Chapter 29: Chapter 29

It’s the night of Ethan’s rehearsal dinner.

Isabella hangs her mouth open as Madelyn drops a bombshell on everyone. “Yes, I said! Ethan and Isabella are having an affair.” With much infuriation, he lowered his voice and spoke to her. “Madelyn! What are you doing?”

“Ethan, this is not a Grayson behaviour.” His mother spoke sternly. Then Madelyn’s mother spoke up. “Its not surprising. Some women have a knack for getting involved where they don’t belong.”

Isabella looked around helplessly, feeling like the walls were spinning around her as she tried to keep up. “But Madelyn... is also having an affair, with Liam?” She couldn't be the only one guilty of something that night.

Madelyn scrambled to cover her throat as Ethan whips his head around, glaring at Liam. “Is that true? After everything we’ve been through?” Liam sighed as he tried to clear things but failed. “Well.... I-”

“Wait, Ethan drove me into the arms of another man! None of this is my fault!” Madelyn defended herself making the guests to actually believe her. “Madelyn, stop lying. You're as much to blame here as anyone else. And no one drove you to cheat. You did that all by yourself.” Isabella retorted, fed up of Madelyn’s ridiculous lies. “As did you,” Madelyn fired back. The guests murmured, calling Isabella the home wrecker. “Leave Isabella alone! She wasn't the one who betrayed Madelyn. I am.”

A white flash from the other side of the room blinds them briefly. They look around frantically for the source. “What was that?” Isabella asked, dazed. She spots the wedding photographer nearby lowering his camera with a shrug. “Sorry, but I can make more off these pictures than what I'm getting paid for the wedding.” He spat, nonchalantly as if he wouldn't get arrested for that. “I don't think so. Hand over the camera before I call security.” Ethan mother threatened. “Why? Don't you want your son exposed for the cheater he is?” Madelyn’s mother grunted.

Isabella jostled in the crowd, pushing her towards the back of the room. “Ethan?” She called out. “Isabella?”

Somehow through the chaos, the two of them stand on the opposite sides of the table from each other, worlds apart. Just as the din reaches a fever [itch, Isabella feels someone tug on her arm from behind. She briskly spin and stumble against Ethan’s personal driver. “I got you, Ms. Jonathan.” She heaved a sighed and nodded as she smiled. “Come, let’s get you out of here. This bedlam is no place for a lady.”

“What about....” She looks over her shoulder but she couldn't even see Ethan through the crowd anymore. The sadness washed over her. “Never mind. Let’s go.”

She locks her door as soon as she gets back to the villa. She immediately collapsed on the bed and put in earplugs. She was pretty sure she didn't want to hear if anyone knocks on her door... or worse, if no one does.

Early the next morning, she wakes up before the sun and book the earliest flight back to Georgia. It didn't take long for her to pack the remainder of her items. “Only one thing left to do.” She mumbled to herself as she picked a pen and plain paper.

‘Dear Ethan, I'm sorry to leave so suddenly but I think we both knew this was coming. I'm not sure where I'll go yet, but don't worry about me. I'll be okay.. and so will you. Best of luck and Madelyn. I truly mean it.’ She looked down at the words she has written, fighting back the tears. ‘P.S Stay strong. You can change the world Ethan Grayson don't let this bump in the road slow you down. Yours, Isabella.’

She slips the letter under Ethan door on the way out, hesitating for only a moment. She drags her suitcase out the front door, not letting herself look back.

On her way to the airport, her taxi gets caught in some congestion near a familiar cathedral. That’s Ethan and Madelyn's venue. She couldn't believe there was traffic that early morning before the ceremony... or that the wedding’s still on after everything.

“The papers say over there is supposed to be the wedding of the century! That’s why people are so eager to arrive early. Too bad people like us weren't invited, huh?” The taxi driver looked over to Isabella through the rear mirror. She heaved a desolate and nodded. “Yeah... too bad.”

At least it seemed like what happened at the rehearsal dinner hasn't gotten out to the press.

Soon, the taxi passes the venue, and she tears her eyes away with a sigh.

An hour later, she finally reached her gate. She plop into a chair and wait for the boarding call. She did it! But the victory rings hollow. She pulled out her phone to distract herself. After few text exchange with her sister, she puts her phone down with a sigh as they cal for her flight again.

She picks up her suitcase and move towards the end of the line when... “Isabella!” She turns and blink. Ethan was sprinting through the airport with Tyler just behind. She must be dreaming. “What’s going on? You’re... you’re going to miss your own wedding.” She was beyond astonished to see them.

“The wedding’s canceled.”

Ethan sweeps her up into his arms, leaning in to kiss her. But he pauses a breath away, waiting for her to respond. “You're really here. I can’t believe it.” She keeps Ethan’s arm’s length, trying to process everything. “I... I'm so confused.” He couldn't help but chuckle at her facial expression. “Sorry, I got a little carried away there. Let me explain. I walked out on Madelyn, and I'm not going back. Not to any of it.”

“But, I thought you made your choice. We passed by the venue on the way here... the wedding was still on.” She was still processing the whole situation. Ethan reaches out and touches her cheek. “I let myself get caught up in other people’s decisions. Again. When you didn't answer your door last night, I though I could let you go. But when I was forced to actually face the reality of a future without you in it... I did finally made my choice, and it’s you. It has always been you.”

“Wow... Madelyn must be furious right now. You literally left her at the altar?” He held a stoic expression, but deep down he was shifted by that part. “I'm... not proud of that part.”

She took a deep breath, staring at Ethan. “So... if you and Madelyn aren't together anymore, what does that mean for you?” He grinned from ear to ear. “Hopefully, it means there’s an ‘us’.”

“You and me? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” She threw her arms around Ethan’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss! “You’re making all my dreams come true.” She whispered, searching his eyes. “It’s the least I can do. After all, you taught me how to dream again. I love you, Isabella.”

“I love you too.”

Ethan rests his forehead against hers, and they smiled at each other for one perfect moment, until... “excuse me, miss? Will you be boarding this flight? We’re about to close the doors.” She bites her lips and glanced at Ethan, how as shaking his head. “No, thank you. Looks like I will be missing my flight today.” She gladly stated, eyes glued to Ethans’.

The gate attendant shrugs before closing the door. Ethan grabs her bags, the three of them made their way towards the exit. “Where to now?” She asked. “Who cares? As long as we’re together.” They grinned at each other. Truer words were never said.

Later, her and Ethan stepped through the door of a luxurious suite on the coast of Naples. “Wow...” She gazed out the patio doors as Ethan steps up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Wow is right. We should've come here weeks ago.” She smiled cheerfully. “Better late than never. I can’t wait to start our vacation. You and me, all relaxing on the beach.”

“Sounds exquisite.” He leans in to kiss her, gently, teasingly. His hands slides to her waist, gripping the fabric there. His kiss became more insistent, coaxing her lips open so his tongue can slide inside. “Ethan...”

“I love hearing you call my name on your lips.” He starts walking her back towards the bedroom, and she knew exactly what will happen if she lets him lead her there...

“What do you say you help me take off this tux?” She puts her hands on either side of his face and guides his lips back to hers, pouring all of her pent-up emotions into her kiss. “Ethan, I want you.” His eyes darkened, as the intensity of the love increased. “You have me.”

He kissed a blazing path up to her ear, whispering. “I'm your, Isabella. Only yours...”

“Only mine, huh? I like the sound of that. But... I mean it, Ethan. I'm not going to share you anymore.” He reaches up to cup her cheeks, his gaze serious. “You won't have to. And I'm sorry I ever asked you to.”

She looked deep int his eyes reading nothing but sincerity there. She nods, and he pulls her back into another kiss. He pulls her flush against him, then lets his hands travel down her back and over the curve of her ass. She feels the evidence of his arousal growing harder against her, and she smirked as he groans.

She was the only one who could get that reaction out of him.

She pulls back a little, tracing the label of his jacket with a delicate finger. “As handsome as you look in this... I need it off. Now.” He smirked. “As you wish.”

She starts by plucking the boutonniere from his chest, tossing it over her shoulder. Then she slowly unbutton his vest... his shirt... his pants. “You're really making me work for it, aren't you? Good thing I already know what you’ve got hidden is worth the wait.” She emphasised her point by cupping him through his pants and he moans low in her ear.

Finally, she stopped teasing and pushed his shirt off his shoulders. She didn't stop until all evidence of his wedding was pooled on the floor by her feet. “That’s better. I don’t want any sign of her here.”

“Trust me, she’s the last thing on my mind right now.” He takes a step towards her, his hands playing with that clings to her waist. “I believe it’s my turn...” He whispered but instead, she pushed him towards the nearby sofa, and he sits obediently. She sways her hips to a beat that only she could hear as she drags her hands up her curves. “God, that’s sexy...”

She slowly feel away the layers of fabric separating her bare skin from his intense gaze. “Is this what you had in mind?” He nods, his gaze focused on her body. “You have no idea.”

She braces her hands on his shoulders and place her knees on either side of his hips, straddling him. His hands grips her was it, anchoring her to him. She kisses him fiercely, loving how much control she has in that position. “I could kiss you like this for hours.” He confesses. “As much as I enjoy this...” She punctuates her words by twisting her hips, gasping at the friction in her core... “I... I don’t think I have that much self-control.”

“You’re right. Me neither.” He puts a hand on the back of her neck and kisses her again, bucking her hips up to meet again. “Ethan, I need you right here. I can’t wait any longer.”

He nods and flips her onto her back, she she was sprawled on the sofa. His lips love along her throat, her chest...

His kisses scorch down her body, nestling between her legs to lap at her nub. Pleasure spikes up her spine as she gasp. “Ohhh...” Her fingers grips the sofa’s edge as her hi[s buck up uncontrollably. “Sam... please.”

“I want you to come first.” His mouth moves against her with precision and purpose, hitting angles that makes her toes curl. “I'm close.... I--” she cuts off as the pleasure crash over her. Sweating and flushed, she pulls Ethan up until she could kiss him tasting herself on his lips.

His length skims against her, hot and thick, and she arches up into him. “Isabella...” She reached down between her t take him in her hand. She pump him once, twice, then guide him to her entrance. He finally sinks in slowly, filling her completely. Her mouth falls open in an involuntary moan.

He waits a moment, holding her close as her bodies draw used to each other. Then he pulls out slowly, only to plunge back into the hilt. He starts to move after, boiling a steady rhythm. “God... you feel... so good...” One of his hands snakes up her body, finding her breast. He pinches her nipple, and the pleasure zips straight to her core. “Ethan...”

She arch up into him, bringing her hips together. He slips one hand behind her lower back, changing the angle just enough to... “Oh!” She meets him thrust for thrust, their bodies moving in perfect tandem as she chases her own pleasure.

He curses under his breath as his movements grows more wild. She wraps her limbs around him, holding on tight as he moves harder... faster...

The pleasure builds in her core, hot and heavy as she raced towards the cliff until finally... “Ethan!” She let’s go, flying over the edge, weightless for a moment before she plummet into a sea of ecstasy. His brows knit together as he fights back his climax, every muscle taut and corded. “I'm not... done with you... yet.” Even though she just came, it didn't take long for his continued thrusts to stoke a raging fire inside her again. Her fingers rack down his back as she anchor herself to him, her lifeboat in a storm. “Ethan... I.... Yes!”

He pistons into her, his hips becoming more erratic as he nears the edge himself. She loops an arm around his neck, pulling his chest flush against hers. She whispered in his ear. “Come for me, Ethan.”

He drives himself deeply into her body one last time, throbbing with release, them collapses against her. She snuggles into his arms and let out a soft sigh. “Everything alright?” He asked worriedly. “Yes, I'm just... happy.” Ethan cups her cheeks, pulling her gaze to his. “Me too, Bella. Me too...”

The next morning...

She wakes up in Ethan’s arms... for the first time ever. “I could get used to this.” She beamed. “As could I.” He leans over to kiss a bare patch skin above her collarbone... but was interrupted by the incessant buzzing of their phones going off at the same time. “That can't be good.” Isabella stated. They checked their messages ad news alerts. Ethan’s name was splashed all over the headlines.

‘Biodegradable Mogul leaves business princess at the Altar.’

‘Grayson-Jason stocks plummet After Public Breakup!’

‘Ethan Grayson: coward or romantic? The Real Reason He Left on the BIG DAY!’

Ethan sighs and rubs his temples. “It’s not too late to back out.” He said. “Yes, it is.” She wraps her arm around his neck, pressing her body against his. Their phones fall to the side as he pulls her on to of him.

“Are you sure about this, Isabella?” The question was whispered against her throat as he licks at her pulse point. She arch her bak, desperate to feel more and more. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. Now, come here.” He captures her lips in a fierce kiss as their legs tangle together in the sheets.

The rest of the world may be knocking at their door, but right now, in that moment... they were going to enjoy themselves.