Claiming Her Again

"You mean she's here?

At the same bar as I am?" Ethan asked again, his voice sharp and urgent. He needed to be sure, his heart pounding in anticipation.

"Yes, sir," Lucas, confirmed.

Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed the information. He leaned back in his seat, his fingers drumming lightly against the glass in his hand not believing the news because this was something he's been hoping for for a long time.

"When did she arrive in the city?"

"Earlier today," Lucas replied.

"why wasn't I informed earlier then?" Ethan asked again his jaw clenching to show how pissed of he was at the moment

 After all these years, she was finally back . The girl who had disappeared from his life without a trace—the girl he had spent endless nights searching for—was here. Ethan couldn't explain the mix emotions coursing through him. Relief, excitement, and something deeper, more profound, surged in his heart.

On the other side of the same bar, Arianna and Kate were in their own world. Tonight is for us cheers girlfriend, to your return ivy shouted whiles bringing their glasses together.

clink! for us!" they shouted in unison but not loudly enough to attract everyone's attention".

Tonight is a celebration—a carefree night of drinks, laughter, and letting go. The two of them had thrown back one too many shots, their inhibitions slipping away with every sip.

"We deserve this," Ivy giggled, swaying slightly as the alcohol was making her tipsy .

Arianna laughed, nodding in agreement. "Absolutely. Let's celebrate properly!"

Their laughter echoed above the thumping music as they staggered their way to the dance floor .

they let the rhythm take over, their bodies moving freely to the beat. Arianna's hair cascaded around her as she spun, her radiant smile drawing the attention of everyone around her. Even in her drunken state, she exuded a magnetism that was impossible to ignore.

*******

 Ethan stood from his seat, his sharp eyes scanning through the crowd. He moved through the throng of people with sole purpose, his thoughts full of that familiar figure . He had to find her. She had to be here, he murmured himself

But as the minutes ticked by, his confidence began to waver the place was too huge to locate someone he admitted it himself . He was about to give up when his gaze landed on a familiar figure on the dance floor.

His breath seized , the moment his eyes located her , time seemed to stop.

"It was her, my Arianna", he murmured to himself.

Ethan's face brightens as he observed her . She looked even more stunning than he remembered, more mature and confident, though her playful spirit was still evident in the way she moved.

She swayed to the Rythm of music , her hands body moving at the same time, forgetting all eyes on her,

For a fleeting moment, happiness washed over Ethan.

The girl he's been dreaming off every night was now in front of his eyes, She was here, right in front of him, after all these years. But his joy was short-lived when he noticed the way other men were staring at her, their gazes lingering on her in ways that made his blood boil.

Their shameless, seductive looks made Ethan's possessiveness surge to the surface.

His expression darkened at the same time striding toward her without hesitation.

When he reached Arianna, she was mid-spin, her laughter ringing out as she twirled.

Before she could react, Ethan grabbed her gently but firmly, lifting her off the ground with ease.

"What—hey! Let me go! Who are you " Arianna protested, her voice slurring as she tried to wriggle free from his grip.

Ethan's gaze flicked to the men nearby, giving them a dangerous glare enough to send them to their early graves,

hey immediately backed off when they saw him

. His hold on Arianna tightened protectively enough to show how unhappy he was he pulled her closer .

Her friend, Ivy, stumbled over, . "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, though her words were barely coherent.

Ethan didn't even spare her a glance. Lucas appeared at that moment "Take her home. Make sure she gets there safely." he commanded

Lucas nodded taking the talkative Ivy by the arm, guiding her toward the exit.

"Let her go," Arianna slurred, her brows furrowing in frustration. "She's my friend."

Ethan didn't respond to her protest. Instead, he carried her out of the bar, ignoring her drunken attempts to free herself.

By the time they reached his car, Arianna's resistance had faded. She leaned against him drunkly , mumbling incoherently, her head resting on his shoulder.

Ethan drove to his penthouse , his mind racing. His emotions were a chaotic storm anger at how recklessly she had behaved at the bar, relief that she was safe with him now, and a possessiveness he could no longer deny.

When they arrived, he carried her inside and set her down on the plush couch in the living room. She blinked up at him, her eyes glassy but filled with a seductive playful looks .

"why are you always serious, " she teased, trailing her fingers on his jawline

Ethan exhaled deeply, trying to maintain cool. "You shouldn't be drinking like that," he said, his voice firm.

Arianna giggled, leaning even closer. "Why not? It's fun.You should try it sometime," she said, innocently

Ethan stared at her, his frustration mounting . "Arianna," don't test my patience, or you won't like it the next time you do he said, his tone low and steady , ."

But she didn't seem to care. Instead, she tilted her head, her lips curling into a playful smile. "You're so cute when you're mad mr stranger ," she murmured, her gaze drifting over his face.

so you remember me, why didn't you look for me all these years Ethan questioned her.

Ethan froze as she leaned in, her lips brushing against his. He tried so hard to pull back, but her persistence and his own emotions got the better of him.

Don't blame me in the morning for been ruthless , you brought this upon yourself, declared Ethan in a flirtatious tone.

He deepened the kiss, his hands exploring every piece of her, his tongue swirling around her pointed nipple,

Her pink nipple was so tempting, making him want more

he kisses her in between her breast ,and she threw her head back unable to stand the intense pleasure.

He opened her legs staring deeply at the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. you're Mine! he declared possessively.

Before he knew it, he had lost himself in her all over again.

The night passed in a blur of passion and intense love making.

Ethan's gaze drifted over the sleeping Arianna, feeling fulfilled at what just happened , his heart pounding at the sight of her peaceful face.

His eyes caught something on her, a faint tattoo.

He leaned closer stretching his hand to observe it clearly . It was the same tattoo he had imprinted on her that night , a symbol of their unforgettable night.

she hadn't removed it ,he whispered to himself. The fact that the tattoo was still there and hadn't been removed—meant everything to him.

It was proof that he was still his, proof that no one else had touched her

A rare, smile brighten his face as he gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.

"I won't let you disappear again so be a good girl and stay by my side I will protect you," he whispered, his voice filled with determination.

He pulled her into his arms, vowing silently to protect her at. all cost

For the first time in years, Ethan felt a sense of peace. Arianna was back in his life, and this time, he wouldn't let her go.

I love you my Angel, he murmured to her, placing a kiss on her forehead before slipping off to sleep