Passion in the Private Room

Today, the supermarket was unusually busy, with long queues forming at every checkout counter. Ethan and the skinny guy were separated by five people. 

Ethan smirked mischievously and leaned close to Eliza's ear. "Guess what flavor he's going to choose?" 

Eliza rolled her eyes at him in mock annoyance. "How would I know? If you're so capable, go ask him yourself." 

Ethan winked. "If I guess it right, you..." He puckered his lips and made a kissing motion. 

The skinny guy was carrying a shopping basket, but from behind, there was no way to see what was inside—unless someone sneaked a peek when he paid. Seeing Ethan's smug expression, Eliza felt a bit irritated. She countered, "And if you're wrong?" 

Ethan shrugged. "Then I'll let you..." He trailed off, winking again. 

Eliza almost smacked him right then and there. Puffing up her cheeks, she huffed, "No way. If you guess wrong, you have to send me back to River City tomorrow." 

"Deal. No backing out." Ethan lazily glanced at the skinny guy's back and, without hesitation, declared, "Rose-scented. Go check for yourself." 

Eliza bit her lip and walked over, pretending to pass by casually. Just as she did, it was the skinny guy's turn at checkout. He placed a box of condoms on the counter. 

Eliza glanced at the small print on the box as she walked past—sure enough, it said "Rose-scented" at the bottom. She froze. How the hell did Ethan guess that? Could it really be just a coincidence? 

By the time she snapped out of it, the skinny guy had already paid and left. Ethan strolled over leisurely, pushing the shopping cart. As he unloaded their items onto the counter, he leaned close to Eliza's ear again. "You lost. Now, let's find a place to cash in that bet." 

Carrying bags stuffed to the brim, they left the supermarket and entered a nearby boutique. As soon as they stepped inside, Eliza's eyes lit up with excitement, and she eagerly started browsing the racks. 

Though it was a women's boutique, there were a few flashy men's outfits. Ethan, however, wasn't interested. He simply stood by, playing the role of an observer. 

He had to admit, Eliza had a great figure—a natural clothes hanger. Watching her try on outfit after outfit was like seeing a vibrant butterfly flit before his eyes. At first, he enjoyed it, but after a while, he started to feel visually overwhelmed. 

Over half an hour later, Eliza finally picked out five outfits and a light purple leather handbag. Satisfied, she took them to the counter. The total came to just under $6,000—not too expensive. 

Ethan casually pulled out some cash and paid. Laden with bags, they then walked into a restaurant next door called **"Tropical Rainforest."** 

Ethan deliberately chose a private room—not just for some peace and quiet, but also to make sure Eliza honored their bet. After ordering a few dishes, he waved the waiter off. 

The food arrived shortly after, and the waiter wisely excused himself. Perhaps because they were more familiar with each other now, Eliza ate much faster than before. Ethan, on the other hand, was even faster—practically inhaling his food like a starving wolf. In less than ten minutes, he put down his chopsticks and popped a piece of gum into his mouth. 

As soon as Eliza finished eating, Ethan leaned over and wrapped an arm around her waist. Their eyes met. 

"What are you doing?" Eliza's wide, watery eyes held a hint of nervousness. 

Ethan licked his lips, feeling an overwhelming rush of emotion. "I'm here to collect my bet…" With that, he lowered his head and captured her lips in a deep kiss. 

Eliza let out a muffled gasp, her mind going completely blank. The intense, almost aggressive kiss left her no room to resist. She could only wrap her arms around his neck, responding hesitantly. In that moment, they were both fully absorbed in each other. 

The temperature in the private room rose. Almost instinctively, Ethan's hands slipped inside her blouse, cupping her soft curves. 

Eliza's body trembled slightly, then melted like jelly. Her dazed eyes locked onto Ethan's smoldering gaze. A part of her mind resisted, but the intoxicating sensation was betraying her. Her already flushed cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, as if they might drip with color. 

Lost in the moment, neither of them noticed how far things had escalated—until Ethan's hand slowly ventured downward. Suddenly, Eliza's mind snapped back, a loud buzz ringing in her head. She grabbed his hand, stopping him. 

"Ethan, no… We can't," she pleaded breathlessly, shaking her head. Her eyes shimmered with emotion. 

Ethan let out a heavy sigh through his nose. His fingers had barely brushed against a cotton barrier when realization struck him. He withdrew his hand, albeit reluctantly. Just then, a knock sounded on the door. 

They separated as if electrocuted. Ethan hunched over as he walked to open the door—because if he didn't, well… things would be **very obvious.** 

A waiter entered with a pot of tea, smiling politely as he poured them each a cup. It was a subtle reminder that it was time to settle the bill. 

Ethan paid without complaint, then casually pulled out an extra hundred-dollar bill. "Get me a pack of Marlboros and a lighter. Keep the change." 

The waiter's face lit up with gratitude. In this kind of restaurant, tips were rare. An extra fifty or sixty bucks was a nice bonus. 

Ethan rarely smoked, but tonight, he needed a cigarette for two reasons. One, the intense moment had just been completely derailed by an unfortunate biological reality, and he was slightly frustrated. Two, he needed time for a **certain part of his body** to calm down—otherwise, he'd have to walk out of the restaurant like a hunchback. 

The waiter returned quickly, handing over the cigarettes and lighter before leaving again. Ethan lit one up and took a drag. 

Eliza, sitting beside him, wrinkled her nose. "I don't get why men like smoking. It smells awful." 

Ethan gave her a wry smile. "Well, that's your fault. Look at me—how am I supposed to go outside like this?" He glanced down toward his lap. 

Following his gaze, Eliza's eyes landed on the rather **obvious tent** in his pants. Her cheeks flamed instantly, and she shot him a glare before muttering a soft curse.