Between Day and Night

"7301."

Natalie Carter sent the room number. But not to her boyfriend, Ryan Brooks.

She made that decision just thirty minutes after discovering he was cheating on her.

At the time, the woman’s foot was teasing its way up his leg, the two of them clearly enjoying their little game, believing no one had noticed.

The doorbell rang, snapping Natalie back to reality. She adjusted the robe around her—the birthday gift that was supposed to be unwrapped by Ryan himself.

The moment she opened the door, she was nearly kissed breathless. The only thing she could see was a pair of eyes, darkened with desire. It wasn’t until his strong, straight nose brushed against hers that she finally recognized him—Ethan Sterling.

But Ethan didn’t give her any time to react. Not when he noticed what she was—or wasn’t—wearing beneath the robe. With a slight flex of his arm, he had already pressed her against the full-length mirror beside the door.

A cool, woody scent lingered on him. After a brief moment of hesitation, Natalie closed her eyes and let herself fall into it.

Perhaps it was her unexpected initiative that set Ethan off. He was far more passionate than she had ever imagined.

What Natalie didn’t know, however, was that the elevator had just arrived at their floor. Ryan walked to the door at that exact moment—just in time to witness the scene.

Ethan had her wrists pinned above her head with one hand, the other playing with her hair. His entire body shielded Natalie from view, but when Ryan stormed toward them in rage, Ethan turned his head slightly—just enough to cast him a devilish smirk.

Ryan’s face turned ghostly pale.

Before he could do anything, Ethan kicked the door shut with one long leg. The unmistakable click of a hotel lock echoed in the silence.

Ryan would never forget what he had just seen. But that didn’t matter.

Who cared?

"Your first time?" Ethan's voice murmured in the dark.

Natalie didn’t respond. But his movements became gentler, less aggressive than before. By the second half of the night, all she remembered was clinging to Ethan for dear life.

She vaguely recalled someone at a party once saying that Ethan had the kind of body that looked like it would be... impressive.

Now, she could confirm that theory herself.

---

**4:30 AM**

Plugging her phone into the charger, she finally noticed thirty missed calls—all from an unknown number.

Natalie had no interest in calling back. She could already guess it was Ryan, desperate after realizing she had blocked him.

The sky outside was still dark. When she woke up, she found herself alone in bed. Ethan had already left.

The clothes that had been scattered on the floor were now neatly folded on the couch. The room temperature had been adjusted to a perfect comfort level.

She sat up and stretched, feeling that people had seriously underestimated Ethan. At least last night, he had been... quite spectacular.

Still, she had no intention of lingering here. She had originally come to celebrate Ryan’s birthday, but under the circumstances, staying any longer seemed like a waste of time.

She might as well head back to the office and get some work done.

At least that would make her boss happy. Unlike Ryan, who had done nothing but ruin her mood.

Natalie never allowed herself to suffer unnecessarily. As she rummaged through her suitcase for something to wear, the bathroom door suddenly opened.

Ethan hadn’t expected to walk out of the shower to such a pleasant surprise.

Her body was stunning—slender but with all the right curves. Her long, slightly wavy hair cascaded down her back, making her pale skin look even softer. There was still a faint flush on her from last night’s activities.

She was, in a word, breathtaking.

Like a siren.

That was Ethan’s first thought.

Natalie froze for only a split second before casually meeting his gaze, openly assessing him in return.

Her gaze was much bolder than before. After all, she had always thought of Ethan as disciplined, reserved, and aloof. Last night, she had seen a completely different side of him.

Ethan didn’t shy away from her scrutiny. He stood there calmly, letting her eyes roam over him.

Droplets of water slid down his toned muscles, disappearing beneath the towel wrapped around his waist.

In the dim lighting, Natalie had the sudden urge to whistle.

"Mr. Sterling." Her voice came out hoarse, surprising even herself.

A soft chuckle. Obviously from him.

The situation wasn’t exactly appropriate for small talk.

Natalie sighed and admitted defeat. "I think the way you’re looking at me right now is a little inappropriate."

After all, at least he had a towel.

She only had her hair.

And let’s be honest, this wasn’t exactly her best look.

"You mind if we go again?"

Natalie: ?

Her neck turned stiff as she slowly looked up, half convinced she had misheard him.

*Click.*

The last light in the room flicked off.

Before she could react, Ethan had already scooped her up, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

Somewhere between the dizzying sensation of it all, she heard his voice murmuring against her ear.

"Guess I’ve developed a taste for you."