"Not just personal matters. He's secretive about a lot of things. He won't even talk about how Speed Motorcycles was founded or how he even came up with the name. Interviewers always ask, and he always refuses to answer. In fact, I saw him do it earlier today when he first came in."
"Why won't he talk about the company?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "No one knows, but it has to be something bad to keep it so secret."
I found myself beginning to feel swayed by her suspicious musings, but quickly shook it off. L.A. was full of gossips like her with nothing better than to do than speculate on every aspect of a person's life. I had more important things to worry about than his past, like his present where he was dancing with an ex-lover.
The paranoid old gossip wandered off as I stood there by the entrance and continued to watch my date dancing with Gwyneth.
The song came to an end, and I watched as the two of them made their way across the room to the bar where they joined a man with sandy brown hair, a muscular build, and a playful grin. He was wearing a well-cut suit by Giorgio Armani with a bowtie that gave him a sexy flair for fun.
He handed Ethan and the woman each a glass of champagne, and they drank a toast. Was it to celebrate their getting back together as a couple? Rage coursed through my veins, but I refused to cry or make a scene in the middle of such a public event. Then, Ethan suddenly caught sight of me and froze. It took several heartbeats before he blinked and waved me over, shouting out, “Kayla, there you are. Come here, I want to introduce you to everybody."
At least he hadn't said, “Come meet my fiancé.” I walked over as slowly as I could, dreading the moment I got there and found out tonight wasn't a date, but a cruel practical joke.
Instead, he introduced Vick and Gwyneth as his friends from college. A sense of immense relief flooded through me, but it only lasted a moment before psychotic jealousy overwhelmed me and made me do things I never would have dreamed of doing.
Before I could stop myself, or even knew what I was doing, I found myself introducing myself as Ethan's girlfriend. I saw Gwyneth's green eyes grow large with surprise. Unfortunately, so did Ethan's.
I wasn't his girlfriend. This was only our third date at the most. Would he call me on my outrageous behavior and humiliate me in front of everyone? I couldn't blame him if he did. My actions were way over the top. He didn't, though. Ever the gentleman, Ethan put his arm around my waist, smiled at me, and said, "Yes, she is."
I couldn't believe it. My heart was soaring, and then suddenly, we were kissing and I missed whatever Gwyneth said next. His mouth was insistent as he forced my lips apart and the passion of his embrace stole my breath away.
"I think maybe we should leave these two alone, shall we, sweetheart?" Vick said to Gwyneth. She took his hand with a smile.
"Yes, darling. It was nice to meet you both. I hope you're as happy as Vick and I are." Gwyneth sounded sincere. So, she wasn't after Ethan. She was already dating Vick. My jealousy seemed even more outrageous now, and I was embarrassed by own bad behavior.
"I'm sorry for that," I said in a soft voice as our lips finally parted.
"For what?" Ethan asked, tipping my chin up with his strong hand to
keep me from staring down at my feet in humiliation.
"For being jealous of you and your former college girlfriend and for telling her that we were a couple."
"It's okay. I did invite you here as my date, so let's just concentrate on making tonight one to remember."
"I like the sound of that."
"Good, now, what do you say we hit the dance floor?" He didn't even wait for my answer. He simply swept me out onto the dance floor with a graceful spin, and suddenly, we were dancing the night away. He was surprisingly good, and I wondered if he had taken private lessons or if it was just another of his many natural talents.
"Are you having fun?" Ethan asked me as he dipped me low and leaned in close as if to kiss me.
"I am, but it's getting hot in here," I said, feeling my cheeks flush. I couldn't tell if it the crowd making the room stuffy or if it being held like this in Ethan's arms, but I was suddenly feeling faint.
"Want to go out for a ride?" His eyes sparkled mischievously. "The fresh air will cool you off and do us both some good. I hate these crowded events and all this P.R. crap. I'd rather just be out riding with you."
"Did you bring a bike?" I asked, thinking the idea sounded wonderful.
"No, but we can use that one." I followed Ethan's gaze to the All American on display on the low stage at the front of the room.
"We can't use the display model," I gasped.
"Of course, we can. I know the owner. Come with me. I have an idea." He grabbed my hand and started dragging me towards the stage.
The band fell silent and the lead singer handed over his microphone to the infamous CEO and owner of the company. I felt suddenly nervous as a spotlight was turned on to shine right on the two of us.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for coming here tonight for the launch of my newest motorcycle design, the All American," Ethan said and the crowd listened with rapt attention.