Chapter 77

The sudden loss of balance sent Evelyn and Alexander tumbling onto the plush bed.

Evelyn’s silky hair fanned across his face and shoulders like spilled ink.

Her flushed cheek pressed firmly against his bare chest, trapping him beneath her weight.

Before Alexander could react, he felt the warm, teasing flick of her tongue against his damp skin, lapping up the lingering droplets of water.

His entire body locked in shock.

A shiver raced up his spine, starting from where her lips brushed his collarbone, leaving him rigid as marble.

"Evelyn!"

His pulse hammered violently, his voice rough with barely restrained hunger.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

He clenched his jaw, fighting the wildfire threatening to consume him.

Evelyn blinked up at him, her drowsy gaze innocent. "Just tasting the water. Didn’t you notice?"

Her lips curved into a slow, teasing smile that made his control snap.

Alexander was utterly speechless.

Her voice came out in a breathy whisper, the places her lips had grazed blooming with heat.

His jaw clenched, throat working as he swallowed hard.

Without warning, he seized her wrist and flipped her beneath him.

Their gazes collided—his dark with hunger, restless and consuming. "In moments like these," he murmured, voice rough, "don’t you think it’s better if the man leads?"

She didn’t get a chance to answer.

His mouth crashed into hers.

A slow, teasing nip at her lower lip.

Then deeper, hotter—a claiming.

The air between them thickened, Alexander’s breaths turning ragged.

Evelyn felt like she was burning alive, every gasp of oxygen thinner than the last.

A soft whimper escaped her as she tried to turn away.

But Alexander cradled the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair, and dragged her back into the kiss.

Their breaths fused.

His other hand traced the curve of her waist, possessive and deliberate.

Alexander's fingers tightened around Evelyn's slender waist, his body thrumming with anticipation as he leaned in for what should have been their next intimate moment.

Then he froze.

Beneath him, Evelyn lay perfectly still, her chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of deep sleep. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks in the dim lamplight.

Alexander blinked.

The warm glow from the bedside lamp painted golden highlights across Evelyn's peaceful expression. She looked serene. Untroubled.

Completely unaware of his frustration.

His jaw clenched.

Desire burned through him, hot and relentless. He stared down at her sleeping form, his fingers flexing against the sheets for what felt like an eternity.

She actually fell asleep?

Just like that?

While I'm—

His gaze dropped lower.

A heavy sigh escaped him.

Then another.

The alcohol had clearly claimed her completely. Evelyn shifted slightly in her slumber, murmuring something unintelligible before settling again.

Alexander exhaled sharply through his nose.

The night had taken an unexpected turn.

To Evelyn's surprise, Alexander suddenly cupped her face and drew her into his embrace.

The entire night, whenever she attempted to shift away, he would press a soft kiss to her temple, pulling her back against his chest.

His heartbeat was steady and strong beneath her ear, his warmth enveloping her as if he were silently expressing his displeasure.

By morning, Evelyn woke with a stiff neck—so stiff that even the slightest movement sent sharp pain radiating through her shoulders.

She sat up, her throat parched, and immediately reached for the glass of water on the nightstand, gulping it down without a second thought.

Then realization struck.

Her oversized shirt barely covered her thighs, and beneath it—nothing.

Wait… is this Alexander’s?

Her foggy mind struggled to piece together the night before.

She remembered drinking too much at the private lounge, slumping onto the sofa to clear her head… and then Alexander had arrived.

Had he carried her back?

Dressed her?

Her cheeks burned at the thought.

She glanced around the room, but Alexander was nowhere in sight.

Had he left without a word?

A strange ache settled in her chest—one that had nothing to do with her stiff neck.

Her heart skipped a beat. Alexander is back?

And these clothes—did he change me into them?

Heat rushed to her cheeks. Though they were married, they hadn’t crossed that line yet…

Evelyn swallowed hard, suddenly self-conscious.

The muffled sounds from the living room snapped her back to reality. She hurriedly dressed, fingers fumbling with the buttons, then stepped out—still flushed, pulse unsteady.