Chapter 238

Ethan's gaze dropped to the small hands clutching his arm, his eyes narrowing. "What's wrong?"

"People! So many people!" Vivian's head whipped around frantically before she attempted to drag Ethan into the car's backseat.

She kept squeezing closer, muttering under her breath. "There's too many of them! They're coming for us! Oh god, this is terrifying—we need to hide in here!"

"Many people?" Ethan scanned their surroundings, confusion etching his features. It was past midnight when they'd left, making them the only souls in the deserted parking lot.

'What is she talking about?'

"Stop arguing! They're right behind us!" Vivian's face flushed crimson with panic. "Don't you want to live? Get in now!"

With surprising strength, she yanked him inside before he could protest.

Relenting, Ethan allowed himself to be pulled into the spacious leather seats of the luxury coupe. The supple upholstery molded comfortably around them—at least their hiding spot was plush.

"So—" Ethan began.

"Shh!" Vivian clamped a hand over his mouth, her wide eyes darting to the tinted windows. "Keep your voice down!" she hissed. "They're circling the car. If they hear us..."

Ethan's bewilderment grew. No figures moved in the empty lot. No shadows lurked beyond the glass.

'Is this some bizarre flirtation tactic?' he wondered. Their current position was... suggestive.

Vivian had straddled his lap in her urgency to silence him. The thin fabric of their clothes did little to mask the heat between them.

Her floral perfume invaded his senses. The warm puffs of her breath against his neck sent shivers down his spine. It felt like tiny claws were kneading his racing heart.

'Damn this woman.'

"Ahem." Ethan's breathing turned ragged. He roughly pried her hands away, his darkened eyes locking onto hers.

"What game are you playing, Isabella Lockhart?" His voice emerged as a gravelly growl.

"I told you to be quiet!" Vivian's expression remained deadly serious, her luminous eyes pleading. "I may despise you, but I don't want you dead. Those creatures outside—they're armed with spears! We're outnumbered."

'Still keeping up the act?' Ethan arched a brow. 'Fine. I'll play along.'

In one swift motion, his large hands encircled her waist, hauling her flush against him. He cradled her face, his voice dropping to a dangerous purr. "If this is your idea of seduction, congratulations—it's working."

Hunger darkened his gaze, the intensity threatening to consume her.

"We were married, yet never truly... acquainted." His lips brushed her earlobe. "Shall we remedy that tonight?"

As he leaned in, expecting surrender, Vivian's bloodcurdling scream shattered the moment.

"AH! They're inside! The tiny people—they're crawling all over you!"

"Enough!"