Page 62 of Lovestrung

“See you at work on Saturday.”

She smiled at him before placing a very light, though nonetheless very inappropriate kiss on his lips. I gaped at them both, practically hearing the crack in my heart as it started to bleed. I barely noticed Ethan jerking his head, too busy staring at her catty smile as she straightened up and, without saying a word to me, turned around and sashayed away.

I kept staring at her back until I felt Ethan’s hand on my chin, turning my face to him.

“Don’t do it,” he whispered, an edge to his voice I’d never heard before.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t even think about me and her together, Penelope. I mean it.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“It’s a little hard not to,” I admitted, “given the way she kissed you while I was sitting right here, Ethan.” I huffed and jerked my head, freeing myself of his hold. “This was a mistake.”

I grabbed my purse and stood up, needing to get away from him, but he moved so quickly, barring my way. I cursed when I realized that he’d caged me between the table and his warm body.

“Let me go,” I fumed, trying to hold my angry tears at bay. I refused to cry in front of him.

“No.” He leaned down, trying to catch my eyes, but I avoided him and kept staring into his chest instead.

“Penelope, please,” he whispered. “You and me? We’ll never be a mistake.”

“She was all over you, Ethan.” My voice cracked on his name. “What am I supposed to think now, huh? That I’m just another notch on your bedpost? That I’m nothing more than a fling?”

“I don’t believe this,” he grunted, his hands now resting on my neck. “How can you think that after last night?”

My breath hitched. “Last night was amazing, Ethan, but seeing that woman just now? The way she acted around you…God, I…”

“She means nothing to me,” he interrupted, pressing his mouth against mine. I refused to give in and kept my mouth closed.

“Please, darlin’. I’m sorry. I-I should’ve gotten rid of her sooner. Don’t go. Don’t leave me.”

I took a shaky breath and glanced into his eyes. He looked so vulnerable right now that I felt my resolve weaken, but I stood my ground.

“Promise me you won’t let her touch you like that again?”

“I promise.”

I nodded, not doubting the sincerity of his words. I pushed through the hurt I knew I had no right to feel. “I know we’re not…I mean, logically, I know you must’ve had girlfriends in the past, but…”

“I haven’t.”

His thumb ran over my lips, trying to silence me, no doubt.

“What?” I scoffed.

He shrugged. “I won’t lie to you. I haven’t been a monk, no. I’ve hooked up with and fucked women, yes. But girlfriends? No.”

I took a deep breath and attempted to absorb his revelations.

“Have you...fucked her?”

Regret clouded his eyes, and I knew the answer then and there.

“Yes. But it’s been a long time…It didn’t mean anything.”

I nodded and gave him a crooked smile. “It’s okay if it meant something at the time, Ethan. I just don’t really want to…” I grimaced, hesitating to voice my ultimatum.