Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women

"Relax," Ethan interrupted, shaking his head. "I was just teasing. You really want to sleep here?"

She nodded stiffly, avoiding his gaze.

Ethan studied her for a moment, then sighed and scooted over, patting the empty space beside him. "Alright, get in."

Vanessa hesitated, then shuffled forward, climbing onto the bed stiffly.

She lay down, facing away from him, pulling the blanket over her.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke. The room was quiet, only the sound of their breathing filling the space.

Then, Ethan's voice broke the silence. "You okay?"

Vanessa swallowed, gripping the blanket tighter. "Yeah. Just… couldn't sleep."

Ethan hummed. "That why you barged in here like a nervous wreck?"

"Shut up," she muttered, nudging his leg with her foot.

He chuckled but didn't press further.

The silence stretched on, more comfortable this time.

Vanessa could feel his warmth beside her, steady and familiar. She wasn't sure why, but it made her chest feel a little less tight.

"Hey, Ethan?" she murmured after a while.

"Yeah?"

She hesitated.

'Do I really want to ask this?'

"...Do you like Riley?"

Ethan turned his head slightly. "What?"

Vanessa licked her lips, trying to keep her voice casual. "Riley. You had dinner with her. Do you like her?"

Ethan was quiet for a second, then sighed. "She's cool. We get along."

That wasn't an answer.

Vanessa bit her lip. "So you do like her."

Ethan exhaled through his nose, rubbing the bridge of it. "Vanessa. If you have something to say, just say it."

She turned onto her side, facing him now. "It's just… you haven't gone out with me in a while."

Ethan blinked, surprised. "That's what this is about?"

Her face heated up. "I never said it was about anything!"

Ethan smirked. "But it is, isn't it?"

She scowled, ready to argue, but he suddenly reached out, ruffling her hair. "Alright. How about this? I'll take you out next time. Just don't barge into my room like this again."

Vanessa stared at him, her heart doing something stupid in her chest.

"...Fine," she mumbled, turning away again.

Ethan chuckled, lying back down. "Goodnight, Vanessa."

She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his breathing.

"...Goodnight, Ethan."

And just like that, the knot in her chest finally loosened.

Vanessa lay there, staring at the ceiling, her heart pounding against her ribs. Ethan's breathing was steady beside her, and for some reason, that irritated her.

'How could he be so calm?'

She had no idea what had come over her tonight.

She wasn't usually like this. She wasn't the type to dwell on things, to let jealousy or insecurity get the better of her.

But hearing Ethan talk so casually about Riley had flipped something inside her.

And now here she was, lying beside him, the air between them thick with something unspoken.

'This is stupid.'

She should just go to sleep. She should close her eyes, roll over, and let the warmth of the blanket lull her into unconsciousness.

But she couldn't.

Because for the first time in a long time, she felt something gnawing at her, something she didn't want to ignore.

Without thinking, she shifted closer.

Her fingertips brushed against Ethan's arm, and she felt him stir slightly.

"Vanessa?" His voice was groggy, confused.

She didn't answer.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body against his.

She could feel his warmth, his heartbeat steady and strong against her own.

Ethan tensed. "Vanessa, what are you — "

She didn't let him finish.

She kissed him.

And it wasn't just a small, tentative kiss.

It was a kiss that demanded.

A kiss that screamed, I want to own you.

She bit at his lips, took his breath, and when he parted them slightly in surprise, she deepened it, pushing herself further against him.

Ethan's hands instinctively came up to her shoulders, gripping them as if unsure whether to pull her closer or push her away.

"Vanessa," he managed between kisses, his voice rough. "What the hell — "

But she didn't stop.

She didn't want to stop.

Her fingers moved, sliding against the hem of his shirt, slipping underneath to touch the warmth of his skin.

He was solid beneath her hands, every muscle taut and tensed beneath her touch.

She wanted more.

She wanted him.

Ethan exhaled sharply, breaking the kiss, his forehead pressed against hers. "Vanessa… what are you doing?"

She swallowed, her breaths shaky.

What was she doing?

This wasn't like her.

She had always been confident, bold — but never reckless. Never this desperate.

But tonight, she didn't want to hold back.

"I don't know," she whispered. "I just… don't want to think."

Ethan exhaled through his nose, his hands still on her shoulders.

His grip wasn't rough, wasn't forceful — it was grounding. Like he was trying to pull her back down to earth.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice softer now.

Vanessa hesitated.

She wanted to say yes.

She wanted to lose herself in him, in his warmth, in the way he made her feel like she wasn't alone.

But…

Damn it.

She closed her eyes, resting her forehead against his. Her fingers curled against his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I just… I don't want to feel like this."

Ethan was quiet for a moment, then he sighed. His arms moved, wrapping around her — not in hunger, not in lust, but in something softer.

Something gentler.

"You're not losing me," he murmured.

Vanessa stiffened.

She hadn't even realized that was what she was afraid of.

That he would move on.

Instead, he just held her, his fingers tracing slow circles against her back.

"Get some sleep," he murmured. "We'll talk in the morning."

Vanessa exhaled shakily, her body relaxing against his.

She kissed him on the cheek, and he dropped her on the bed, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She could feel his hot breath against her neck as she slept off in his arms.