Chapter 125 Have You Learned Yet?
Author's POV:
"Fine, I'll wear it," Olivia conceded, her voice tinged with defeat.
Truth was, she didn't want to do anything right now. If they did it before the movie, he'd definitely want to do it during the movie too. Better to wait until they were watching and the mood naturally developed—maybe she could get away with fewer rounds that way.
While she reluctantly changed into the skimpy black lace nightgown, Ethan went to the living room to set up the movie. She took her time, moving as slowly as possible, hoping to delay the inevitable.
From the bedroom, Ethan's phone rang. The conversation was brief, and within minutes, the TV came to life. He had given his assistant Justin a three-minute deadline, and in exactly two minutes and forty-eight seconds, Justin had delivered right on schedule.
Justin had sent two videos—one male-dominated, one female-dominated.
After sending the videos, Justin also messaged: "Mr. Bennett, regarding Ms. Reed's grandmother's request to purchase a car, should I decline, or select one at an appropriate price?"
Ethan didn't rush to respond. He calmly set up the movie, pressed pause, then picked up his phone to call Justin back.
"Reject it. Tell her my company has gone bankrupt, I'm drowning in debt, scrambling for cash. Tell her I even had to sell the house," Ethan instructed in his usual commanding tone.
Olivia had just reached the living room doorway when she heard this. Every word came through crystal clear: "bankrupt," "debt," "scrambling for cash," "sell the house." Based on the context, she immediately guessed this had something to do with her grandmother asking for a car.
After Ethan hung up, she cautiously asked, "Was that my grandmother calling Justin again?"
Ethan turned to look at her, his gaze slowly traveling down her body before lingering on the barely concealed peaks visible through the sheer fabric. His eyes darkened noticeably, and his voice dropped to that low, husky tone that always made her stomach flip.
"Yes," he replied, "but you don't like it when I do things like that, so I declined."
In truth, Ethan's purchase of a house for her father wasn't entirely about controlling her. If he'd wanted to control her, he had plenty of other methods—he didn't need to use her family as leverage.
He'd bought that house because he'd seen how much she cared for her grandparents and assumed she was a filial, considerate child. And she was, mostly. That's why he'd purchased the home without consulting her.
In a second-tier city, a house costing a million or so was nothing to him. If that small amount could make Olivia happy, Ethan considered it worthwhile.
But he hadn't anticipated her angry reaction—the shouting, the accusations. That was the first time Ethan experienced the backfire of a well-intended gesture, and it had infuriated him too.
Now that he understood her perspective, he naturally wouldn't repeat such a thankless act. Though a million dollars wasn't much to him, as he often said, his money didn't grow on trees. Spending money only to make her angry? Ethan Bennett wasn't that foolish.
Ethan leaned down, his face inches from hers. "From now on, if there's something you don't like, just tell me directly. If you tell me, I won't do it."
She blinked up at him, surprised by this concession. "Really?"
His lips curved into a slight smile. "Of course."
Taking a chance, she blurted out, "I don't like doing it every night. Maybe two or three times a week instead?"
Ethan's smile vanished instantly. He stared at her, his expression unreadable.
Olivia shrank back slightly, intimidated by his silence. "You said I should tell you what I don't like," she mumbled defensively. "I told you, and now you're upset."
"Choose something else," he stated flatly.
Her mind raced. She needed to find a compromise he might accept. "Then... could we maybe limit it to three times maximum in one night? Is that possible?"
Before he could refuse again, she quickly added, "If you won't agree to even that, then never mind. I don't have any complaints."
Ethan's jaw tightened, but after a moment, he reluctantly responded, "Fine."
He'd already said the words, so he had to agree—otherwise, he'd appear untrustworthy.
Ethan believed that with enough time and experience, she'd eventually become addicted to their physical relationship. She was young, he reasoned—perhaps she just wasn't interested yet. Eventually, he was certain she'd be the one begging him.
The thought of her pleading beneath him must have ignited something primal; his Adam's apple bobbed sharply as he swallowed. Then, without warning, he scooped her up into his arms.
The sudden weightlessness made Olivia yelp. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself. Once she'd regained her composure, she smacked his shoulder. "Put me down!"
Ethan adjusted her in his arms, holding her more securely. "No," he replied with a playful defiance that was so unlike his usual self.
Olivia glanced at the TV screen, which showed a paused image. Due to the freeze-frame, the picture was blurry—she couldn't make out what was on display.
"Weren't we going to watch a movie?" she asked, hoping to divert his attention.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a knowing smirk. "We're about to."
With that, he sat down with her still in his arms and reached for the remote. He pressed play, and the screen came to life.
What appeared was a blonde, blue-eyed couple. The man was lying on a beach chair, legs spread wide, while the woman knelt before him...
The sounds of slurping and swallowing came clearly through the speakers.
Olivia's breathing quickened, her body tensing as she watched. She felt her face growing hotter by the second.
Ethan had one arm around her waist while his other hand caressed her face. His thumb gently traced her lower lip as he asked in a deep, husky voice: "Have you learned anything yet?"