Chapter 408

"You go first." Beads of sweat glistened at the man's temples as his gaze remained fixed on the woman.

She was pushing him.

After a long silence, Nathan scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bathroom.

Even when she was furious, he still helped adjust the delicate strap of her dress, his fingers brushing against her skin with such tenderness that it made her pout.

He chuckled. "Are you seriously mad at me?"

Evelyn turned her face away.

Nathan studied her for a moment before his lips curled into a warm smile. "Is this how you're going to talk to me from now on?"

He sighed in exasperation. "Aren't you embarrassed?"

Evelyn yanked the bathrobe back from him and glared. "Nothing compared to your shamelessness."

Nathan rose, caging her between his arms as he braced his hands against the dresser. A dry laugh escaped him. "Alright, Zoe, I'm sorry."

Evelyn shot him a look. "I'm taking a shower. Get out."

Nathan straightened with a nod. "Fine. I'll wait outside."

Once Evelyn finished showering and changed back into her clothes, she stepped out of the bathroom.

Nathan sat in the living room, dressed in a crisp black shirt and vest, his gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose as his fingers flew across the keyboard of his laptop.

There was something undeniably magnetic about him when he was focused—especially with those glasses on. The air around him hummed with quiet intensity.

Seeing him engrossed in work, Evelyn decided not to disturb him. Just as she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.

"Stay here tonight."

She had already slipped on one shoe but paused at his words, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I don't want to."

Nathan pushed his chair back, removed his glasses, and strode over before lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

"Put me down, Nathan!" Evelyn smacked his shoulder.

Did he not realize she was still angry? Was her irritation not obvious enough?

Nathan deposited her onto the bed and tucked her in.

Evelyn stared at him, stunned. "Nathan."

He leaned down, voice softening. "Be good. Stay with me tonight."

He retrieved his laptop and set it on the desk by the window, intending to work while keeping her close.

Evelyn sank into the mattress, pulling the blanket tighter around her. The rapid clatter of keys slowed, the noise fading into something gentler.

She exhaled, giving up. Distracting him while he worked felt wrong.

Oddly, his presence soothed her. The tension in her shoulders eased, and before she knew it, sleep claimed her.

When Nathan finally closed his laptop and removed his glasses, his gaze drifted to the bed.

She was already deep in slumber.

He stood and approached, the soft sound of her breathing a melody in the dim light. Unable to resist, he pressed a featherlight kiss to her forehead.

The next morning, at the restaurant...

Evelyn settled by the window with her breakfast. Chloe spotted her and sauntered over, grinning.

"Evelyn, did you stay at the Goldmann estate last night?"

Evelyn's grip on her milk glass faltered. She glanced up at Chloe's teasing smirk and arched a brow. "Where else would I have slept?"

Chloe glanced around. "Why isn’t Mr. Goldmann having breakfast with you?"

Evelyn tore a piece of toast, avoiding eye contact. "No idea where he went."

She dunked another piece into her milk before asking, "Did your brother mention what they’re doing in Stoslo?"

Chloe chewed thoughtfully before shrugging. "Oliver said it was business. Didn’t elaborate."