Ruined (Ethan Frost 1)

“That wouldn’t be violence,” Ro argues. “It’d be doing society a favor. ”

I’m full-on laughing at their ridiculousness now. I can’t help it. It’s like watching the Three Stooges in action, minus the eye gouging and face slapping. When I finally get myself under control, it’s to find all three of them staring at me, huge grins on their own faces.

“What?” I ask, my hand going instinctively to my face. “Do I have mustard on my nose or something?”

“You have freckles on your nose,” Austin comments. “Do they count?”

“No. ”

“Well then, you’re good. ”

“So why are you all smiling at me like you know a secret?”

“You’ve got a great laugh,” Zayn says. “We like it better than the frown you were wearing when you sat down. ”

“Oh. Sorry. ” I look away, tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s been a rough first week. ”

“First weeks usually are,” Austin commiserates. “I got lost like twenty times my first couple of days—and was late almost that many times because of it. ”

“I was late to a meeting yesterday,” I admit. “It totally sucked. ”

Ro reaches toward my hip, and I startle and start to shove him away. But it turns out he just wants a closer look at my badge. I flush a little, embarrassed at overreacting. He doesn’t seem to notice, or if he does, he’s nice enough not to say anything.

“So, you’re an intern, too,” he comments.

“I am. ”

“What kind?” Zayn looks interested.

“Intellectual property. How about you guys?”

“We’re over in the labs. It’s mostly research, but I’m hoping to get some hands-on stuff once I prove myself. ”

“I’m doing research, too. But then, I want to be an attorney, so I need to get used to that. ”

“Right?” Zayn says something else, but I don’t hear it. A shiver runs up my spine, and I know, without looking, that Ethan has entered the cafeteria. My body has never responded to anyone else in quite the same way.

I grit my teeth, try to focus on my new acquaintances and just ignore it. But it’s impossible. I can feel the weight of his stare, know that he’s watching me.

I’m not sure what it says about me that I like having his attention. I don’t want to, but I do.

In the end, Ro unknowingly solves my dilemma. He gives a long, low whistle and then says, “Look who just walked in. ”

Of course, Austin, who is sitting next to me, immediately turns to look. “Holy crap, that’s Ethan Frost. And he’s staring at us!”

“Yeah, he is. ” Zayn looks at me questioningly. “What did you do?”

“Why do you automatically assume I did anything?”

He snorts. “In the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen him four times—and all but one of those times he was a lot closer to me than he is now. And never has he done more than nod a quick hello. I know it’s the same for Ro and Austin. Which means, Chloe, that the only thing that’s changed in this equation is you. ”

I can’t help it. I sneak a quick glance over my shoulder, then nearly jump when my gaze collides with Ethan’s. He doesn’t look upset, but there’s an intensity about him that’s undeniable. And it’s focused 100 percent on me.

Even the two men he’s with—executives, by the way they’re dressed—seem to notice, at least judging by the furtive glances they’re sending in my direction. I look away. I know I made the decision to respond to Ethan last night, but that was when I was alone in my apartment with nothing but that damn envelope. And his seashell.

Here, now, it’s a different story. I’m overwhelmed and a little frightened. Not of him, but of all the crazy things he makes me feel. I don’t know how to deal with these emotions, don’t know

how to deal with what he does to me.