Chapter 39

Nathan's footsteps approached the bedroom door. His fingers closed around the doorknob.

He twisted it forcefully. The lock held firm.

Dominic had secured it from inside. The flimsy mechanism wouldn't withstand much pressure.

Evelyn's pulse hammered in her throat. Her face went deathly pale.

The man's scorching kiss silenced her protests. Desperate eyes pleaded with him as she shook her head.

Dominic claimed her mouth relentlessly, his tongue plunging deep. When he finally withdrew, his darkened gaze burned with unchecked desire.

His stubbled jaw scraped her cheek. Their heated bodies pressed together as his iron grip pinned her wrists. His other hand slid lower, applying unbearable pressure.

"Please...stop..."

Her knees buckled. Disoriented, she stumbled forward into his unyielding embrace.

"Let me go...don't..."

Tears welled as she forced the whisper past trembling lips.

Nathan refused to give up outside.

When the door resisted, he assumed Evelyn was sulking. Alcohol always made him lose control.

He lit a cigarette to calm his frayed nerves. The rising smoke only deepened his agitation.

The doorknob rattled violently as he wrestled with the lock.

Finally, Nathan ground out his cigarette. "Evelyn Sinclair!" he bellowed. "You think a locked door stops me? Remember - you're still my fiancée!"

Pain lanced through Evelyn's chest.

Regret flooded her. Dating Nathan had been a mistake. Trusting any man had been foolish. Believing in happiness? Naïve.

Those were the errors of a weaker woman.

Dominic acted as if they were alone in the universe. His entire focus centered on conquering her trembling form.

His wandering hand gathered the hem of her nightgown. The fabric slid upward until most bunched in his fist.

Evelyn struggled silently, terrified of alerting Nathan.

She couldn't bear both men seeing her like this.

The humiliation would destroy her.

"Look at you," Dominic growled between kisses. "Dressed like this - you knew exactly what you were doing."

His rough palm found her damp heat.

Her traitorous body betrayed her.

With only a door separating them, Evelyn stifled her cries against Dominic's mouth. Tears spilled over as his fingers worked ruthlessly.

She felt like prey caught in a trap.

This wasn't some seduction attempt.

Alone, Evelyn rarely wore nightclothes. Today's ankle-length gown was her most modest - worn only because she'd napped earlier.

She never expected this invasion.

Dominic didn't care for explanations. He'd already convicted her of temptation.

Nathan's back thudded against the door. "I know you're there, Evelyn. Can you feel me? You still love me-"

"Enough!" She squeezed her thighs together, writhing against the door.

Dominic broke the kiss, fury blazing in his eyes as he studied her tear-streaked face.

She couldn't scream. Couldn't make this worse. Men might brush this off, but a woman's reputation...

His commanding presence overwhelmed her. That unshakable aura demanded obedience.

"Turn around." The order vibrated with dark promise.

Five years ago, she'd surrendered to another man's demands. The memories still haunted her.

She shook her head mutely.

Words wouldn't stop him. Nothing would.

Evelyn was tired of being everyone's puppet.

If he violated her today, she'd press charges. No more compromises.

First, she'd lived for her father's approval. Then for Nathan's. Now both had betrayed her.

Losing everything brought unexpected freedom.

With nothing left to lose, she could finally stand tall.

No more caring what anyone thought.

"You'd rather have that madman outside?" Dominic sneered before capturing her lips again.

The chaste kiss surprised her. Before she could react, he spun her around.

Her back pressed against his chest.

One powerful hand pinned both wrists above her head against the wall.

He yanked up her nightgown, baring her from waist to shoulders.

Dominic's breath hitched at the exposed skin. His mouth trailed fire down her spine.

A moan escaped before she could stop it.

As Dominic fumbled with his zipper, Nathan felt the door shift.

"Are you crying?" Guilt laced his voice. The thought of Evelyn weeping on the other side twisted his gut. "Answer me!"

He cursed himself for reducing a woman to tears.