Chapter 187

His scorching breath grazed her skin, making her knees buckle instantly.

A deep blush spread across Evelyn's face.

She thought Dominic would kiss her again.

That's how it always used to be.

This man had a one-track mind when it came to intimacy.

But this time, his lips only brushed against her cheek. He lingered there, eyes closed, savoring the contact.

The kiss lasted so long she had to hold her breath.

When he finally pulled away, his voice was rough. "Don't make me worry about you. Stop bottling things up."

Evelyn lowered her gaze, confused by his words.

"Get some rest. We leave for the town tomorrow." Dominic's fingers, which had been tilting her chin, reluctantly withdrew.

Exhausted from the day's activities, every muscle in her body ached. Sleep called to her, but where was he going?

She watched as Dominic opened the door to leave, her heart twisting uncomfortably.

He'd vanished the entire previous night too.

After dinner, he'd left the twins with her and didn't return until dawn. Where had he been during those missing hours?

No one knew.

A powerful man like Dominic could easily keep secrets.

If he'd gone to Yvette's place, then his behavior today was just an act. It would also mean he disrespected Yvette completely.

In relationships like theirs, the younger woman always suffered in silence.

It wasn't surprising that a naive 19-year-old would get swept up in an older man's world.

But these were just baseless assumptions. Truthfully, Evelyn didn't want to doubt Dominic. Despite the scandals surrounding powerful men, she chose to believe in him unconditionally.

Because he was extraordinary. And because he was Alexander and Isabella's father.

Shaking her head, she pushed the thoughts away.

Yet human hearts aren't ruled by logic.

Under the shower's spray, her mind kept circling back. Had Dominic gone home to sleep? To the manor or his penthouse?

But with the children here, why would he sleep elsewhere?

Dominic wasn't some prude from ancient times.

These thoughts plagued her through her shower and into bed. Clutching the blanket, she finally drifted off.

Sometime in the night, the mattress dipped sharply.

The rented apartment's bed was flimsy compared to the luxurious ones at Blackwood Manor. Just an iron frame with uneven slats.

Fine for her and the children, but unable to support a grown man's weight without protest.

Exhausted from the day's activities, Evelyn slept deeply at first.

Then the heat woke her.

Why was it so sweltering? Wasn't it autumn? This felt like midsummer.

A soft moan escaped as she blinked awake to find a man in a white shirt and black pants hovering over her, his lips claiming hers.

"Mmm... You—" Reality crashed in.

If this was a dream, it felt terrifyingly real.

Her thin pajamas provided little coverage. Having expected to sleep alone, she'd forgone a bra after showering.

A traitorous moan slipped out, soft and honeyed.

Dominic kissed her like a husband returning from war, his hunger speaking volumes.

Only their clothes separated their burning bodies.

Under his skilled hands, Evelyn's body betrayed her, responding eagerly.

Her pajama top rode up as Dominic's large hands spanned her slender waist. Fatigue shadowed his eyes, but desire burned brighter.

Evelyn arched into his touch, her mind and body at war.

"Ah... Ha..." The sounds escaped unbidden.

Maybe subconsciously she knew they were alone. Maybe that's why she didn't hold back.

"Still this sensitive?" Dominic's voice roughened, his eyes darkening. The bloodshot veins from sleep deprivation only made him look more dangerously attractive.

Evelyn melted beneath him, her black hair fanned across the pillow. The contrast between her pale skin and his tan was stark.

"You bit your lip that first time too," he murmured against her neck. "Trying so hard not to scream..."

His husky tone sent shivers through her.

Evelyn gasped for air as strong hands flipped her onto her stomach. His weight pinned her as he tugged her pajama bottoms down.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Evelyn? Are you home?"

Allison's voice cut through the moment.

The doorbell remained silent as Allison kept knocking.

A neighbor returning from the market explained, "The bell's been broken for weeks. Landlord won't fix it."

Frustrated, Allison checked Yvette's message again:

Aunt Beatrice, I hate to bother you, but it's urgent. Dominic's taking Evelyn to that remote town. Who knows what might happen? The family's reputation—

Allison rolled her eyes. Yvette always ran to others instead of solving her own problems.

"Dominic knows his limits," she muttered.

But Yvette's next words gave pause:

"Alone in some secluded place... A man and woman... Passion could easily—"