Amazement and dismay swelled within Erin as she stared at the last man on earth she wished to encounter. Ethan Lachlan sat there in all his evil glory, in the very restaurant she was in, looking up at her with that same mocking smile she had come to loathe. Oh dear god, why are you tormenting me this way? She groaned inwardly, every smidgeon of excitement for the evening ahead draining away from her.

“Erin?” Todd's worried voice broke into her thoughts. She tore her eyes away from Ethan and looked at him, seeing the worried frown on his face. “Are you OK. What's wrong?”

Erin looked from Todd and back to Ethan. Dismay melted to be replaced by anger. Anger at Ethan for ruining a perfectly good evening for her. How the hell had he even known she would be here? Was this part of his master plan to ensure her complete and utter humiliation? She could just murder the man for being so...annoying.

“I'm fine.” She forced the words out through clenched teeth, even as she shot murderous glares at Ethan. To her consternation, he appeared unfazed, if anything he looked highly amused at her reaction, the light blue eyes dancing in mirth as he studied her.

“We have got to stop meeting like this Sweetcheeks.” Ethan drawled, his eyes moving over her body in an way that left Erin shaky. “If I didn't know better, I'd say you were stalking me. Are you Sweetcheeks?”

“Don't call me that! And I should be asking you why you're stalking me, not the other way around.”

“I am simply having dinner with a lovely woman.” He spared his companion a look. “I do have more important things to do than to chase your skinny little spoiled arse around.” He turned to Todd who was watching the scene in bewilderment. “You must be lover boy then? The one who kept our delightful Miss Gosling so entertained this morning she lost track of time?”

“I..” Todd began.

“Don't answer that.” Erin cut in, laying a hand on Todd's arm.

She shot a baleful stare in Ethan's direction, hating him with every fiber of her being at that moment.

“That is none of your business, Ethan.” She said through gritted teeth, wishing she could strangle him with the dark blue tie hanging from his neck.

Ethan's brow shot up in mock surprise. “He's not the one? Oh my, you do go through them quickly, Erin. Must be a family trait.”

Erin's cheeks flamed at the insult. First, the insulting term and now he had resorted to blatant insults and even more humiliating was the fact that he'd done so with an audience present. For heaven's sakes even the concierge and the couple at the next table were watching and listening with rapt attention. She watched the flitting look of triumph that crossed his face and it dawned on Erin that he had deliberately said those words to hurt her, true to his threat. She gritted her teeth, wishing she could throttle him. But no, she would not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much those insults affected her. She would take the high road and simply ignore him, let him stew in uncertainty for the rest of the evening.

Erin took a deep calming breath and slipped her arm through her bewildered date's own. She pasted an indifferent expression on her face and turned to look at the blonde sitting opposite Ethan, the same astonished and confused look on her face as on Todd's.

“Enjoy your dinner.” She said, pasting a fake smile on her face though her heart ached from the humiliating experience. She nodded at the concierge to continue on their way and tugged on Todd's arm, silently urging him to follow.

“Er...nice to meet you-I think.” Todd said to Ethan and followed Erin.

Erin slipped into her seat, grateful to be sitting down. Her whole body shook from the force of her agitation, pulse racing a million beats per second. She kept her head down,careful to avoid Todd's gaze, even though she could feel him looking at her. But Erin was in no frame of mind to answer the questions he was sure to ask if she looked at him.

How had the evening-which had started out with so much promise- gone horribly wrong? She wondered, studying the floral patterns on the table cloth without really seeing it. What had she done to deserve this?

“That was...interesting.” Todd said, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern at her obvious distress. “Ex-boyfriend?”

“No.”

“You alright? I could go back and punch his lights out if you like?”

“No, but thanks.”

He sighed and reached over, lifting her chin so she could look at him. Erin searched his eyes for signs of anger or derision but found only genuine concern in their brown depths. “Would you like to leave? I completely understand if you don't want to stay and we can go to another restaurant-or do this some other day.”

Erin shook her head. “No, it's quite alright. I want to stay.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “But I'd like to freshen up please.”

“Sure, take your time.”

In the ladies room- the place thankfully deserted, Erin stood before the mirror and stared at her reflection. Her make up was still intact, but now it did nothing to hide the pain in her eyes or the furrowed forehead.

“Dammit! Why is he doing this?” she asked her reflection. “Why now, after all this time and what's his end game?”

A million similar questions raced through her mind, but she had no answers for any of them. One thing she was sure of though. Ethan Lachlan was a devil- a mad man with a vindictive edge that was extremely dangerous. And she was his latest target.

Erin reached for a paper towel, moistening it with water and dabbed at her eyes. She reapplied her lipstick and eyeliner then stood back and viewed the result, pleased at how poised she looked. Ethan's words could hurt her, but she would never let him see that. She would go out there and enjoy herself and Ethan Lachlan could burn in hell.

She pulled open the door and stepped into the dim hall and retraced her steps. Just as she passed the men's room, the door suddenly swung open and she crashed into a solid male form just exiting the room.

“Oh!” Erin exclaimed, her purse slipping from her grasp as she reached out to steady herself. To her shock, strong muscular arms wrapped around her waist and her nostrils filled with a familiar heady scent.

“Careful Sweetcheeks.” Ethan chuckled, his arms like bands of steel around her middle.

“What the hell do you want now?” Enraged, Erin planted her palms on his upper arms and shoved, trying to free herself from his grasp. Her heart pounded at his closeness and she felt her mouth go dry. “Let me go Ethan.”

“You crashed into me.” He observed, making no move to release her. He smirked when she glared at him, not in the least bit fazed at the silent threat.

“I did nothing of the sort.” She snapped.

Ethan pulled her even closer, his eyes liquid pools of heat. She could feel every inch of his hard body against her, the contact almost turning her legs to jelly. “Are you angry at me little Erin? Did our conversation get between you and lover boy?”

“That was your intention, wasn't it? Well, sorry because your fool plan backfired. Todd knows me too well to let something like those petty little insults come between us.” Her heart skipped at the lie, but there was no way she would let him think he had the upper hand.

“So he was the lover.” He sounded disgruntled .

Fortunately for Erin, a woman came down the narrow corridor, heading towards the restrooms. She gave them a curious look and Ethan let his arms drop from Erin's waist. “We shall continue this later Sweetcheeks. Run back to your boyfriend now.”

He stood aside to let her pass. She grabbed her purse from the floor and stalked past him, head held high. They would continue the conversation over her dead body.

Erin stared at her untouched plate, her mind bristling with the memory of the scene in the hallway. Ethan's scent- a warm earthy fragrance still permeated her nostrils, making every breath impossible to take without inhaling the very essence of him that brought to mind hot steamy nights and writhing bodies atop silk sheets, an unwanted thought that nevertheless caused waves of heat to travel down to parts she did not wish to think about.

She frowned at the thought and maliciously stabbed at a piece of fried calamari with her fork, wishing it was Ethan head. He was the enemy and she was not supposed to be having lustful thoughts for a man who had done nothing but make her life miserable and had even sworn to bring about her complete and utter humiliation. Though, that would never happen. He would never succeed, not if she had anything to do with it.

Erin lifted her eyes and hazarded a glance at the object of her thoughts. Ethan seemed unaffected by their earlier encounter- if anything, he seemed to be having a good time . For Pete's sake, the poor woman appeared to be hanging onto his every word, completely oblivious to how deadly and vindictive Ethan could be. Unconsciously, her fingers tightened over her fork, jealous at how much a good time he was having while he had succeeded in ruining her night.

“You don't like the fish?” Todd's voice startled her from her thoughts and she flushed, guilt washing over her. “ I could order something else for you if you like?”

“Oh no!” Erin forced a smile, turning her attention back to her own date. “It's good, it's very good really.”

“You've hardly touched it. And you've been glaring at your plate for the last half hour.” 

“That's not because I don't like it.”

Resolutely, she picked up her knife and fork and cut into the meat, taking a huge bite. The steak was really very good and on another day, Erin would have enjoyed every bite, but not today. Certainly not with her self proclaimed arch enemy flirting like crazy a few tables away. She pushed the image of her father lying nearly helpless on a hospital bed awaiting surgery and swallowed, reaching for her glass of white wine and downing the contents in one gulp.

“More wine?” Todd held up the bottle, his eyes crinkling in amusement.

“Yes, please.”

He refilled her glass and Erin flashed him a grateful smile before downing the second glass just as fast as the first. Todd raised an eyebrow but made no further comment, simply refilling the glass again, then set the bottle down, just out of her reach. The action did not escape Erin's notice and she blushed, wondering what he must be thinking- probably that she was an alcoholic. The thought did not sit well and Erin set down her glass, picking at her food again.

Erin stole yet another glance in Ethan's direction to find him watching her, a sardonic smile on his face even as he lifted his own wine glass in a mocking toast. The glare he got in return only seemed to amuse him further, though he merely shrugged and turned his attention back to his date.

She took a deep, fortifying drink of her wine and wished she were home, curled up on her bed with a box of chocolates and a magazine, far away from Ethan's cloying presence and this already ruined evening.

“Erin.” Something in Todd's voice made her look up sharply. The easy amusement on his face was gone, to be replaced by a serious expression.

“Is something wrong?” She asked, still studying his face, trying to gauge his state of mind. “Look, I'm sorry I haven't been good company tonight- I promise I can make it up to you...”

He looked taken aback. “No-no, there's no need to apologize. I understand there's something on your mind tonight.” He laughed, the sound putting her mind at ease.

At least he wasn't dumping her on their first date, Erin thought in relief. That would have sent her already fragile state of mind over the edge, and given her yet one more reason to despise Ethan.

“It's not?”

“Not at all. I just want to ask if you were free on Saturday.”

“Oh.” Nonplussed, Erin could only stare at him with a blank look. He was actually interested in her enough to ask for another date..there was a silver lining to the terrible evening after all. She would get a second date with Todd. “I guess I can make time, why?”

“A friend of mine's having a house warming party and I was wondering if you would like to accompany me?” Todd looked abashed, a look Erin found very endearing. “I know we've barely-” His words were cut off by a tiny persistent beep and he frowned and reached into his breast pocket, withdrawing his pager.

“Excuse me, I have to take this.” He murmured the apology even as he rose and pulled out his cell phone.

“Of course.”

Erin watched him walk away with quick strides, anxiety nipping at the edges of her nerves. What if it was the hospital calling because her father's condition had become critical? What if they had to bump up the surgery in order to save his life? She reached for her purse, drawing out her cell and dialed her mother, fingerings beating out a rhythm as she waited for Victoria to answer the call.

“Hello?” Her mother sounded like she'd been asleep. That was a good sign. Erin thought, relief sweeping through her for the second time this evening. “Erin, is something the matter dear?”

“Hey mum, were you sleeping? Sorry to wake you but I just thought to check to see if dad's OK?”

“He's fine, just asleep.” Her mother's tone changed from sleepy to curious. “But, are you alright darling? You sound strained.”

Erin stifled a groan, suddenly wishing she had not made the call. Trust her mother to pick up on her mood over the phone. “I'm fine mother, I'm just having dinner is all.”

Victoria's voice perked up as it always did at the mention of Erin's social life. “How nice dear. Have you and Luke patched things up?”

“No, it's not Luke- it's someone else.” The silence at the other end of the line spoke volumes. Her mother disapproved of her dating someone else so soon after breaking up with her boyfriend.

“Really Erin, isn't this a tad too soon? You have only been single for...”

“Mum, I really have to go now.” Erin cut in before her mother could gather steam. She really didn't fancy a lecture tonight of all nights. “I'll come to the hospital in the morning and we can talk then.” She spotted Todd weaving his way back to their table, a look of concern written clearly over his face “Good night mum.”

“Good night darling.” The call ended and Erin slipped her phone back into her purse just as Todd reached their table.

“Hey. What's wrong?” She asked, as he slid back in his seat.

Todd ran a hand through his hair and looked troubled. “That was the hospital Erin- I'm really sorry but I have to go now. There's been an huge accident and they're calling in all available personnel.”

Erin nodded. “Sure, OK.”

“Listen. I know this is incredibly rude of me but could I call you a cab to take you home? I would but...”

Erin raised a hand to stop him. “It's fine Todd, I don't mind.”

He looked relieved and reached across the table to take Erin's hand, cradling it in his big, warm one. “Thank you. Shall we?”

She had a million questions to ask, but Todd seemed really perturbed so she merely gathered up her purse while he paid the check. She resolutely kept her eyes averted as they passed Ethan's table, not wanting to participate in another round of angry insults. Though, she could feel his gaze, burning into her back, setting her skin on fire.