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"Elio, how do you even know who Ethan Grand is?"
He finally breaks his stare with Ethan and looks at me like I'm an idiot. "Gigi, you can't be serious. Everyone knows who Ethan Grand is?" I quirk a brow at him. "Well, I didn't know who he was."
He laughs, "Yeah, well, that's because you live under a rock."
"Okay, Lo, I think that's a bit extreme. I just don't watch the news. It's too depressing. That doesn't mean I live under a rock."
I start to descend the steps, and Ethan's eyes stay glued to my every step as if he's gobsmacked. Just another one of his playboy moves, I'm sure. Make the women think you only have eyes for them, buy them fancy clothes, pick them up in your sexy car and show them the world. Their legs will be wrapped around your back by the end of the night. Too bad I'm on to you, Ethan Grand.
As I stand in front of him, I clear my throat to snap him out of his act. He turns towards the street and sticks his elbow out for me to take, which I do.
We're walking down the driveway when Elio calls out, "So should I tell mom you're out with America's most wanted bachelor or...?"
I throw him a scowl over my shoulder, and he laughs before closing the door. Ethan chuckles to himself at my expense.
"I'm glad you find fucking up my life amusing."
We reach the car, he opens the door, and I slide in, but before he closes the door, he leans down and says, "You better watch that mouth tonight, princess. I like it dirty."
I don't even have a chance to process those words before he shuts the door sealing me in with his intoxicating scent. The man smells divine, looks like sex, and happens to be dripping with money. I'd like to think I'm not a shallow person, and those things don't matter because they really don't, but they also don't hurt.
Once he's in the car, he gives me a mischievous glance and then floors it out of my cul-de-sac. The black leather of my seat is warm and soft like butter which I can appreciate since I'm wearing a silk dress. The inside of the car is wrapped in black leather, and soft ambient lights run along the footwells and doors. When we get to the highway, he lets loose, and I can't stop the smile that takes over my face.
He notices and smiles. "You like to go fast, princess?"
Why do I have to be enjoying this? I'm supposed to be mad at him. He threatened my dad's job. He's using me to get to August and being with him means I'm not with Mason. I try to school my expression and not look as pleased as I am because I shouldn't be.
"You know, princess, I don't have to be the bad guy if you don't make me one."
He's right about that. If I'm going to be stuck with him for the night, I may as well try to enjoy myself. It doesn't matter that he's using me because I'm using him. I know if I'm seen with Ethan, it will get back to August, and maybe that will hurt him or at least piss him off.
Either way, I need to figure out what Ethan's purpose for inviting me out tonight was because I sure as hell don't buy that he simply wanted to take me on a date.
I've decided I'm not going to figure it out by glaring out the window, so I ask, "Where are you taking me tonight?" He keeps his eyes on the road. "We are going to a black-tie fundraiser."
Of course, his response is short and to the point and gives nothing away. "Why did you ask me not to tell August?"
He runs his forefinger over his lips, contemplating his next words.
"Maybe I'm tired of his crap, maybe I want to be an ass, maybe he has something worth stealing." He looks at me and holds my eye for a beat before looking back at the road.
"Ethan, you can stop with the over-the-top flirting. I know I'm a pawn in some revenge scheme you're playing against August, so you can drop the act."
He rubs his thumb along his bottom lip. "Princess, I don't have to pretend to be attracted to you. Tonight, every man in the room will want the girl on my arm."
Of course, his words send heat coursing through my body. What woman wouldn't be flattered by those words, but I have to remind myself this is all part of his plan. Once I get out of this sexy car and away from his seductive scent, I'll be able to react appropriately and not be phased by his sweet talk.
We finally arrive at the Ritz Carlton in the Central West End. He gets out and hands the valet the keys before coming around to open the door for me and help me out. Upon exiting, his eyes roam over my body, taking in my dress.
"It's a stunning dress, thank you." I wrap my arm through his before he leans in and says, "Princess, I wasn't admiring the dress, but I'm glad you like it."
My face immediately heats, and he laughs before ushering us into the hotel.
Suddenly, I'm incredibly nervous, my heart rate picks up, and I get butterflies in my stomach. I stop paralyzed as if the floor grew roots and wrapped around my ankles. Ethan looks over at me with furrowed brows.
"Princess, what's the problem? We are here to see and be seen."
"Yeah, that's the problem. I don't want to be seen." He looks amused by my comment and then says, "I'm going to need you to have thick skin for me tonight, and remember I'm not the bad guy unless you make me out to be one."
