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“You propositioned hi on to other itation He took a step closer to her, pressing his hips against hers She took a sain, the s this She knew he sensed her fear and he liked it

“I wouldn’t do that, Ethan,” she protested softly as he continued to crowd her She took another step back then another, slipping froood anymore ever since she’d fallen The fall had ruined her career Each aard stepin the ridiculous stilettos didn’t help She buainst the conference table and nearly fell backward upon it

Ethan reached out to steady her His fingers were hard against the tender flesh of her arms “You’re so beautiful,” he et distracted fro diffused the situation – but not tonight Instead, his fingers tightened, biting into her flesh “Every man who looks at you wants you But they can’t have you You’re htened painfully

Olivia couldn’t aze so she focused on his chin She knew the situation was escalating and she had to handle it carefully “I-I’uy I won’t do it again You know there’s no one else I was stupid to say anything to anyone I only want to speak to you” It was nonsense because she hadn’t done anything wrong but she had to appease him

Ethan gave her a s her to look up “Your beauty was created for ned for in to understand the deep connection that binds us together And yet you allowed him to try to tear us apart Why would you be so unfaithful, Olivia? I’ve told you this over and over When I saw you perforht I knew you would be mine But you didn’t understand That’s why the fates punished you, ree so every man in the theater would lust after you You wore those revealing costumes like a whore and you let your dance partner touch parts of your body he had no right to touch as he lifted you into the air” His tone was growing harder

Olivia shook her head desperately They’d had this conversation too many times to count and she’d suffered because of his jealousy every ti more No one lusted after me And Bret Johnson wasn’t interested in me It was only business, the business of dance, and ere partners -nothing inti more You have to believe me”

Ethan's nostrils flared as his eyes chilled over “He touched you, Olivia He slid his hands all over your body as I' now And the senator’s aide would have done the same if you asked hiave her a hard push and she fell back onto the table Before she could rise he leaned over her He Pinned her in place with a hand on either side of her head as his hips ground into hers “Do you need me to remind you what ht now Then you’ll forget the stupid senator’s aide and you’ll forget Bret Johnson I’m the only one ill touch your body No one else!”

Olivia shook her head Anger flared within her but she quickly taue with him He would only humiliate her more and heaven help her, she couldn’t bear it if he followed through with his threats to use her body – not here, not like this “There’s only you, Ethan I want no other You arethe words as they left her lips

He stared down at her and she waited for his reaction Her chest rose and fell with a sense of dread and panic She didn't dare look away There was no way to predict what he was thinking or what he ht do

“Fine We’ll do this later” He pulled back suddenly and offered her a hand to help her sit “I want to believe you,” he said stiffly “But you have to learn your lesson if we’re to be happy together You have to work harder to make me happy”

Olivia barely had time to process the words when he slapped her Her cheek felt like it would explode Before she had tiain, so hard her head whipped back and she fell against the table She stared up at him defiantly as her eyes filled with tears Thankfully he hadn’t used his fist

He shook his head and reached for her again He grie he reached out and patted her bruised cheek “Olivia, whythese lessons? They hurt ers caress the side of her throbbing face froetic gesture but she knew better He was testing her Olivia didn't dare move or react or he would dish out more of the sa away It was difficult to keep froht he loved her in his sick, twisted way She’d tried fighting hith Fighting his worse So she remained where she was on the table and waited

Again, Ethan’s possessive gaze roamed over her body She hated how he believed he owned her, and she wished she’d never allowed hiaze stopped at her face His expression twisted into soly “You look like a tramp, Olivia Fix your makeup and hair I’ll make your excuses until you return I shouldn't have to warn you, but be sure you talk to no one else tonight – only me” He turned on his heel and strode from the room When the door clicked shut Olivia sluently probed her cheek It felt hot and bruised Thankfully she had plenty of e

She curled up in a fetal position on top of the table Slowly a tear tracked down her face She was angry and so tired of Ethan She couldn’t fight hiet away Her life was a wreck with no solution in sight How did it ever get this far? If only she’d known in the beginning

If it was possible, she would si There were a lot of people and et someone to help her But she quickly dismissed the idea She’d tried to escape him before and he always found her He tapped into hotel computers, security cameras, traffic caator – and faster too When he caught up with her, their reunion was never pleasant Last time she should have been hospitalized Instead, he had a doctor check her over at the house, then locked her in her room for three weeks as she recovered More tears trickled down her face as she realized again there was nothing she could do to escape She was trapped and no one kne one Her parents had no clue because she had to keep the phone conversations light andwas ever going to change