Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 25

No one suspected a thing.

Ethan and I walked in together, hand in hand.

He gave my hand a squeeze before letting go so as to not draw any unwanted attention to our newfound relationship that had suddenly become more than just business partners.

It seemed like word of Ethan and Katherine's broken engagement had spread around within seconds of the news and soon, Ethan had become the center of the magnifying glass.

"They are staring," I whispered to him as we stood near the buffet table.

"They're admiring your beauty," he said, which we both knew wasn't the case, no matter how eye-catching my dress was. "I can't keep my eyes off of you and neither can they. What do you expect?"

I grabbed a drink.

"Right."

"Saffron," he said. "Would you care to dance?"

"Are you insane?"

"It's just a dance."

"After breaking off your engagement?"

"I'm not following," he said.

"Look around," I told him. "Do you really think a dance with your personal assistant is a good idea right now?"

He didn't have a single care in the world about anyone else. He didn't care about their opinions on his personal life or what his mother would think when she discovered the news. It was nobody's business but his own. That was the utmost confidence in him.

I stumbled over my words and for the first time I felt a twinge of nerves reach my stomach.

Ethan noticed my concern but pulled me onto the dancefloor anyway.

"It's just a dance," he said again with reassurance. "Everyone is doing it."

Both of us knew that it was more than just a dance between us. It was his chance to show everyone that he had quickly moved on from Katherine and was ready to live his life on his own terms.

I spotted Katherine in the midst of the crowd with a look of betrayal. She crossed her arms and the tears were replaced with pure hatred for the situation.

I danced with Ethan, putting some space between our bodies despite his need to be closer to me.

"Don't worry about them," he said. "Look at me."

I kept myself locked in on Ethan and our dance. I was drawn to the look in his eyes. It was the first time I noticed the way he looked at me, so longingly and deep. It was entrancing and suddenly everyone around us seemed to blur together into nothingness. I found myself closing the gap between us and feeling his body. I could feel the beat of his racing heart through his suit and against my own chest. The nerves were gone and I was feeling butterflies like a young and impressionable girl.

He guided my arms around his neck.

"What are you doing?" I asked teasingly.

"Making a scene," he replied. "I want everyone to know how lucky I am to be dancing with the most beautiful woman at this event."

"Keep talking," I said, pulling him even closer.

"I wish we were alone right now."

"Why?"

"Let's just say," he started. "There are so many things I want to do to you right now."

"Really?"

"In every position possible," he said with a smirk.