Chapter 74

"It's you I want to kiss."

Ethan Winston's deep voice cut clearly through the night.

Evelyn Langley jerked her head up, pupils dilating.

She must have misheard.

Moonlight outlined Ethan's profile with silver edges. His usually gentle eyes now held a hint of intoxication.

"Surprised?"

He leaned closer, his breath carrying the mingled scents of alcohol and sandalwood cologne.

Evelyn instinctively stepped back.

"You're drunk."

"I'm perfectly sober."

Ethan chuckled, his long fingers undoing the top button of his shirt. "I've wanted to do this since the moment I first saw you."

Heat rushed to the tips of Evelyn's ears.

"Stop joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Suddenly he advanced, trapping her against the wall.

She could feel the heat radiating from his chest.

"Ethan!"

She pushed against him. "Have you lost your mind? Nathan is your best friend!"

"So?"

One hand braced against the wall, the other tracing her hairline. "He already lost you."

Evelyn's breath hitched.

"I love you."

His whisper was feather-light. "Long before Nathan ever did."

The words exploded in Evelyn's mind like a bomb.

She'd never imagined this moment.

Who was Ethan Winston?

Nathan Evans' most trusted brother-in-arms. A rising star in the business world. The unattainable dream of countless socialites.

And now he was saying he loved her.

"Impossible."

She turned her face away. "Between us..."

"Shh."

His finger touched her lips. "Don't reject me yet."

Sudden footsteps pounded from the distance.

"Ethan!"

Nathan's roar shattered the night.

The next instant, Ethan was violently yanked away.

The sickening thud of fist meeting flesh made Evelyn flinch.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Nathan's eyes burned crimson as he grabbed Ethan's collar and landed another punch.

Evelyn stood frozen, stunned by the sudden violence.

"Nathan..."

Ethan wiped blood from his lip, still managing a smile.

"You dare laugh?!"

Nathan raised his fist again. "She's my girlfriend!"

"Ex-girlfriend."

Ethan calmly corrected. "Besides, you were the one who let her go."

The words ignited Nathan's fury.

"You're dead!"

Under the moonlight, the two towering men became a tangle of flying fists.

Evelyn remained rooted to the spot, her limbs turning to ice.

She'd never imagined becoming the spark that destroyed their brotherhood.