Chapter 279

Dominic exited the elevator, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor as he approached the lavish suite. The retinal scanner beeped in recognition, and the custom-designed lock disengaged with a satisfying click.

"Release me, Dominic..." Evelyn's voice came out hoarse yet strangely alluring, the drugs in her system making every word sound like an invitation.

She fought desperately against the overwhelming urge to throw herself at him, nails digging into her palms as she clung to her last shreds of self-control.

Dominic's lips brushed against Evelyn's ear, his smirk widening when he felt her shiver. "That depends entirely on whether I choose to release you."

Scooping her writhing form into his arms, Dominic carried her into a cavernous chamber.

Instantly, thousands of tiny lights flickered to life, illuminating the space with a soft silver glow that stretched upward to the domed ceiling.

The most breathtaking feature was the ceiling itself - constructed entirely of reinforced glass that revealed the night sky in all its glory.

The full moon hung like a polished mirror amidst countless twinkling stars, each one winking down at them like celestial spectators to their private drama.

Evelyn gasped despite herself, momentarily forgetting her predicament in the face of such beauty. She didn't realize how breathtaking she appeared to the furious man watching her.

"Enjoying the view?" Dominic's deep voice snapped her back to reality.

Evelyn's dark eyes flashed with defiance even as her body betrayed her. She pushed weakly against his chest. "If this is just another way to humiliate me, save your—"

Dominic's expression darkened. With one sharp motion, he tore the flimsy bathrobe from her body and shoved her backward onto the bed.

"Since you're so desperate for a man tonight, perhaps I should oblige."

Evelyn braced for impact, but the plush mattress absorbed her fall completely. Still, she cried out in shock at being so exposed before him.

Despite their previous intimacies, she'd never grown accustomed to this vulnerability. What horrified her more was the wanton moan that escaped her lips instead of protest.

Her skin burned crimson, waves of heat pulsing through her lower abdomen.

'What the hell did Maxwell dose me with?' she thought desperately.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she curled into herself, torn between hiding her body and begging him to take her. The war within only made her tremble more violently.

Dominic watched as Evelyn's hands moved against her will, caressing her own curves as the drugs obliterated her inhibitions.

Her glistening body arched against the sheets like a flower begging to bloom, every movement designed to torment him.

He could see the exact moment her pupils dilated further, the drugs taking complete control.

Dominic's jaw clenched. As much as the sight aroused him, he needed to relieve her suffering first. Gripping her chin, he forced her to meet his gaze.

"Look at you. No wonder Maxwell refuses to let you go."

"Dominic, you—"

Her retort dissolved into panting breaths, unable to form coherent words through the fire consuming her.

Every nerve ending screamed for relief, for his touch. The agony was unbearable.

Finally, Dominic lifted her again—only to dump her unceremoniously into a massive oval bathtub.

The warm water only intensified her feverish need. She thrashed, trying to escape the torturous heat.

Rose petals floated on the surface, their fragrance overwhelming her heightened senses. Just as she thought she'd go mad, a crisp, clean scent cut through the floral notes.

Dominic emptied an entire bottle of body wash into the water with ruthless efficiency.

"Wash. I won't tolerate another man's scent on you."

His words stabbed through Evelyn's haze. So he did care that another had touched her.

Tears welled in her eyes, mixing with the bathwater as humiliation warred with anger.

If he already thought her filthy, why bother defending herself?

"Since you've already decided I'm some cheap whore, Dominic, why pretend? Yes, I sold my body. Yes, I bore children for money. But you? You're just the rich bastard who paid for it. Don't pretend you're any better."

She met his furious gaze head-on, refusing to cower beneath his judgment.

Dominic stilled at her words. Kneeling beside the tub, he studied her water-reddened skin.

"Evelyn Sinclair, you became mine the moment I bought you. Any man who touches you won't live to regret it." The possessiveness in his tone sent shivers down her spine.

Evelyn swallowed her tears, closing her eyes. "So I've always been just purchased goods to you. Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Blackwood. I overestimated my worth."

Dominic's control snapped when she used his formal name.

No one could provoke him like this infuriating woman.

The sight of those damn kiss marks on her skin pushed him over the edge.

Shoving her under the water, he began scrubbing her skin roughly with his calloused hands, determined to erase every trace of another man's touch.