"What do you think of me?" Ethan asked, adjusting his seat slightly, his voice calm but curious.
Lena raised an eyebrow. "In what ways?"
"Every way." He shrugged. "You're a psychology student. I imagine you've built up some big theories about me."
"Yeah, I am," she said, leaning back. "But I don't assess people solely through my studies."
"Really?" Ethan replied with interest. "How's that?"
"I try to relate to people on a personal level. You know, human-to-human, not subject-to-analysis."
He chuckled. "So you wouldn't mind if I asked some more personal questions then?"
She smirked. "Why ask questions when you're a tech guy? You could probably dig up anything you wanted about someone."
Ethan rubbed the back of his head. A small, telling gesture—nervousness? Maybe.
"Like you said, I don't go full tech on people. I'd rather relate… personally."
Lena laughed. "Oh, I knew you'd snooped. That's probably how I ended up here in the first place. You could have any woman, Ethan. Most of your exes are high-class."
He gave her a sideways glance. "And how do you know that?"
"Google," she snapped playfully.
"You shouldn't believe everything you see online."
"Maybe not. But it doesn't change the fact that you choosing me feels… complicated."
Ethan leaned forward, voice lower. "I may have dated high-class women, but that doesn't mean they were right for me. It doesn't mean they were you."
Lena didn't back down. "Still… I've gotten threats. Messages telling me to return someone's man."
They both laughed.
"I'm nobody's man," Ethan replied coolly.
He paused. Then, more seriously this time, asked, "So, Lena… what do you really think of me?"
She looked at him, her expression softening. Then she cleared her throat and began.
"I think you're more than you let on. You've built a boundary to keep others out… but in the process, you locked yourself in.
You seem romantic—judging by the trail of exes and, well, maybe you're not bad in bed either.
You miss someone—someone who meant the world to you. Either they hurt you or their memory still does.
You're gorgeous. You've got the height, the money, the body.
But you have no real friends, except Christian."
She paused, chuckling. "That's what I see. For now."
Silence settled between them.
"Did I say something wrong?" Lena asked, suddenly uncertain.
Ethan shook his head. "No. You said what I asked for—and more honestly than most."
He gave a faint smile. "Most people just say I'm sweet, or cold, or some walking wishlist. But you… you hit something deeper."
"Do you usually go around asking people what they think of you?"
"Not people. Just… exes." He teased.
"Joking aside, Ethan," Lena said softly, "if you're constantly trying to see yourself through others' eyes, it means you're doubting yourself too. That's not good. You should confront whatever's causing that, face your fear. Or at least… manage it."
He exhaled. "Enough about me." Then, after a beat, "Aren't you curious what someone thinks of you?"
Lena shrugged. "Maybe. But only if I'm ready for brutal honesty."
"Where's the fun in anything else?" Ethan grinned, getting up and heading to a small wine cabinet. He poured two glasses of champagne, returned, and handed one to her.
"I had a few personal questions but didn't want to cross the line," he said, sipping slowly.
Lena met his gaze. "Okay. Shoot."
"You clearly didn't have a boyfriend before. Why?"
She tilted her head. "Too personal?"
"That's fair," he replied.
"I just never wanted a committed relationship," she said honestly. "Didn't feel right."
Ethan leaned back. "You know, it doesn't have to be committed. A fling, a situationship, a hookup..." He trailed off, then added with a knowing look, "You said you were a virgin. I doubted it until… well."
"Yeah. Guess I wasn't lying after all."
He nodded slowly. "That night… I never got to talk to you about it. It just happened. Too much to drink—"
"Ethan, don't blame the alcohol. I remember it clearly. You asked for my consent, and I gave it. I wasn't drunk."
"Okay," he said quietly. "So we're on the same page. It wasn't forced."
She could see in his eyes—he wanted her to ask him something now.
So she did.
"Why me, then? Helpless? Less popular? Easy to forget?"
Ethan's response came without hesitation. "None of that. You're strong. I needed someone who doesn't melt beside me.
You didn't flinch in the elevator. That's when I knew—you could handle me."
Lena stayed quiet. If only he knew how hard it was to stand near him without falling apart.
"So," Ethan said, "you want to know what I think of you?"
He leaned in, voice lower. "You're beautiful. An overthinker. Smart—I did a little tech digging, I admit.
Strong—for your brother, for yourself.
Sweet.
Not really bad in bed, either." He gave her that devilish smirk.
Lena's eyes fell to his lips as he spoke. The memory of his kiss flashed in her mind—but this time it wasn't about emotional release.
She wanted him.
Before she could stop herself, she leaned in and kissed him.
"Oh shit," she gasped, pulling back. "I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Ethan said calmly, getting up.
Lena sat there, heart pounding, ashamed. He hadn't kissed her back.
Then—
"Did I mention," Ethan said over his shoulder, "some people say I'm an asshole?"
He turned, walked back to her, and added softly, "They were probably right.
But you know what they also said?"
He drew closer, cupped her chin, and kissed her—deeply.
His lips moved from her upper lip to her lower one, slow and consuming. The heat between them grew.
Then he pulled away, leaving her breathless.
"I return every goodness—or evil," he whispered with a smirk.
He grabbed his car keys and walked out.
---
The room was warmer than it should've been. Lena twisted in bed, breath uneven. Her skin flushed, nipples hard beneath the sheets.
"Hey… are you okay?"
Ethan's voice pulled her from the haze.
She opened her eyes. He stood by the door.
It was all… a dream.
"I'm fine," she murmured, flustered. "Just… had a dream."
"Alright. I'm heading to work. Your phone's been buzzing nonstop, by the way—might want to check that."
After he left, Lena grabbed her phone. A notification flashed on the screen.
Ovulation day.
Well… that explained everything.
---