The room was quiet, curtains drawn, lit only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp and the occasional blink of Lena's phone screen on the nightstand.
She lay on the bed on her side, dressed in nothing but one of Ethan's oversized shirts, scrolling absentmindedly. The scent of his cologne still lingered on the fabric, and it made her smile.
The bathroom door creaked open.
"Hey babe, you're awake?" Ethan's voice was low and warm, the kind of tone that melted everything tense inside her.
She turned her head toward him, biting her lip without realizing it.
He stood there with damp hair tousled in careless curls, the belt of his robe loose, barely clinging to his body. His chest glistened with the remnants of a quick towel dry, and water slid down the ridges of his abs like nature was showing off.
"Come on," she said, smirking, patting the empty space on the bed beside her.
"I'm kinda still wet," he murmured.
She giggled, arching a brow. "That came out wrong."
"Did it?" he teased.
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Speaking of wet…"
He held up a finger. "Lena."
"…you know what else is wet?"
"I know. Don't say it."
"My eyes, naughty. I think water entered my eyes. What were you thinking?" she teased innocently.
He groaned, but his lips twitched into a smirk as he finally walked over. The robe parted more with every step, revealing more than modesty should allow.
Lena sat up, shoulders bare beneath the loose neckline of the shirt, one strap sliding down lazily. Her legs curled under her, exposed and inviting.
Ethan's eyes dropped to her shoulder, then climbed to meet hers again.
Their breathing slowed. Matched.
She reached for him, fingertips brushing his chest. His skin was warm, damp, and firm—like every fantasy she'd never admit out loud.
He leaned in, lips just inches away from hers. Their mouths didn't touch. Not yet. Just heat. Just breath. Just maddening proximity.
Then she whispered, "You gonna keep looking at me like I'm dessert, or are you going to eat?"
That shattered the restraint.
He kissed her—hard, deep, claiming. His hands found the hem of the shirt, and with one smooth tug, it was gone.
Their bodies tangled. Lips on lips, skin on skin, legs wrapping, fingers exploring. Lena gasped as he pulled her under him, teeth grazing her neck, a low growl escaping his throat.
Her back arched when his lips traveled lower, his mouth worshipping every inch. He knew her body now—what made her moan, what made her curse, what made her grab the sheets like they were the only thing keeping her grounded.
She wasn't shy. She pulled his robe open, hands bold and eager, dragging her nails down his chest before pulling him back in.
It was heat. It was rhythm. It was the kind of chemistry that felt dangerous because it was too perfect.
Their climax came in waves—one gripping, the other surrendering, both breathless in its aftermath.
Minutes passed. Breaths calmed. Bodies entangled in lazy exhaustion.
Then came the blinking light.
Lena groaned and reached for her phone.
Ethan frowned. "You've been getting these all day."
"Probably spam. I've had this number since high school—still get prank texts from idiots."
He sat up slightly, brushing her hair back. "Let me help. I'll install a proper filter app. My team uses a customized one—helps block hidden trackers too."
She raised a brow. "Is this another one of your billionaire flexes?"
He smirked. "Security is sexy."
"You're lucky you're hot," she teased, handing him the phone.
He tapped away, fingers moving fast and precise. Behind his smile, his eyes were cool. Focused. Calculating.
"There. Done," he said after a moment. "Spyware embedded. Should filter out the nonsense and let us see who's really playing games."
She laughed. "Wow. Already effective. A message just got caught and flagged."
"Good. We'll see if it stops."
She leaned against him, nuzzling into his shoulder. "You're useful for more than your body. Impressive."
He chuckled. "Thanks, I think."
They drifted off eventually. Ethan's arm around her waist, her head tucked beneath his chin. The world, for a while, was quiet again.
But then—
Buzz.
Lena stirred, groggy. The phone blinked again on the nightstand.
She reached for it with one eye open.
Unknown number.
All capital letters.
I GOT AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR YOU
She sat up slowly, a strange chill settling over her spine.
Something about this message felt different.
The words were aggressive. Intentional. Watching.
She looked down at Ethan, still asleep beside her, unaware.
And for the first time that night, the room didn't feel warm anymore.