Ethan breathed a silent sigh of relief as Olivia requested to leave the event. He was more than willing to escape the buzzing crowd and have Olivia to himself. He smiled and gracefully kissed her hand before guiding her towards the exit.
Three well-dressed ladies intercepted them as they were on their way out, their predatory gazes fixed on Ethan. With an air of confidence, the lead woman greeted him, "Well, hello, Ethan! Where have you been? We haven't seen you around the country club in a while."
Olivia couldn't help but feel out of her depth and somewhat disheartened. These high-society gatherings, country clubs, and the elite lifestyle were foreign to her. She knew she didn't belong in these extravagant circles. Torn between her feelings for Daniel and the overwhelming world Ethan inhabited, she instinctively withdrew slightly from Ethan.
"I'm going to wait outside," Olivia quietly announced, giving Ethan a fleeting look before turning away, her emotions swirling with uncertainty.
"Like hell you are," Ethan thought.
Determined not to let Olivia slip away, he held her firmly, refusing to yield. He turned to the woman who had accosted them and remarked with a mischievous grin, "See you around, Barbie."
The woman looked at him in a perplexed manner, her sense of dominance faltering, as Ethan whisked Olivia away to the valet area.
Olivia couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected exchange. "Barbie? Is that your name for all the ladies?" she asked playfully.
Still keeping a protective arm around her, Ethan quipped with a charming smile, "All of them but you. They all look the same to me. Until I met you, I didn't realize there were different colors in the world."
The comment from Ethan left Olivia feeling starstruck and intrigued, realizing there was yet another facet of him she had not yet experienced. Playfully, she teased him, "Who knew you were such a romantic poet?"
Ethan leaned in closer, his voice a gentle murmur as he replied, "Baby, there are a lot of things about me you have yet to learn." The softness in his tone added an air of mystery, deepening Olivia's curiosity about the man she was growing increasingly attached to. "Ethan!" she exclaimed as the heat rose in her cheeks.
His eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint, his voice whispering, " I love it when you say my name. I'm going to do terrible, wonderful things to you, Olivia. I'm going to make you scream and curse my name, and you are going to love every second of it."
Olivia felt her heart race as Ethan's words sent a thrill down her spine. She had never been with a man like him before, and the promise of his touch made her body ache with desire. She couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by Ethan's commanding presence, but at the same time, she was intoxicated by it.
Ethan took her hand and led her to his car. "Get in, beautiful. I have a surprise for you." Olivia's heart leaped, and she couldn't wait to see what Ethan had in store for her.
They drove in comfortable silence until they reached a secluded spot on the outskirts of town. Ethan parked the car and turned to Olivia with a devilish grin. "Are you ready for your surprise?"
Olivia nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. Ethan got out of the car, walked over to her side, and opened the door, offering her his hand. Olivia took it, and he helped her out of the car.
Olivia realized they were at a pier as they got out. The night was beautiful, with stars shining brightly in the sky. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was soothing and romantic. Olivia looked at Ethan, and he gave her a smile that melted her heart.
They walked down the pier, and Ethan led her to a small yacht. "We're going on a little adventure," he said, and Olivia couldn't help but feel excited.
It was New Year's Eve, and midnight was quickly approaching. Olivia couldn't believe she would be on a boat with Ethan at midnight. What could be better than that?
Ethan helped Olivia on deck, and after speaking with the crew, they set off into the water. Ethan had brought a bottle of champagne with him, and they sipped on it as they watched the fireworks light up the sky. The stars reflected in the water, making it seem like the sky was upside down and they were floating in the universe.
Ethan reached over and put his arm around Olivia, pulling her close. She could feel his heartbeat against her back, and she leaned into him, feeling safe and loved.
As they watched the fireworks display, Olivia felt overwhelmed with emotions. She had never felt this alive before. Ethan had brought her out of her shell and had shown her a world she had never known existed.
Olivia faced Ethan, and their lips moved in perfect unison like they had been made for each other. The night sky lit up with a dazzling array of stars and fireworks, and the heat radiating from their embrace seemed to melt away any lingering doubts or fears. This was something powerful that neither one of them wanted to let go.
As they shared a passionate kiss beneath the shimmering bursts of fireworks, Olivia gently pulled away, her eyes searching Ethan's. Her voice quivered with a hint of insecurity as she asked, "Am I desirable to you? Do you want me, Ethan?"
Ethan sighed, his gaze locked on her eyes, where he detected raw vulnerability. At that moment, he realized that his initial plans for the night would have to change. Olivia's question had struck a chord deep within him, and he knew he needed to address her concerns.
Ethan cupped her face in his hands. "Desirable doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about you, Olivia. You are everything to me. I want you, all of you, every inch of you. But tonight, I want to show you just how much you mean to me."
"Ethan," Olivia began, "I've never felt this way before—this deep. I want you to make love to me. Take me now, I want you."
Ethan wanted to take Olivia hard and fast. He wanted to devour her mouth with his. He wanted to place her on her knees and lift her dress to reveal her tiny cotton panties. He wanted to take them off with his mouth, putting his nose on the opening, smelling her arousal. He wanted to drive deeper into her, slower and deeper. Holy hell, but she was vulnerable, and that vulnerable state held him at bay. He needed her and wanted to show her she was worthy. He wanted to show her how much he cared for her.
Ethan reached out, pulling Olivia into his arms. He rested his chin on the top of her head. "Not tonight, baby," he whispered softly, stroking her hair. "I want you too, but not like this."
Olivia shook her head in frustration and tried to pull away from Ethan, but he held her tightly. "Let me explain," he said gently. "I want us to take our time with this. I want us both to be sure that this is what we really want."
Olivia sighed and melted into him, tears spilling down her cheeks. He was right; she wasn't ready yet. After what had happened with her ex-husband, she still doubted whether she was worthy of love.
"I'm so sorry," she said softly, looking up at him with sad eyes. Ethan smiled and kissed her forehead before wiping her tears with his thumbs.
"It's okay," he said reassuringly, brushing a curl away from her face. "There's no rush; we'll get there when you're ready."
He kissed the tip of her nose before pressing gentle kisses along her jawline until they reached her lips again. Olivia felt her worries melting away as she lost herself in his embrace again.