5: What Will You Use to Repay Me This Time?

Every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on Natalie.

They were all thinking the same thing—Since when did she get involved with Ethan Sterling?

And judging by his tone, their relationship was anything but ordinary.

Natalie was just as stunned.

When she slapped Ryan, it was pure rage—she hadn’t considered the consequences. She had already braced herself for a scorched-earth outcome, ready to drag him down with her if necessary.

But Ethan had shown up.

And she had no idea how much of that little speech he had overheard.

His gaze met hers.

For the first time, Natalie felt awkward, unsure of where to look.

"You want me to come get you myself?"

If anyone in the room still failed to understand the dynamics at play, they might as well have been blind.

No wonder she had dared to strike Ryan on his own turf.

She had Ethan backing her.

The only question was—was this a one-time thing or something more?

Either way, tonight was about to get messy.

Lucas chuckled. "Go on. We’ve got things covered here."

That was as clear a stance as any.

Natalie took a deep breath.

She didn’t spare Ryan another glance and walked straight to Ethan, taking the seat beside him.

Just like that, the tables had turned.

Moments ago, she was the object of ridicule.

Now, she was the one sitting at the head of the table, looking down at them.

Some tried to strike up conversation, but no one dared interrupt.

The moment she sat down, that cool, woody scent wrapped around her again, and her spine stiffened.

Lucas shot a glance at the silent crowd, then leaned back lazily. "Why so stiff? Weren’t you all having fun just a minute ago? Relax."

Ryan, still standing, looked like he had just taken a baseball bat to the face.

His shirt was wrinkled from where she had grabbed him, his face still wet from the liquor she had poured over him.

Humiliated.

And the worst part?

No one cared.

Everyone was looking at Ethan.

Ryan might as well have been invisible.

The music resumed, the atmosphere shifting as the waitstaff subtly turned the energy back up.

They had to keep the party going. Letting the night die now would be a disaster.

Lucas, ever the observer, studied Natalie with amusement.

A woman who could get Ethan to come running?

Interesting.

The room filled with chatter again, and Natalie let out a quiet breath.

"You’ve got guts," Ethan murmured, his breath ghosting over the back of her ear.

Natalie shuddered.

When did he get this close?

That simple action sent a message—Natalie belonged to him.

At least for tonight.

Ryan’s fists clenched. His face was flushed red with rage.

"Ethan, you’re really willing to throw away our friendship over her?"

The room fell silent again.

A battlefield.

They all ran in the same circles, but everyone knew—only Lucas was ever truly close to Ethan.

The rest were just… associates.

Some tried signaling to Ryan to let it go, but at this point, backing down meant total humiliation.

Ryan had to double down.

Ethan didn’t even look at him.

Instead, Ryan’s own friend stood up. "That’s enough. You really wanna make an enemy out of Ethan?"

Ryan shoved him off.

He stormed forward, reaching out to grab Natalie—

Screams.

Before Natalie could react, a pair of strong arms yanked her into an embrace.

Ethan’s glasses glinted under the lights.

Behind him, his bodyguards moved in, effortlessly restraining Ryan.

"ETHAN!"

Ryan thrashed, but there was no breaking free.

Ethan ignored him entirely.

His voice was low, almost lazy, as he murmured near her ear.

"That’s twice now. How do you plan on repaying me?"

Natalie’s fingers curled into fists.

He wasn’t exactly being subtle.

Why her?

Lucas sipped his drink, watching without interfering.

Sensing the tension escalating, some guests took the opportunity to slip away.

"I’ve got work early tomorrow. I should get going."

No reaction from Ethan.

More people started making excuses to leave.

Until—

"Leaving already?"

They froze mid-step.

Ethan lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly.

"So much good liquor left. It’d be a waste."

"Yes, yes, of course! We’ll finish our drinks first. No waste here!"

Natalie barely noticed them toasting each other.

Because Ethan’s hand was resting on her waist, fingers idly stroking over the thin fabric of her dress.

They were adults.

She knew exactly what he was implying.

"You seem pretty satisfied," she muttered. "But maybe keep those comments to yourself next time."

Boom.

Her brain felt like it had just exploded.

"What I said earlier was nonsense."

Ethan’s gaze darkened.

"Nonsense?"

Natalie almost bit her tongue.

"That’s not what I meant—"

He changed the subject abruptly.

"Have you thought about me these past seven days?"

She hesitated.

No, of course not. She had been too busy.

Besides, since when did friends-with-benefits arrangements involve missing each other?

"I have."

His voice was deep, smooth.

"You sound good when you moan."

Natalie stared at him.

Unbelievable.

"Mr. Sterling, I remember Forbes describing you as a disciplined, reserved businessman. That persona is taking a serious hit right now."

Ethan smirked.

"And why would I need a persona?"

As if he cared what Forbes said about him.

He barely even had time for interviews.

If anything, the only fool here was her for believing any of that PR nonsense.

The casual intimacy between them—low voices, quiet words exchanged too close for comfort—was like gasoline on an already raging fire.

From Ryan’s perspective, it was proof.

They had always been fucking behind his back.

His vision turned red.

"NATALIE, YOU BITCH!"

Crash!

A glass ashtray went flying.

The next second—

Ryan was bleeding.

Ethan had barely moved, yet his expression was unreadable. His forearm was tense, veins visible along his wrist.

The very same wrist that had pressed against her skin not long ago.

The memories hit all at once.

His cold touch.

The way he had kissed her softly until she had melted.

For the first time, Natalie realized—she did crave him.

Maybe this wasn’t just some random one-night stand.

Maybe she had been lying to herself.

Ethan exhaled.

"I’ve been too patient with you."

His tone was soft, but it sent a chill down the spine.

"Contact Billy. Have him pick up his son."

The order was issued, and within seconds, his men were already making arrangements.

Ryan was done.

The room had cleared out.

Now, it was just the two of them.

Ethan turned to her.

His gaze was calm.

Almost expectant.

"So?"

He leaned in slightly.

"What’s your answer?"