Chapter Two

"Ethan, do you have to leave so quickly?" Teresa asked her fiancée with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry baby but I have a lot of business to wrap up if I'm going to make it back in time for our wedding," Ethan replied softly.

Having decided that they didn't want a long engagement, Ethan and Teresa had set their wedding day and Father Lonnigan had agreed to marry them at the end of the month. Teresa couldn't have been happier. She loved Ethan with all of her heart and she knew he felt the same. She couldn't wait to be his wife and have his children.

"It's ok Ethan. Your work is important to you and I need time to get the wedding plans underway. But promise me you will be back before the wedding," she entreats and Ethan nods.

When his mouth descended on hers, Teresa let her eyes drift close and returned the kiss with innocent abandon. It wasn't until she felt Ethan's finger inching toward her breasts that she protested.

"Ethan, stop please you know I promised Mama I'd wait," she murmured breathlessly.

"Baby we will be married in a few weeks, what can it hurt? Please, I want you so bad," he whispered, cupping her breasts in his palm but Teresa shook her head and shifted away.

"I can't Ethan, I just can't. Please try to understand," Teresa cried, pulling her raspberry colored sweater down and turning her back to him.

"I'm sorry, Teresa. I didn't mean to pressure you. I'd better get going or I'll miss my bus. Say bye to Pilar and Miguel for me. I love you sweetie," he replied, pressing a kiss on her forehead and walking away.

Teresa stared after him for a few minutes then with a huge sigh she walked to her bedroom and sat on the small bench at the foot of her bed. So much had changed in so little time and though she was happy, a part of her was sad because the carefree days of her youth, the youth she'd shared with Ethan and Whitney was gone.

"Mija, has Ethan left," Pilar asked her daughter with a slight frown. It wasn't like her godson to leave without saying goodbye.

"Yes Mama he didn't want to miss his bus," Teresa replied dejectedly.

Pilar pressed a kiss on Teresa's silky hair and smiled.

"Three weeks isn't a lot of time to plan a wedding. You wont even have time to miss him," she replied.

Boston

"Sam, you were wonderful," Fox told his sister with a proud grin.

Samantha's eyes lit up when she caught sight of her twin but her smile dimmed when she saw her father and his trophy wife heading their way.

Fox noticed her frown and turned to see his father and stepmother walking towards them. Rebecca was in fine form, her brassy red hair was piled on top of her head and she wore an extremely low cut, tight fitting gown in an ugly shade of green. Julian was more decently attired in a black suit and a white dress shirt.

"Samantha, you performance was exquisite," Julian complimented his youngest child and Sam rolled her eyes at Fox.

"Nicholas, so nice of you to join us this evening. Hope we didn't ruin any other plans you might have had?" Rebecca commented her heavily made up face wreathed in a fake smile.

Fox took a deep breath before turning to face his stepmother. Rebecca was the only person in the world who could get under his skin so quickly.

"No, step-mommy, I didn't have any other plans. Though now that you mention it I was delayed by this very lovely blond who couldn't bear to let me out of her bed, er sight," he remarked casually.

Samantha and Julian burst into laughter and Rebecca flushed, her green eyes narrowing in anger because Fox had bested her once

Before the situation could get out of control, a slim dark haired woman walked over and pressed a kiss on Sam's cheek.

"Samantha Nicole, your performance was extraordinary," the woman gushed, her hazel eyes bright with laughter.

"That's what you say after every performance Mom," Samantha replied with a laugh.

"That's because it's true," Olivia huffed, her smile fading when she turned to face her ex-lover and his vulgar wife.

"Julian, Rebecca," Olivia murmured inclining her head regally. "You're in fine form, Rebecca," she added her brows rising as she perused the tacky gown the other woman wore.

"Thank you," Rebecca replied, frowning when she noticed how her husband stared at his former lover.

Olivia wore a simple black dress, elegant because of its very simplicity and the Carmichael pearls at her throat. Her dark hair was swept up in a neat chignon and her ears were adorned with matching pearl bobs. Her make-up was light and understated and highlighted her classic beauty. Rebecca felt like a gaudy elephant next to her and that added to her resentment.

"Pookie, we ought to get going. We have another engagement to attend," Rebecca reminded her husband.

"By all means don't let us keep you," Fox remarked and Samantha tried to contain her laughter.

"How did I raise such an awful young man?" Olivia commented and Fox grinned.

A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne flutes and Fox quickly grabbed three glasses.

"To the two most wonderful women in my life," he toasted making Olivia blush and Samantha giggle.

Another part of town...

"What took you so long baby, I missed you," the lean blond remarked when Ethan walked into his apartment.

"I couldn't get away. Traffic was horrendous," Ethan replied dropping his suitcase and walking over to the mini bar to pour himself a drink.

"Poor baby, here let me make it all better," the woman replied, taking the glass from his hand and fusing her mouth with his.

Ethan wrapped his arms around the blonde's curvy bottom and pressed her tightly against him. He wanted; no he needed release from the terrible ache Teresa had left him with. Without breaking his stride, he backed her against the wall and reached under her skirt to feel how ready she was for him. Feeling her creamy wetness, he unzipped his pants and thrust himself inside her. The woman moaned against his mouth and wrapped her slim legs around his waist, to give him better access. Letting out a savage moan, Ethan drove himself into her as he felt his climax rush over him. Knowing that his partner hadn't been fully satisfied, Ethan slipped a hand between them and rubbed her clitoris even as he continued to thrust inside her. When she let out a soft, husky moan and her body began to tremble against his, Ethan fused their mouths together once more and let his release wash over him once again.

"God, Gwen you were magnificent," he rasped moments later, lifting her slight weight in his arms and carrying her over to the sofa.

He was far from appeased. Teresa had lit a fire inside him and if he couldn't have her he meant to enjoy Gwen as much as he could.