Chapter 9

As Ethan carefully laid Melinda on the bed, she let out a soft moan, her eyes fixed on his. 

"You make me so hard, you know that?" Ethan whispered, his tone thick with longing as he positioned himself above her. His hands caressed her face, his fingers tracing the subtle curves of her cheeks.

"I love you, Melinda," Ethan muttered, his stare intense as he looked deep into her black piercing eyes. Melinda's reply was barely heard, her voice as soft as air, "I love you too, Ethan."

Their eyes remained locked, the atmosphere heavy with emotions as they relished a tender moment together. Melinda broke the silence.

"Ethan, do you feel pity for me?" she whispered, her expression shifting from desire to sorrow.

Ethan's hands moved through her hair, down to her cheeks, and with his expression filled with passion, he muttered, "Melinda I admire you, I don't feel sorry for you. You're the most interesting woman I have ever come across. Never let anyone make you feel less of yourself" his tone steady and low as he spoke.

Melinda's heart leaped for joy as she raised her face to meet Ethan's. Their lips met in a ferocious passionate kiss, devouring each other hungrily, the tension between them electric.

Ethan's hands caressed her thighs, his fingers dipping into them as he explored. Melinda's breath fastened, soft moans escaping her lips like whispers, urging him to carry on. The moans of her pleasure fueled Ethan's desire, making him grow harder.

"Mmhm… Ethan" Melinda breathed, her voice quivering as his tongue left hers and ravished her face and neck, hungry and desperate. His hands moved lower, and his finger slipped into her as he groaned deeply, his voice rough with need.

"Damn… you're so wet… I love it" he growled, his voice husky, making Melinda tremble with pleasure. Melinda let out a loud moan as his fingers thrust deeper inside her, steady and deliberate.

As his hands cupped her breasts through the shirt, his thumb teasingly brushed over her nipples, making Melinda's back arch, her body responding to his touch with hunger she hadn't felt in months.

It's been so long since she had been touched like this as Ryan blatantly refused to touch her.

"Ryan!" she gasped as his name flashed in her mind like a lightning bolt. Her body hardened as guilt wrapped her like a blanket. The moment shattered, leaving her breathless and conflicted, her heart pounding not from desire but from the weight of what she had almost done.

Ethan let out a deep frustrated sigh as he stood up. The atmosphere became thick with unsaid feelings.

"I'm sorry, l didn't intend to…" Melinda stammered as her eyes sought forgiveness.

Ethan clenched his jaw as he rearranged his clothes, his tone firm and unwavering, he scoffed,

"I'm not doing this with you right now. I mean, why are you here then? If you can't breathe without Ryan, why are you here with me? You might as well have gone to see him in prison."

"I'm sorry…" Melinda whispered, her voice barely audible.

"You're always sorry Melinda!" Ethan snapped, his voice escalating as his suppressed anger bubbled within.

"You think I enjoy how we're going about this? I want you all to myself but I don't know what you want. This is beyond Stockholm syndrome at this point." He continued, his tone tinged with frustration and despair.

The room fell into heavy silence, the atmosphere thickening like a storm cloud ready to burst. After a moment, Ethan let out a sharp breath and blurted out, 

"Get ready, we are going to the beach. I'll meet you in the lobby." He placed the fancy bag he came with on the bed and walked out without a word.

Melinda slumped onto the bed's edge, her hands covering her face in despair. She sat there for a while, her thoughts racing, before finally reaching out for the bag.

Inside, she found a red bikini and a matching transparent kimono. Her lips curved into a soft, bittersweet smile as she held them up. She quickly changed, the bikini and kimono fitting her curves perfectly.

___

The elevator opened and she walked into the lobby. There was Ethan seated, his confident demeanor on full display. Robert, Lila's husband was sitting beside him, the two men seemingly engrossed in a conversation as they sat.

As Melinda came closer, Ethan looked up and for a fleeting moment, his composure slipped. His eyes roamed over her, taking in how the red bikini looked under the transparent kimono. He quickly hid his admiration, but the slight clenching of his jaw gave him away.

"Good morning Sir," Melinda greeted Robert, her voice calm and gentle. 

"Hey there gorgeous," Robert replied with a grin on his face. Melinda chuckled shyly as she settled next to Ethan.

"We're going to the beach, Robert. I'll see you there," Ethan spoke firmly.

"Alright brother, I'll wait for Lila and Amelia," Robert responded casually, leaning back into the couch.

Ethan paused, his face twisted in shock, "Wait, what did you just say?" He uttered, his tone firm and low. Before he could say anything else, a cheerful voice pierced through the tension.

"Heyyy babyyy!! I've missed you!" Amelia called out, her voice overflowing with excitement as she and Lila came out of the elevator.

"Baby?!" Melinda gasped…