I'm Utterly Spent

The morning light felt harsh against Evelyn's eyelids.

A strange dream lingered in her mind, a fragment from a past she rarely visited.

Why had it chosen to resurface now?

Her fingers pressed against her temple, a dull throb answering her touch.

The fatigue from the previous night was a heavy blanket.

A desperate thirst clawed at her throat.

She tried to sit up, but a solid weight held her down.

Alexander's arm was draped possessively over her waist.

Her slight movement roused him.

A low, sleep-roughened voice murmured near her ear. "Awake already? I thought you'd sleep longer." His tone was laced with amusement. "After last night's... exertions."

Heat flooded Evelyn's cheeks at the memory.

She couldn't believe her own boldness.

Every muscle in her body screamed in protest. She felt hollowed out. But she refused to show weakness. "I'm fine," she insisted, gritting her teeth. "Let me up."

Alexander's eyebrow arched. A smirk played on his lips.

His gaze swept over the faint marks on her neck, his eyes darkening momentarily before he loosened his hold.

Evelyn pushed herself up, but her legs buckled instantly.

She gasped, falling back onto the mattress.

In a flash, Alexander's arms were around her again, pulling her securely against his chest.

"Alexander, you're crushing me! Release me!" she demanded, frustration etching lines on her forehead.

She struggled briefly, then froze.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at his face. "Alexander! You... you can't be serious."

He let out a slow breath, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw.

A flicker of something—awkwardness?—passed over his features, replaced by a soft chuckle. "Is there a problem?"

"Is there a problem?" she echoed, frowning deeply. "After last night... how are you still...? Aren't you ever satisfied?"

Instead of denial, he shifted, his body pressing more firmly against hers. His gaze was intense, unwavering. "Evelyn, I'm a healthy man. This is perfectly normal." He stated it as simple fact. "Besides, since our marriage, opportunities have been scarce. Did you truly think one night would be sufficient?"

His blunt logic left her momentarily speechless. She swallowed. "Alexander, please. I'm utterly spent."

The image of his wheelchair from yesterday flashed in her mind, and a pang of guilt silenced further protest.

Taking the initiative even once had required all her courage and energy.

Alexander's laughter was a low rumble. His fingers trailed from her ear down her neck.

"Relax. I promise, this time I'll do all the work. You won't have to lift a finger."

Evelyn's eyes shot open wide. "Why didn't you lead with that crucial piece of information last night?"

All that exhaustion, just because of him! This impossible, infuriating man.