Chapter 48: That’s Enough
Chapter 48: That’s Enough
Chapter 48: That’s Enough
EVANGELINE:
Help me?
I blink, unsettled, and look away from his blue gaze that doesn’t let me think straight.
"I… I don’t know what you mean," I say, pulling away from his touch.
Moving around him, I head to the living room. Passing the couches, I stop in front of the windows.
Through the partially open curtain, I stare at the sea of illuminated skyscrapers, trying to organize my thoughts.
But it’s useless.
Understand what I felt…? Why is he insisting on this?
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to push away the image of me lying on the couch.
"You can’t keep running from this." His calm, deep voice comes from behind me, making me shiver.
I take a deep breath, my gaze settling on the liquid in the glass. Bringing it to my lips, I finish it in one go before turning to face him.
"It’s been a long day... I need to rest," I say.
"Evangeline…" He takes a step, closing the distance between us, and the way he says my name is enough to shake me.
"What do you want?" I ask, reluctant.
"You said you were afraid, confused… but it wasn’t just that."
His blue gaze is like a trap. I always have to fight to escape it.
"Tell me, what else did you feel?"
"Why does that matter?" I ask.
"Why do you feel guilty?"
"You know…" I look away. "This is sick. He was a stranger…"
"And yet, your body responded."
"Yes, because… I lost control, okay?" I admit, unsettled.
"You said he didn’t touch you. That you couldn’t see his face. So what made your body react?" he presses.
"I don’t know… Maybe fear."
"Fear doesn’t explain everything." He steps closer, close enough to force me to lift my face to meet his—and to make my heart race. "What if I ask you to do the same now..."
What?
I swallow hard, my breath caught in my throat.
"What does that make you feel?" he pushes, his chest almost brushing mine. "Do you like the idea?"
He wants…?
I can’t even form the thought.
"We all have fantasies…" His tone is low, almost like a confession. "Some are darker than others. Don’t be ashamed of yours."
Fantasies…
Is he suggesting I wanted that?
No.
But maybe there’s some truth to it. After all, wasn’t that what I tried to tell myself at the beginning?
That it was all just a fantasy.
A completely sick one.
"Don’t you feel ashamed of any of yours?" I ask, finding my voice again, slightly weak.
"I prefer to explore them," he says, almost in a whisper, as his fingers reach my chin.
Then his thumb brushes over my lower lip, stealing my breath.
What is he doing?
I know I should pull away, but I can’t. I’m trapped in his gaze again.
In his touch…
"Let me help you with that," he whispers.
Help me… He wants…?
No.
Even if I wanted to, this can’t happen.
I close my eyes, trying to resist.
"I can’t… we can’t," I murmur, opening my eyes and pulling away from his touch. "Good night." I step back.
Leaving him behind, I hurry up the stairs.
In the bedroom, I close the door behind me and lean against it. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my body, which still craves his touch.
This is madness...
It’s not just a game anymore.
Maybe it never was.
It’s too risky.
I can’t stay here.
I can’t trust myself around him anymore.
✽
I tried to avoid Tess all day and didn’t even go out for lunch, because I knew exactly what she would want to talk about.
The same thing everyone was talking about: Harrington Row’s new partner.
The man who almost made me lose my mind last night.
I should have seen this coming. I should have kept my distance.
Suddenly, he seems to be everywhere. And now, my only option is to go back to my own nightmare.
Go back home.
I push the thought away—enough to make my stomach churn.
"Hey! Eve?" The familiar voice calls out, making my body tense before I even stop on the sidewalk.
I turn to see Tess approaching, coming out of the publishing building.
"Are you okay?" she asks, stopping in front of me.
"Yes. Is something wrong?" I deflect.
"Are you sure? Because I have the impression you’ve been avoiding me all day."
"No, I just had a lot of work," I lie. "I also have a few things to take care of before going home, so I have to go." I gesture toward the taxi that just pulled up. "See you tomorrow. Love you!" I walk away before she can protest.
✽
In the elevator, I feel an uncomfortable chill in my stomach before the doors open. Stepping out, I cross the living room, looking around.
The apartment looks as empty as it did this morning when I left for work.
I have no idea when he left. I didn’t see or hear any sign of him after I hid in my room.
I guess that’s for the best. I don’t know if I’m ready to face him after that.
That must be the only good part about going back home, I think as I go up the stairs, trying to avoid the memory of what happened the last time I was there.
Maybe I should have talked to Tess…
I stop abruptly at the top of the stairs.
The sight at the end of the hallway freezes me.
Broad, bare back.
My heart skips a beat.
Wearing only a towel around his hips, he turns and sees me.
Fuck…
His damp hair and glistening skin unsettle me.
I can’t help it. My eyes drop without permission, trailing over his broad shoulders and chest.
But it’s the line below his sculpted abdomen that holds my attention.
The prominent veins disappear beneath the towel, hanging dangerously low.
Nearly breathless, I blink and meet his gaze.
With my face burning, I try to regain focus.
"I’m sorry… I… didn’t know you were here," I manage to say. "I just came to get my things." I gesture toward the bedroom door.
He doesn’t respond. He just stands there, staring at me in silence.
His gaze drifts down my body, spreading heat across my skin.
Then, suddenly, he moves.
With every step, warning signals go off in my head, but I remain still, my heart out of control.
And before I realize it, he’s in front of me, his hands cupping my face, his gaze making me burn.
My body feels like it’s about to give out when his hands slide down, gripping my hips.
With a firm hold, he forces me back against the wall, pinning me to it.
Then his lips press against mine.