Chapter 407

Nathan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're married, Zara?"

Evelyn's lips curved into a playful smile. "Indeed."

"Oh? Is your husband here in Zena? We should invite him for tea." Nathan's curiosity burned - who was the fortunate man who'd won this brilliant beauty's heart?

Evelyn feigned a dramatic sigh. "I'd love to, but who knows which woman my husband is entertaining right now? He's completely unreachable."

Oliver, Chloe, and the others froze in shock. The entire group, including Nathan, looked at her with pity.

"That's terrible," Nathan said sympathetically. "But someone as stunning as you could easily find better."

Evelyn batted her eyelashes. "Really? Do you have someone in mind?"

Nathan's smirk widened. "Perhaps I do."

A storm cloud seemed to gather over Nathan's head. With a tight smile at the others, he ground out between clenched teeth, "Excuse me, I need to discuss urgent business with Ms. Vanderbilt. We'll have to skip dinner."

Before anyone could react, he seized Evelyn's wrist and practically dragged her away.

The electronic lock beeped as Nathan swiped the keycard, pulling Evelyn into his suite. She wrenched her arm free. "Nathan Goldmann, what do you think you're— Mmph!"

He pinned her against the wall, his lips crashing down on hers. The hunger in his dark eyes made her knees weak, but she refused to surrender so easily - sinking her teeth into his lower lip.

Nathan hissed, his gaze turning dangerous. "Biting me now?"

Evelyn tilted her chin defiantly. "Mr. Goldmann, isn't it improper to drag a woman into your private quarters?"

Recognizing her game, Nathan chuckled darkly. "What's improper about bringing my own wife to my room?"

"Wife?" Evelyn pressed a finger against his chest, pushing him back with a hollow laugh. "I thought we were just... close acquaintances."

Nathan's gaze dropped to her flushed face. Damn if she wasn't even more breathtaking when angry.

He caught her chin between his fingers. "Are you jealous, darling?"

Evelyn turned her face away.

When he leaned in again, she stopped him with a finger to his lips. "Not interested tonight, Mr. Goldmann."

Shoving past him, she straightened her dress and reached for the door handle. Just as her fingers brushed the knob, Nathan's body pressed against her from behind, his voice a velvet whisper against her ear. "What if I make it worth your while?"

Evelyn gritted her teeth. "Get lost."

"You sure about that?" His cool fingers traced the delicate column of her throat before brushing the corner of her mouth.

Evelyn remained stubbornly silent, though she could feel his body responding against hers.

When his lips found the sensitive spot below her ear, an involuntary shiver ran through her. All resistance melted away as if by magic.

Nathan took his sweet time, teasing and coaxing like a predator toying with its prey - setting the perfect trap, waiting for her to surrender, then slowly wrapping her in silken bonds until she was completely at his mercy.

When Evelyn finally looped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe until she nearly lost balance, he swept her up effortlessly.

"Such a little liar," Nathan murmured against her lips, his breath warm. "Still want me to leave?"

Evelyn bit her lip in surrender.

In one fluid motion, he spun her around, caging her between his body and the wall. "Now tell me, Zoe," he purred, his mouth hovering dangerously close, "what brings you to Stoslo?"

Evelyn glared up at him. "Do I need permission to travel now?"

Seeing her stubborn act, he nipped at her collarbone in punishment. "Answer me properly, sweetheart."