Natalie stood before the mirror wrapped in a towel, water droplets trailing down her porcelain skin.

Her flushed cheeks reflected in the glass as her heartbeat quickened.

Alexander was just next door.

The thought made her fingertips tremble slightly.

"Natalie, I've left your pajamas by the door," came Eleanor's kind voice from outside.

She slipped into the pale pink silk robe that clung to her body like a second skin.

Twirling before the mirror, the hem fluttered around her.

Alexander entered just as she stood on tiptoes adjusting the bedding.

"Why bring another blanket?" Natalie arched an eyebrow.

His ears burned crimson instantly. "It gets cold at night."

"Thirty degrees and you're talking about cold?"

In three quick strides, she snatched the blanket from him.

Alexander watched helplessly as she stuffed it into the wardrobe's deepest corner like a territorial kitten.

"I'm going to shower." He turned to leave.

Natalie caught his sleeve. "Hurry back."

As water ran in the bathroom, she lay face-down on the bed counting heartbeats.

One hundred and three.

The water stopped.

Alexander emerged in a navy robe, droplets still glistening in his hair.

His gaze fell on the single blanket, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Where's the other one?"

"Ate it." She patted the space beside her. "Come here."

The moment he sat down, she pounced, pinning him beneath her.

Her fingertip traced his throat. "Alex, your heart's racing."

"Natalie, don't tease."

"Who's teasing?" She brushed her lips against his ear. "I'm dead serious."

Her warm breath sent shivers down his spine, every muscle tensing.

In one fluid motion, he flipped their positions, capturing her chattering lips.

As their mouths melded, Natalie's fingers tangled in his hair.

The robe's sash came undone unnoticed.

Suddenly Alexander pushed up, grabbing his robe as he strode toward the door.

"Alexander Valentine!" A pillow sailed past his head as the door clicked shut.

Fuming, she grabbed her phone and texted Victor: "Old man, hand over my birth certificate or I'm eloping!"

She powered off without waiting for a reply.

In the hallway, Alexander knocked on Ethan's door.

No answer.

The faint sound of running water came from the ensuite.

Discreetly retreating to the window, he let the night breeze cool his burning face with a long exhale.

Behind the bathroom door, Sophia found herself pressed against tiled walls by Ethan.

"Gentle..." she protested weakly.

Ethan nipped her earlobe with a low chuckle. "So brave earlier?"

Steam swirled around their entwined figures.

Half an hour later, Ethan carried a boneless Sophia back to bed.

A sharp knock interrupted.

"Send Sophia to stay with Natalie," Alexander's voice came through the door.

Ethan frowned. "No."

She poked his chest. "That's my brother."

"And I'm your husband."

Ultimately Sophia went to Natalie's room.

When Alexander lay beside Ethan, the latter immediately scooted half a meter away.

"I have standards," Ethan stated flatly.

Alexander smiled patiently. "Understood."

Back-to-back, an invisible divide stretched between them.

Next door, Natalie complained into Sophia's shoulder: "Alex is so stubborn!"

Sophia stroked her back. "He's being considerate."

"I'm twenty-three!" Natalie huffed, gesturing emphatically. "Not a child."

Her protests gradually softened into sleep curled against Sophia.

Gently brushing stray hairs from Natalie's forehead, Sophia slipped away quietly.

Returning, she found Alexander gone.

Ethan pulled her into his arms. "No hugging others from now on."

"That's your sister."

"Women included."

Sophia poked his chest in exasperation. "Jealous much?"

Dawn light filtered through curtains as Natalie awoke to find Alexander beside her.

She rolled atop him triumphantly. "Nowhere to run this time!"

His sleep-roughened voice protested, "Natalie—"

"Shut up." She sealed his lips with her own.