Chapter 120 Living at School

Chapter 120 Living at School

By the time the banquet ended and they got home, it was almost eleven.

After they'd each showered, Evie changed into a loose cotton nightgown and sat on the edge of the bed, her suitcase spread open on the floor as she started folding clothes into it.

The enrollment notice from Parsons School of Design in NYC had arrived—she was supposed to report in two days.

James emerged from the bathroom, bare-chested, water droplets sliding down the grooves of his abs.

He wrapped his arms around Evie from behind, his biceps flexing slightly as the warmth from his shower and body heat pressed against her.

The scent of body wash mixed with steam wafted over her. He dipped his head and kissed that spot behind her ear, his hand sliding slowly from her waist to her lower abdomen, then tracing back up along her curves, brushing against her through the cotton fabric.

"Stop it, I'm trying to pack." Evie tilted her head away, but he followed, stealing another kiss.

James didn't let go. Instead, he reached over to the nightstand drawer with one hand and pulled out a box, dangling it in front of her.

The black tissue paper hadn't been completely removed, and the lopsided bow had been retied messily.

It was the one Thea had given them.

James set the box on Evie's lap, his voice rough with desire. "Want to try it?"

Evie glanced down at the box, her ears instantly burning.

Even through his towel, she could feel him pressing hard against her lower back. She gave him an irritated shove. "No. Put it away."

"She already went to the trouble of giving it to us. Seems like a waste not to try it."

"Then you can play with yourself."

James chuckled, rubbing his chin against her shoulder. "I saw there's a black lace mini dress in there. I don't think it'd look good on me, but you'd definitely pull it off."

Evie glared at him, though her eyes held no real threat.

They stayed locked in a standoff for a few seconds before James flipped the box over and slowly cracked it open in front of her. Inside, a nearly transparent black lace slip was folded neatly, catching the light with a delicate shimmer.

He leaned close to her ear, his voice dropping even lower. "Just once. I'll just look."

Evie closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then snatched the box from his hands.

"Just once. Turn around."

James's smile deepened as he obediently turned away.

Evie opened the box and pulled out the slip. When she shook it open, there was barely any fabric at all—the neckline plunged to an indecent depth.

She glanced back at James's back, bit her lip, and quickly changed into it. Then she grabbed the comforter and wrapped it tightly around herself before muttering, "Okay, done."

James turned back around. His gaze traveled from her exposed shoulder down to the hint of lace peeking out from beneath the blanket. Even though he could only see her shoulder, his imagination filled in the rest.

His eyes darkened. His Adam's apple bobbed.

He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch the bare skin above her collarbone. His fingertips were warm.

Evie, still clutching the comforter, scooted back slightly. "You looked. That's enough, right? I'm taking it off now—"

"You're going to let me 'look' while you're wrapped up like a burrito?" James's hand slid from the side of her neck to the edge of the blanket, giving it a gentle tug. "That's basically the same as not looking at all."

As he spoke, his hand slipped under the blanket and cupped her breast through the thin lace, his fingers teasing her nipple as if toying with it.

Evie couldn't help the soft gasp that escaped her. She tried to kick him, but he caught her ankle in one swift motion.

Just as Evie was about to struggle, something seemed to occur to her. Her expression froze.

She looked down at the edge of the blanket covering her, and the shyness on her lips slowly faded, replaced by a look of hesitation.

James noticed the shift in her expression and stopped what he was doing. "What's wrong?"

Evie met his eyes, hesitating before finally speaking. "I have to report to campus in two days. The school requires all freshmen to live on campus their first year. I've already applied for a dorm."

The air in the room seemed to freeze.

James's hand stilled on the edge of the blanket. His expression went from soft to rigid in less than a second.

"Live on campus?" His voice dropped. "We've only been married a few days and you're already moving into a dorm? What am I supposed to do?"

"You'll survive without me. Besides, it's just for one semester. They say it's to help students adapt to the course schedule better. I'll come home every Friday night." Evie didn't seem to think it was a big deal.

"Five days a week away from home." James pulled his hand back and leaned against the headboard, staring up at the ceiling, displeasure written all over his face. "I don't agree."

"Your agreement doesn't matter—I've already signed up for housing. And Parsons has always been my dream. Just because I married you doesn't mean I can't have my own life, does it?" Evie genuinely couldn't understand why James was so upset.

James opened his mouth as if to say something, but it came out as a sigh instead.

"Princess, we're married now. Shouldn't you have talked to me before deciding to live on campus? I've always supported you chasing your dreams. But this isn't a discussion—it's a notification. I just got married, and now my wife's disappearing. I'll only see you on weekends. Who'd be happy about that?"

Evie softened her tone and tugged on his sleeve, coaxing him. "I'll come home every week."

"Seven days in a week. You're home for two, gone for five." He turned to look at her, his eyes full of barely concealed resentment and grievance. "Newlyweds living apart—you really have a cold heart."

Evie almost laughed at his use of the word 'apart,' but seeing the look on James's face, she didn't dare. Instead, she scooted closer to him. "It's just one semester. Four months. And I'm only going to school—it's not like I'm going somewhere far away."

James was silent for a moment before muttering, "You're abandoning your husband."

Evie couldn't hold back—the corner of her mouth curved up. "Abandoning what husband…"

"You said it yourself—you're only home two days a week. If that's not abandonment, what is?"

Evie leaned against him, pressing her cheek to his shoulder.

"Then how about this—Friday nights, I'll text you the second I get home. I won't leave until Sunday night. And I'll video call you every single night in between. Does that work?"

James didn't answer. She added, "I promise."

James turned his head to look at her. The displeasure in his eyes gradually softened, though a trace of reluctance still lingered.

He reached out and tugged the blanket down slightly, exposing the lace edging below her collarbone. His Adam's apple moved as he spoke in a low, muffled voice. "So are you taking this with you to school, or leaving it here?"

Evie smacked his arm. "Be serious."

James finally laughed, pulling her—blanket and all—into his arms.

"Fine. Four months. Video calls every night. You come home every Friday. And…" James paused, sliding his hand downward and slipping his fingers into her cleavage, a smile tugging at his lips.

"When you come home on weekends, you have to meet all my demands. Until I say stop, you don't stop."

Evie shot him an annoyed look, but in order to appease James, she reluctantly agreed.

Only then did James smile with satisfaction. He dipped his head and kissed her forehead.

"Now that we've settled the main issue, I can get to my business."

"What business?" Evie looked puzzled for a moment.

The next second, James leaned over her, pinning her down. Before she knew it, he'd produced a pair of handcuffs and cuffed both her wrists above her head.

James grinned wickedly and bent down, his mouth closing over her nipple through the sheer lace fabric. By the time Evie thought to resist, it was already too late.

She had no choice but to let James have his way.