Chapter 4

Ethan was getting bored.

Screw that! I am bored, and have been since the minute this party started.

The people present were the same stuffy people he'd known all his life. He found himself anxiously checking the entrance to the gardens almost constantly for Teresa.

Where is she? It's not like her to be this late. Maybe she decided not to come after all. I couldn't blame her if she did. Hell I wouldn't be here either if given the opportunity.

He's quickly pulled out of his thoughts by sharp nudge into his side. As he turns around Ethan recognizes his buddies from law school standing behind him.

"Hey!" They yelled and each pulled him into a bear hug. The guys were pretty good friends, but Ethan found himself thinking that all of them put together didn't equal the friend he had in Chad Harris. Just as he expected they immediately fell into their old banter, with Ethan and Gwen the topic of their mild conversation.

In his discomfort Ethan began to lift his glass of champagne for a drink when he glanced back at the entrance for the thousandth time tonight.

Only this time he saw her.

A smile immediately formed his features as he watched her standing in the doorway. She was beautiful in the light cast from the dimly lit garden. The sparkling lights glistened softly over her body and illuminated her whole being. Dressed in a royal blue and ivory wrapped gown that accentuated her curves perfectly, he watches as she intently searches the room for him.

His eyes are fixed on her as she turns her head and spots him watching her. They make eye contact and share a knowing smile. Ethan can't help being speechless and wanton just looking at her. Her body, her neck, her lips, until finally he settles once again on her eyes.

Those beautiful brown eyes

When he's rudely brought back to reality by the loud banter of the men around him he quickly excuses himself. "Hey guys, you'll have to excuse me but stick around we'll chat later."

Trying to remain calm, even through all the excitement he feels; he makes his way through the sea of people, never once breaking their stare. He is absent-minded of anyone who might be watching him as he reaches her and takes her hand in his. He quickly rushes them through the crowds of people, and as soon as they're clear from the watchful eyes of others he opens his father's study door and hurries them inside, locking the door behind them.

No sooner is the door closed and locked than Ethan captures her in a passionate loving kiss. His arms instantly wrap around her body and hers snuggly around his neck as he presses her back against the door. Meeting him kiss for kiss, and caress for caress, Teresa can't help but moan softly as he lowers his lips to her neck. He applies just the right amount of pressure to her body to make her ache for more. Overwhelmed by her desire, she reaches lower on his body, lays her hands on his hips and presses her lower body into his pelvis. He groans at the contact, "Teresa…"

"Oh god," she answers as she gently pulls away from his lips. "Ethan we can't." He nibbles her shoulder in response and she giggles a little at the sensation.

"Ethan…please we can't. Not at your engagement party with 200 of your parent's closest friends outside." He holds her tightly against him in a warm and gentle embrace.

"I know…of course, you're right. I just can't control myself. All those months I spent denying my feelings for you…all my dreams and sleepless nights…It almost feels too good to be true to be holding you." Then more quietly he adds, "When I think of all the time I wasted…"

"I know Ethan." She softly interrupts with a finger over his lips and a tender kiss. "But I always knew we'd be together someday. Sometimes I would see you with Gwen and I would try not to let myself think about how much I loved you. But deep down I always knew that I would be with you. Even if you did decide to marry Gwen, I would always be your friend. Regardless of however much it hurt…I only ever wanted you to be happy." Looking deeply into her eyes he knows she means every word she says and smiles brightly at her.

"God, how did I get so lucky?" He asks on a whisper as he leans into her for a kiss. "You're beautiful you know that, inside and out."

"Really?" she asks, "you think I'm beautiful?"

"Are you kidding me? Teresa you walked into that room tonight and it was like time stood still…and the stars sparkled just for you."

Shyly she admits, "Well I do feel a little like Cinderella at the ball." Ethan smiles at her reference to their first "date" to the Cinderella opera. Then leaning into her again he kisses her briefly.

Unable to contain his need to touch her he lets himself stray again as he trails kisses down her neck and shoulder. Teresa's eyes close as she treasures the feel of his lips on her skin.

"God, Teresa, you have no idea what you did to me just by looking at you." He moans against her and then lifts his head to meet their eyes, revealing the sparkle in his gaze.

"Really?"

"Really," he reaffirms, "What I wouldn't give to be able to get you upstairs to my bedroom." Pressing her weight into him she realizes just what an effect she's had as the firmness pressing into her thigh is anything but subtle.

"Mmmm…" she moans as she leans into him and joins their lips in a passionate kiss. Before long though their kiss grows in its intensity, as yet again they forget their surroundings.

"Teresa," he murmurs, "as much as I'd love to…"

"I know…" She answers breathlessly as they try to put some distance between them.

"You know you did had me worried before," Ethan admits while desperately trying to grasp for control.

"I did? Why?"

"Well you were so late here, that I was afraid you'd decided not to come," he confesses.

"Ethan, nothing could keep me away from you."

"Glad to hear it."

"Although…" she starts and stops as she meets his eyes. Obviously uneasy about continuing her thought she withdraws from it entirely.

"Never mind."

Sensing her struggle he lifts his hand to caress her cheek with his palm. "What is it Teresa? You can tell me," he tries to assure her.

"No, it's a bad idea. Forget I said anything. I don't want to cause anymore trouble," she answers.

"Teresa, don't be ridiculous. I don't want you taking all the responsibility for this. I fell in love with you too. That's the truth, and I can't help the truth. And I wouldn't want to even if I could."

They smile warmly at each other as he beckons reassuringly, "tell me."

"It's just…before I left the house I got a call from Mrs. Hotchkiss." She looks down and away from him for a moment. "Something she said just…" she stalls again unsure of whether to tell him.

"What did she say?" he wonders aloud gently.

She tells him hurriedly, eager to get it out of her head. "She asked where I was because I was missing the party. And then she said that I should hurry here to witness your obvious love for Gwen. I guess you and Gwen were dancing or talking or something and she thought it was so cute. She worries me Ethan. I mean, from the tone in her voice and the things she said, if I didn't know better I'd think she was saying those things to test my reaction."

Ethan looks thoughtful for a minute. From the look in her eyes he can tell that the concern she feels is very real. He speaks to her openly and honestly.

"Teresa, listen to me. Nothing…and I mean nothing can change how much I love you. Not Gwen, not Luis, and certainly not Rebecca Hotchkiss. It doesn't matter what she says or what she thinks. We just have to be on guard where she's concerned. We both know how ruthless she can be. But I don't want you to worry either okay? Because regardless of what tricks she's got planned to keep us apart, nothing she could ever do could change my love for you."

"I know." Teresa smiles, "and I feel the same way."

Ethan sighs in relief and kisses her soundly, "Good. Don't pay any attention to Rebecca. I'll take care of it. I promise."

"Okay", she answers carefully.

"Okay", he repeats aloud and kisses her again. "Well, as much as I hate to say this…" he whispers against her lips, "we probably can't hide in here for the rest of the night."

"You're right. But can't we have just a few more minutes? I'm not ready to let you go just yet," she whispers against him and leans into his chest for support.

He moans in response to her request. "God Teresa, how am I ever going to get through tonight without you," he asks her just as a thought creeps into his mind that makes him smile.

"I'll tell you what," he starts, "after the party meet me at the wharf? I want to talk to you without having to worry who's around the next corner."

Teresa looks curious and almost worried for a moment. "Why Ethan, is something wrong?"

He looks at her excitedly, "Of course not. I just want to be alone with you; there's something I want to ask you, and the wharf is the perfect place to do it."

Smiling up at him she tenses, "Alright Ethan, but I have to admit I'm awfully curious."
"I know, and I'm eager to get this damn party over with," he sighs.

"I feel like I'm going out of my mind. I'm going to see if I can hurry things along", he says with a determined voice as Teresa nods. "I can't continue with this charade any longer. The longer I wait the harder it gets to tell Gwen the truth," he pauses, "and the harder it will be for her to hear. I'll give it another hour, and then I'll bring things to a close and tell Gwen the truth. I'm just not looking forward to breaking her heart."

He looks at Teresa and suddenly realizes something. "Maybe you should leave early. I realize that you've only just gotten here, but there's not telling what Gwen's reaction will be when I tell her the truth about us. She has a very violent temper; I'd rather you weren't here to see it," he says suddenly very sure of this idea.

Teresa opens her mouth in protest, "But Ethan…" he cuts her off.

"Teresa, I know. But I would feel a lot better knowing that you're safe. Please?" he asks softly.

How can I refuse him anything when he looks at me that way she thinks to herself.

"Okay, I understand. Just promise me one thing?"

"Anything."

"Be careful," she answers. "I know Gwen's temper…and if anything ever happened to you…" she begins to explain but Ethan is so moved by her concern for him that he catches the words out of her mouth. His kiss is long and tender, and it conveys every one of his heart's desires for them. When they slowly and hesitantly part he speaks first.

"I promise." He assures her. "But we'd better get back. They've probably called out a search party for us," he jokes. "Just give me a little while to talk to Gwen, and I'll meet you at the wharf." He looks longingly into her eyes, "Wait for me?" he asks, his voice laced with meaning.

"Always," she tells him quietly. With one last kiss he leads them back to the party. Their absence and reentrance apparently unnoticed.

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