Page 72 of When We Ignite
“What is it?” His eyes flicked to my lips as I ran my tongue over them, my nerves betraying me. God, I hated this.
“My lifestyle.”
“Because you’re gay?” Ethan asked, his frown deepening.
“No. He’s accepted that. What he disapproves of are my dating choices.”
“The age gap,” Ethan said quietly.
I nodded. “That, and the inconsistency.”
He shifted uncomfortably, looking down at his lap. The silence stretched, heavy and unavoidable.
“Are you trying to tell me something?” he asked softly, his gaze meeting mine.
“I spoke with Oli today,” I began, my voice steady, though my chest felt tight. “About the job—and about us.”
“And?”
“Ethan, I promised Oli we’d stop,” I said, watching the tension ripple through him.
“What?” he whispered, his voice barely audible, but the shock was clear.
“We have to end this,” I repeated, forcing a firmness I didn’t feel.
“Why?”
“I can’t risk this getting out,” I said gently.
“You knew that already. You said we had to be smart,” he reminded me, his voice hardening.
I drew in a deep breath. “I can’t give you more than a one-night stand, Ethan, and you’ve already told me you’re not interested in that.”
“But you said?—”
“I know what I said, but I can’t risk it with you. This can’t be more than what it is—not now.”
“What does ‘not now’ mean?” he demanded.
“Maybe when you’re older,” I suggested, though I already knew how hollow it sounded.
“When I’m older, you’ll still have fifteen years on me,” he said sharply, shoving my hand away.
“Yeah, but it’ll be less questionable.”
He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “You knew all this, Sebastian.”
“Yes, I did. That’s why I tried to stop,” I admitted.
“Then why the fuck couldn’t you leave me alone when I told you to stay away from me?” he asked, his anger flaring.
I reached for him, but he shifted back on the couch, out of my reach.
“Because I wanted you too much.”
“And now? Do you want me less?”
“No, of course not. The stakes are just higher. Ethan, I can’t afford this scandal. If you were anyone else, it might be easier. But you’re Charlotte’s brother. People would eat that up, and I’d be out of my office the same day. It’s too public, and with Oli coming on board, my father and the board wouldn’t hesitate.”
