Chapter 230

Evelyn had just hung up with Olivia. She curled into herself, tucking her knees beneath the oversized sweater.

She couldn't meet his gaze. Not when she felt this vulnerable.

But avoiding his eyes didn't make her any less affected.

Their bodies had memorized each other by now, yet Evelyn still couldn't look directly into those piercing eyes. Even fully clothed, Dominic's presence alone was enough to ignite sinful thoughts in her mind...

Just the sight of those long, powerful legs was dangerously intoxicating.

Dominic lowered his head, his gaze softening as he studied her silence. He stroked her hair. "Not ready to leave? I didn't bring pajamas. We could stay. I'm not done with you yet."

His lips brushed her hair, trailing down to her forehead.

Then his tongue traced the flushed heat of her cheek...

Evelyn couldn't deny the lingering tremors from earlier. When his mouth found hers again, the slick sound of their kiss made her shiver.

Their breathing grew ragged, syncopated.

Evelyn's senses slowly returned. Her face burned. Her throat felt parched...

She tried to pull away, but Dominic's eyes had darkened with hunger, his Adam's apple bobbing.

As he savored her taste, he captured her hands, guiding her slender fingers down his body. His voice was rough. "Too late. Neither of us is leaving."

I can't take much more of this, Evelyn thought.

This man might actually be the death of me...

Though he is older—maybe he'll go first...

His dominating aura left no room for escape.

"I have an early meeting tomorrow," she murmured, trapped beneath him. "Then the train. If we... do this again, I won't make it. Can we... not?"

"Take the day off." Dominic kissed her hair, his tone gentle but final.

Sensing her limits, he didn't push further. Instead of removing his coat, he unbuckled his belt.

"Ah!"

He lifted her effortlessly.

In one motion, he pinned her against the wall.

Her arms instinctively locked around his neck, legs wrapping his waist.

An embarrassing position.

Dominic gave her no time to recover. His mouth claimed hers, stealing her breath...

Midnight came before the house settled into quiet.

The shower in her rented apartment was cramped—barely enough for one.

Clearly not designed for shared use.

Evelyn barely registered how long he remained inside her after they finished.

Eventually, he carried her to bed.

His movements were careful, but she was too spent to care.

She curled under the blanket and slipped into unconsciousness.

In her dreams, Dominic was relentless—a demon who wouldn't stop.

For someone with her stamina, it was torture. She jolted awake, gasping.

Her vision cleared to find him standing over her. "What... are you doing?"

"Cleaning you up. You'll sleep better." He held a warm towel.

The water heater was ancient. He'd drained it, and it needed time to refill.

He'd boiled water in the kitchen, soaked a towel, waited for it to cool.

Dominic hadn't done menial tasks like this since childhood.

Not even his twins received this level of care from their father.

"I'll shower," Evelyn mumbled, trying to rise.

Dominic handed her the towel. "No hot water left."

What happened to it?

Then she remembered—his two showers had emptied the tank.

"I'll manage. You should go back." She stayed burrowed under the blanket.

Dominic didn't move. His stare was unyielding.

Evelyn pressed, "Alexander and Isabella will be upset if they wake up alone. Neither of us is there."

Earlier, while comforting Isabella, she'd learned their father rarely smiled at them. It angered her. She wanted to argue, but without the DNA results, she felt she had no right.

Dominic's patience frayed. "Then come back with me."

His voice hardened. "If you don't, I can't promise Isabella won't cry tomorrow."

The children were her weakness.

Dominic knew Evelyn carried guilt for missing five years of their lives.

Time was slipping away. If she didn't seize every chance to spoil them now, she might never get another.

From his threat, Evelyn saw how easily Dominic switched between cruelty and care. She dressed quickly before he reconsidered.

Dominic hadn't smoked all night. He stood outside, lit a cigarette, but couldn't enjoy it.

Inside, Evelyn examined the marks on her body.

Her face burned.

Faint red streaks marred her chest—the imprint of his hands.

How hard did he hold me...?

Will he break me one day?

After cleaning up, she returned to the penthouse with Dominic.

The children had become leverage.