Too Late, My Love, You Lost Me

Ella Rosales's POV:

Later, as we lay there tangled together, I finally understood what he meant by "couldn't help it."

"So," I asked, breathless, my voice still trembling slightly, "Ethan, how long has it been since you were with a woman?"

He had been so ferocious in bed, I could barely keep up.

His body tensed, his jaw tightening. He turned his head away, his expression unreadable. "A while."

I propped myself up on my elbow and looked at him. "A while? Stop pretending, Ethan. Be honest."

He sighed, then turned back to face me, his expression solemn. "Always," he admitted, avoiding my eyes. "I've always been too focused on work, on building my company. It just hasn't been a priority for me."

I blinked, genuinely stunned.

Single this whole time? For a successful, handsome billionaire like Ethan, it was almost unbelievable.

His honesty completely disarmed me. My laughter died in my throat, replaced by a sudden, unexpected surge of emotion.

Tears welled up in my eyes, hot and stinging.

"Oh, God," I choked out, a sob catching in my throat. "I'm sorry, Ethan. I..." I've tainted you.

I suddenly felt a wave of regret.

I wasn't good enough for him. I shouldn't have slept with him. He deserved to find a woman so much better than me.

He instantly panicked, his eyes widening in alarm. "Ella? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" He sat up, frantically fumbling for tissues on the nightstand, his movements clumsy and rushed. He gently wiped my tears away, his touch soft and hesitant.

But the tears wouldn't stop; they poured down like a broken dam. "I shouldn't have done this," I sobbed, pulling away slightly. "I shouldn't have... I'm a bad woman, Ethan."

He cupped my face, his grip strong yet incredibly tender. His eyes were fierce and unwavering. "You are wonderful, Ella."

He pulled me closer, resting his forehead against mine. "Now you have to face this. You started this, so you have to take responsibility for the consequences. Okay?"

I held my breath. I stared into his eyes and saw nothing but a quiet intensity, a kind of devotion.

For the first time in a long time, I felt a spark of trust.

"What consequences?" I asked.

"Be my girlfriend." He kissed my forehead.