For Ethan, the days that followed their initial meeting had been a rainbow of contradictory feelings. The strength of his longing startled him as he was not used to desiring anything—or someone—so fiercely. His existence had been based on control, on maintaining distance between all people and things. But Sarah had passed through his defenses, and that frightened him more than he would have like to confess.
Ethan had sent her an invitation to meet him at his office—a letter that was more of a summons than a request. He had anticipated her rejecting or ignoring it, but when she entered his office that day he realized she was equally fascinated by him as he was by her.
Her hands securely held in her lap, she had appeared small and doubtful as she stood before him. She had a fire in her eyes, though, a strength that defied her delicate beauty. That strength drew him to her in the first place and that strength would make her his.
"Ms. Jennings," he had said, his voice always smooth and under control. "I appreciate you being able to make it."
She had sat down across from him, her eyes wide with perplexity. " WHY am I here, Mr. Wright?"
Ethan had slanted back in his chair, his eyes never turning away hers. Knowing that his next words would transform everything, he had given great attention to them. "I want you to be my bride".
It had almost hurt to see her look shocked. Trying to understand what he was saying, she had stammered. " What... why?"
Ethan had maintained a steady voice, masking the turbulence under. "Sarah, because I want you. And I always get what I want.
His remarks were cold, steely resolve; there was no tenderness. Out of love or even desire, he was not asking her to wed him. She was the commodity he had opted to buy; this was a transaction, a commercial agreement.
Her heart hurt at the notion of what he was asking, she had whispered, unable to wed someone she did not love.
Ethan's look had sharpened and his voice dropped to a low, menacing whisper. "Sarah, this has nothing to do with love. It is survival. Success, stability, a life beyond your wildest dreams—all the things you have ever wanted. However, if you object...
He had let the words float around, the underlying warning obvious. Sarah was intelligent, and he knew what was at risk. She would grasp this. Should she say no, he could ruin her and demolish everything she had painstakingly accomplished.
Her hands had shook as she stared at him, looking for some indication of empathy or compassion. But all she had seen was resolve—a will that chilled her to the very core. He was presenting her with options, but they were not particularly a choice at all. The only way out was to consent to his requirements; he had driven her into a corner.
He had felt a wave of gratification when she had at last nodded, consenting to marry him—satisfaction mixed with a guilt he could not quite escape. He had achieved, but at what price?