Chapter 605

The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room as Evelyn carefully lowered Alexander onto the mattress.

"Let me get you some water," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her hands trembled slightly as she turned away. This was unfamiliar territory, and uncertainty coiled in her stomach.

Before she could take a step, Alexander's fingers closed around her wrist with surprising strength, yanking her backward.

Evelyn gasped as she tumbled into his scorching embrace. The heat radiating from his body made her pulse leap wildly.

Her dark tresses spilled over them like silk, brushing against Alexander's flushed cheeks in silent temptation.

With a rough tug, Alexander tore off his tie, the fabric whispering against his collar before hitting the floor. Restraint shattered.

He caged her beneath him, capturing her lips in a desperate kiss that tasted like salvation.

It felt like drowning in sunlight after years of darkness. Evelyn's cool touch only fueled Alexander's burning need.

"Evelyn..." His voice was rough as gravel as he framed her face with trembling hands.

His teeth grazed her lower lip, the possessive gesture sending shivers down her spine.

"We shouldn't—" Evelyn's protest died against his mouth as Alexander kissed her deeper.

Rational thought evaporated. Every nerve ending screamed for her. His hands slid down to her waist, lips trailing fire along her collarbone.

Evelyn's heart hammered against her ribs. "Alexander! I'm five months pregnant—this could hurt the baby!"

The words barely registered through his haze until his palm brushed the gentle swell of her abdomen.

Reality crashed over him like ice water. Alexander jerked back as if electrocuted, digging his nails into his thigh to ground himself.

"Are you alright?" His voice cracked with concern as he searched Evelyn's face.

Tears shimmered in her wide eyes, her porcelain skin flushed with distress.

"You terrified me," she whispered, voice trembling. "I thought you'd—"

"God, I'm sorry." Alexander raked a hand through his hair, the feverish intensity evaporating.

He couldn't trust himself near her. Not like this.

"I need a minute." He practically bolted to the bathroom.

The sound of running water soon mingled with muffled curses behind the closed door.

Isabella woke to sunlight stabbing her eyelids. The unfamiliar plush bedding confused her—this wasn't her apartment.

She sat up too quickly, the room spinning. Fragmented memories surfaced—a drugged drink, blurred faces...

Her stomach dropped when she spotted her torn dress discarded on the floor. The missing underwear made her blood run cold.

The rumpled sheets told their own story. A dark stain on the linen confirmed her worst fears.

Three empty condom boxes on the nightstand mocked her.

Her fingers hovered over her phone's emergency dial pad when a knock shattered the silence.

The door opened to reveal a man in a crisp black shirt, gold glasses glinting in the sunlight.

Sebastian Powell.

Isabella's breath hitched. "You...it was you?"

Her mind reeled. Sebastian was Dominic's older brother!

"How could you?" Her voice cracked. "I'm engaged to your brother!"

Her thumb still rested on the call button, but logic prevailed—this scandal would destroy her. Dominic would kill her.

Sebastian closed the distance in three strides, pulling her against his chest.

"You came to me willingly last night," he murmured against her neck, his breath hot.

His hands traced familiar paths along her body, reigniting sparks of memory.

Isabella slapped him hard. "Stay away! You knew exactly who I was!"

"You don't love him." Sebastian caught her wrist.

"That doesn't excuse this!"

His grip tightened. "Remember when you were five? Your doll fell in our pond. I dove in to save it."

The unexpected memory stilled her. "That was you?"

"I've wanted you since that day." His lips brushed her ear. "The engagement was my idea—Father wanted to pawn you off on Dominic."

Isabella recoiled. "You're marrying Victoria Clarke next month!"

"A political match." Sebastian captured her lips. "You're the only woman I've ever wanted."

His hands slid under the sheets, proving just how much.