Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

The following day, the morning light streamed through the windows as Andrew woke up feeling completely refreshed. Beside him, a delicate figure lay curled up beneath the sheets, her porcelain skin bearing faint traces of last night's intensity.

A soft murmur broke the silence as Francesca stirred awake She turned her head, meeting Andrew's amused gaze, and immediately pouted in frustration.

She grumbled, "You're unbelievable. You kept me up all night again! Look at me- bruises everywhere! Ugh, Andrew, can't you be a little gentler?"

Andrew feigned innocence. "Hey, don't blame me! I was being gentle. But you were the one insisting halfway through that I go harder. And honestly, with how easily you bruise, I was holding back."

Francesca's face turned beet red as she clenched the sheets. "Y-You're lying! I never said that! You're an absolute jerk!"

Andrew casually got dressed and got out of bed, saying nonchalantly, "You were the one asking me to go harder last night, you know that. All I remember is a certain busty lady repeatedly saying that word."

Francesca blushed deeply, the heat spreading from her face down to her neck and ears. She felt utterly embarrassed.

"Andrew, don't you dare tell anyone. If you do, I'll never be able to face anyone again," she protested, clutching the blanket to cover her cleavage.

Andrew picked up her bra from the floor and handed it to her, flashing a smile so charming it could rival any movie heartthrob. He promised, "Don't worry, I absolutely won't tell anyone."

11

Francesca was not convinced and demanded, "Then swear it."

Andrew raised one hand and declared, "I swear I will never tell anyone that Ms. Francesca Aicker kept asking me to go harder even while she was sleeping." Francesca froze for a moment, then suddenly jumped up and lunged at Andrew like a whirlwind.

"Andrew, I don't care about embarrassing myself anymore! I'm going to fight you! You shameless pervert, you jerk, you did that on purpose!" she yelled. ighty wok

Andrew caught her in his arms and playfully pushed her back onto the bed. "I just woke up, so I have plenty of energy right now. If you keep misbehaving, you might not make it to work today!" he teased.

Francesca's eyes widened, a flicker of panic flashing across her face. She immediately waved the white flag, squirming under him. "No, no! Please, no more-I'm still sore! Andrew, let me go. I won't fight you anymore!"

Andrew raised a brow. "You sure about that?"noveldrama

Gritting her teeth, she huffed, "Positive!"

Suddenly, his palm landed on her curves with a crisp slap, the sound echoing in the room.

Francesca jolted, her face instantly flushing crimson as she glared at him. "I just

said I was sure! Why did you still smack me?!"

Andrew chuckled. "Because it felt good."

Francesca let out a small, indignant

huff, her cheeks burning as she

quickly turned her head away,

refusing to meet his gaze. Truthfully, she was not really mad. If anything, her heart pounded even harder, and she felt an

inexplicable heat spreading through her chest.

Andrew studied her for a moment, his smirk deepening. She looked way too tempting right now, and for a second, he seriously considered starting something again. Then, he thought about how he had already made her cry last night.

It was still early, so he decided to give her a little break. After all, even the finest

meals should be savored, not devoured, and even the best wine should be enjoyed in moderation-any true gentleman knew that much.

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