Chapter 254

The pungent scent of alcohol saturated the room, overpowering the delicate fragrance of body wash.

Evelyn strode to the window and shoved both panes open. The hotel's safety design limited how far they could open, allowing only a slow trickle of fresh air.

She coughed lightly.

Alexander's arm snaked around her waist, yanking her against his chest. His scorching breath grazed her ear. "I heard you've been behaving lately."

The liquor on his breath was stronger than last time—he'd clearly drunk heavily tonight.

"You..." She almost asked why Nathan wasn't with him but swallowed the question.

"Nathan stayed in Kingsbury." Alexander answered her unspoken thought. "He made a mistake recently and volunteered for overtime."

Evelyn stiffened slightly. Something had been off about Alexander for the past week.

"Aren't you going to ask why I'm here?" His arm tightened around her.

She pressed her lips together.

"A small project." He brushed it off casually. In truth, the project wasn't worth his personal attention, but after Evelyn left, he'd made Nathan scour every pending task.

Tonight, the project team had pulled out all the stops to please him. After multiple rounds of drinks, they'd even arranged "special entertainment." When Alexander stormed out, Evelyn's face was all he could see.

Alcohol lowered his defenses. Only with her in his arms did he feel any semblance of peace.

"Evelyn," his voice roughened, "stop this."

His feverish heat seeped through their clothes, but she remained an unyielding block of ice. "I need to rest."

She'd made countless compromises since their marriage, but this final boundary was non-negotiable. Thirteen years of pain couldn't be erased with sweet nothings.

"We may need to revise our agreement," she said coldly.

Alexander suddenly seized her wrist and pressed her palm to his chest. "Only touching other men's hearts? Mine beats too. Can you feel it?"

He was still hung up on that scene in Julian's office. If Julian got something, so would he.

"Know how much I've suffered?" He dragged her hand downward. "From here... to here—"

"You can't do this!" Evelyn struggled.

"I'm your husband." Alexander's breathing grew ragged. "Julian gets to touch you?"

"Don't bring him into this!" Her voice cracked with desperation.

"Then beg me." His eyes darkened. "Say it... beg me..."

He needed liquor to numb himself, needed her warmth to soothe the turmoil inside. Even just once, he had to prove she was his.

"I'll be gentle..." he murmured against her ear.

"Let go! Alexander, you—"

Sharp knocks interrupted them.

"Evelyn? You in there?" Roman's voice came through the door.

Alexander's gaze frosted over. A man visiting her this late?

"It's work-related." Evelyn softened her tone, leaning close to whisper in his ear.

Her warm breath made his entire body tense. He gripped the back of her head and crushed his lips against hers.

......

Outside the door, Xavier scowled. "Why isn't she answering? Did you warn her?"

"I've been with you the whole time," Roman muttered, fingers tightening around the anesthetic-soaked towel hidden in his palm.