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I know exactly what this is for him—just sex.

And I’m probably attracted to him because he’s absurdly handsome, and because he’s the man I slept with for the first time. The only man I’ve ever slept with. Period.

Women tend to develop some kind of irrational, purely psychological attachment to the man they lost their virginity to, right? Of course. That must be it.

I’m not stupid enough to fall for someone like Ethan Hardy.

He’s not the kind of man who wants a relationship —he’s already married to his company. It’s his great love, and anyone can see that.

“Okay, then we’re good,” I finally say, because I don’t know what else there is to say.

He looks like he wants to add something, but instead he just gives a short nod.

His expression tenses, frustration etched across his face, and then he turns and disappears into the bathroom.

Well… that’s my cue.

I refuse to sit here and wait to be dismissed, or worse—to feel cheap and used again.

So I grab my clothes from the floor, hastily pulling them on, and slip quietly out through the terrace door.

Here I am again, walking away from Ethan’s bed after swearing a thousand times he would never touch me again.

I think I’m a liar. I have to be… because I keep lying to myself. Again and again.

THIRTY-ONE

Thalia

It’s our last night on the island, and we’ve decided to go out to a club. I honestly needed it.

We’re in the VIP area, though it’s not reserved only for us, so there are plenty of strangers around.

“I fucking missed this,” I hear Zayn say, his voice raised over the music, and it makes me laugh.

The guys are used to this kind of life—they’re always at parties or clubs. They work hard, not as much as Ethan, but they actually know how to have fun too.

Speaking of Ethan, I barely saw him yesterday morning at breakfast. He showed up, grabbed a plate, then disappeared again, most likely burying himself in work.

The guys spent the day jet-skiing, and of course Ethan couldn’t join because he still needs to rest and heal, so he stayed behind.

I went with the others to explore a few nearby islands. We ate local food at a small family-owned restaurant, and later that evening we ended up at the resort bar.

Apparently, Ethan showed up for a while—at least, that’s what Sierra said—but exactly during the hour I was away on a call for an upcoming event.

Does he know he bought the company I work for? Wouldn’t he have said something if he did?

That technically makes him my boss.

My boss.

And I slept with him even knowing it.

Jesus, Thalia, you continue to impress me with your brilliant life choices.

“Come on, let’s dance,” Sierra says suddenly, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the dance floor.

Chuckling, I let her lead me through the crowd already swaying to the rhythm until she stops, and we start moving together.