The dismissive words burned a fiery path in his system, his fury kindling even stronger. He set his jaw; eyes narrowed to slits and watched her intently, searching for some motion...an expression that would prove she was lying through her teeth. To her credit, she met his gaze with an implacable one of her own, face betraying nothing.

Ethan forced himself to relax, reaching for his cup and taking a long sip while his mind worked to discover her game. For he was damn sure the minx was up to something, and he would find out even if he had to throttle her. No woman he'd been with had ever shrugged of the experience as 'just sex', and it rankled his ego to hear Erin being so dismissive.

His phone rang, drawing him from his thoughts. Fishing it from his pocket, Ethan glanced at the screen and scowled.

He was in no mood to talk to Marcus right now, but his friend could be calling about the acquisition of a small family owned construction firm Ethan had his eye on. The guy had been dragging feet for over a month but lately, they'd had positive feedback. Without a word to Erin, he rose from the table and stalked towards his private study.

"This had better be important Marc." Ethan growled into the phone, his bad mood getting worse with each minute. He was supposed to feel triumphant, dammit. After all he'd conquered the spoiled heiress, but right now, he just felt like punching someone. Just sex indeed.

"Uh oh! What's eating you?" Marc's amused voice came over the phone. "Trouble in paradise? I heard from the grapevine- again- that'd you'd holed up with that Gosling chick."

"Marc..." Ethan held onto his temper, but just barely.

He could hear his friend sigh at the other end.

"You're letting this woman get under your skin ET. Take my advice, screw her and forget about this crazy scheme of yours."

"I ought to have you fired from that Law firm." Ethan said, sitting down on his study chair. "Your advice is lousy and you're wasting my time. He ruthlessly changed the subject. "What's the status of the acquistion? Has Mr. Saunders agreed to sell?"

"I honestly don't know why I put up with your bull." Marcus grumbled good naturedly. "Anyways, yes to your question, the old man has finally agreed to sell, I've arranged a meeting for next week so we can settle on a price, sending you an email as we speak with the details...."

***

Seeing Ethan so frustrated did a lot to lighten her mood. Erin thought, as she watched him stalk away to heaven knew where.

It felt damned good to be the one riling him up for a change, even if it meant telling a bold faced lie just to achieve it. But bruising the bastard's ego was so worth it.

Just sex.

She'd known the minute she'd said those words that he disliked the classification. No doubt, his other lovers must have been full of nothing but compliments and this was probably the first time he'd heard a woman say his lovemaking was 'not important.'

She bit into a roll and chewed slowly, savouring the burst of flavours on her tongue.

Wow! Gianno sure could bake a mean bread roll. Drumming her fingers on the table top, Erin contemplated luring the cook to come work for the hotel. It would boost the business and more importantly, stealing a valuable employee would be just one way she could get back at Ethan for ruining her life.

Ethan's laptop beeped and she leaned over, turning it around so she could stare at the screen. A new mail notification icon had popped up and Erin idly clicked on it, curious to know its contents.

As she read, her mind slowly devised a plan and she grinned in satisfaction. An eye for an eye...wasn't that the popular saying? Well, she would show him.

His footsteps alerted Erin that he was returning. Quickly, she spun the laptop back and carefully sat back, pretending that she hadn't been snooping through his private mail. Though if he checked his mail, he'd notice that it had already been opened, but who the hell cared? Let him dare accuse her of snooping.

Ethan appeared on deck; his eyes hooded and face devoid of expression. He stopped by the table and studied her for long moments without a word. Erin suppressed the urge to squirm beneath the onslaught of that blue gaze and forced herself to sit still.

"Are you done eating?" His tone, when he finally deigned to speak was cold and distant. Despite her resolve, Erin felt a frission of regret. Regret that such a wonderful night had been ruined. But that was certainly not her fault.

"Yes."

He nodded and reached for his laptop. Erin held her breath as he glanced down at the screen, but he merely hit the 'off' button and snapped it closed. Slowly, she let out the breath. Phew.

"The captain will have us at the marina in the next ten minutes. You may want to freshen up before we hit shore."

Erin shook her head. "I don't need to freshen up. Though, it'll be good to finally be off this boat."

His jaw tightened, eyes narrowed to ice blue slits.

"Suit yourself." He snapped, picking up the laptop and turning away. "I have some work to do, so I'll be in my office."

****

An hour later, a tight lipped Ethan pulled up in front of The Gosling. Erin made to get out of the Maserati but his hand on her arm detained her. She turned to find him watching her with a calculating look.

"Don't even think about seeing that doctor of yours, Sweetcheeks." He said, the threat hanging in the air between them. "You and I still have things to do and I won't tolerate that man sniffing around your skirts. So get rid of him- or I will."

Erin felt her jaw go slack in surprise. Of all the nerve! Did he just...did he really just order her to stop seeing Todd? The man was beyond believable.

"Excuse me?" She managed ask, still not believing her ears.

He smirked, his good humor returning. "You heard me the first time. I don't share my women with anyone Erin, so get rid of the lover boy."

"You've got to be kidding. That's what this is, a joke.” Erin asked, still incredulous. “Right?"

His expression changed. A serious look replaced the amused one. "I don't joke about things like that."

"Then you are mad." Erin hissed through clenched teeth. "Utterly and completely; stark raving mad. I'm not your woman, and I will damn well date and sleep with whom ever I like."

The hand on her arm tightened in a painful grip and he leaned close, his face only inches from hers. "Do that and you'll regret even giving him so much as a smile. Am I clear?"

"Go to hell Ethan." Erin spat, wrestling her arm free. She stepped out of the car and slammed the door hard. Anger boiled within her as she stalked through the lobby and to the elevators. Entering her apartment, she flung her purse away and flopped down on the couch.

"That arrogant supercilious jerk thinks he can control me like a puppet on a string? Well, he'll soon realize I'm just as capable of destroying him and his precious company."

Sitting up, she reached for the phone. Dialing a number, she sat back and waited for the person to pick up.

"Lane Gosling, CHPD."A gruff male voice drawled at the other end. "Who's this?"

"Hey cuz, it's Erin."

"Geez snookums," Her cousin laughed. "I thought you'd forgotten about your poor side of the family."

"Oh come on doodleface, you know I called you last week but you didn't pick up." Erin said, using the names they'd called each other since they were kids. Already, she felt better about the Ethan situation. "And you never even bothered to return the call."

"Yeah...I was...otherwise occupied."

"I don't even want to know." Erin said, a wide grin splitting her face. "Listen Lane, I need a favour."

"Shoot."

"I need to some information about a company. It's a small construction company here in Chicago owned by a Mr. Saunders...."

He listened while she gave him details. When she was done, Lane promised to get back to her with the information she needed.

Satisfied for the time being, Erin rose and decided to hit the showers.