Page 19 of Forbidden Kiss

“Ethan.” She crosses her arms in the doorway. “You look like crap.”

“Thanks,” I reply dryly. “And how are you doing, dear sister?”

Dressed in casual attire - Sunday slacks and a white blouse - she takes a seat on the sofa and studies me intently. “The housekeepers told me you haven’t been home in days. They’re worried. And so am I.”

Home. The place where I carried Ava up the stairs and breathed in her sweet, flowery scent as her soft hair brushed against my arm.

I can’t go back there right now. Not with memories haunting every corner.

While avoiding my sister’s gaze, I decide to lie. “I’ve been buried in work.”

She glances at the half-empty bottle of whiskey on my desk. “I’m sure it’s been very productive. But you don’t seem like yourself.”

Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly. Fiona knows me too well—we may not look alike, but we share a strong bond. She’s definitely a Wolfe.

“It’s this girl.” I give no further explanation.

“Ava?”

I nod, a knot forming in my stomach. Apparently, Fiona had already met her.

She shifts uncomfortably in her seat. My sister had moved into my house after I sold my penthouse following a broken engagement with Ginny, my ex.

Fiona and I each have our own separate wings of the house. But her wing is near the guest rooms — giving her a prime view of all the women who have come and gone from my life.

“Fiona?”

She nods, fidgeting with her purse strap. “Yes?”

“What did you say to her?”

As her sheepish eyes look at me, her shoulders hunch up. “I was just greeting her. That’s all.”

Leaning closer, I raise an eyebrow to get a better view of my sibling.

“I’m trying to be a good sister.” Nodding, she presses her lips together. “I worry about you.”

“Oh, you’re anincrediblesister,” I assure her without hesitation. “Now, tell me what you said.”

As she smooths down her pants, she licks her bottom lip. “It was all very respectful. I simply mentioned the many women who have been coming to the house lately.”

Heat surges through me. “What are you talking about?”

“Come on, Ethan. You’ve had countless women in your bed since Ginny left. You’re quite the ladies’ man.”

“That’s no one’s business but my own,” I state, standing my ground. It’s impossible to stay mad at Fiona because I know she always has my best interests at heart. Still, I need to remind her she can’t interfere like this. “This is my life we’re talking about, and I decide who’s in it.”

Her eyes reflect sorrow. “I know, but the poor girl is so young, and I didn’t want her to get her hopes up.”

Fiona never sugarcoats anything. While sinking further into the sofa, I cover my face with my hands and my thoughts slow down. “Yeah, she’s only 22 and I feel terrible about it.”

“Oh, dear brother.” She places a consoling hand on my shoulder. “How did you meet this young woman?”

Nervousness twists in my stomach as I think about Christopher Lane. When I had told Fiona about the company takeover deal, she had warned me adamantly about him. Despite working as a talent manager in my company, Fiona is often sharper than me with business matters.

I rest my head in my hands. “I should have listened to you.”

She cocks her head to the side. “About?”