Filthy Secret

It’s only as I got older and saw his pictures in the tabloids that I could really appreciate the raw masculinity of Ethan Caldwell. I know now he is definitely every woman’s dream. I sigh as the doors open and step inside. I know he will never see me as anything but an intern, his ex-wife’s niece, but just the thought of him kissing me, making love to me, making me feel things I have never felt before, makes me want something I can never have.

I want him.

Jesus, I need to stop with the inappropriate thoughts. If my aunt knew I was obsessing over Ethan like this, she would have never agreed to push for this internship for me. She thinks I am just really into investments, but really, I wanted to be close to him, to get to know him, now that I am older…legal.

For my age, I am considered innocent. I have had one boyfriend, who I lost my virginity to in high school. We broke up when I came to England for college, and I haven’t been with or even looked at another man. Well, apart from obsessing over my ex-uncle, that is. But he doesn’t count. It is just a silly little secret crush that I have. It will never develop into anything else. Why would someone like him look at me when he can have any woman he wants?

My stomach turns. He wouldn’t look at me, and that’s the problem. I am just a delusional little girl that wishes he would.

The elevator climbs, eventually coming to a halt on my new floor. I step out when the doors open and stride down the hall towards apartment four. Coming to a stop outside, I find the panel and flash it at the sensor. The door clicks; I push it open and step inside, only to stop. Jesus. The place is amazing. The floor-to-ceiling windows make it light and airy, with the most gorgeous views of London. I am sure tenants pay a pretty penny to live here. The view alone would be worth it. I move further inside, running my hands across the soft furnishings and high-end countertops. I grew up in luxury but having lived as a student for the last year in a dorm, I can appreciate this lavish apartment that I get to call home for the next three months.

I flop down on the couch, waiting for my luggage. I need it before I shower. And being the polite girl that I am, once I am all fresh and clean, I will go and introduce myself o Ethan. Beth said he lives in the penthouse on the floor above me, so I will go there when I get settled. I smile to myself. I finally get to see Ethan Caldwell again.

After showering and dressing in some tight, cut-off denim shorts and a loose tank, I make my way up to the penthouse. Butterflies swim in my stomach at the thought of seeing him. I know I should probably wait until tomorrow when I go to his office, but I just can’t stop myself. I want him to see me as the grown woman I am now, not the little girl at his wedding.

I walk with purpose to the elevator, pushing the button for the penthouse, and step inside when the doors open. I know I am playing a silly game; I know I should get over my infatuation with him, but I can’t. I tried. No matter how many years have passed. He is the only man I see when I close my eyes. Even when I had my boyfriend in high school, I would fantasize that it was Ethan. I’m sick, I know, but I could never stop.

It was like seeing the sun when I met him; he blinded me, so he is all I see.

The elevator stops, the doors slide open, and I feel nervous. Pushing those feelings aside, I pad to his door and rap on it a couple of times. I wait for a long minute; when I hear footsteps striding towards me, even hidden behind the door, my heart pounds in my chest. The door swings open, revealing the man that stars in most of my fantasies, looking sexy as fuck with his bare chest and grey sweats. My mouth pops open; eyes widen as he grabs my wrist and drags me inside.

“Your late.” He barks as he pulls me further inside.

Late? What am I late for? I don’t start my internship until tomorrow. I don’t say this out loud. I can’t. My mouth is dry, and I have seemingly lost my voice.

“You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. I pay good money for punctuality.” He continues pulling me along, only glancing at me briefly before he kicks open a door to a…bedroom?

That snaps me out of my thoughts. “Wha…whattt are you doing?” I stutter. He stops and spins to face me with a glare before his brows furrow. He steps back, taking me in. His eyes scan me from head to toe, and he frowns.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Who are you?”

“I’m Aspen. I wanted to come and introduce myself?” I ask it as a question why I’m not sure.

He smirks devilishly. The look sends a jolt of lust between my thighs.

“Aspen? Katrina’s Niece?”

I nod. “Yes.”

His smirk deepens, and suddenly, I feel like I got caught in a trap.

Question is, do I want to escape it?

ETHAN

I smirk wider.

Little Aspen Kincaid grew up. Katrina’s niece, my ex-wife’s niece, is all kinds of sexy. In an innocent way.

I like it.

I want her.

This girl, with her wide innocent sapphire blue eyes and her flawless skin and… Fuck me. I don’t think I have ever wanted anyone more. Ever had such a visceral reaction to any other woman before. My cock jerks in my sweats, and my body buzzes with excitement. I want to touch her.

Mark her.

Claim her.

I’m going to fuck her. That much I know. I don’t care about the familial ties or that she is nearly twenty years younger than me. I don’t give one tiny fuck.

She is mine.

She doesn’t know the beast she just released by coming up here all naive and beautiful. She is like a little lamb to slaughter. I grin at my thoughts.

“Who did you think I was?” she asks so softly; I nearly miss it.

Well, there’s a question. I thought she was the hooker I paid a lot of money for from a very discreet, very high-end agency. I needed a release, and using someone from Hush, was perfect. But not as perfect as the girl who just walked into the lion’s den.

“No one.” I wave her off. “Would you like a drink, little lamb?” I start dragging her back to the living area, her soft skin under my fingertips making me want to rip her clothes off right here and now and bury my cock so deep inside that my come leaks out of her mouth. I stifle a groan at the thought.

“Little lamb?” she questions, but I ignore her.

“What do you want to drink? I have wine?” I ask instead of answering her question. I pull out a stool, spin to face her, and push her down onto it. She glares at me. I smile. In these few minutes of knowing her, I can tell she is a spitfire.

She sighs. “Water is fine.”

I nod, but I can’t help the little bit of disappointment I feel that she won’t be having an alcoholic drink. I would never take advantage, but I was hoping it would relax her. Turning to the fridge, I pull it open and grab a bottle of water. I hand it to her before pouring myself a whiskey. Grabbing my phone, I quickly shoot off a message to reception not to let my now very late guest up before focusing my attention back on the little lamb. Leaning against the counter, I eye her over the rim of the crystal tumbler. The way her delicate throat works as she swallows, the way her eyes move to me every so often, the way her cheeks pink to a delicious colour every time she finds my gaze already on her.

“So Aspen,” I start. “Are you looking forward to working at Caldwell Global Investments?” I’m being polite. I couldn’t give a shit if she is looking forward to it or not. I only have one goal where she is concerned now. And that is to make her mine. Fuck her so hard; I will imprint on her insides.

She squirms in her seat as if she can read my thoughts, then clears her throat. “I am. I have been looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into some real work.”

The only thing I want her teeth stuck into is me. My cock hardens at the thought. Fuck. I want to consume this little lamb whole devour her until it changes her as a person. Want to blow my seed so deep inside her, it takes root with my…child?

I shake my head.

What?

Where the fuck did that come from?

I have never wanted children. It’s never interested me. But for some reason, this girl, who just walked into my apartment, has brought this primal side out in me. The side that wants to breed her. Make her mine.

“Ethan?” her soft voice drags me from my depraved thoughts.

“Mmm?”

“How far from the office are we? And what time will I need to leave in the morning to arrive on time?”

“You will come with me,” I state, leaving no room for argument. I have this need coursing through me. This need to be around her no matter what. Jesus. I didn’t expect this when I agreed to Katrina’s demands. I smirk. I don’t think Katrina would have either. There is no way she would be happy with me obsessing over her niece. No matter how good of terms we ended on.

My eyes move to Aspen’s lap, where she wrings her hands before moving back to her face. She chews at her full bottom lip, and I want nothing more than to go over there and nibble it myself.

“Are you sure that’s okay? I don’t want to intrude. I can make my own way there.”

I put a hand up to stop her mumbling. “It’s non-negotiable. You will travel with me to the office.”

“Okay,” she sighs before her lips curve into a breath-taking smile. It’s then I know with one hundred percent certainty that I don’t care if it’s a bad idea; I don’t care that she is Katrina’s niece.

I am going to make Aspen Kincaid mine in every way.