After a while.
Since she'd chosen to acquiesce and follow him here and step into this room, she actually knew what she wanted and what she was willing to give.
Those struggles and hesitations were just instinctive self-protection in the face of overwhelming temptation and crossing class boundaries.
Now, this protective shell was easily and gently peeled away by Ethan.
Thinking about this, she felt relieved, and even felt a hint of relaxation and faint anticipation.
She was no longer tense. Instead, she took the initiative and with a little awkwardness, raised her arms and gently wrapped them around Ethan's waist.
This subtle movement was like a spark igniting a fuse.
Ethan felt her response, laughed low, and tightened his arms.
He lowered his head slightly, his warm breath brushing against her ear...
Everything that followed became logical and natural.
And so.
The two went from the living room to the shower...
The warm water rushed down, but it couldn't cover the gradually rapid and intertwined gasps and whispers.
These sounds, like the most moving symphony, echoed all night in the expensive presidential suite on the top floor of Riverside Plaza.
The lights outside the window gradually faded, and the river surface glowed with the shimmer of the morning sun.
In the suite, the fierce "battle" had just subsided, and the air was filled with a lazy atmosphere after passion.
All night.
They were like tireless warriors, engaging in several rounds of intense encounters on the battlefield of desire.
....
The next day.
Ethan woke up from the soft, wide bed feeling completely refreshed.
Last night's "workout" hadn't drained much of his energy—instead, it made him feel invigorated.
Vanessa beside him was still asleep, breathing evenly and deeply.
Clearly exhausted from last night's activities.
Ethan picked up his phone from the side. The screen showed it was past ten o'clock.
The corners of his mouth raised slightly, and he sighed silently: Being young and full of energy really was a good thing.
Casually throwing on a robe, Ethan walked to the living room.
He picked up the room phone and dialed the butler's extension.
"Hello, Mr. Miller. What can I do for you?"
On the other end of the phone, Butler Lee's gentle and respectful voice immediately came through.
Ethan ordered concisely:
"Send up lunch for two. As for what exactly, just use your judgment. We're not picky."
Butler Lee responded crisply:
"Of course, Mr. Miller. Please wait a moment. I'll notify the restaurant to prepare and deliver to your suite in about twenty minutes."
"Thanks."
"You're very welcome. It's my honor to serve you."
Just as he hung up the phone.
Ethan suddenly felt arms wrap around his waist, and a soft, delicate body pressed against him from behind.
Vanessa's slightly sleepy voice with a hint of complaint sounded softly:
"When I woke up, you were gone. I thought you'd left..."
Ethan turned around, pulled her into his arms, and chuckled:
"Leave? You were sleeping so deeply, I didn't want to wake you. It's getting late anyway, so I ordered some food."
"You must be starving too!"
Vanessa raised her face and pouted, looking a bit cute and pitiful:
"I just woke up hungry! Last night... was too exhausting."
After a night of intimate connection, she seemed to have lost yesterday's awkwardness and nervousness, and her expression and demeanor carried a bit more intimacy and dependence.
Ethan ruffled her hair:
"After we eat, I'll take you shopping and buy you some things?"
"No need!"
Vanessa immediately shook her head, leaning against him softly:
"I have no energy at all. How could I possibly have the strength to go shopping? I just want to lie down right now..."
"Alright, then rest here as long as you need. We can talk about it when you've recovered."
Ethan went with the flow.
"Mm..."
Vanessa responded, then suddenly raised her head and looked at Ethan with bright eyes for a moment, with a little careful testing:
"So... what's our relationship now? We should be... boyfriend and girlfriend, right?"
Ethan looked at her expectant eyes and nodded without hesitation:
"Of course."
He lived his whole life pursuing freedom and ease, rather than being bound by any single relationship.
The status of "boyfriend and girlfriend" was harmless to him.
A theory from some dating guru in his previous life flashed through his mind: don't marry, only date. As long as both parties are willing, nobody can say anything.
There was no law that said you could only have one girlfriend. As long as everyone was willing, you could date as many as you wanted.
He, Ethan, naturally wouldn't be tied down by one woman after getting reborn.
Getting a positive answer, Vanessa didn't show much surprise on her face.
Instead, she sighed slightly, her tone complicated:
"You're so handsome, so rich, young and energetic, and... your 'performance' at night is so good... There will definitely be many women coming after you."
Ethan raised his eyebrows and didn't speak immediately.
Vanessa continued, with a hint of imperceptible bitterness and sobriety in her voice:
"I know I can't have you all to myself... But at least, you have to give me a somewhat decent title so I can feel better about it..."
"That shouldn't be too much to ask!"
She was very self-aware. All she wanted was for Ethan to truly regard her as "his woman" and give her stability and recognition.
Hearing this, Ethan's brows relaxed, showing a clear smile:
"Of course that's fine."
"Hmph, I knew you weren't that simple!"
Vanessa pretended to be angry and hit him.
Ethan tightened his arms and said seriously:
"I can promise you that as long as you're willing to stay with me, I'll never treat you badly. A house, a car, or anything else you want—whatever you want to do, as long as I can make it happen, I'll give it to you."
He paused, his tone frank:
"If one day you feel tired and want to leave, just tell me. I'll give you generous compensation, and we can part on good terms."
He stared into her eyes, his voice dropping a bit lower:
"As for love..."
He deliberately drew out the word, with a bit of teasing:
"Of course I can give it to you, but my heart is like a honeycomb—there are many chambers in it, so the love gets divided up among them too."
"I believe you understand!"
"Understand my ass."
Vanessa was both embarrassed and annoyed hearing this, and bit Ethan's arm in protest.
Except when her teeth touched his skin, the force was as light as a kiss.
She let go but hugged him tighter, with a little coquettishness:
"Hmph! I'm not leaving you! Don't think you can get rid of me for the rest of your life!"
While the two were being affectionate.
The doorbell rang crisply.
Vanessa wrapped her robe around herself and went to open the door.
Outside, Butler Lee was waiting with two waiters pushing an elegant food cart.
Seeing that the door was opened by Vanessa.
Butler Lee bowed slightly, smiled impeccably, and said:
"Good afternoon, ma'am. This is the lunch Mr. Miller ordered."
"Great, come right in!"
Vanessa stepped aside.
"Thank you."
Butler Lee personally took the dining cart and wheeled it into the living room.
Ethan was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone idly.
"Mr. Miller, hello. This is the lunch our restaurant chef just prepared for you and the lady. I hope you enjoy it."
Butler Lee said respectfully, lifting the insulated covers one by one.
"Lobster bisque."
"Beef Wellington."
"Pan-seared Chilean sea bass."
"Truffle risotto."
"Handmade pasta with black truffle sauce."
...
A series of exquisite dishes like works of art were presented before them.
The portions were perfect, just enough to satisfy the two of them.
The colors, aromas, and presentation instantly filled the entire space.
There are 90 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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