to the bedroom, his kisses never faltering, his body radiating pure heat against hers.

They fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. Ethan stripped her bare, his touch igniting every nerve ending. His mouth trailed down her neck, between her breasts, lower then down to her navel and finally down to her honey pot.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as he took his time worshipping her, his tongue, his hands, his body bringing her to the edge again and again until she was nothing but a trembling, breathless mess beneath him.

She had no words when he finally thrust inside her, stretching her, filling her. Her nails raked down his back, her body arching to meet every stroke. They moved together in a frenzied rhythm, lost in the heat, the hunger, the desperate need to consume each other. He knew he had to take it slowly until she was all wet and drippy. He knew she’d squirt in no time, of course, Ethan owned her G-spot 

When they finally collapsed, tangled in sweat and sheets, Ethan held her close, his breath warm against her skin.

“You’re not going back to him,” he said, his voice rough, possessive.

Naomi hesitated. “Ethan”…

“No. You’re mine, Naomi.” He gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “And I’ll be damned if I let that bastard take you away from me.”

We can get the papers back and undo what we did.

Her heart pounded. She wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that they could just be together, that Damian wouldn’t get in the way.

But Damian seemed like he had a plan and she did not one anyone to get hurt.

Naomi lay still against Ethan’s chest, his heartbeat steady beneath her ear, but her mind was a storm. The heat between them had momentarily burned away her fear, but now, in the afterglow, reality set back in.

“I can’t just undo what we did,” she whispered, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his skin.

Ethan’s arm tightened around her. “Why not?”

She lifted her head to look at him. “Because Damian won’t let me go so easily. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

Ethan’s jaw clenched. “Then let him come. I’ll handle him I am the only one who was legally married to you.”

She sat up, clutching the sheets to her chest and staring at him menacingly. “Who was…? Anyway, it’s not that simple. Damian doesn’t play fair. If he thinks I’m slipping away, he’ll do something terrible.”

Ethan sat up too, his eyes dark with anger. “And you think staying away from me will stop him?”

“I don’t know!” Her voice cracked, frustration and fear colliding. “I just know he’s dangerous, Ethan. He won’t stop until he feels like he’s won. He has done so much ever since you kept torturing my emotions.”

Ethan reached for her, his touch gentler now, calming. “Then we make sure he doesn’t win, we can do it.”

Naomi closed her eyes, trying to drown out the war raging inside her. Her body still vibrating as a result of their passion, but her mind was already spiraling back into Damian’s suffocating grip.

A vibration on the nightstand made her stomach drop. Ethan reached over and grabbed her phone before she could. His expression darkened as he read the screen.

“He’s calling you,” he said, his voice cold.

Naomi swallowed hard. She had no doubt Damian knew exactly where she was. She reached for the phone, but Ethan pulled it away.

“Ethan, I need to answer.”

“No, you don’t.” He declined the call and tossed the phone onto the nightstand. “You’re safe here.”

Naomi wasn’t so sure. Damian would find a way to get what he wanted, now she was scared.

A moment later, a message lit up the screen. Naomi hesitated before picking up the phone. Her breath caught in her throat as she read Damian’s words:

Did you really think you could run from me, darling? Check your door.

Her blood ran cold. Ethan was already moving, slipping into a pair of sweatpants and grabbing a gun from his nightstand. Naomi barely had time to process before there was a knock at the penthouse door.

Ethan motioned for her to stay back. She shook her head, grabbing his arm. “Ethan, don’t, and where did you get a gun from? Oh my God.”

He ignored her, his body tense as he approached the door. Slowly, he unlocked it and pulled it open.

A man in a black suit stood in the hallway, holding a sleek black envelope. He extended it without a word.

Ethan didn’t take it. “What the hell is this?”

The man smirked. “A gift from Mr. Cross.” He said.

Naomi’s stomach twisted at the mention of Damian’s last name. Ethan snatched the envelope and slammed the door shut before opening it. His jaw tightened as he read the contents, his fingers gripping the paper so tightly it nearly tore.

“What is it?” Naomi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan’s eyes met hers, fire blazing behind them. He handed her the paper, his voice hard. “It’s an invitation.”

She scanned the letter quickly, her hands shaking. Damian was hosting a gala, their courtship anniversary gala. The one she had canceled after the divorce with Ethan. And at the bottom of the letter, written in Damian’s elegant scrawl, were four chilling words:

Come alone, my love.

Naomi felt the walls closing in. Damian was pulling her strings, tightening his hold and it was crazy for Noami.

Ethan pulled her close, his breath hot against her temple. “You’re not going.” He said.

She clutched the letter, her heart racing. “I don’t think I have a choice.”

Ethan cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her trembling lips. “Then I’ll make sure he regrets inviting you.”

Naomi stared into his fierce gaze, a shiver running down her spine. Damian thought he held all the power, due to the contacts he had, therefore underestimating Ethan who was once a drug lord.