When they arrived at his apartment, he didn't hesitate. He scooped her into his arms effortlessly, carrying her up to the penthouse. Inside, he gently laid her on the bed.
"I'll be right back," he said, heading to the bathroom to clean himself.
When he returned, Lena was sitting up in bed, her hair slightly tousled and her eyes still a little glassy from the drinks earlier. She looked up just as he stepped back into the room, now dressed in a soft charcoal gray T-shirt and loose drawstring pants that hung low on his hips.
Her breath caught for half a second. There was something disarmingly intimate about seeing Ethan like this—in his space, in clothes that weren't tailored or styled, just... comfortable and real.
"You look..." she trailed off, then smiled faintly. "Different."
He raised an eyebrow as he walked toward her, towel still draped over his shoulder from the shower. "Different good or different bad?"
Lena let out a small laugh. "Good. Too good, actually."
"Do you want to shower? I can help if you need." Ethan asked.
She shook her head. "I can manage."
A while later, Lena emerged wearing his t-shirt, her hair damp around her face. Ethan smiled as he dried it gently with a towel.
"What happened today?" he asked quietly.
Lena's face softened, her shoulders sinking. "Anthony's mom came to my office."
Ethan said nothing, just waited.
"She wanted me to drop the charges. Even offered me a lump sum. I used to think of her as family. It hurt."
Ethan stroked her hair. "You did the right thing. He should be held accountable."
She nodded. "Thanks… for trusting me. For giving me space. When I used to drink alone, Anthony would get so mad. I started hiding it."
Ethan's expression darkened. "You don't need to hide anything with me."
"I know." She leaned into his chest, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. "That's what scares me… how different you are. How easy it is to trust you."
Ethan kissed the top of her head, his voice rough with sincerity. "That's never going to change."
Lena tilted her face up, her lips brushing the line of his jaw. "Prove it."
The challenge hung between them for a heartbeat—then his mouth crashed down on hers, hot and demanding. She gasped as he backed her toward the bed, his hands sliding under her thighs to lift her. In one smooth motion, he laid her down, following her onto the mattress until his body covered hers.
"Tell me what you want," he murmured against her lips, one hand already slipping beneath her shirt, calloused fingers tracing the dip of her waist.
"You." She arched into his touch. "Just like this."
Ethan didn't rush. His hands traced her curves through the fabric of her shirt before slipping beneath it, fingertips skating up her ribs. Lena shivered as he peeled her clothes away, his mouth following the path his hands had taken—down her neck, lingering at the pulse point until her breath hitched, then lower. Over the swell of her breasts, the flutter of her stomach.
When his teeth grazed her hip bone, she gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair.
"Still okay?" he murmured against her skin.
"More than okay," she breathed.
He made a satisfied sound and unhooked her bra with practiced ease, his palms curving around her bare breasts. When his mouth closed over one nipple, Lena moaned, her back arching off the bed. He swirled his tongue, alternating between gentle sucks and the light scrape of teeth until she was squirming beneath him.
"So sensitive," he growled, giving the same attention to her other breast while his free hand slid between her legs. His fingers stroked through her slick heat, drawing circles that had her hips lifting instinctively. "God, Lena...you're already so ready for me."
She whimpered, her thighs falling open wider. "Don't tease."
Ethan chuckled darkly but obeyed, stripping away the last barriers between them. His own clothes joined hers on the floor, and for a moment Lena just stared—at the lean muscle of his torso, the way his arousal strained against his stomach. Then he was kissing her again, deep and hungry, as he guided one of her legs over his shoulder.
The first slow thrust stole her breath. He filled her perfectly, stretching her with a pleasure so sharp it bordered on pain. When she tensed, he stilled, brushing his lips over her furrowed brow.
"Breathe," he whispered. "Just breathe with me."
She did, and as her body relaxed around him, he began to move—shallow at first, letting her adjust, then deeper. Each rolling stroke dragged a broken sound from her throat. She clung to him, nails biting into his shoulders as he angled her hips higher, hitting a spot that made her cry out.
"There?" he asked, voice strained with restraint.
"Yes—there—Ethan, please—"
He growled, gripping her hip to hold her steady as his pace turned relentless. The bed rocked beneath them, the headboard knocking against the wall in time with their shared gasps. When Lena's thighs began to tremble, Ethan shifted again, rolling them over so she straddled him.
"Your turn," he rasped, hands guiding her hips. "Take what you need."
Lena rose and fell, her hair tumbling around her shoulders as she found her rhythm. Ethan's thumbs circled her nipples, his gaze locked on where their bodies joined—until she tipped forward, bracing her hands on his chest, and his mouth found her breast again.
The coil in her stomach tightened, then snapped. Her climax tore through her, wave after wave, until Ethan followed with a groan, his forehead dropping to hers as he spilled inside her.
For a long moment, the only sound was their ragged breathing. Then Ethan brushed damp hair from her face, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. "Still scared?"
Lena laughed breathlessly, curling into him. "Terrified."
He kissed her temple, his arms tightening around her. "Good."
******
The next morning inside Ethan's penthouse, everything was still and quiet. Lena stirred beneath the sheets, her lashes fluttering as she blinked against the warm morning light.
Her eyes found him instantly.
Ethan lay next to her, one arm folded under the pillow, his face turned slightly toward her. His dark lashes rested against his cheeks, and his breath moved in a slow, steady rhythm—peaceful, relaxed. A sleepy smile tugged at Lena's lips. She studied him for a long moment before she leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss on his lips.
Then, carefully, she slid out of bed and padded to the bathroom.
It was only when she stepped into the shower area that she froze, eyes widening. On the shelf sat the very same brand of shampoo and body soap she always used. And at the sink, her favorite skincare products, lined up neatly, untouched. She was a bit tipsy last night to notice it.
Her chest tightened. He had noticed. Without needing to ask, he'd somehow remembered every little thing she used at home—the shampoo, the body wash, the skincare she swore by—and quietly made sure they were all waiting for her here. Her fingers hovered over the familiar bottles, a wave of warmth washing over her. It wasn't just thoughtful. It felt like something deeper. Like Ethan was saying, I notice the small things. I remember what matters to you. And I want this place to feel like yours, too.
Her throat tightened with unexpected emotion as she washed up, the scent of her shampoo filling the room, anchoring her. Once she was done, she wrapped herself in a towel, tiptoed back to the bed, and slipped beneath the covers again.
This time, she didn't just lie beside him. She wrapped her arms around his bare torso and nestled close, resting her cheek against his warm skin.
Ethan stirred. His arm instinctively came around her, pulling her closer.
"Mmm… good morning," he murmured, his voice still husky with sleep.
Lena smiled, heart fluttering. She lifted her head just enough to look at him and whispered, "I love you, Ethan."
His eyes blinked open, slowly at first—then wider, like the words had jolted him fully awake.
"You what?" he asked, blinking again as if to make sure he'd heard right. "Say that again."
She giggled, her cheeks already flushed. "I said—I love you."
His entire face lit up. "You can't just drop something like that on me while I'm half-asleep," he said, already shifting closer. "Now I'm definitely not letting you go."
Then he kissed her.
His hand slid up her back, pulling her in until there was no space left between them. And Lena responded without hesitation, her fingers threading through his hair, smiling against his lips.
When they finally parted, breathless and smiling, Ethan rested his forehead against hers.
"You've just made this the best morning of my life," he said softly.
"You're always so dramatic," she teased, but her heart was racing.
"I mean it." He kissed the tip of her nose. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear those words from you."
His gaze darkened as he took in the sight before him—Lena curled under the sheets, nothing but a towel clinging to her damp skin. The scent of her shower—warm vanilla and something uniquely her—wrapped around him, intoxicating. Water droplets still glistened at the hollow of her throat, trailing down to where the towel barely covered the swell of her breasts.
"Like what you see?" she murmured.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "You're playing a dangerous game."
She grinned, running her hands slowly down her own body before reaching for him. Her fingers traced the hard lines of his chest, down the ridges of his abdomen, and lower—her breath hitched as she palmed the thick outline of his cock through his pants, already straining against the pants. "Seems like you're enjoying it too."
His control snapped.
In one motion, he tugged the towel free, letting it pool at her hips before sliding to the floor. His hands mapped her body—the dip of her waist, the swell of her hips, the softness of her thighs—before he leaned down and took one taut nipple into his mouth, sucking hard enough to make her gasp.
"Ethan—"
He didn't stop. His mouth blazed a trail down her stomach, lower, until his breath ghosted over her clit. A single, slow lick had her arching off the bed. "So sensitive," he growled, circling her with his tongue until her thighs trembled.
When she came with a broken cry, he finally stripped, revealing every sculpted inch of himself. Lena's breath hitched—the raw power of him, the way his muscles flexed as he moved over her.
With one thrust, he filled her, burying himself to the hilt as she gasped. "Look at me," he ordered, and when her dazed eyes met his, he began to move—deep, relentless strokes that had her clawing at his back.
Just as she neared the edge again, he flipped her onto her knees, dragging her hips back against him.
"Ethan—" Lena called out as he took her harder now, each snap of his hips sending shockwaves through her.
When her second climax ripped through her, he barely paused before laying her on her side, lifting one leg over his shoulder. The new angle drew a whimper from her lips as he thrust into her from behind, his hand sliding down to circle her clit in time with his movements.
"One more," he rasped against her ear. "Come for me again."
And God help her—she did.
Ethan shifted his weight, rolling Lena onto her back without breaking their connection. In the dim light, she saw the tendons in his neck stand taut as he guided himself to her entrance again.
"Look at me," he murmured, capturing both her hands in his, pinning them gently above her head. Their fingers interlaced as he pushed inside - slowly at first, then with one deep, perfect thrust that drew a shared gasp from their lips.
Lena arched beneath him, her body singing where they joined. Each movement was deliberate, measured, the drag of him against her most sensitive spots making her toes curl. She could feel the tension coiling in his forearms where he held her hands, the restraint in his hips as he maintained that devastating rhythm.
"I'm close," she warned, nails biting into his palms.
Ethan's breath came ragged against her mouth. "Wait for me." His thrusts turned urgent, losing their precision as pleasure overtook them both.
When it hit, it was simultaneous - Lena's back bowing off the bed as Ethan buried himself to the hilt with a groan. For one suspended moment, they clung to each other, suspended in that perfect crest before collapsing together, still joined, still holding hands as their breathing slowed.
Ethan pressed his forehead to hers, their noses brushing. "Christ, Lena," Ethan growled against her throat, his voice still rough with pleasure. "You're fucking addictive. If you started every morning like this, I'd never get out of bed."
Lena laughed breathlessly, tracing the sweat-damp lines of his shoulders. "Careful. You say that now, but I don't have the energy to keep up with your… appetites."
He nipped her earlobe, grinning. "Liar. You just need proper motivation."His hand gripped her thigh, pulling it higher against him.
"Motivation?" She arched a brow, though her pulse jumped under his touch. "Or are you trying to wear me out?"
Ethan's chuckle vibrated against her skin. "Tell you what—you seduce me once, I'll return the favor twice. Fair trade."
"That math doesn't work in my favor," she protested, but he was already kissing her again, slow and deep and convincing.
"Sure it does," he murmured. "I'm very… persuasive in the mornings."
Lena broke the kiss with a breathless laugh, pressing a hand against his chest. "Enough teasing," she chided, though her fingers lingered on his skin. "We both have work to get to."
Ethan grinned, clearly not in a hurry. "I could be convinced to call in sick," he murmured, his voice husky with amusement.
Lena raised an eyebrow and swatted his chest lightly. "Nice try, Mr. CEO."
He chuckled, then sat up, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "Alright, alright," he said. " I had a few outfits prepared for you in the closet. Just pick one."
Lena blinked. "You what?"
Ethan grinned at her expression, then leaned back on his hands, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "I thought of it just in case you happen to dart overnight here," he said smoothly. "And I don't want you rushing home in the morning or showing up to work in the same outfit two days in a row."
Lena stared at him, completely disarmed. "You're unbelievable," she muttered, though her voice was laced with affection.
He tilted his head, watching her fondly. "Unbelievably thoughtful?" he offered.
She rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away. "Maybe."
Ethan leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. "Go check the closet. I picked pieces I thought you'd like, but if I got it wrong, blame James. He helped."
Lena shook her head in disbelief and slipped off the bed, padding toward the guest closet. As she opened the door and saw neatly hung blouses, tailored slacks, and even a pair of heels that matched her usual style, her heart squeezed. He really had thought of everything.
Lena turned from the closet, one of the blouses already draped over her arm, and gave Ethan a look both teasing and tender.
"Well," she said, holding the blouse up, "if you keep being this ridiculously thoughtful, you're going to make it very hard for me to say no to anything you ask."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Anything?"
She smirked, stepping closer. "Mmhmm. Like… if you asked me to marry you right now?" She gave a playful shrug, her eyes sparkling. "I'd probably say yes."
Ethan's smile faded for a moment, but it wasn't from surprise. What followed was something gentler, more profound. His eyes grew tender, and his voice dropped to a softer tone. "Yeah?"
Lena laughed, suddenly shy under his gaze. "Don't get any ideas. I'm just saying… this whole 'being adored' thing? It's very persuasive."
He reached for her hand and pulled her down onto the bed beside him. "Noted," he murmured, brushing a kiss against her temple. "But when I do ask, I want it to be a moment you'll never forget."
Lena leaned into his side with a soft hum. "It already feels like I won't forget any of this."
Ethan brushed her hair back and trailing soft kisses along her jaw. "But I need a little more time with you first."
His lips found hers again, this time parting her mouth with his. His tongue slid against hers, slow and deep, before he sucked gently on her lower lip, drawing a soft moan from her. She kissed him back just as hungrily with their tongues tangling and teasing.
When they finally broke apart, both smiling and breathless, Lena gently tapped his chest. "Go. Shower. I'm serious."
Ethan grinned, the kind of grin that made her heart skip. "Yes, my future wife."