A Dangerous Addiction

I had persuaded myself that staying away from Ethan Carter was the wise one. Only one option exists.

I instructed myself to go once he refused to tell me the whole truth following the warning text and direction. In order to keep my distance.

That ought to have been simple.

Except that it wasn't.

I sensed him even when he was not around. Between my ideas between the pauses. In the manner my body responded at hearing his name.

Ethan Carter had developed an obsession that I could not kick no matter how hard I tried.

The worst of all?

Not sure I wanted either at all.

Our last meeting two days ago; two days after he looked at me in the eye and advised me to keep out of it.

Still, I came out to the same pub as him.

It was not done with intent. I told myself at least that.

I had no cause to anticipate Ethan would be here; Tessa had asked me out with some friends.

But I sensed him the instant I walked inside.

And I knew as I turned, as my eyes locked with his from across the room.

Once more, we were going to collide.

That was certain.

The first hour I pretended not to see him.

I drank, smiled at Tessa's jokes, and pushed myself to behave normally.

Ethan was naturally creating that impossibility.

He watched me every time I looked up.

Not in the laid-back, apathetic manner men used when they were only passing time.

No; this was something quite different.

One gloomy object. Something planned.

Something that made my body come alive.

Then he moved, just as I began to question if I was dreaming it.

I felt him before I laid eyes on him.

His body was warm behind me. The low, calm voice close by.

"You're ignoring me once more."

A shiver slid down my back.

I swallowed and kept my gaze fixed on my drink. "I'm not running away from you."

Ethan let out a laugh. Low. Raw. shockingly self-assured.

Sure, you aren't.

I turned just enough to match his look. "Why should you care?"

His eyes became black. " Because you're making it impossible for me to stay away."

My heart stopped.

My fingers locked around my glass.

This proved hazardous.

This was foolish.

Still, I knew one thing for sure as Ethan leaned forward—his breath warm against my skin.

I intended not to stop him.

It went quickly.

Two seconds later we were engaged in a silent war of tension.

He then grasped my wrist, dragging me through the throng until we reached the rear corridor—where the music was far away, the air was dense, and there was nothing between us except heat and poor judgment.

I ought to have turned aside.

I ought to have informed him that this was a mistake and pushed him back.

I let myself, instead, be pinned against the wall.

His hands pressed into the area next to my head, his body just close enough for me to sense his terrible draw.

Like he was fighting something, Ethan exhaled forcefully. Tell me to halt.

I started to lick my lips. You think I want you to?

His eyes flew madly, between my mouth, my throat, my eyes.

Inside he battled, and for a while I thought he might really listen.

He was kissing me, though, then.

And I was kissing him back-off.

It was fire and anarchy, familiar and brand-new at once.

I allowed him as his fingers twisted around my waist drew me nearer.

For nothing had ever felt this wonderful.

Nothing had ever felt quite this right.

Desperate and reckless, I had no idea how long we stayed like that—pressed against one another.

But reality finally came crashing in.

Ethan first withdrew; his breathing was irregular.

My body still slanted toward his, I drew in air, staggered and blinded.

And thereafter, the words that destroyed everything.

"This cannot be allowed to continue."

I grew stiff.

Under his breath, Ethan grumbled and ran an irritated hand through his hair. "Liv, really meant here. We are running with fire here.

Crossing my arms, I covered the stinging in my chest. "And whose fault is that?," asked

His eye turned to meet mine.

His jaw twitched. "You think this is easy for me?"

I let out a hard breath. then pause.

Quiet.

He shook his head then.

"You don't get it," he said with tense voice. "You have no idea what I am asking you to do."

I frowned. Tell me then.

But he didn't.

Since Ethan Carter never allowed anybody in.

Rather, he backed off, his eyes tormented.

And then he turned to leave.

Let me know where to leave.

Attached. Not clear. And wishing more than I ought to have.

Spending the next several hours at my apartment, I paced and fretted.

I went back over the kiss, the heat, the words he left me with.

This cannot be allowed to continue.

But it was already the case.

I also had no idea how I could stop.

My phone buzzed, cutting me off from my ideas.

Taking it off the counter, I expected Tessa.

But my gut dropped when I saw the unidentified number.

Still another point of emphasis.

Your last warning is this one. Keep away from him.

My veins started to ice coldly.

But before I could even begin to digest the book—a knock at my door.

I swallowed, heart thumping in my chest.

There seems to be something wrong.

I moved slowly over, ear pressed against the wood.

Quiet silence.

Then—a voice I did not know.

"Liv Carter?"

my blood stopped.

I missed the response.

But whoever stood on the other side of that door?

They were not about to depart.

The attraction between Liv and Ethan is spiraling into something uncontrollably wild.

Ethan is battling something he refuses to let her witness.

The threats directed on Liv are getting more forceful.

There someone is at her door. They might not be friendly as well.