Chapter 56 Don’t Wander Far
After the heated breakfast, Evelyn insisted they go out and explore the area. She couldn’t wait to take pictures with the breathtaking views, capture everything to show Lena.
Roman leaned back in his chair, appearing indifferent. “Not today, I have plans for us.” He said calmly. “I want my meal first.”
“But the light is perfect now!” she pleaded, letting a little sulk creep into her tone.
He smirked, dark and amused. “For today, the only view I’m interested in right here at this table is you. I want my wife’s complete attention. “The views will still be there tomorrow.”
Evelyn pouted. “We can do your plans after. Please? I’ll be so much more… attentive if I’m not wondering what the lake looks like up close.”
He watched her, a slow smile playing on his lips. He was enjoying this. “Will you? Be mesmerized by me, even surrounded by all that beauty?”
“I’m always mesmerized by you,” she said, the truth slipping out more earnestly than she’d intended, making her cheeks warm again. “A few hills and flowers won’t change that.”
That did it. He gave a conceding nod. “One hour. Then you’re mine for the day.”
Victory! Evelyn practically bounced from her chair. She grabbed her wide-brimmed hat, her small crossbody bag, and her precious camera, feeling like an explorer setting out on an adventure.
She was almost at the grand front door, when Leo appeared in the entryway. His usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by a tense, serious expression that vanished the second he saw her, morphing into a smile.
“Boss lady! I hope you’re enjoying your stay so far.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes playfully. “Well… I just got here, but yes! Excited!”
Roman emerged from the dining area, his presence instantly cooling the sunlit foyer. His gaze went from Evelyn’s bright face to Leo, and his own expression darkened. In three strides, he was at her side. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly back against him, dismissing Leo’s presence entirely.
Evelyn’s breath hitched. “Roman, what are you—Leo is here,” she whispered, her eyes darting to the assistant, who had suddenly found the intricate pattern of the tiled floor utterly fascinating.
Roman ignored her protest. He cupped her chin, tilted her face up, and pressed a soft, claiming kiss to her lips gently.
“I’m sorry, darling,” he murmured against her mouth, his voice loud enough for Leo to hear. “Something urgent has come up. You can tour the grounds. I’ll meet you shortly.” Then, before she could process the change of plans, he deepened the kiss.
It was brief but devastating. His tongue swept into her mouth, a hot, possessive stroke that stole her breath and her thoughts. A tiny, shocked sound escaped her. Her hands, which had been holding her camera and hat, flew up to clutch at the front of his shirt, anchoring herself as the world tilted.
Just as suddenly, he pulled away. He placed a softer, lingering kiss on her forehead. “Don’t wander far,” he whispered, a quiet command.
Then he released her, turning his full attention to Leo impatiently. “Let's go.” He strode away without a backward glance.
Leo, his face now a shade of red, scurried after him. He risked one last glance at Evelyn, then quickly looked away, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste to follow.
Evelyn was left standing alone in the grand foyer, her lips tingling, her heart hammering against her ribs. The scent of him—citrus and clean male—still clouded her senses.
‘What… just happened?’
Slowly, the fog of the kiss began to clear, replaced by a creeping, hot embarrassment. Her gaze unconsciously dropped to the exposed skin of her shoulder and collarbone.
There, visible against her pale skin, were the faint but unmistakable remnants of her hickeys. She’d seen them in the mirror, with only her and Roman alone, she was fine with them. But now…
‘Leo saw. He definitely saw them when he came.’
A low groan escaped her. She facepalmed, the cool leather of her camera strap pressing against her hot forehead.
“Ughhhhh! How am I supposed to face his quirky assistant ever again?” she mumbled into her palm. The casual, cool boss lady image was shattered. She was the blushing, marked-up wife who got publicly devoured in the foyer. “I am not built for this level of PDA!”
She lowered her hand, biting her lip in frustration. “But why can’t I remember the wild moment that caused these?” she whispered to the empty, warm space. The gap in her memory was a constant, frustrating tease. The evidence was all over her, but the story was blank.
A new, reckless resolve began to solidify through her embarrassment. If she wanted to actually enjoy this vacation—to match his energy, to stop being the timid girl who short-circuited at a single kiss—she needed a catalyst. Something to loosen the knot of shyness forever tied around her ribs.
“It seems,” she said to herself, straightening her shoulders with a sigh of resignation, “if I want to enjoy myself and overcome this stupid, stupid shyness… I need to get drunk.” She gave a firm, decisive nod, as if agreeing with a brilliant plan. “Properly, happily drunk. Then I can be wild. Then I can enjoy myself to the fullest.”
She shook her head, frustrated, hitting her forehead lightly. “Stupid… stupid… always embarrassed, always shy…”
Taking a deep breath, she let herself step toward the terrace. Cool air brushed her face. She raised her hand, as if conceding to her own determination. “I think… I need to call Lena,” she muttered, cheeks still burning.
Evelyn spent the next hour lost in a dream with her camera. She captured the silvery-green of olive leaves against the azure sky, the startling yellow of lemons hanging heavy over a stone wall, and the endless, shimmering expanse of the Mediterranean where it met the horizon.
She transferred the best shots to her phone, a smile on her lips as she selected a few favorites.
She sent all of them to Lena with the caption: Proof I’m not dreaming. Italy!
She waited, expecting an immediate torrent of excited texts and emojis. Nothing.
The ‘delivered’ status sat alone. After ten minutes, she checked again. Lena’s status showed she hadn’t been online for hours. That was… wrong. Lena was always online.
A knot of concern tightened in Evelyn’s stomach. She hit the call button.
The phone rang once, twice, three times. On the fourth ring, it connected.
“Hello…”
Lena’s voice was hoarse. Croaky. Like she’d been crying.
Evelyn’s breath caught. “Lena! What’s wrong? Your voice—what happened?”
There was a sniff on the other end. “It’s nothing. Just… caught the flu. I’ve been really worked up.”
“Lenaaaa,” Evelyn whined softly. “Have you been staying up late again? Neglecting your health?”
She sighed, worry seeping into her voice. “I wish I was there right now. Did you take any meds? Did you go to the hospital?”
“Yeah… I did,” Lena replied, trying to sound firm, but her voice cracked slightly.
Evelyn’s grip on her phone tightened.
“Wait,” Lena suddenly said, sniffing again. “What did you say earlier? You’re not around?”
Evelyn sighed. “Roman surprised me with a trip. A vacation.” She paused. “I was trying to tell you. I just sent you pictures of where we’re staying.”
“Oh!” Lena perked up instantly, excitement bursting through the phone. “A vacation? That means we’re getting a baby Sinclair very, very soon!”
Evelyn scoffed, rolling her eyes even though her friend couldn’t see. “As if. With me turning into a speechless tomato every time he looks at me for too long, I doubt this trip will be ‘productive’ in that way.” She sighed again, her gaze drifting to the tranquil, turquoise lake beside the villa. “It’s beautiful, but I just… freeze.”
Lena chuckled weakly. “Well…”
A ruffling sound came from the other end.
“Lena?” Evelyn frowned. “Well what?”
There was silence on the line.
Then Lena spoke again, her voice lower now.
“Eve… lemme call you back.”
“What is it—” The call ended.
She stared at her phone, stunned.
“Lena?” she muttered.
The line was dead.