Chapter 221

"Time's up! That's enough!" Nathan's voice cut through the charged atmosphere, sharper than intended.

No one had been keeping track, but his words snapped everyone back to reality. The room buzzed with sudden awareness—they were still playing a game. Yet, in those stolen seconds when Evelyn and Nathan had been lost in each other, it hadn’t felt like a game at all.

The moment their lips met, the world had dissolved into silence, leaving only the two of them suspended in a breathless, intimate bubble. No one dared interrupt.

When Evelyn finally pulled away, her breath was uneven, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. The lingering warmth of the kiss spread through her like sunlight.

Nathan’s gaze darkened as he studied her, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. The sight of her—lips slightly parted, lashes fluttering—sent an undeniable heat coursing through him.

Evelyn rose gracefully from his lap and returned to her seat, but Natalie was already leaning in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "So," she whispered, nudging Evelyn’s arm, "how was it?"

Evelyn feigned indifference, though her pulse betrayed her. "It was just a game. Nothing special."

Natalie smirked. "Oh, really? Then why are you blushing?"

Evelyn stiffened, the heat in her cheeks intensifying. "I’m not blushing. It’s just warm in here."

Natalie nodded solemnly, her tone dripping with exaggerated sympathy. "Of course. So warm. Maybe we should turn the air conditioning on."

Evelyn shot her a glare. "You’re impossible."

Natalie’s laughter filled the space between them.

After a few more rounds, Alexander finally called an end to the night. "Stay if you want—drinks are on me," he offered generously.

Evelyn and her friends decided to leave. The car ride home was thick with unspoken tension. Neither she nor Nathan spoke, the silence between them humming with something electric.

Only when they were alone in their room did Evelyn finally break it.

"Nathan," she began hesitantly, meeting his gaze. "Earlier, when Alexander had to hold me for those squats… why did you drink for me instead?"

Nathan stilled. The memory of Alexander’s hands on Evelyn flashed in his mind, igniting a flicker of irritation. His voice was low when he finally answered.

"I wouldn’t let another man put his hands on my wife in front of everyone."

Evelyn blinked. "Is that the only reason?" Her voice was soft, searching.

Nathan held her gaze, his expression unreadable. "What other reason would there be?"

Evelyn’s lashes lowered briefly before she looked back at him, studying him intently.