Chapter 24 This is How I Relax
I didn't dare say another word. I knew exactly what Ethan could do—even without using his full strength, he could make me cry my voice hoarse. And now that I'd lost my "shield", defying him would only lead to more trouble.
So I obediently took my medicine every day, not daring any more tricks. I could sense Ethan's restraint during this time when I was supposed to be healing. Watching him struggle to control himself only made me more cautious about provoking him.
Fortunately, this walking-on-eggshells existence lasted only a few days. Ethan announced he needed to go to New York for a project that would keep him away for at least a week.
"I expect you to continue taking your medication," he said, standing in his office doorway with a leather travel bag in hand. "Walter will report to me daily about your regimen."
I nodded, trying to mask my rising excitement. "I will."
He approached me slowly, tilting my chin up with his finger. "I'll know if you don't, Olivia."
"I promise," I said, my voice small but steady.
The moment his car disappeared down the driveway, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. For the first time since moving into Oakwood Estate, I could breathe without feeling his presence in every corner.
The days without Ethan were blissfully peaceful. I'd wake up at six, go for a run around the estate grounds, then shower and eat breakfast at my leisure. Sometimes I'd take a nap afterward if I felt like it, or I'd spend hours in the library reading whatever caught my interest. Other times, I'd watch movies in the home theater upstairs.
By the fifth day of his absence, I'd settled into a comfortable routine. I ate regularly, slept well, and struck up friendships with Sarah and Kate, the two young housekeepers Ethan had hired who weren't much older than me. We'd chat during their breaks, and for brief moments, I almost felt normal—like a regular person instead of Ethan Bennett's possession.
On the sixth night, I'd just finished a long, hot shower. The bathroom was filled with steam as I wrapped a towel around myself and stepped into the bedroom. I grabbed the bottle of citrus-scented body lotion and began applying it to my arms and shoulders, my skin still damp and warm.
I was so absorbed in this simple pleasure that I didn't hear the bedroom door open.
"Miss me, Liv?"
The lotion bottle nearly slipped from my fingers. My heart slammed against my ribs as I spun around.
There stood Ethan, immaculate in a tailored suit despite looking slightly tired around the eyes. How did he move so silently?
"You... you're back early," I stammered, clutching the towel tighter around my body.
He crossed the room in a few long strides and pulled me into his arms. I could feel the cool fabric of his suit against my warm skin as he buried his face in my neck, inhaling deeply.
"Your scent is driving me crazy," he murmured, his breath hot against my throat. "It's been torture being away from you."
My pulse raced as his hands slid down to my waist.
He pulled back slightly, studying my face. "I wrapped things up early. Couldn't stay away."
Before I could respond, he reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a small blue box with the distinctive Tiffany & Co. stamp.
"I brought you something."
Inside lay a breathtaking sapphire and diamond necklace. The center stone was so deep blue it appeared almost black, like the depths of the ocean at midnight.
"It reminded me of your eyes," Ethan said, removing it from the box, "the first time you looked at me—frightened but fascinated."
I stood frozen as he moved behind me, brushing my damp hair aside to fasten the necklace. His fingers lingered at the nape of my neck, tracing small circles that sent shivers down my spine.
Despite myself, I turned and pressed a quick kiss to his jaw. "Thank you, Ethan."
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes as his hands tightened on my waist. "Keep being this affectionate," he said, voice dropping an octave, "and I'll be very grateful later."
Hours later, I lay breathless on top of him, my cheek pressed against his broad chest, listening to the steady, powerful beat of his heart. Ethan's hand moved lazily up and down my back, caressing my skin. I felt his throat work as he swallowed.
I tensed, afraid he might want more. I quickly searched for a distraction. "Are you going to work tomorrow?"
His hand gripped my waist firmly. "No. I'm staying home with you."
I raised my head from his chest, looking up at him with deliberately bright eyes. "Will we be home all day then?"
The corner of his mouth quirked up. "Did you want to go somewhere?"
I hadn't actually planned on going anywhere—I was just making conversation, trying to divert his attention from activities that would leave me even more exhausted than I already was.
I knew Ethan wasn't satisfied yet. With his appetite, even daily encounters wouldn't be enough; he usually wanted two or three rounds. And after five days apart—five days of abstinence for him—twice probably wouldn't cut it. He'd want four or five times, minimum.
But I couldn't take any more tonight. We'd already gone for over an hour with barely a break between rounds. I needed rest—at least thirty minutes before I could even consider continuing.
To extend my recovery time, I racked my brain for conversation topics.
"Could we go to the beach? Is that possible?" I asked.
Ethan kissed my forehead. "Of course. We'll go to Malibu Beach."
I rolled off him, faking a yawn. "Let's sleep early then, so we can go in the morning."
He pulled me back against him, his chest warm against my back. "Malibu isn't far—just a two-hour drive. We can sleep in and go in the afternoon."
I shivered involuntarily, amazed at his stamina. This man is frighteningly powerful.
Pretending to be sleepy, I closed my eyes and didn't respond.
Ethan slipped his right arm beneath my neck, his large hand gripping my shoulder to pull me closer. His head dipped to kiss me while his other hand began wandering, exploring my body with practiced precision.
I pushed his face away, genuinely curious. "Aren't you tired at all?"
I truly wondered. This man had just spent who knows how many hours on a plane, plus at least an hour from the airport to here. If it were me, I'd be completely exhausted, wanting nothing more than to lie still and not even talk.
Yet Ethan still had the energy for sex—multiple rounds of it. He wanted more, even now.
Is this even human? What kind of stamina does this man have?
Ethan chuckled, nipping at my ear. "For me, this is how I relax."