Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew took one glance at the screen and immediately lost interest-it was one of those over-the-top drama series full of catfights and betrayals set in an ancient royal palace.

...

Serenity Villa was huge, with over 20 rooms. Andrew picked one to use as his alchemy room. Then, he locked himself inside all night, crafting several types of elixirs he might need later.

The treasure map pieces were all collected, just waiting for the Rhodes family fragment to reveal its true form—then the real hunt would begin.

Outwardly, Andrew had been playing it cool, watching from the sidelines. But in truth, much like Tiana, he never planned to let Rafael and Mosby dominate the game unchecked.

However, Andrew differed from Tiana in one key aspect. Tiana simply coveted the treasure, while Andrew did not want to see Rafael and Mosby succeed. Plus, he also owed it to Ronan and Janice to bring justice.

By the second half of the night, Andrew had nearly finished preparing all the elixirs he would need. He was about to call it a night when a soft, warm body suddenly wrapped around him from behind.

"Shhh... Andrew, don't speak. It's me!"

He instantly recognized the familiar scent and the curves pressing against his back-there was no mistaking who it was.

Lauren.

Grinning, Andrew reached up, grabbed the delicate arms around his chest, and pulled hard. With a soft squeal, Lauren tumbled right into his lap.

"Alright, what's this? Why are you sneaking into my room in the middle of the night? Are you hoping to get a shot?" he teased, eyes gleaming with wicked heat.

Lauren covered her chest as her loose nightgown slipped slightly, pouting. "Andrew, you're getting so shameless lately! I just came to check if you were resting. I saw your light was still on, so I popped in to see."

Andrew raised an eyebrow, his smile playful. "Really? Because it feels like you came here for more than just a little check-in."

Under his burning gaze, Lauren's heart raced like a drum, and she stammered, "Okay, fine... I missed you. This is the first time since moving into Serenity Villa that I've gotten to be alone with you like this.

"Don't get me wrong, I like being around Fran and Aspen too, but... it feels kind of

special, just the two of us, alone at night like this."

Andrew chuckled low in his throat. "Special? Then let me show you something even more special."

Lauren parted her lips instinctively. "What do you "

Before she could

finish, Andrew

lowered his head and kissed her

hard. Her eyes widened in

shock-she had not expectednoveldrama

him to

be so sudden. She was about to to

gently push back, maybe show a little ladylike restraint, but Andrew's heated hand had already slipped under her nightgown without hesitation.

"Andrew-no, wait-stop! If you keep doing that, I-I might scream!"

Panicked by the thought of Francesca and Aspen overhearing, Lauren gasped

and tried to hold her breath, frantically whispering her protests.

However, Andrew was already breathing heavily, his eyes blazing. He murmured, "Let them—it doesn't matter anyway. Come on, let's take this to the bed."

Scooping her up with ease, Andrew carried her over and tossed her onto the mattress. Moments later, creaking and squeaking could be heard.

The bed in Andrew's makeshift alchemy room had not been used before, so every movement sent loud groans through the old frame. For the rest of the night, the creaking did not stop.

Lauren spent those hours completely undone, tossed around like she weighed nothing, finally understanding what Aspen had endured before.

She used to think Francesca was exaggerating whenever she complained. Surely Andrew could not be that intense. How bad could it possibly be?

Especially since Lauren had never liked to admit defeat. But that night-no, those few hours-she experienced firsthand what it truly meant to be taken to the edge of heaven and dragged back again.

By the next morning, the sun was high in the sky by the time Lauren finally stirred

awake.