Chapter 17
Ethan Hatton stood frozen at the pathway to the luxurious garden. His heart pounded in his chest as he heard Jackson tell Emily to leave him, his mind racing to process the scene unfolding before him. He didn’t love Emily per se, but still there was a certain ache in his chest watching Jackson trying to seduce his fiance . Was he doing this on purpose to hurt him? Jackson was exactly the kind of guy to have any girl he wanted. Ginger hair, a chiseled jaw and piercing almond eyes and a complete daredevil at heart, why did it have to be Emily of all the girls in New York City, it had be Emily, his fiancee.
“Leave him” he heard him say, a certain longing to his voice that Ethan had never witnessed before. The shock of the betrayal sent a surge of adrenaline coursing through Ethan’s veins. He felt a mix of anger, hurt, and a sudden overwhelming sense of protectiveness against Emily.
“You son of a bitch!” Ethan exclaimed as Emily turned to leave, his gaze focused on Jackson, who bore a surprised look on his face which slowly morphed into a venomous look.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ethan charged at Jackson, but pulling Emily behind him as she tried to call him softly but he ignored her, her face pale with guilt. Jackson on the other hand now seemed unfazed, a smug smile playing on his lips.
Ethan couldn’t hold back his fury any longer “How could you, Jackson? She’s my fiancee. Have you no shame?”
“There’s no love there, and you know it” Jackson retorted.
“So what? So you tell her to leave me?” Ethan said moving closer to Jackson in a threatening manner but Emily seemed to hold him back and he pulled his hands out of her grasp “Stay out of this Emily, this doesn’t concern you” he told her. His anger wasn’t directed at her, after all she did nothing wrong. He didn’t care about the history they had before now, but she rejected him, that was all that mattered.
“You’re uninvited to my wedding Jackson, you’re no longer my best man. I don’t want to ever see your face around me or Emily, do you understand?” he yelled, turning around and pulling Emily by the wrist, with Jackson yelling in the background.
“Yea, like that’s going to stop me. I don’t want to attend your stupid wedding anyways” Jackson yelled, trying to ignore the pang in his chest. Why did it have to be Emily? He couldn’t have her and that was what made him want her more.
Emily Walker followed Ethan as he pulled her by the wrist towards his BMW that he drove to the house, a slight pain shooting up her wrist as he held her tightly and she tried to wriggle out of his grasp but he seemed oblivious, his mind blinded by fury.
“Ethan you’re hurting me” she said but he didn’t answer, he couldn’t hear her and she screamed his name “Ethan!!!”
This time he stopped, and she pulled her hands away from him, “You’re hurting me” she rubbed against her wrist and Ethan looked at her, remorse clouding his eyes. He was getting out of control and he had to pull himself back m.
“Fuck, Emily. I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking, Are you hurt, do I need to take you to the hospital?” he reached for her and she pulled away from him “I’m fine” she answered quietly.
“Where are we going?” she asked again “Your parents….”
“They’ll be fine” he said
“I caused a complete spectacle the first time meeting your parents, I have to apologize” she said almost turning to leave but Ethan grabbed her softly by the shoulder.
“They’ll be fine Emily, I promised. Plus, this is the most drama they’ve witnessed from Jackson and me, I’m sure they’re entertained trust me. Don’t worry about it”
Emily stayed quiet, looking at him as he kept his eyes anywhere but hers “Back there….” She wanted to say but he shushed.
“You don’t have to say anything Emily, I’m sorry about Jackson. He can be a bit hot-headed and entitled. I saw every thing, you stayed loyal to me and I appreciate that, but I have to ask you something Emily”
“Go ahead” she said.
“Do you want him, do you love him ?” he asked him, and Emily stunned at the suddenness of the question. Her mind reeled back to the first kiss they shared, and the one Jackson had stolen just now, recalling the similar surge of electricity she felt through her. The excitement and even the wrongness of it all played a dirty game with her. Attracted? Yes, but love was a strong word and she was yet to know the feeling.
“No, I don’t love him” she said to Ethan “Yes, we shared a kiss once but I was drunk and I had no idea who he was and love doesn’t come that easily to me Ethan, so I don’t love your brother”
Ethan nodded, a relief escaping him that he didn’t even know he held within him. She looked him, a certain innocence that her looks that drew Ethan in. Holding her hand softly and placing his hands on her waist he drew her closer to him, his eyes twinkling with attraction.
“I don’t think it’s right that I have never kissed my fiancee” he said and Emily smiled shyly, her heart now beating wildly in anticipation and anxiety. She stayed silent looking at him, as he drew her even closer, his lips just a breath away from her.
“Can I kiss you Emily?” he askedProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
She nodded
Jackson’s heart broke a million times over from where he watched.