Alexander's and Evelyn's bodies remained entwined beneath the silk sheets, their skin fused together in the aftermath of passion.

"Alexander, you're impossible..." Evelyn's voice was a raw, husky whisper.

He moved instantly, fetching the glass of water from the nightstand. He held it to her lips, helping her drink with a gentle hand.

Once the cool liquid soothed her throat, Evelyn found her strength. "Your arm is still injured. How could you be so careless? I told you to stop countless times last night, and you completely disregarded me. I mean it, Alexander. If this happens again, I will sleep in another room."

Alexander propped himself up on an elbow, a roguish smirk playing on his lips. "So, if I'm good now, does that mean once I'm healed, I have your permission to be as reckless as I want?"

Evelyn stared at him, momentarily stunned into silence. She shook her head in disbelief. "Alexander, can you ever be serious? Is a single rational thought too much to ask? Stop putting foolish ideas in your head!"

She pushed the water glass back toward his mouth.

He took a few quick gulps, pretending to choke dramatically. He coughed, his eyes watering slightly. "Darling, you almost drowned me."

Evelyn let out a soft, dismissive snort.

His credibility with her was completely shattered.

"You deserved that! I did it on purpose, after everything you put me through last night!" she retorted, the memories flooding back.

They lingered in the warmth for a few more minutes. Evelyn glanced at her phone and sighed quietly, beginning to extricate herself from the bed to dress.

"I have to go to work. You need to stay home and rest that arm. Don't aggravate the injury," she instructed firmly.

Despite the intense night, her professional responsibilities called. She had already taken several days off to care for Alexander. She couldn't afford to fall further behind.

As she moved, Alexander's gaze dropped to the graceful curve of her waist.

His eyes darkened with renewed desire. He reached out, his fingers lightly tracing the soft skin of her hip. "What are you doing?" Evelyn flinched away instinctively, a shiver tracing its way down her spine at his touch.

She threw an exasperated look over her shoulder as she finished buttoning her blouse. "If you make me late, you'll be sorry."

Alexander raised a challenging eyebrow, clearly entertained. "Oh? And what's your plan for punishing me?"

His tone was playful, yet laced with an intimacy that caused an involuntary smile to touch Evelyn's lips.

A warm, fluttering sensation bloomed in her chest.

How did he manage to make the simplest words sound so provocatively enticing?

Evelyn responded with a light, teasing huff, choosing to ignore him for the moment.

But Alexander didn't miss the faint blush coloring her cheeks. The sight made his heart stutter.

He instantly forgot her warning. He sat up further, the sheets pooling around his waist, revealing the sculpted strength of his torso.

His larger frame leaned into her slender back.

Alexander wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her firmly against him. The embrace was both tender and possessive, leaving her no room to escape.

"Hmm? What's wrong? Why so quiet all of a sudden?"

His voice, husky and warm, whispered directly into her ear, sending another delicious shiver through her.