Chapter 58:

ELLIE

When I arrived, I found Todd at the bar, and soon after, we took a table in the hotel restaurant. We were finishing the first bottle of wine after finishing our meal.

The feeling was a bit strange. For seven months, the man sitting in front of me had been one of the most important people in my life. We had shared so many intimate moments, but now we were almost like strangers again.

To my misfortune, Todd was still charming and sexy, especially when he wore a suit without a tie and his hair pulled back. But thankfully, I only needed to remind myself of how he had left me to shatter any remaining enchantment. His handsome face didn’t erase the fact that he had been dishonest and a complete asshole.

"What do you think about doing something together when you get back to New York?"

Here we go. Was he not listening to me?

"You shouldn’t waste your time trying anything with me."

"I plan to waste as much time as necessary, El."

"We’ve already had this conversation, I don’t want to go over it again."

"I’m not expecting anything from you, I’m just asking you to let me get closer."

"We share a wall. That’s close enough, don’t you think?"

"Very funny."

"Look on the bright side, I don’t hate you as much as I did a month ago."

"Are you giving me hope?"

"Okay, I really need to be more careful with what I say to you."

"You can’t deny we always had a lot of fun together, El."

"You’re a nice guy when you’re not abandoning me."

"Alright, no need to hit below the belt."

"It’s getting late, I should head back."

"You don’t want to take a walk around the city?"

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, making a dramatic scene.

"Oh no. He won’t give up."

"Okay. Okay. I get it."

We laughed.

"By the way, I’ve already seen the city. I just hadn’t been to this hotel you chose, it’s pretty..."

"Excuse me," a man said, approaching our table, interrupting me.

His clothes suggested he worked for the hotel.

"Miss Brown?"

"Yes, that’s me," I confirmed, confused.

"I was asked to give this to you." He handed me a folded piece of paper. "Excuse me," he said before leaving.

Todd’s expression was as confused as mine.

"What is it?"

"I have no idea."

I opened what I thought was a note.

*"Meet me in the suite."*

The words were written in cursive with blue ink. And there was more below...

*"I’m just making sure no one plays with my toy. Don’t be long."*

I closed my eyes, exhaling. No. It couldn’t be. He was here? Now? My eyes automatically scanned the room, searching for him. But there was no sign of him.

What the hell was his problem? Telling me he was waiting for me in a room at the same hotel where my ex was staying? Fuck! And how dare he think I’d just come to him? Treating me like I was really his toy. Son of a bitch.

"Ellie? Are you okay? What is it?" Todd asked, pulling me out of my anger.

"It’s nothing. I really need to go."

"Let me walk you to your car."

"No, that’s not necessary, I need to use the bathroom first." I stood up, and he did the same, towering over me. "See you in New York? After all, it's not like I have a choice."

"I missed that sarcastic sense of humor." He leaned in to kiss my cheek. "The truth is, I miss everything about you," he whispered in my ear.

"Don’t push your luck, Lockhart." I tapped his shoulder as I walked past him.

"See you soon, El." He called after me, and I raised my hand in the air to wave as I made my way to the restroom at the back of the restaurant.

Once inside, I let all my anger pour out, and my mind spiraled into chaos.

Ethan Morgan was completely insane. What was he thinking? That I’d just go meet him? That arrogant idiot actually thought he could treat me like his toy? That all he had to do was issue an order, and I’d obey? The bastard was a complete egomaniac.

Did he really think I was so desperate that I’d go to him and just spread my legs? Damn bastard. I wasn’t going to that fucking room, not even if I was dragged there. Bastard.

But on the other hand, going home wasn’t going to make my anger go away, and venting about him wasn’t going to do any good either. Morgan deserved to hear some harsh truths. So, I’d go to that damn room just to give him a piece of my mind.

I checked the restaurant, making sure Todd wasn’t around anymore before heading to the hotel reception. I approached the hostess to find out where the suite was.

After getting the information, I took the elevator to the third floor and marched down the hallway, mentally preparing a list of insults for Mr. Morgan.

*Ethan Morgan is an arrogant prick.*

*Ethan Morgan is a presumptuous asshole.*

*Ethan Morgan is a full-of-himself bastard.*

*Ethan Morgan is a complete egomaniac.*

*Ethan Morgan is a perverted jerk.*

I stopped in front of the door. Without giving myself time to think, I knocked hard, repeatedly. I only stopped when he opened the door, catching me off guard.

Holy shit. The jerk was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, and his hair was wet. Had he been showering? How long had he been here?

He smiled arrogantly while I shot him a glare. It was hard to think about anything with him standing there almost naked, his broad chest still glistening with water. This had to be deliberate.

"What took you so long?" he asked, still holding the door. "Come in."

"Listen carefully, I’m not your fucking toy!" I snarled.

"No, you’re not," he said, leaving me stunned.

"What?"

"I figured pissing you off was the only way to get you here. You probably wouldn’t have come if I’d asked nicely, would you?"

It was all a plan? Of course, it was. Bastard.

"You’re completely insane."

"I was getting impatient, imagining you down there with that asshole. If you’d taken much longer, I would’ve come down and dragged you up here myself. Now come in, while I’m still being a gentleman."

"I’m not coming in."

"Your little ex-boyfriend is in the room next door."

"What?"

Damn it! This was too much.

"I made sure of that. So, I’m guessing you don’t want to stand out here and risk him seeing you knocking on my door."

"Bastard," I hissed through clenched teeth before stepping past him into the room. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I demanded, staring at his back as he locked the door.

When he turned to face me, his eyes were dark. In one swift movement, he closed the distance between us. Tangling his fingers in my hair, he pressed my body against the wall near the door, crushing my chest against his and leaving me breathless.

"I’ve had a really fucking hard night..." he whispered through gritted teeth, tugging my hair just enough to keep my head still. Then he exhaled deeply before releasing me. Giving me just a bit of space, he commanded, "On your knees."