Chapter 609

Nathan's fingers tightened around Evelyn's restless hands as he kept murmuring her name. "Evelyn... Sweetheart... Darling..."

Evelyn scrunched her nose in irritation at the persistent buzzing near her ear.

That annoying sound was murdering her sleep. "Even Leo knows better than to wake me up. Why won't this damn mosquito leave me alone?"

Evelyn had always been a light sleeper with a terrible temper when disturbed. She couldn't take it anymore and forced her heavy eyelids open.

Through her blurred vision, she saw chiseled masculine features that seemed vaguely familiar. 'Is that Nathan Blackwood? Or Xavier?' Her foggy mind struggled to focus as the man's intermittent voice droned on like some annoying incantation.

Suddenly irritated beyond measure, she lashed out with her nails, scratching him sharply. "Shut. Up."

Miraculously, the noise stopped immediately. Nathan's expression darkened as he stared at her, touching the stinging scratch mark on his neck.

She gets violent when drunk? As CEO of Blackwood Industries, he wasn't used to being manhandled. But he had no free hands to tend to the wound, only feeling its burning sting.

Whatever. He'd tolerate it. Seeing no signs of vomiting but noticing her discomfort, Nathan carefully lifted her onto the bed.

Not taking any chances, Nathan immediately called Harrison to test the wine bottle and glasses for drugs. Until he saw the results, he wouldn't relax.

The hotel physician arrived to examine Evelyn thoroughly. After a meticulous checkup, the doctor finally reported, "Ms. Sinclair simply drank too much. Some honey water will help. Nothing alarming."

Nathan frowned. "You may leave."

Once alone, Nathan sat quietly beside the sleeping Evelyn, watching her peaceful expression. Oblivious to the world, she seemed lost in pleasant dreams.

Shaking his head, Nathan fetched a warm towel to gently wipe her face. "What possessed you to drink so recklessly? And from random glasses? Tomorrow, someone's going to pay for this." Only he knew the sheer panic that had gripped him upon hearing she'd consumed potentially drugged wine.

Evelyn turned over abruptly, her nightgown slipping to reveal a smooth, pale shoulder. Nathan froze. His Adam's apple bobbed as his gaze darkened.

Outside, the night wind howled against the windows. But here, the warm, soft woman before him made restraint nearly impossible.

Leaning closer, his voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Evelyn... Darling, I need to kiss you..." After tending to her all night, wouldn't he deserve this small reward?

As president of a billion-dollar corporation, he'd never imagined struggling with such basic self-control. But the desire to taste her lips overwhelmed him.

The single lit lamp cast intimate shadows across the quiet room. Evelyn remained unaware as Nathan's mouth hovered inches from hers.

Just as he was about to close the distance, Evelyn's eyes flew open. Nathan jerked back, heart pounding with guilty surprise. But Evelyn simply blinked drowsily, her unfocused gaze landing on him.

"Xavier," she slurred, "I'll make you famous..."