Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Dylan asked, "Mr. Lloyd, in that situation with two martial kings present, how did you have the nerve?"

Just remembering it made his throat dry and his palms sweat.

Andrew scoffed and shrugged. "So what? If it really came to a fight, they'd be the ones dying, not me."

Dylan's face twisted into an expression of pure disbelief. "But Mr. Lloyd, did you even consider my feelings? You might be able to handle being ganged up on, but I would've been meeting my maker right then and there!"

Andrew blinked, then laughed. "Fair point. I would've been fine, no doubt about that. But you? Yeah, Grand Viper would've probably snapped you in half with a single strike. But hey, Dylan, you lucked out. You made it back in one piece."

Dylan's mouth twitched as the realization hit him that Andrew had not even considered whether he would live or die back there. If a real fight had broken out with all those people ganging up on them, would he have actually survived?

Seeing the pale look on Dylan's face and the way he trembled slightly, Andrew waved a hand, annoyed. "Relax, I was just messing with you. Even if a brawl did break out, I would've made sure you got out safely."

That finally calmed Dylan down, but he secretly decided to be more careful in the future about getting dragged into Andrew's dangerous schemes. In his mind, Dylan quietly labeled Andrew as a walking danger magnet.

"Andrew, you're back!" Aspen called out, springing up from the couch the moment she saw them enter.

Andrew raised an eyebrow, flashing a teasing smile. "Well, well... What's with the outfit? Where are you headed?"

Aspen flushed, but she also seemed a bit proud as she wiggled her curvy hips playfully. "I'm going to yoga class tonight! I haven't been in ages because of all the recent chaos."

She wore skin-tight yoga pants that hugged every curve and a fitted pink top. Long hair loose, bangs perfectly trimmed-she looked like an innocent college sweetheart.

Nothing about her said she was the same girl who bounced on Andrew every night.

"What made you suddenly feel like going back to yoga?" he asked, casually picking up her glass of water and taking a sip.

They were long past the stage of awkward boundaries.

Aspen beamed. "I just want to work on my figure some more, and yoga helps improve your overall presence too."

She stretched gracefully. "Besides, I don't have much else to do, and work's been pretty slow lately, so it's perfect timing to improve myself!"

Andrew stroked his chin thoughtfully and nodded. That's fine-if you want to exercise, I have no objections. Later tonight, when. Laure and Fran get back, I want all three of you to come find me together."

Aspen's heart skipped, a mix of nerves and excitement flashing across her face. She played with her hair, looking coy and uncertain. "If you're trying to stir up another one of those nights, then I'm out."noveldrama

Andrew coughed, then promptly knocked her on the head with a light flick. "What are you imagining? Do you think I'm made of steel or

something? I'm calling the the net

of

you together for serious matters, not for that. Anyway, I'm heading upstairs. Don't overthinkit."

"Okay..." Aspen mumbled, but her mind spun in circles.

What else could it be, if not that? She could not figure it out.

Ever since she and Andrew got closer, Aspen had changed a lot. She became

more like a happy, innocent young girl, and her former coldness and competitive nature had completely disappeared.

Her thoughts were consumed entirely by Andrew these days.

While she claimed the yoga was for improving her grace and body shape, the real reason was much more intimate. She wanted to become absolutely irresistible Andrew in bed, so she had done

extensive online research about it.

Yoga, they said, was a secret weapon for women. Once mastered, the flexibility and elasticity of a trained body could drive any man insane, leaving him utterly addicted and helpless in her grasp.