Chapter 4

Oh no.

Ethan was back.

I looked down at myself, wearing only lingerie.

Panic seized me.

In my fluster, I squeezed under Ethan's desk.

I pulled the movable cabinet in front of me.

But why was the back of it hollow?

Footsteps drew nearer.

Ignoring the cold bite of metal against my skin, I curled into a tight ball.

Please don't let him find me.

The door opened.

Ethan had just finished exercising.

His breathing was ragged, tired.

He gasped for air, pulling my lingerie from under his pillow.

Humiliation and anger burned through me.

He was starting again.

Sure enough, he pressed my lingerie to his face.

He took a deep, lingering breath.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, fighting the urge to strangle him.

He was using my lingerie to wipe his sweat.

Things grew stranger.

He pulled out another red fabric.

He dragged the chair out and sat at the desk.

"Victoria... so sweet, Victoria..."

I don't know how much time passed before Ethan left, satisfied.

Was this what my best friend meant by "the end"?

She said women tend to linger in the aftermath.

That men usually stay to comfort them.

A bitter smile touched my lips.

In this situation, I was the only one suffering.

I couldn't help but wonder.

If Ethan really did make a move on me... would he comfort me afterward?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of shower spray from the bathroom.

Ethan had a great body.

Defined abs, that V-line.

I imagined water dancing over his muscles.

My body reacted to the memory of his masculine presence.

The thoughts made me flush with shame.

I peeked out cautiously.

I crept from my hiding spot.

My foot caught on a power cord.

Numb from crouching so long, my legs gave way.

I fell face-first.

My cheek smeared against the red and white on the stool.

It was slick with milk.

I wiped it with my hand.

Soft. Smooth.

The water stopped.

Terrified of being discovered, I scrambled back to my room on silent feet.

After washing my face, I buried myself in the soft mattress.

Finally, I could relax.

But my pounding heart refused to quiet.

It kept reminding me of what had just happened.