Samantha couldn't get Ethan out of her mind after the gallery opening. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw flashes of his bright green eyes and his mischievous smile. She couldn't explain why she was so drawn to him - he was nothing like the men she usually dated, with their crisp suits and polished smiles. But something about him felt wild and untamed, like a force of nature she couldn't resist.
She was sitting at her desk the next day, trying to focus on a pile of emails, when her phone rang. She picked it up without looking at the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Samantha, it's Ethan."
Her heart leapt at the sound of his voice. "Hi, Ethan. How are you?"
"I'm good. Listen, I was wondering if you'd like to grab a drink tonight. There's a new bar in town that's supposed to be amazing."
Samantha hesitated for a moment, knowing she should be cautious. She barely knew this man, and she had no idea what his intentions were. But something in his voice - a note of sincerity, maybe - made her want to take a chance.
"Sure," she said. "What time?"
"Seven work for you?"
"That's perfect."
They met at the bar later that night, and Samantha was struck again by how different Ethan was from anyone she had ever dated. He was wearing a leather jacket and jeans again, but this time he had added a scarf that looked like it had been knitted by a grandmother. He grinned when he saw her, and Samantha felt a flutter in her stomach.
The bar was crowded and noisy, but they managed to find a corner table where they could hear each other talk. They ordered drinks and settled in, chatting about everything from art to music to their favorite books. Samantha found herself relaxing in Ethan's presence, feeling like she could be herself in a way she never could with the polished businessmen she usually dated.
But just as they were getting into a heated debate about the merits of Hemingway, Ethan's phone rang. He checked the caller ID and frowned.
"I'm sorry, Samantha. I have to take this."
Samantha tried not to let her disappointment show as Ethan stood up and walked outside to take the call. She sipped her drink and looked around the bar, trying to distract herself from the sudden emptiness she felt.
But then she noticed something strange - a man at the bar was staring at her intently. He was tall and muscular, with a shaved head and a scar above his eyebrow. Samantha tried to ignore him, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her every move.
She glanced outside, hoping to see Ethan returning, but he was still on the phone. The man at the bar was still staring at her, his eyes boring into hers.
Suddenly, he stood up and started walking towards her. Samantha's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to think of what to do. But then, out of nowhere, a hand reached out and grabbed the man's arm.
It was Ethan. He had returned just in time to intervene. Samantha watched in amazement as Ethan and the man exchanged heated words, their voices barely audible over the din of the bar. Finally, the man slunk away, and Ethan turned back to Samantha with a sheepish smile.
"I'm sorry about that," he said. "Some people just don't know when to quit."
Samantha tried to regain her composure as Ethan took his seat across from her again. She couldn't believe the way he had swooped in to protect her, like some kind of knight in shining armor.
She wasn't used to men who were so chivalrous - most of the guys she dated were too focused on their own success to worry about anyone else's safety. But Ethan was different. He was rough around the edges, but he had a sense of honor that made her feel safe.
"Thank you," she said, still a bit shaken.
Ethan shrugged. "It's no big deal. I don't like to see anyone hassled."
Samantha wanted to ask him who the man was and why he was bothering her, but something held her back. She didn't want to pry into Ethan's life - not yet, at least. She was still trying to figure out how she felt about him.
They spent the rest of the evening talking, but Samantha couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them. The moment when Ethan had intervened on her behalf had shifted the dynamic of their relationship, somehow. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she knew that she was seeing him in a new light.
When they left the bar, Ethan walked her to her car, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. Samantha felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her at the touch, and she turned to face him.
"Thank you again," she said, looking up into his bright green eyes.
Ethan leaned in close, his breath hot against her cheek. "I had a great time tonight," he said. "Can I see you again?"
Samantha hesitated, unsure of what to say. She was still trying to sort through her feelings for Ethan, and she didn't want to lead him on. But something about the way he was looking at her - so intense, so focused - made her heart skip a beat.
"I'd like that," she said.