Chapter 206 I Sleep with You
Luke's body stiffened momentarily before relaxing, his deep voice resonating from above her head.
"Miss Jackson, it's just a few stray cats outside. You're scared of that?"
He paused, then casually tossed in, "Though cats sound like kids waining at night, don't they?"
Evelyn felt her scalp tingle, her face going pale instantly.
He detached her hands from his waist, his tone flat. "I'll get someone to shoo the cats. Night."
With that, he turned to leave.
"No, I don't want to stay here."
Evelyn's eyes widened as he turned to leave. She lunged forward, grabbin' his shirt, like she couldn't let him go.
She looked up at him pitifully, asking again, "Luke, could I... could I stay in your room for just one night?"
Luke stopped and looked back at her,his expression was impossible to read.
"Are you sure? You won't wake up tomorrow claiming I forced you, will you?"
She shook her head vigorously like a bobblehead doll. "No! Absolutely not! I'm volunteering!"
"Come on then." As he turned away, a faint, subtle smile crossed his handsome, stern features.
Evelyn followed glumly behind him, resigned to walking those two dreadful long corridors again.
They'd barely taken a few steps when Luke suddenly turned around.
The next second, she felt weightless as he swept her up horizontally into his arms.
"You walk too slowly," he explained simply.
Evelyn blinked, then gave up struggling.
Free transportation—why waste it? She wasn't about to punish her own feet.
Held securely in his arms, she couldn't help but look up, her gaze falling on his sharply defined jawline.
How could he look so much like...
Impossible! Was she really going crazy? Thinking about that again?
Back in the familiar room, he gently placed her on the large bed and retrieved a brand-new comforter from the closet, setting it beside her.
"Sleep first."
With that, he went straight into the bathroom.
The sound of running water filled the air. Evelyn hugged the comforter and curled up on one side of the bed, her eyelids growing heavier until she fell asleep.
When Luke emerged from the shower, he found her curled up in a small ball, sleeping peacefully.
Moving with extreme care, he got into bed, then reached out and completely pulled away the comforter she was clutching, tossing it carelessly to the floor.
Then he extended his long arms, drawing that warm, soft form into his embrace and covering them both with the same blanket.
He lowered his head, kissing her smooth forehead again and again, breathing in the sweet, clean fragrance of her post-bath scent.
How long had it been...
How long since he'd held her close like this, sharing the same bed?
With the soft body he'd longed for day and night in his arms, he could only desperately suppress the desire that threatened to consume him.
This night, sleep was impossible.
He wanted her too desperately.
...
At the Harrison Group's flagship hotel presidential suite.
Nicholas stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, a cigarette between his fingers, its red ember glowing and dimming in the darkness.
Outside stretched a sea of lights, everything peaceful.
But inside him, storms raged—sleep was out of the question.
His mind replayed that scene over and over.
Emma with her forehead pressed against Matthew's, tears streaming down her face—that image made him nearly mad with jealousy.
Was Matthew really that important to her? Just because he'd saved her before?
Or was there some secret between them he didn't know about?
The more Nicholas thought about it, the more furious he became.
When the evening ended, his men had been stationed at every exit.
Since Matthew had stolen FD's data, he had to pay the price—Nicholas intended to take him away tonight.
But Matthew had slipped out through a side exit and was already airborne in a helicopter by the time Nicholas realized.
His rage had nowhere to go as he watched helplessly as the man escaped.
Later, he learned that Luke had escorted Matthew out through the side door to ensure the safety of every White family guest that evening.
Just then, Emma had emerged with Louis by her side.
Suppressing his anger, he strode forward and pulled her into his arms, his large hand gripping her waist.
"Come back to the hotel with me." His tone was as domineering as ever.
"Ah, that hurts." Emma's brow furrowed.
Louis immediately pulled his hand away. "Mr. Harrison, let go—you're hurting her."
Nicholas was already seething with rage. "Louis, please stay away from my wife."
"You have no right to touch my woman."
Louis's expression darkened as he replied coldly, "Nicholas, you were just luckier than me, meeting her earlier. But she's not your plaything—please show her some respect."
Louis's hostile tone was like adding fuel to fire.
Plaything?
Nicholas smiled coldly and threw a punch directly at the man.
Louis staggered back two steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Emma quickly stepped forward. "Mr. Windsor, are you alright?"
As Nicholas moved to strike again, Emma grabbed his arm.
"Nicholas, haven't you caused enough trouble?"
Nicholas stepped forward and grasped her hand, directly removing the purple bracelet from her wrist.
He hurled it to the ground with force, shattering it into pieces.
"My woman doesn't wear jewelry from other men."
Emma stared in shock while Louis's heart sank to his stomach, the purple fragments stabbing at his eyes.
Nicholas gestured, and Charlie immediately stepped forward.
"Take note—whatever it cost, send ten times that amount to the Windsor family."
"Yes, Mr. Harrison."
"Nicholas, you've gone too far." Louis exploded, launching himself at Nicholas.
The two men began trading blows when Luke appeared in the doorway.
"Luke!" Emma suddenly shouted toward Luke.
Her cry was like thunder, freezing everyone in place.
Luke's cigarette ash trembled before he flicked it away, undisguised pleasure spreading across his face.
He quickly stepped forward, separating the two men.
"Stop." Luke spoke with undeniable authority.
"Everyone here tonight is a guest of the White family, and I won't tolerate anyone acting out in front of me."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Nicholas's dark expression.
"Of course, once you leave White family grounds, whatever you do is none of my business."
He signaled with his eyes.
Several black-suited bodyguards immediately stepped forward, escorting Louis away.
Nicholas's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.
He stared intensely at Emma, his voice emerging from his chest, low and furious.
"Why are you protecting him?"
Emma's eyes grew cold.
But at that moment, she didn't want to talk to him, only dropping a cold line, "It's late. You should head back."
"Come with me!" Nicholas lunged forward again, gripping her waist with alarming force.
"Ah..." Emma cried out in pain.
Luke's hand shot out sideways, firmly knocking Nicholas's hand away.
"Nicholas, don't hurt her."
Luke pulled Emma behind him, his expression turning cold.
"She just returned home. By tradition, she must stay at the White Mansion for three days. You should go back."
Emma said nothing, turning and walking away without looking back.
Only her resolute silhouette remained.
Nicholas stood frozen, his chest heaving violently.
These scenes replayed in his mind, making his devastatingly handsome face so dark it could drip water.
Charlie knocked and entered.
"Mr. Harrison, he's vanished. Leon has gone into hiding. Those people who tried to forcibly take Mrs. Harrison last time were likely arranged by him. But the men we caught were just hired muscle working independently—they genuinely don't seem to know who was behind it."
Nicholas snorted coldly. "His caution only proves he's guilty."
He stubbed out his cigarette and asked, "When does grandfather arrive tomorrow?"
"Around noon—the private jet should land then."
"Good." A determined gleam flashed in Nicholas's eyes.
He wanted grandfather to personally propose marriage—the White family's daughter deserved a grand wedding.
So he would give her a magnificent, century-defining wedding ceremony, letting the whole world see that Emma belonged only to him.
All the wrongs he'd done her in the past, he would repay double.
Louis?
Wanting to steal his woman? Not a chance! And Matthew had even less right.
But before he could even wake up properly, the Windsor family had beaten him to the punch.
The next morning, urgent knocking shattered the dawn quiet.
Heavy, insistent knocks hammered like blows to the heart.
Luke was first to open his eyes, his deep gaze clearing in the dimness.
The person in his arms stirred, and Evelyn was thoroughly awakened by the sound.
She groggily opened her eyes to find herself face-to-face with a sharply defined jawline.
Looking down, she saw his bobbing Adam's apple and a stretch of firm, warm chest.
Her brain short-circuited for three seconds.
What was happening?
How had she ended up clinging to Luke like a koala, sleeping pressed against him?
They'd clearly had separate blankets last night.
Luna's urgent voice came through the door, brooking no delay.
"Luke, Luke, are you awake? The Windsor family is here—get up quickly."
Evelyn stiffened in terror, curling into herself.
Luke's deep voice rumbled above her head, husky with sleep, first responding to the door.
"Alright."
Then he lowered his head, his burning breath tickling her ear as he spoke in a low, reassuring tone.
"Don't be nervous. No one can get in—I locked the door."
He locked the door?!
Was that supposed to be something to be proud of?!
Evelyn glared at him, wanting to kick him right off the bed.
She scrambled out of his embrace with hands and feet, moving frantically like a startled rabbit.
The silk bathrobe she wore had somehow come loose, and with her movements, the front gaped open, a flash of snow-white skin dazzling to behold.
The air instantly froze.
Luke's gaze visibly darkened like ink spilled into deep water.
His Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably, the movement clear and aggressively masculine.
Evelyn's face went crimson, blood rushing to her head.
Mortified, she frantically clutched her robe closed and bolted into the bathroom.
The door slammed shut with force.
...
Downstairs, a line of black luxury cars pulled up slowly in front of the White Mansion with impressive fanfare.
The Windsor family had arrived bright and early for a formal visit.
The Windsor family's head butler carried a box, his expression both respectful and solemn.
Inside the box lay a yellowed marriage contract.
Upon it, handwriting from twenty years ago when the heads of the Windsor and White families had personally inscribed their agreement.
The display was absolutely explosive.
The atmosphere was somewhat delicate.
Seated in the living room were Windsor family patriarch Elton Windsor, Aria Windsor, and their son Louis.
Indeed, they'd come specifically for Olivia.
Learning that Olivia was also the world-renowned Dr. N, the Windsor family couldn't wait to see them married immediately.
So today they'd brought the marriage contract personally written by the family patriarchs years ago, coming directly to propose.
Oliver had left for work, leaving Luna to receive them.
Her voice was gentle, her manner composed, but her words were watertight as she maneuvered around the Windsor family's advances.
She seemed to agree with everything while committing to nothing upon closer examination.
Louis was growing restless. He looked at Luna with earnest eyes.
"Mrs. White, please give me a chance. I promise to treat Olivia well."
"I've waited eighteen years for her. My feelings are the same as yours—I don't want to lose her again."
Mrs. White nodded, lifting her teacup and gently blowing on the steam.
"I understand your feelings."
"It's just that Olivia has only just returned and isn't familiar with the environment yet. I'll try to have her stay in Empire City longer so you young people can spend more time together. There will always be opportunities."
As soon as she finished speaking, a commanding voice rang out from the entrance.
"I didn't expect someone to have designs on my wife this early in the morning."
Nicholas strode in with imposing presence, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, each step radiating powerful authority.
Behind him followed Charlie, equally well-dressed.
Luna's heart skipped a beat.
She maintained her composure, immediately standing. "Mr. Harrison is here too. Please, come sit. Someone bring tea."
Nicholas approached the sofa but didn't sit, merely smiling.
"Mrs. White, no need for formality. We're family—just take good care of your guests."
His gaze swept the living room before turning to Luna, his voice naturally matter-of-fact.
"Is Emma awake?"
Luna paused, then realized, "She should be—a servant went to wake her earlier."
Just then, a slender figure appeared at the staircase.
Emma had just woken up, her hair still slightly mussed. Seeing the crowded living room below, her heart contracted and she instinctively wanted to retreat.
It was too late.
She could only steel herself and descend.
Mrs. White's heart leaped with joy as she immediately beckoned to her.
"Olivia, you're up! Come here quickly and greet Mr. and Mrs. Windsor."
Emma walked over, her steps barely steady.
He swooped in, yanking her close.
Nicholas looked down at her, his voice tender.
"Your dark circles are crazy noticeable. Struggling to sleep in the new place?"
"It's fine. Tonight, your husband will stay and sleep with you."
That one sentence froze the entire living room's atmosphere.
Everyone was stunned.
Louis's expression instantly darkened.
Standing behind Nicholas, Charlie was secretly thrilled, 'Beautiful! Goal scored!'