Amelia

 

Amelia’s whole body felt like it was buzzing with nerves. Nerves and arousal. The back deck had seemed like the safest place for a talk. There had been a look in his eyes...his gorgeous, dark blue eyes...that had shaken her to her core.

 

It wasn’t fear; it was desire, plain and simple. Could she really live the rest of her life with a man who barely glanced up from his cell phone when she was around when there was a man who devoured her with his eyes? God help her, she didn’t know if she could.

 

Her mind was racing with possibilities. Why had Ethan come? Just for answers? She could understand why he wanted them. But did he want more? He’d nearly walked out on her. But that kiss...she brushed her fingers over her lips. They were still tingling.

 

“You said you’d explain,” he said, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

 

She nodded, leaning back against the deck railing so she felt steadier. “Yes. And I will. I want to answer your questions.”

 

“Why me? That night?”

 

That wasn’t exactly where she’d expected him to start. She blinked up at him, thrown. “Um...well, I guess because--”

 

He held up his hand suddenly. “Wait. That’s not...why anyone? You were a virgin.”

 

Amelia’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know that?”

 

“Blood,” he said succinctly. “On the sheets. I saw it the next morning.” He gave her a half smile. “And even if I hadn’t been sure, you would have confirmed it for me just now. You’ve got no poker face.”

 

She looked down. Why did he have to be so suddenly charming? “I wanted to make at least one decision in my life that was just mine,” she said.

 

Ethan shifted, pushing his hands down into his pockets. “So you decided to lose your virginity to some random dude?”

 

Amelia raised her chin. “Yes. But it wasn’t going to be just anyone. I mean, definitely not that first guy. You...you felt right.”

 

“Why?” His eyes locked with hers, seeming to search her.

 

“Because you stood up for me and you didn’t have to. And because you did it without throwing a single punch. You were unexpected.” Amelia glanced down. “And I thought you were the hottest guy I’d ever seen in person.”

 

“You thought?” he asked, stepping forward, caging her in, his body only a few inches from hers. “What happened between now and then?”

 

Amelia looked up at him, swallowing hard. “Nothing important.”

 

Slowly, his features hardened and he stepped back. “Except now you’re marrying someone else. That’s not important?”

 

What should she tell him? Confusion warred within her. How much did he need to know? What would send him running out?

 

“You were really fine with walking out of my house?” he asked. “And never coming back? Without saying a damn thing?”

 

“I had to,” she said. “If I’d waited...if you’d woken up...”

 

“You’d have stayed?”

 

“Did you want me to?” she asked, turning the tables on him. He didn’t answer. Amelia shook her head. “No. You’re not going to stand here and drag answers out of me without giving anything. Are you the kind of guy that makes breakfast for the women he brings home?”

 

“No,” he said, his anger rising up again. “I’m not even the kind of guy who stays the night. I just...”

 

“So you can just fuck and leave, but you’re going to judge me for it?”

 

“I’m not judging you! I missed you!”

 

She turned away, looking out over the sparkling pool while she blinked back tears. He moved behind her again, putting his hands on either side of her and leaning down to speak into her ear.

 

“Why are you marrying him?”

 

“Because I have to.”

 

She saw his hands clench on the railing. “No. You don’t. This is the 21st century, for God’s sake! You don’t have to marry anyone you don’t want to marry! You don’t lo--like him. Do you?”

 

“He’s okay. It’s a business partnership, nothing more than that. Do you want to know how our dates go? He picks me up; he spends the whole car ride texting people. We only go to places where he thinks we’ll be seen. He--”

 

“Why?” he demanded harshly. “Why the hell would you do this?”

 

“I... it’s hard to explain...Anthony...he has money--”

 

“You have money!”

 

She spun around. “And I won’t if I don’t do this!”

 

“Basically, your old man won’t give you money if you don’t marry this guy?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And money’s more important than anything else?”

 

“No, but I do like to eat!”

 

“Then get a job like the rest of us!” Ethan shouted.

 

“It’s not that simple!” Amelia shouted back.

 

“Then explain it to me!”

 

She pushed her hands through her hair, fighting tears again. “I don’t know how. I don’t want you to walk out on me!”

 

Ethan grabbed her upper arms and pulled her against his chest. “Let’s get two things straight right now. You drive me fucking crazy, Amelia. But I’m not going anywhere unless you throw me out.”

 

She threw her arms around him.

 

“What the hell is going on here?”

 

Amelia spun to face her father. Ethan kept his arm over her shoulders, holding her against his side, tucking her in protectively.

 

“Amelia?” Gregoryasked again. “What are youdoing? You’re engaged to Anthony!”

 

“For now,” Ethan said, his body so tense that Amelia could feel every muscle tighten and flex. “Maybe she’ll change her mind. Since it’s her decision to make and everything.”

 

“You honestly think you’ll make a better father to that child than the governor’s son will? What could you give the baby? An addiction problem before it hits high school? A life on food stamps?”

 

Ethan looked down at Amelia in shock. “What?”

 

She dropped her face into her hands. Gregory Stratton stared at the two of them, seeming to realize Amelia hadn’t told Ethan yet.

 

“Get off my property or I’ll call the police,” he blustered.

 

“There’s...there’s a baby?” Ethan asked, ignoring her father, his voice nearly shaking. She didn’t answer. “Amelia. Are you pregnant? With...” He sounded almost staggered, completely shocked. She had no idea whether it was good or bad, though. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

 

“I’m calling the police,” Gregory said, pulling his cell phone out and beginning to dial.

 

“Just go,” Amelia said, completely humiliated and unable to take anymore. “Just go, Ethan, please.”

 

Her heart broke when she heard his heavy motorcycle boots thump over the wooden deck boards as he left her behind. Hands still over her face, she sank down and sobbed. Her father stood over her for a moment, but he didn’t speak before he turned and walked into the house.