Nadia was waiting for Ethan to return with bated breath. The anticipation gnawed at her, not because of any lingering affection for their sham of a marriage, but because the shares of the Harrington Company and their apparel business were within her grasp. If Ethan proved his worth today, she might consider staying by his side. If not, she'd have to find a way to dispose of him.
The sound of the front door opening snapped her out of her thoughts. Ethan had finally returned after a long day's work. Nadia, her eyes sharp and determined, followed him silently as he made his way upstairs to their room. She could feel the tension building within her, each step up the staircase amplifying her anxiety and resolve.
When they reached their bedroom, Ethan barely had a chance to put down his briefcase before Nadia confronted him.
"Well?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "How did the meeting go?"
Ethan sighed heavily, his exhaustion evident in the slump of his shoulders. He turned to face her, his expression a mix of irritation and fatigue.
"It went fine, Nadia. Can we talk about this later?" he replied, his tone dismissive as he started to loosen his tie.
But Nadia wasn't about to let it go. She stepped closer, her eyes blazing with frustration. "No, Ethan, we need to talk about it now. I need to know where we stand."
Ethan's patience snapped. He suddenly pushed her against the wall, his hands gripping her shoulders tightly. Nadia's breath hitched in surprise, her eyes widening as she looked up at him. Before she could react or say another word, Ethan's lips crashed down on hers.
The kiss was fierce, filled with a blend of anger and desperation. Ethan's mouth moved over hers with a force that left her breathless, his hands sliding from her shoulders to her waist, pulling her closer. Nadia's initial shock melted away, replaced by a surge of heat that coursed through her body. She responded in kind, her hands tangling in his hair as she pressed herself against him.
The room seemed to disappear around them, the only thing that mattered was the feel of Ethan's lips against hers, the way his body pressed against hers, the intensity of the moment. His kiss was both punishing and possessive, as if he was trying to assert his dominance and remind her of the power dynamics between them.
Nadia's mind whirled, caught between her conflicting emotions. She had intended to confront him, to demand answers, but now she found herself lost in the sensation of his kiss. It was a stark reminder of the complicated, twisted bond they shared.
Finally, Ethan pulled back, his breath ragged as he looked down at her. His eyes were dark, filled with a mixture of anger and something else—something deeper, more primal.
"Is that what you wanted to know, Nadia?" he asked, his voice low and rough. "Are you satisfied now?"
Nadia stared up at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this was far from over, but for now, the kiss had left her shaken. She touched her lips and then stared at him. Her eyes a bit misty and full of desire. It had been so long when she been with a man. Because she was bound with him in this marriage.
"Why did you do that?" Nadia confronted Ethan, her voice trembling with a mix of anger, humiliation, and a desire she couldn't ignore. Her heart raced, her breath came in shallow gasps, and she felt a strange weakness in her limbs. Yet, Ethan simply shook his head and took a step back, his eyes still dark with intensity.
"If you don't want this to continue, then leave," he said, his voice firm and unyielding.
Nadia stood there, torn. Did she really want to leave? The rational part of her screamed that she should walk away, that this was a mistake. But her body betrayed her. Every fiber of her being demanded more, craved the electricity that had sparked between them. The kiss had ignited something deep within her, something primal and uncontrollable.
She took a hesitant step forward, her eyes locking onto Ethan's. She knew about the other women in his life, knew that she was just another body to him. But right now, it didn't matter. What she felt was more than just desire; it was a burning need that she couldn't suppress.
Ethan watched her, his expression unreadable. The silence between them was thick, charged with the tension of unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. Nadia's breath quickened as she closed the distance between them, her body aching for his touch.
She reached out, her fingers lightly brushing against his chest. The contact sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt a surge of heat pooling in her core. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, but her body moved on instinct, drawn to the magnetic pull between them.
Ethan didn't move, didn't say a word. He simply watched her, his eyes never leaving hers. The intensity of his gaze made her feel exposed, vulnerable, yet she couldn't stop herself. Her fingers trailed up to his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin, the steady beat of his pulse.
She rose on her tiptoes, her lips hovering just inches from his. "I don't want to leave," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I want this."
For a moment, they stood frozen, the world outside their room fading into insignificance. Then, with a low growl, Ethan closed the gap between them, capturing her lips in another searing kiss. This time, Nadia was ready. She met his passion with her own, her hands sliding up to tangle in his hair as she pressed herself against him.
Ethan's hands roamed over her body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He pulled her even closer, his lips never breaking contact with hers. Nadia's body responded eagerly, arching into him, desperate for more. The need that had been simmering inside her now blazed into an all-consuming inferno.
She could feel the hardness of his body against hers, the way his muscles tensed under her touch. Every kiss, every caress sent waves of pleasure coursing through her, and she knew that she couldn't stop now even if she wanted to. Her body demanded more, craved the release that only he could provide.
Ethan's hands slipped under her shirt, his fingers grazing her skin, sending shivers of delight through her. She moaned softly into his mouth, her own hands exploring the planes of his back, feeling the strength that lay beneath. The world outside ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them, lost in the tempest of their desires.
Nadia knew this was just physical, a fulfillment of their body's demands. But in that moment, it was enough. She let herself be swept away by the passion, surrendering to the heat and the hunger that burned between them.