Chapter 76

Evelyn, intoxicated and stubborn, finally made it home with Alexander's assistance.

She swayed slightly as she stepped inside, her movements uncoordinated.

Turning around, Alexander caught sight of Evelyn tugging at the hem of her dress.

She was already dressed lightly, and as she fumbled with the fabric, only a form-fitting knit dress remained on her slender frame.

Alexander's jaw tightened as he swiftly grabbed her wrist, halting her from undressing further. "What do you think you're doing?"

Evelyn flashed him a mischievous grin, her eyes glazed with alcohol, and pointed toward the bathroom. "I'm going to shower."

Alexander exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

Before he could respond, she crouched down, attempting to slip her arms out of the sleeves.

"Drunk people shouldn't shower," Alexander insisted firmly, stepping in front of her.

He moved quickly, positioning his tall frame in front of the bathroom door, blocking her path.

"Why not?" Evelyn blinked up at him, her expression clouded with confusion.

Alexander frowned, his voice stern as he fabricated an excuse. "It's dangerous. You could slip."

She pouted, her lower lip jutting out in defiance. "But I feel sticky."

"Then wait until you're sober," he countered, crossing his arms.

Evelyn huffed, clearly displeased, but her energy seemed to wane as she leaned against the wall for support.

Alexander watched her carefully, making sure she didn’t attempt anything reckless again.

Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven, and her eyelids drooped with exhaustion.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Just sit down before you hurt yourself."

Evelyn mumbled something incoherent but complied, sinking onto the edge of the bed.

Alexander kept his gaze fixed on her, ensuring she stayed put.

The room was silent except for her soft, uneven breaths.

After a moment, she tilted her head, studying him with half-lidded eyes. "You're bossy."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "And you're drunk."

She giggled, the sound light and carefree, before her expression turned serious again. "But I really need to shower."

Alexander exhaled, his patience thinning. "Not happening."

Evelyn groaned dramatically, flopping backward onto the bed. "Fine. But I'm not happy about it."

He shook his head, amused despite himself. "I can live with that."

She turned her head to glare at him, though the effect was ruined by her drowsy state.

Alexander folded his arms, unmoved. "Stay there. I'll get you some water."

Evelyn mumbled something under her breath but didn’t argue further.

As he turned toward the kitchen, he heard the rustling of fabric behind him.

He spun back just in time to see her attempting to sit up again.

"Evelyn," he warned.

She froze, then sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay. I'll wait."

Alexander narrowed his eyes, making sure she stayed put before finally walking away.

He returned moments later with a glass of water, only to find her curled up on the bed, already half-asleep.

Shaking his head, he set the glass on the nightstand and pulled the blanket over her.

She murmured something unintelligible but didn’t wake.

Alexander watched her for a moment longer before turning off the lights and quietly leaving the room.

He had a feeling the morning would be interesting.

"Too much can make you drown in the bath, you know."

Evelyn blinked slowly, processing Alexander's words. For a moment, she almost believed him. "Really?"

Alexander nodded solemnly. "Absolutely true."

"But..." Her cheeks flushed pink as she frowned. "Aren't I a fish?"

Then, without warning, she crouched down.

She curled her fingers into tiny claws beside her face, bared her teeth, and let out a playful growl.

"Piranha. Rawr."

It was anything but intimidating—adorable, if anything.

Alexander chuckled, tapping the tip of her nose lightly. "Even fish can drown. Didn’t you know that?"

Evelyn’s confusion deepened.

Before she could protest further, Alexander took her hand and tugged her toward the bedroom. "Forget the bath. Just sleep."

The moment her body hit the mattress, she melted into it like liquid, boneless and pliant.

Behind her, Alexander exhaled heavily in relief.

A bath?

Not happening tonight.

She was far too intoxicated for this.

What if she needed assistance while bathing? The thought alone was enough to drive Alexander mad.

On the bed, Evelyn stirred, rolling over in a dazed stupor, her movements sluggish and uncoordinated—like a caterpillar struggling to find its footing.

A sudden burning sensation flared in her stomach, forcing her upright.

"What's wrong?" Alexander asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Piranhas need rain to thrive," she mumbled, her words slurred.

"Wait. I'll get you water."

But before he could move, Evelyn began tugging at her knit dress again, her fingers clumsy.

"Piranha shedding its skin," she declared, as if it made perfect sense.

Alexander exhaled sharply, torn between exasperation and amusement.

Just as the smooth expanse of her thighs threatened to be exposed, he swiftly bundled her up in the quilt, cocooning her tightly.

Turning away with rigid restraint, he tossed a sleep shirt onto the bed beside her, his voice gruff with forced patience.

"Change into this. I'll get your water."

Without another word, he strode out to the living room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

Alexander waited exactly four minutes, calculating Evelyn should be decent by now before reentering with a glass of water.

The borrowed sleep shirt drowned her petite frame, the oversized collar slipping off one shoulder. Though it reached mid-thigh, the way she sat curled on the edge of the bed exposed far too much bare skin.

Her legs—smooth, toned, and endlessly distracting—were tucked beneath her in a pose that screamed casual intimacy.

Alexander's grip tightened around the glass. He yanked his silk tie loose with one sharp tug.

Snatching the throw blanket from the armchair, he practically threw it over her lap, covering every inch of exposed flesh.

The moment his fingers left the fabric, Evelyn lunged for the water. The sudden movement sent her tumbling against his chest.

Ice-cold liquid splashed across his tailored trousers, soaking through to his skin.

"Oh no—" Evelyn's fingers fluttered over the dark stain spreading across his thigh. Her palm pressed against the damp fabric, rubbing absently.

Electricity shot through Alexander's veins.

His hand clamped around her wrist. "Evelyn." The warning in his voice should have been unmistakable.

She blinked up at him with those wide, innocent eyes.

Then slowly, deliberately, she traced the lines of his palm before threading their fingers together.

Her whisper was a challenge. "I want more."

Alexander's pulse pounded at his temples. "What's insufficient?"

"The water."

Evelyn's gaze, wide and imploring, locked with his.

That innocent look combined with her delicate frame made resistance impossible. "Could you... pour me just a bit more?"

Her fingers were tiny, silk-smooth against his skin.

The contact sent electricity up his arm.

Alexander clenched his jaw, clinging to rationality.

He wrenched his hand free. "Stay put!"

Moments later, he returned with a fresh glass.

As he brought it to her lips, Evelyn suddenly twisted away.

Drunk and disoriented, she tangled in the sheets—

One more roll would send her tumbling off the mattress—

Alexander lunged forward.

His knee hit the floorboards. Water sloshed across his dress shirt, dripping down his forearms.

Evelyn blinked at the spillage. Her nose scrunched in disapproval.

A slow, knowing smile curved Evelyn's lips as she gazed at Alexander. Without warning, she seized his collar and yanked him upright from the ground.

Alexander blinked, momentarily disoriented by her sudden movement. His breath hitched as Evelyn leaned in, her lips brushing against the damp fabric over his pounding heart.

The world seemed to pause around them.

Evelyn could feel the rapid thud of his pulse beneath her mouth, steady and strong. She lingered there for a heartbeat longer than necessary before pulling back just enough to meet his stunned gaze.

Alexander's throat worked as he swallowed hard. "Evelyn—"

But she silenced him with a single, lingering look.

The air between them crackled with unspoken tension.

Then, with deliberate slowness, she released his collar and stepped back, leaving him standing there, breathless and utterly off-balance.

Her smile deepened.

"Wait here," she murmured, before turning away.

Alexander could only watch as she walked off, his chest still burning where her lips had been.