Unplanned Desires

s what you need to tell yourself, ...then fine." His voice was low, a dangerous edge to it that sent a shive

ing second, she felt the magnetic pull that had drawn them together five y

hash the past. I'm here because Cruz Corp is the last chance my family has to save what's left of our company." Her

loser this time. "And I'm the one with the

back to the Philippines. She hated the vulnerability of it, hated that her family's

ing off all contact without explanation. She had chosen to run, to hide t

r tone sharp. "I'm asking for a business de

rkening. "Fair? After the way you left? Aft

this conversation to be easy, but hearing the hurt lac

"Because I've spent the last five years wondering what the hell happene

ow could she explain the choices she had made? How could she tell him a

said, choosing her words carefully. "I wasn't in th

frustration. "That's it?

the weight of the secret pressing against her chest, threat

ation back to safer ground. "This is about my family's future, Ethan. I

She could feel the tension radiating off him, the unresolved e

e finally said, his voice hard

m over. Ethan wasn't going to make this easy for her. He had eve

distract her from the r

fessional. "If Cruz Corp invests in my family's company, we c

tened. His expression was unreadable, his eyes locked on her as

for me?" he aske

ll gain a controlling interest in a company with strong assets. We may be struggling now, b

ver. "And what about w

left unsaid between them. He wasn't just talking about business. He was talking about

rself to stay calm. "I didn't

ss her further. But then he shook his head, a bitter smile cu

on them both. Sofia's heart ached, but she couldn't let herself dwell on it. She

quietly, her voice barely above

g hers. Then, without a word, he turned and walked to th

between them like a chasm. She could feel the weight of his decision ha

back to face her, his

"But this isn't just about business, Sofi

behind his words. She had no choice but to accept his terms, whatever

confronting the g

he asked, her voice steady desp

, a dangerous gleam in them.

ound in her chest. She had known this wouldn't be simple. Ethan had always been a man who con

utiously, trying to maintain her composure. Her mind rac

pace between them until he stood just inches away. His dark ey

" he asked softly, the warmth of his breath bru

She should have expected this. She had walked into his world, ask

illing to back down now, even

osely together. No more disappearing, no more hiding." His voice lowered, almost a gr

t coming back into Ethan's life wouldn't be easy, but she hadn't

more than a business partnership?" s

rs. "We'll enter into this deal, but it won't just be business. I want you to move

saying hitting her like a tidal wave. This wasn't just about savin

hat's not... that's not what I came here for," she stammered, fe

s gaze. "You knew what you were getting into the moment you walked into this off

possible to look away. There was no denying the chemistry that still simmered between them, no matter h

her voice trembling. "I'm not some

through her. "I never said it would be fair, Sofia. But I th

een drawn to him, to the magnetic pull of his dominance, his control. But she wasn't the same woman she had been five

d, her voice barely above a whispe

never stopped wanting you," he said simply. "Even when you were gone, even when I had no idea wher

ping the truth of what he was saying, no running from the feelings that were su

o find the right words. "Ethan, the

the moment. A tall woman with striking features and an air of authority stepp

e lingered a little too long on the space between Ethan and Sof

om Sofia and turning his attention

but the way she looked at him, the way she looked at Sofia, set off warnin

ore turning back to Ethan. "It's the board. They w

en about to tell Ethan the truth-about their son. But now, with this Vanessa standing

nnoyed by the disruption. "Tell

n line as she left the room, but not without

his expression unreadable once again. "This isn't over," he said,

, her mind spin

ing once more. "We'll work out the details later. But do

er down her spine. There was no es