Dana:

I watched as someone carrying a glass of champagne approached him. I waited for his expression to turn smug, or at least for him to sneer, but neither came. He looked polite as he smiled and talked to this stranger.

I blinked. He . . . didn't look like the Ethan I knew. Although, he still carried himself quite confidently. He was . . . courteous. This was mind-boggling.

The stranger who was talking to him turned sideways, and I caught a sight of who it was. My heartbeat accelerated when I realized that the stranger was none other than my father.

“Excuse me,” I mumbled to Peter, as I hurried to the other side of the room.

I ran my hands to smooth my rose lavender chiffon dress that ended just below the knee, as I walked swiftly through the crowd. Ethan's eyes met mine. I felt tingles all over my body, while several emotions flashed through his eyes at the same time. Before I could identify each one, my feet stopped right in front of both men.

“Father,” I said quietly, my eye not leaving Ethan's.

His easy smile was intact but I could see his eyes grew intense the longer he stared at me. I couldn't look away. My heart was beating irrationally, and I could feel mild sweat forming on my temple. It took all I had not to jump on Ethan and hug him.

It was unbelievably good to see him. Only a few hours have passed, but I missed him so much already.

“Daniella,” smiled my father brightly. He leaned over to kiss me on the cheeks. When he pulled away, he gestured to Ethan who looked quite at ease – as though being in a room full of New York City's elite didn't bother him. “I met your friend from New Jersey. We've been talking. You failed to mention that he's a Beaumont.”

I didn't tell my father everything, only that I came to visit a friend for a few days right outside the city. He knew it was a boy. I wanted to at least be truthful about that part. I remembered him clearly waiting for me to share more.

I didn't.

Thankfully, he dropped the subject when he saw I wasn't willing to speak more of it. He was just happy that I was finally home.

“I forgot,” I replied presently, even though it wasn't necessary.

Father faced Ethan again, grinning warmly as he always did. He had always been genuinely friendly to everyone, as long as you didn't break his trust or did something he considered immoral. He was such a good man that everybody couldn't help but love and respect him.

Despite all that, I wasn't quite sure if I was ready for him to meet Ethan. I wasn't prepared. Especially now.

“I know your uncle,” mentioned Father a-matter-of-factly. “We usually golf together with few other men in the summer.”

Oh, right. I've almost forgotten that Ethan was a Beaumont (old money) by blood, courtesy of his mother Cher. This was probably the first – and only – time he acknowledged it.

“I'm not very fond of him,” admitted Ethan truthfully.

I wonder if it was too soon to kiss him?

Father burst out laughing from Ethan's bluntness, patting him on the shoulder. “That explains why I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you before now.”

“I've been busy with school and basketball for the past years, sir.”

“No girlfriend?” asked Father, surprised.

Ethan's eyes flickered to me.

I knew my father enough to know that he was fishing. He wanted to know exactly what kind of relationship I had with Ethan. This was his subtle way of finding it out. Unfortunately, Ethan was anything but subtle. His gaze was directly on me.

I held my breath as I waited for his reply.

With a determined face, Ethan answered, “I'm working on it, sir.”

Either my heart skipped a beat, or it was pounding so hard against my chest. I honestly couldn't tell the difference anymore.

I couldn't look away from him. There was this hold keeping me locked with his eyes, captive by those blue orbs. It was as though he was trying to tell me something, trying to assure me, trying to let me know . . .

Oh.

My eyes widened slightly in realization.

He feels it, too. This thing we have . . . he feels it.

Heavens, I think I'm going to cry.

I didn't even realize that the song changed, until Ethan turned to my father to politely ask if he could dance with me. If I wasn't so emotional right now, I would have ogled at him for uncharacteristically being a gentleman.

“Of course, I'm sure she'd love it.”

I could hear the smile in Father's voice. I looked at him to be sure. Yes, he was smiling indeed. I tried to form words, but none came out.

Father nodded to me. “Go ahead, Daniella. The young man's waiting,” he added pointedly, silently telling me that he approved of Ethan.

I closed my eyes and tried to catch my breath. Everything was happening so fast I barely had any time to let it sink in. Was this a dream? It was, wasn't it? Perhaps I fell asleep during the ride to the dinner party. Maybe I was still in the cab to the city. Or what if I still hadn't woken up from Ethan's warm bed?

But when I opened my eyes, I saw that it wasn't a dream. Ethan was really here, in a suit. He really did talk to my father as though he was always raised to be a gentleman. And I as looked at him now, he offered his hand out to me. Trying to keep my frantic emotions at bay, I took his hand. Then, he led us both to the dance floor.

I could feel every pair of eyes on us, but I could only focus on Ethan.

His warm hand against mine, transferring heat.

His features that combined smoothness and edginess.

His hard jaw that added to his determined look.

His soft blonde hair I wanted to run my hands on again.

His larger than life frame, making me feel protected.

His confident posture, daring anyone to question his presence here.

His playful lips curled up in a ghost of a smile.

He looked so handsome. He didn't look out of place at all.

We managed to get to the dance floor without causing chaos. Ethan faced me and gently lifted my right hand to his shoulder, while he held up the other in the air with his. He smirked at my astonished reaction, bringing me back to my senses.

“You can dance,” I remarked lightly, trying not to be too shocked.

“No,” he gasped mockingly. “This is dancing?”

I let out a little laugh. “Your mother made you take lessons, didn't she?”

“One summer in middle school,” he confirmed, nodding. “Let's just say, I didn't know any better.”

Neither of us spoke for a couple of moments, watching each other as we danced – memorizing each other's face as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“What are you doing here?” I finally asked.

He snorted. “Isn't it obvious? There's food.”

“You think you're so funny.”

“Oh, I know I'm amusing.”

He was grinning now. I shook my head, trying to gather my thoughts and not be distracted by his blinding smile.

“How did you know there's a dinner party here? Father sent out the invitations only earlier in the afternoon.”

“I ran into your friends and they helped me out,” he explained, frowning at the memory. He didn't like receiving help from strangers.

Ah, that perfectly explained Maxine's gleeful look. I was quite sure it was them because they were the only ones late. Todd also mentioned a nuisance . . . By the look on Ethan's face, he wasn't happy either . . . Yes, definitely them.

I bit my lip.

“I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

He was really going to make me say it.

“I'm sorry for leaving like that,” I said quietly, avoiding his eyes. “I was scared . . . of you – of my feelings – of everything. I just . . .” I looked up to stop the tears from falling, then I took a deep breath. “I'm sorry for running away like a coward.”

Ethan sighed. “Yeah, I was pissed. You bailed and you only left a note – a fucking note. What the hell was I supposed to think?”

I winced, hearing his voice harden.

He shook his head and looked away. “When I woke up this morning and you weren't there, I felt . . . Can't believe I'm gonna say this – I felt incomplete. I mean, that didn't make any sense to me. You drive me fucking insane. I should be happy that your beautiful uptight ass finally left my life. But you know what? I didn't.” He returned his eyes to me. “I couldn't be any more miserable, Dana. Why do you think is that?”

I opened my mouth, but I closed it just as quickly. I didn't know what to say. I wasn't sure if it was meant as a rhetorical question.

Before I could do anything, Ethan rested his forehead against mine. His eyes was closed as he placed my hands around his neck, and his arms went around my waist. I also closed my eyes to savor this moment. I could feel his breath on my face as he spoke.

“You made me fall so fucking hard for you, babe.”

I'm silently crying. I'm a crybaby. I admit it.

“And as cheesy as this shit might sound, I want you to be the only one that drives me fucking crazy. You made me pause the game, maybe stop it for good.”

He pulled away, and I opened my eyes. One of his hands softly caressed my cheek to wipe the tears away, the other stayed on my back to pull me closer. He touched me delicately but his eyes said something more – deeper, stronger, hungrier.

“Be my girlfriend.”

A part of me knew it was coming, but a gasp still escaped me. I never thought those words would ever come out of Ethan's skillful mouth. They did, though.

He said them to me.

Oh. My. Goodness.

This was happening.

“Say yes, so I can kiss you already,” he whispered with a low voice, slowly gliding his nose along my neck to my jaw with his breath tickling my skin.

I managed to smile, despite being breathless.

“I didn't realize you were asking.”

Yes, it surprised me too how I could joke around at a time like this.

“Gotta be a gentleman sometimes.”

“Yes, you behaved quite well in front of my father.”

“I told you before, I choose who I impress.” He kissed my nose before flashing me his infamous smirk. “I gotta win over my girlfriend's dad sooner or later.”

I didn't bother hiding my smile that grew wider.

“I didn't say yes.”

“Playing hard-to-get? That's cute.”

I giggled.

“Just admit it,” murmured Ethan, brushing his lips against mine. “Admit you're in love me, too.”

A sudden rush of feeling swirled through me. It was pleasant, making me high in so much euphoria I felt like I could burst. It went from my stomach, spreading upper and across my chest, settling by my heart, consuming me.

Before I could change my mind, I pulled Ethan closer to me and crashed my lips with his. In front of everyone, who was no doubt watching us the whole time even though they couldn't hear our conversation.

Ethan returned the kiss, wasting no time. I opened my mouth in instinct and his tongue immediately plunged in. He took over the kiss, dominating me but worshiping at the same time. His hand that was on my neck tilted my head so our kiss went deeper.

I'm home.

I didn't want it to end, but I figured having my father in the audience wouldn't earn Ethan points. Father's approval didn't necessarily mean he would tolerate public display of affection, especially when our kiss wasn't a simple smack.

After all, in his eyes, I was still his little girl.

Reluctantly, I pulled away from Ethan.

“I love you,” I breathed out, my eyes still closed. “I'm in love with you, Ethan Xavier Tyler.” I bit my lip to keep myself from grinning when I opened my eyes and saw his torn reaction. I shook my head. “I must be out of my mind. You better not make me regret this.”

He chuckled. “I'm not making any promises.” Then his voice grew soft and serious, as he said, “It's not gonna be a walk in the park, babe. Even if I can read body language, I'm not a mind reader. You need to tell me if there's something wrong or if I'm being a shithead.” His eyes narrowed as he looked into mine. “It's going to be a bumpy ride with us. But rest assured, it's going to be one hell of a fucking adventure.”

I smiled up at him.

“I know.”

They said to be soul mates, both parties must be compatible. If that was true, Ethan and I were most definitely the exception. Our compatibility was so mismatched you would presume it was impossible to work out between us. Although, what if you didn't have to be so similar to your soul mate?

I believe that the true definition of being soul mates with someone is when you truly understand that person. You see the person way beyond what others think they see. You see through their flaws, their acts, and their words. You see them, connect to them on a level unreachable to others. Connecting to someone is the most essential thing for a relationship to survive.

It was strange to consider Ethan as someone to look up to, being bad boy and all that. But thinking about it, his way of life was admirable. He was aware that life was too short to waste on things that didn't make us happy.

Life's too simple to get tangled up with complications.

I'm going to live like that.

Starting now.

With him.

. . .

“Let's go,” I told him excitedly, pulling him towards the gang's table. “I want to introduce you to my friends.”

Ethan groaned, and I laughed as I dragged him across the dance floor. He leaned down and placed his mouth by my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

“I'd rather you ride me long and hard all night, babe.”

I almost moaned. Licking my lips, I smiled seductively at him.

“Play nice, and I will.”

He smirked, before nipping the spot behind my ear. “I'll play nice to your friends only if you promise to play naughty to me later.”

That was proof that he was still the same obnoxious dirty bad boy I first met at that airport. Only now, he was my obnoxious dirty bad boy – and my boyfriend.

Wow. I tamed Ethan Tyler.

I wonder if I get a medal?

_____________

And so they lived their bumpy adventrous ever after. (mouthful)

Here we are, dudes. We've reached the end. You know, it's weird. Unlike my other works, I feel like it hasn't really sunk in that it's over. That Ethan and Dana's story is over. Maybe because this is like a novella, shorter than my other books? Maybe because their story happened only in a span of days and they're the first whirlwind romance I've ever written. I'm not sure. I just don't have that closure with this one. But I don't want to get your hopes up with a second book because I got a few more books lined up for me to write and finish.

Speaking of which, a new bad boy in Mount Valley will have his story written next year. If Ethan was that childish bad boy, this one's a little darker. Ethan knew when not to cross the line, this one prances around it. Can you guess who it is? Do you know already? *cough* Oz *cough* ;)

Now I'd like to take this moment to say thank YOU. Ethan has always been my favorite. Ever. (don't tell the others) It was exhilarating being able to write his story. It was such a RUSH because his mind doesn't filter anything. He sees things very simply. A lot of peeps didn't like him in A and D because he was that typical jock jerk in high school you hated. I was finally able to share that he wasn't just that. He's more.

So thank YOU so much for reading this. Thank YOU for letting Ethan prove to you that he isn't as shallow as he made you think. Thank YOU for laughing with us and cursing with us. Thank YOU for standing by Ethan even though he may seem such a class A jerk sometimes. (Do you see how this book is more about Ethan than Dana? Haha) Thank YOU for sympathizing with Dana, and for not judging her for falling too quick in love. Thank YOU so much for reading their whirlwind romance that took almost two years for me to finish. And of course, thank YOU for putting up with me and my slow updates. I hope it was worth it. :)