Chapter 47

Evelyn never imagined a single glass of wine could make her this lightheaded.

She shook her head, swaying slightly under the heavy tablecloth of the massive round table. The table had eight ornate legs, one particularly thick one directly in front of her.

That must have been what she tripped over.

Now her boss's trousers were drenched in red wine - right at the most embarrassing spot possible. The stain spread obscenely across the fabric. Evelyn felt like she deserved to die ten times over for this.

Dominic already suspected her of trying to seduce him. After this incident, she'd never be able to look him in the eye again.

"Don't just stand there! Help Mr. Blackwood clean up!"

Abigail thrust a packet of tissues at her urgently.

Acting on instinct, Evelyn grabbed a tissue and pressed it directly against her boss's crotch...

The white tissue immediately darkened to a deep, suggestive red upon contact. Her fingers brushed against something firm beneath the fabric.

She realized with horror that her wiping motions were causing her fingers to rub against his groin repeatedly.

Something terrifying seemed to be growing beneath his pants... at an alarmingly rapid pace.

Evelyn's face burned.

With three business partners watching - both men and women - this must be mortifying for Dominic. She bit her lip, trying to focus, but her nervousness only made her hands shake worse.

Half the tissue packet was gone, but the stain remained.

Dominic was notoriously fastidious. There was no way he'd continue dinner with wine-soaked trousers...

Just as panic set in, his hand clamped around her wrist like a vice.

She looked up into his icy, penetrating gaze.

Towering over her, his chiseled features hardened as he ground out through clenched teeth, "Come with me."

The entire room froze in surprise.

All three business partners exchanged glances, realizing Miss Sinclair was clearly more than just an employee to Mr. Blackwood.

Even Abigail and Sebastian looked shocked at their boss's blatant possessiveness. He might as well have declared to everyone present that Evelyn Sinclair belonged to him.

Dominic dragged her to the elevator, pulling her inside as the doors closed. The ascent seemed endless, confirming they were heading to one of the penthouse floors.

The higher they rose, the dizzier Evelyn became.

Who knew she'd be taken down by one glass of wine? She'd clearly overestimated her alcohol tolerance.

When the doors opened, Dominic yanked her down the hallway to a suite. Swiping the keycard, he pulled her inside and immediately pinned her against the entryway wall.

The dim lighting played tricks on their expressions, making Dominic's striking features look like a three-dimensional masterpiece.

His scorching kisses rained down mercilessly.

Evelyn weakly struggled, but he easily pulled her against his solid frame.

"Mmm... no..." Her protests were swallowed by his relentless assault as he deepened the kiss.

Her wine-sweetened breath only fueled his desire, making him want to devour every inch of her.

"Ah! Stop... please..." Her hair tumbled wildly as Dominic's large hands roamed freely over her body through her clothes.

Three buttons popped off her blouse, silently hitting the carpet.

She pounded her fists against his chest, tears welling.

Dominic suddenly broke the kiss, gripping her chin roughly. "Why the tears?" His voice was rough with impatience. "Don't want me touching you? Or are you just afraid to admit how much your body wants this?"

"If you're angry about the accident, I'll stay far away from you from now on," she whispered, interpreting his roughness as punishment.

The bold taste of wine on his lips was intoxicating. What woman wouldn't be mesmerized by a man like him?

But she knew this infatuation couldn't last.

Men like Dominic were mirages in the desert - there one moment, gone the next.

She'd known Nathan Kensington for four years, yet reality had slapped her hard. Nice appearances meant nothing. And this powerful, accomplished man before her? His ruthless nature was obvious at first glance.

The chasm between their worlds had existed since birth.

Experience taught that relationships only worked between equals. At best, she'd be a temporary plaything for him.

How delusional would she have to be to dream of marrying someone like Dominic?

Sweet dreams only led to harsher awakenings. That's why Evelyn avoided them - the emptiness afterward hurt too much. Nightmares were better; at least she could wake up relieved it wasn't real.

Dominic's broad palm burned against her waist. Pressing his heated face to hers, he rasped in her ear, "Was that really an accident? Or did you want to touch me there?"

She knew exactly what "there" meant.

The alcohol must be hitting hard, Evelyn thought. Dominic burned like a supernova, incinerating her rationality.

"Let me go. I'm still on my period..." She panted, resting her forehead against his arm.

This was her last shred of clarity - reminding him she couldn't have sex right now.

If he lost control, it would be a bloody mess...

Evelyn refused to risk her health.

"I'm too dizzy. I need to go home."

She never should have finished that entire glass.

Dominic exhaled sharply, fighting his raging desire. Gently stroking her hair, he murmured, "Just rest for now."

Scooping her up, he carried her to the massive bed.

Through her haze, Evelyn watched him open the closet and remove a perfectly pressed suit.

Then he began undressing...

His sculpted back faced her, every muscle defined. She couldn't look away.

Once dressed, his usual impenetrable demeanor returned. But then he knelt to remove her heels.

When his hand closed around her foot...

An electric jolt shot through her. Her toes curled instinctively, trying to pull away from his grasp.