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Why does that thought hurt so much?
I know I pushed him away, but I guess a part of me didn't think he would just leave so easily, but maybe the feelings I hoped existed never really did.
I've thought about the night of Mason's crash almost every night, and it makes me sick. I was having sex, wrapped up in another man's arms, when the one who needed me most was dying. What rips me to shreds is that I don't regret one minute I spent with August. There's nowhere else in the world I wanted to be. The time spent in his arms was pure bliss, and the last time we had sex, it felt like so much more than just sex. If I'm being honest, every time with him was highly passionate, intimate, and irrevocable. A part of him is imprinted on my soul, and being here at Reds, is too much.
I need to get in and get out. Quickly I scan the parking lot for his G-Wagon or BMW, and my stomach twists when I don't see either. Part of me is relieved, while the other is disappointed that I won't accidentally run into him.
Once inside, I greet the receptionist and head back to my office. My boss left me a note saying she was out to lunch. Duh, it's lunchtime. That's why he's not here. Swiftly I drop off the completed work and pick up the envelopes full of cutouts to be completed.
Relief floods through my veins when I hit the lobby. Somehow, I managed to get in and out without running into a single soul. I didn't want to explain my absence and relive the nightmare ten times with nosey co-workers. I just want to get back to Mason.
Once the fresh spring air hits my face, I instantly relax until I look up and see August's blonde friend standing in front of his car, looking my way. I give him a clipped wave and hurriedly head to my car. He must be waiting for August, which means I need to get out of here.
When I get to my car, I hear a voice call out, "Gianna wait up." I look over my shoulder, and sure enough, he is jogging up behind me. The man really is striking. He has blonde hair and blue eyes just like Mason, except where Mason's eyes are pale blue, his are a dark stormy blue. Both men are probably the same height, but where Mason is lean and toned, this man has defined muscles that visibly stretch his polo shirt and tight-fitted jeans. This man has a gym body rather than an athlete's body. Mason has that boy next door, melt your heart look with an inviting smile, whereas this guy looks like he wants to rip your panties off and fuck hard, a total playboy through and through.
When I snap out of my daydream, I realize his smug ass was watching me check him out, and now he has a smirk on his face as if to say, 'like what you see.'
"I'm sorry I didn't catch your name the other night. Who are you?"
"Ethan Grand, I'm surprised August didn't mention me."
I quirk a brow. "Is there a reason he should have?" He looks me over from head to toe before saying, "I suppose not just surprised, seeing as though we're best friends."
I look at him, baffled by this entire exchange, not sure what his purpose of talking to me is at this point, so I say, "Well, I'm kind of in a hurry to get out of here, and I'm not sure where August is so—" He cuts me off.
"Oh princess, I didn't come here to see August. I came to see you." My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Why would this man come to see me? I didn't even know his name until five seconds ago.
"Don't look so surprised. I know I'm not the only one trying to score a date with you."
"Excuse me score a date with me?"
"Yeah, see, I have this thing I need to go to tonight, and I need a date. Then I remembered there was this hot girl at August's place last week, and since he has a girlfriend, she must be free."
I try hard not to react to his words, but they fucking hurt even though they shouldn't. I'm so done with this conversation. I turn to open my back door and put my work inside when I notice a Christian Dior garment bag lying on the back seat and a matching shoebox on the floor.
Now I'm so mad I could scream. I turn to face Ethan before saying, "Is this funny to you? Am I some sort of sick joke? I'm not a fucking idiot. While I may not know your face, I know your name, and you can get any girl you want. So why are you slumming it?"
He steps in closer and leans down so that his mouth is a hairsbreadth away from my ear, and says, "Princess, I can't get another you."
Those words make bile rise in my mouth because I realize I was played. Those were the exact words August said to me when I thought he wanted me. These cocky rich mother fuckers think they can use people. Well, I am not the girl.
"Get that fucking dress out of my car. I'm not going anywhere with you."
He puts his hands in his pockets and casually says, "How's your dad liking his new job as lead foreman on the new Grand media building downtown?"
"Are you threatening me?"
"Wouldn't dream of it. I'm just making small talk with my date. I'll pick you up at six tonight." Then he turns on his heel and walks back to his car. I glared after him as he casually strolled back, wishing like hell I could burn him alive with my gaze. Then, before he drops into the seat of his Bugatti, he says, "I think it goes without saying you won't be mentioning a word of this to August." He shoots me a wink and then drives off.
How the hell did I get caught up in whatever the fuck this shit is? I never wanted to be on anyone's radar. Now I have another hot as sin, rich as fuck guy talking to me. The difference this time is I'm not going to get played. Fool me once, shame on you. This bitch doesn't get fooled twice. They want to play. Let's play!
I return to Mason's side after my run-in with Ethan. He's still asleep, but the doctors think he can hear us. I hope he can hear everything because then he knows I haven't left his side and that he means the world to me.
Over the past week, I've told him everything. All our highs and lows, how much he means to me, and how I promise to be better. How I promise to be what he needs. I begin to tell him about my run-in with Ethan and how I must leave his side tonight to be his date, but before I can ask him not to wake without me, there are five nurses in the room.
"Gianna, we need to ask you to step back while checking his vitals." I immediately drop his hand and step away.
"Did something happen? Why is everyone in here?"
