Alexander pulled Evelyn closer, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. "Making Grandmother happy seems like a simple enough task, doesn't it?" He nuzzled her hair. "Now that you've reminded me, I suppose I should apply myself."

Evelyn blinked up at him, confusion clouding her features. "What are you talking about?"

His voice dropped to a husky, playful whisper. "You heard Grandmother perfectly well. She's waiting for a great-grandchild."

Understanding dawned, painting Evelyn's cheeks a bright crimson. She squirmed, attempting to push away from his solid embrace.

"You're impossible!" she protested, her voice strained. "Let me go!"

But Alexander only tightened his hold, his arms becoming unyielding bands around her. He dipped his head, his lips finding the sensitive skin of her shoulder in a series of soft, warm kisses.

A shiver ran through Evelyn. Her resolve melted under his teasing mouth. She bit her lip, a soft, involuntary sound escaping her.

"Alexander, this isn't fair..."

His hand slid slowly, deliberately, up her thigh. Her thoughts began to fog. She lifted a hand to stop him, then froze. The memory of his injured arm, still not fully healed, flashed in her mind.

This infuriating, reckless man.

Alexander's eyes darkened with unmistakable hunger, his gaze pinning her, waiting for her surrender.

His deep voice, smooth as velvet and barely audible, brushed against her ear. "You've been the one calling the shots. Now that I don't have to pretend, it's my turn."

He tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a deep, claiming kiss.

The world narrowed to the meeting of their mouths, to breathless sighs and the burning heat in their ears. Evelyn melted into him, her arms encircling his neck as she gave herself over completely.

In one fluid motion, Alexander swept her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest.

A startled gasp was instantly swallowed by his relentless kiss. His expression was relaxed, almost lazily confident.

Evelyn pulled back slightly, her brow furrowed as her eyes darted worriedly to his arm. "Your arm..." Alexander smiled, flexing the injured limb just enough to demonstrate. "It's fine. You're light as a feather. One arm is more than enough."

A brief silence hung between them before his eyes smoldered again. He murmured, "Forget about my arm, Evelyn. You should be far more concerned about yourself." The way her name rolled off his tongue, deep and heated, made her heart stutter. Her pulse hammered wildly, a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

She met his gaze, her head spinning from the raw, unchecked desire she saw there.

A sudden realization struck her. With all the recent chaos and injuries, they hadn't been intimate for what felt like an age. The thought sent another wave of heat flooding through her. "Alexander, please... be reasonable," she muttered weakly.

He raised a brow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "That depends entirely on you, my love."

Their bodies tangled together, sinking into the soft expanse of the bed. They were lost in each other, consumed by a passion that burned until the night itself faded away.

Evelyn awoke slowly. Morning light pressed insistently against her eyelids. Every muscle in her body ached with a deep, satisfying soreness, as if she'd been put through a wringer.

The memories of the previous night flooded back in a vivid, dizzying rush.

Her cheeks flushed a deep, mortified red. She wished the bed would simply open up and swallow her whole.

Alexander was utterly, completely insane.

Lying beside her, Alexander seemed to sense her stirring. He pulled her closer, his arms wrapping her in a secure, possessive embrace. "Awake?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter