Back then, Jonathan had nearly died in that fire. Derek must have investigated the cause thoroughly. My grandpa is not someone who could be fooled so easily. If the fire had not been an ident, did he already know the truth?


    ...


    The next morning, Anneliese woke to a familiar scent that was clean, steady, and safe.


    She was held tightly in a man''s arms, her cheek pressed against his warm, solid chest. Beneath her ear, his heartbeat sounded calm and strong, a slow rhythm that made it impossible not to rx.


    Under the covers, there was nothing between them. It was her bare skin against his.


    Her memory caught up with her. She had fallen asleep in the carst night, which meant he had carried her inside, undressed her, and put her to bed. And she remembered absolutely none of it.


    Anneliese had the sudden urge to hide her face. At this rate, she felt even more like a pregnant woman than Jessica did.


    She shifted slightly and lifted her eyes, studying the man beside her in the hazy morning light.


    Jonathan was fast asleep. Even her slightest movement failed to disturb him.


    His sharp features were softened in rest, the tension she was so used to seeingpletely gone. It startled her. This was the first time she could remember sleeping less deeply than he had.


    Without his usual aura of control and pressure, his good looks were almost unfairly clear. He looked like a prince from a fairytale, handsome and disarmingly harmless.


    The contrast was almost cute.


    She watched him shamelessly, unwilling to look away. One finger lifted, tracing the air above his brows, the bridge of his nose, drifting toward his lips.


    Arge hand then closed around her fingers with unerring precision.


    Before she could react, her fingertipnded against his lips, and he kissed it.


    "Did I wake you?" she asked lightly, tapping his mouth as she smiled.


    Jonathan opened his eyes and tightened his arms around her.


    Sunlight slipped through the narrow gap in the curtains, quietly filling the room, scattering warmth over the tangled figures on the bed.


    He looked down at her, voice low. "Yeah. And not just me."


    She barely had time to register the question before the hand at her waist pulled her firmly against him.


    Understanding dawned on her instantly.


    His warmth transferred to her with ease, and when the man leaned down to kiss her, she panicked and turned her head away.


    "No means no. I really have something important today..."


    Jessica''s flight was around 10 a.m. If she failed to send her off, Jessica would absolutely hunt her down.


    Unfortunately, right now, it felt like Jonathan was the one hunting her.


    Only at this moment did Anneliese fully realize that he was truly a menace.


    In her desperation, she even reminded him that Jessica was leaving today, that she had to drive her to the airport, hoping he might show at least a shred of restraint.


    She softened her voice, begged him to hurry.


    Instead, Jonathan was utterly shameless and had the nerve to murmur, "Sweetheart, don''t beg. The more you do, the more excited I get..."


    What followed was a parade of scandalous words, coaxing her into a level of initiative she had never reached before, along with two difficult positions.


    ...


    By the time he finally showed mercy, Anneliese''s arms were trembling as she reached for her phone, one hand bracing her aching waist.


    The moment she saw the time, her face burned. Furious and humiliated, she kicked him. "This is all your fault! Now, I''m definitely not making it to pick Jess up."


    Jonathan caught her foot easily, his


    palm warm as it squeezed, his brows lifting withzy confidence. "You''re still kicking pretty hard. Seems like you didn''t give it your all


    earlier. Can''t me me for taking my time."


    He is absolutely unbelievable.


    She shot him a re, only for him tough softly and scratch the sole of her foot.


    Anneliese dialed Jessica''s number,


    but the moment the call connected,


    Jonathan ambushed her with another beklish touch. She let out a Soft, breathy sound without meaning to, her voice still tinged with O lingering warmth.


    Jessica''s t, unimpressed voice came through the line. "Girl, I know we''re close, but not close enough for me to overhear your bedroom activities."


    Anneliese was stunned into silence. Her ears went hot. She yanked her foot free and cleared her throat. "Uh-cough—I''m on my way now. I''ll take you to the airport..."


    She gathered the nket and moved to get out of bed, but Jessica cut in immediately. "You haven''t even climbed off Mr. Fullbuster''s bed yet, have you?"


    Anneliese wanted to hide her face. "I''m already off it!"


    To prove her point, she shoved her feet into her slippers and stomped hard on the


    floor.


    Jessica snorted, clearly picturing


    everything effortlessly. "If I wait for you, I''m not boarding today. Good thing know you so well, you softie There is no chance you can resist your man''s allure. I already knew you''d bail on me."