Chapter 2: Bathroom Fuck with Boyfriend's Best Friend

Leah's POV

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Of all the goddamn people at this swanky birthday bash, Ethan Ray has to show up. Standing there like he owns the joint—which, knowing him, he probably does.

Carson's hand tightens around my waist. "You know Ethan?"

I plaster on my best wide-eyed innocent look, even as my heart pounds like a jackhammer. "I... I don't think so?"

Ethan's dark eyes lock onto mine, that predatory smirk creeping across his face. "We've worked together before." His voice is smooth as silk, sharp as a knife. "Haven't we, Leah?"

The asshole's loving every second of this. He knows he's just tossed a grenade into my perfect little setup.

"I'm sorry, I really don't remember..." I lean into Carson, letting my voice waver just a bit. The damsel-in-distress routine has never let me down.

Carson puffs up like a knight in shining armor. "Ethan, maybe you're mixing her up with someone else."

"Maybe." Ethan shrugs, but his gaze stays glued to me. "Memories can be... picky like that."

I need to bail before this psycho decides to nuke my cover just for kicks.

"Baby, I gotta freshen up," I murmur to Carson, batting my lashes for good measure.

"Sure thing, sweetheart. Guest bathroom's upstairs, second door on the right."

I bolt for the stairs, but I can feel Ethan's stare burning into my back like laser beams. Every step feels like slogging through mud.

The bathroom's all pristine white marble—classic rich-people vibes. I splash cold water on my face and glare at my reflection. Five years in this game, and it's all about to implode because of one smug prick.

The door clicks shut behind me.

"Miss me already?" Ethan's voice sends chills down my spine.

I whip around as he twists the lock. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Just chatting." He leans against the door, blocking my way out. "About your new boy toy."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Cut the crap, Leah." He closes in, backing me up against the cool marble counter. "Carson Cole? Seriously? You couldn't dig your nails into someone else's kid?"

"It's not like that—"

"Isn't it?" His palms slam down on either side of me, caging me in. "What happened to going legit? What about that five mil to start over?"

"I am starting over."

"By feeding some clueless rich kid a pack of lies about who you are?" His voice drops to a low, dangerous growl. "Does Carson know his sweet girlfriend used to spread her legs for cash?"

My silence says it all.

Ethan's laugh is ice-cold. "Didn't think so."

Before I can blink, his hands are on my thighs, hiking up my dress. "Stop—"

"Why?" He hooks his fingers into my panties, the heat of his touch igniting sparks I don't want. "This is your thing, right? What you've always been good at?"

He yanks them down in one rough tug, the lace ripping. I shove at him, but he's too strong, too quick, his body pressing in with that familiar, overwhelming heat.

"Carson isn't the hero you think he is." Ethan's fingers tangle in my hair, yanking my head back to meet his intense stare. "None of the Coles are good guys."

"And you are?" I spit back with a bitter laugh. "At least I don't spot the tan line from where you ditched your wedding ring."

Something dark flashes in his eyes. "Watch it, Leah."

A knock echoes through the door, freezing us both.

"Leah? You okay in there, baby?"

Carson's voice. Shit.

I open my mouth to respond, but Ethan's lips crash into mine, devouring my words. His tongue pushes in, demanding and hungry, and damn it, my body betrays me—heat pooling low as memories of that five mil and the mind-blowing nights flood back.

"Leah?" Carson calls again.

Ethan breaks away, trailing hot, biting kisses down my neck while his hands spread my thighs wider. I feel his hard cock straining against me through his pants, thick and insistent, pressing right where I ache.

"I'm—" My voice cracks as he unzips, the sound amplifying the tension. "I'm fine! Just... girl stuff."

"You need anything?"

Ethan's cock springs free, hot and heavy, the tip teasing my slick entrance. My core clenches, pulling him closer against my will.

"Maybe some... pads?" I squeak, my pitch way too high. "From the store?"

"You got it, sweetheart. Back in a flash."

Carson's footsteps fade away. The second they're gone, Ethan thrusts in—hard, deep, filling me completely.

I bite back a scream, nails scraping the marble as waves of pleasure crash through me. He's not gentle like Carson; he fucks like he's staking a claim, each powerful snap of his hips hitting that perfect spot that makes my vision blur.

"This is crazy," I gasp, even as my body arches into him. "We're in his house—"

"I know exactly where we are." His rhythm builds, relentless and raw. "Does that get you hot, Leah? Screwing another guy while your boyfriend's out playing errand boy?"

It does—the risk, the wrongness of it all—making me clench tighter around him, my wetness coating every inch.

"You're twisted," I whisper, but my hips rock to meet his, chasing the fire.

"So are you." His fingers slide to my clit, circling with that expert touch that drives me wild. "Or you wouldn't be soaking like this."

He's right. I'm drenched, every stroke building that electric tension, turning me into pure, desperate need.

"I'm close," I breathe, teetering on the edge.

"Not yet." He stills, holding me there, torturously close. "First, spill: Why are you really here?"

"Fuck you."

"You are." His thumb grazes my clit, feather-light and maddening. "But that's not an answer."

I can't think with him buried inside me, throbbing and teasing. "The mayor's gig. Carson's dad has the connections."

Ethan starts moving again, slow and deep, dragging out every sensation. "You think Carson would put a ring on it if he knew the real you? His old man's got him lined up for Ivy Lawrence—Deepstream Holdings heiress. It's a done deal."

The words hit like a gut punch. Of course. Carson was never my ticket to forever.

"Even if that's true," I gasp, "what makes you any better? You're not exactly husband material."

His pace stutters for a split second. "Never said I was."

"At least you're upfront about being an asshole."

That pulls a dark chuckle from him, followed by a punishing thrust that sends stars exploding behind my eyes.

By the time he pulls out, I'm a trembling wreck on the bathroom floor, legs like Jell-O, body still humming from the aftershocks.

Ethan zips up and fixes his tie like he didn't just wreck me in his buddy's bathroom. The cool detachment pisses me off.

"Three days, Leah." He hauls me up, his grip firm and possessive. "Dump Carson, or I do it for you."

I find my voice in the haze. "And if I don't?"

"Then you'll see just how convincing I can be."

The threat lingers like smoke. But I'm not that scared kid anymore, and I won't let some casino boss with a god complex push me around.

I whip out my phone and flash the screen. The recording app's been running the whole time.

"You wanna spill my secrets to Carson? Be my guest." I smile, all sugar and venom. "But I doubt he'll love hearing his best friend railed his girlfriend in Daddy's bathroom. Especially with the video to back it up."