Chapter 59

The instant Evelyn mentioned "blind date," Dominic's expression darkened visibly. His frown deepened into something almost frightening.

"Release me. This is pointless and you're just wasting your time!"

Her words weren't meant for Dominic alone - she needed to hear them herself.

Dominic's eyes flashed with sudden intensity, his grip tightening momentarily before relaxing.

Evelyn found herself half-sprawled across his lap, lips pressed tightly together as she struggled to control her breathing.

After what felt like an eternity, the hand at her waist loosened. The fingers encircling her wrist slackened...

She was free.

Yet Evelyn's face showed neither relief nor distress as she straightened her clothes and retrieved her bag.

Just as she reached for the door handle, Dominic yanked her back violently, tossing her onto the passenger seat.

"Planning to seduce your date with these prudish clothes?" Dominic growled, pinning her down.

His burning gaze locked onto her panicked eyes.

Evelyn recognized the words as pure anger.

She wore full-length trousers and a long-sleeved blouse. Olivia had scolded her earlier for dressing like "a repressed spinster" for this arranged meeting.

Since learning of her father's terminal diagnosis, Evelyn had lost interest in everything.

If her blind date judged her by appearances, so be it.

Yet Dominic claimed she was "wearing too little" in this modest outfit.

The implication stung - he might as well have called her a whore.

"Perhaps you need an optometrist, Mr. Blackwood. Could you find anyone dressed more conservatively? What exactly about this screams 'provocative' to you?" Evelyn retorted bitterly.

Dominic's jaw tightened. Objectively, she was covered from neck to ankle - excessively so.

The damned truth was this woman could ignite his desire without showing an inch of skin...

"If a man gets aroused seeing me like this, that's his problem, not mine." Evelyn implied Dominic's accusation revealed more about his own inappropriate thoughts.

"You're the first woman who looks indecent even when fully clothed," Dominic countered, experiencing her sharp tongue firsthand.

As punishment, he crushed his lips against hers.

"Mmmph—" The brutal kiss made her wince. Her mouth already felt raw.

Was this how all kisses were? He seemed more animal than man.

The metallic tang of blood only seemed to excite him further.

Dominic's tongue probed the tender spot he'd created, reigniting the heat between them.

As he reclined the passenger seat, Evelyn shook her head desperately, twisting to escape.

"Moving like that against a man... Are you trying to provoke me further?" Dominic breathed heavily, fighting for control.

Evelyn's wide, frightened eyes and trembling lashes spoke volumes.

She feared he'd take her right there.

Her blind date appointment time loomed.

She couldn't stand up her father's chosen suitor - not when the man was dying.

After facing life's fragility before, Evelyn valued little else. Her purity meant nothing compared to her father's life.

She'd been cruel to him before learning the truth. Now she'd do anything for him.

"Why this sudden blind date?" Dominic knew she'd rushed into dating after Nathan.

Evelyn remained silent.

Another punishing kiss stole her breath as their bodies pressed together inseparably.

Dominic traced her swollen lips with his tongue. "I'll ask again - why the blind date?"

Evelyn stared mutely, momentarily speechless.

"Not satisfied yet? Your eyes are begging for more..." Dominic began unbuttoning her blouse.

"Ah! I'll... I'll talk!"

His fingers at her throat made coherent speech impossible.

Dominic pulled back. "Why?"

Evelyn swallowed hard before explaining about her father's concealed illness and his wish to see her settled.

Trapped beneath Dominic with barely an inch between them, his breath hot on her lips, Evelyn felt utterly vulnerable.

"You still want to go?"

"Yes." She kept her eyes closed.

Dominic seized another kiss before demanding, "Is this man more attractive than me?"

Evelyn's stinging tongue made her wince. If this was how he kissed, actual intimacy might destroy her.

She shook her head, chiding her wandering thoughts.

"He's not as wealthy as you - that's a point in his favor," Evelyn admitted. "I know almost nothing else about him."

Dominic frowned. "Is wealth a crime?"

Evelyn's pulse raced. "To my father, it is. He despises rich men."

"Why?" As a wealthy man himself, Dominic took offense.

Evelyn shook her head. The truth - her mother abandoning them for a rich lover - was too shameful to share.

She feared Dominic's pity and the unpayable debts his help would incur.

"Fine," Dominic conceded unexpectedly. "I'll take you to your date. But on one condition."

Evelyn waited.

"Kiss me properly for ten minutes." Dominic cradled her head, demanding she take the initiative this time.