She knew better than to create fairy tales. Her parents’ relationship had taught her that happily ever after came with strings. Sometimes with another family. So she’d waited for just the right person to be with. She leaned her head against the headrest and glanced at Ethan. A man, not a boy. The more she thought about school, the less likely it became that she’d accept. So one night with a guy she wanted beyond reason before she would head back to Miami, where she belonged?
Everything inside her screamed yes. Ethan was the right one.
She could handle the distance he attempted to put between them and was more than willing to try and breach it. She just needed to work up her nerve, and the charged silence between them in the car gave her time to think.
To plan.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the familiar building in which she was staying. To her surprise, Ethan climbed out first, then waited for her to join him.
She assumed he was saying good night, which meant she’d have to make her move.
“Are you ready to go up?” Ethan asked.
She blinked at him. If he planned on walking her to her door, she didn’t have to attack him in the street, in front of the driver.
Her stomach was bouncing with nerves as he guided her into the building.
“Mr. Knight,” the doorman said. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you, John. Have a nice evening.” He placed a hand on her back and guided her toward the elevators.
Sienna glanced up at him. “Home? Sierra mentioned your family owned the building, but she didn’t say any of you lived here.”
His grin was as surprising as it was infectious. “Penthouse,” he explained, a man of few words, as usual.
They stepped into an open elevator, and he hit the second floor, where she was staying. A few seconds later, she was standing in front of her door, Ethan beside her.
He braced a hand above her head, leaning closer than would be appropriate for their supposed positions. She took it as a sign.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself,” he said.
“The night was more than I hoped for.” She spoke the truth. He was more than she’d hoped for. “You were an excellent host.”
The silence between them was charged, her heart beating rapidly in her chest, possibilities soaring through her brain.
“Good night, Sienna.” He spoke but he didn’t leave.
She couldn’t bring herself to use the key she’d taken out of her purse, either. She stared up at him, unable to break eye contact, and forced herself to utter the words she needed to say. “Please stay.”
* * *
Ethan had an angel on one shoulder, a devil on the other. He knew what he should do. Angel. But he was too aware of what he wanted. Desired. Devil.
“This isn’t a good idea,” he said, their gazes mere inches apart.
“But it’s what you want.” Her tongue ran over those seductive lips.
Had he been obvious in his need? He thought he’d disguised his yearning well. Apparently not.
The desire in those brown eyes made it impossible to say no.
He needed a drink and he needed her. “Unlock the door.”
With trembling hands, which reminded him of how innocent she was compared to him, she let them inside. He knew the layout of the apartment, was aware there was always alcohol stocked in the liquor cabinet.
Without speaking, he strode over and pulled out a bottle of Macallan, pouring himself a drink, taking a stiff, long sip. He didn’t offer her one even though she was more than old enough. If they were going to do this, she was going into it aware of her choices.
He turned to face her, her gorgeous eyes focused on him. Her lips, still red, parted slightly.
“One night and we tell no one,” he said, maybe too harshly. But she needed to know the score.
A flash of what appeared to be pain flickered in her eyes before she nodded in agreement.
“Your brother would have my head on a platter,” he muttered, finishing off the drink and pouring another. Ian had sent her to him for protection, not seduction.
But who was seducing whom? he asked himself. She’d asked him to come in. Excuses, he thought, flimsy and not worthy of him or her.
“Ian’s my half brother and he won’t hear a word from me,” Sienna agreed.
He inclined his head, accepting her at her word.
He recalled hearing stories of the Dare family and the extreme scandal with multiple families, but the details eluded him now. He assumed whatever it was had to do with the fact that she and Ian weren’t fully related. Somehow Ethan had a feeling Ian wouldn’t think the distinction mattered if he discovered Ethan had fucked his sister. A multibillion-dollar contract was at stake, and Ethan still couldn’t bring himself to care.
He wanted Sienna and he meant to have her.