Chapter 12

Evelyn approached Dominic cautiously, but he turned toward a small table instead. With a slight tilt of his chin, he gestured toward the steaming mug.

"Drink that and get some rest," he said, his voice low but firm.

Evelyn glanced at the drink—hot chocolate, rich and fragrant. She was surprised by his thoughtfulness. In such a short time, he had prepared everything she might need. She pressed her lips together and took a sip, the warmth spreading through her, soothing the dull ache in her abdomen.

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast shadows across the room as Dominic dimmed the lights. He studied her for a moment before asking, "Something wrong?"

A yawn escaped her before she could stop it. "Aren't you coming to bed?" she murmured, her eyelids growing heavy.

"Later," he replied, adjusting her pillow with careful precision. He tucked the blanket around her before sitting back in the armchair, lifting his coffee cup to his lips.

Evelyn watched him through half-lidded eyes. The golden light played across his sharp features, softening the edges of his silhouette. From this angle, he looked almost ethereal—his jawline strong, his expression unreadable. How had she never noticed how striking he was?

Then she noticed the dark liquid in his cup. "You—you shouldn’t drink coffee this late," she mumbled, her words slurring slightly.

Dominic arched a brow, setting the cup down. "What should I drink instead?"

Silence.

Evelyn had already curled into the pillows, her breathing steady and slow. She was out before he could finish his question.

A faint smile tugged at Dominic’s lips as he watched her. He closed his laptop, set it aside, and dimmed the lights further before moving to the other side of the bed. He slipped beneath the covers, careful not to disturb her.

When he wrapped an arm around her waist, she stirred slightly, turning toward him in her sleep. Her fingers curled against his chest, and he exhaled, adjusting his hold.

Their wedding night passed without the usual expectations—just warmth, quiet, and the steady rhythm of shared breath.

Morning light filtered through the curtains when Evelyn woke, her body surprisingly free of discomfort. She hadn’t slept this well in months.

She stretched—or tried to—before realizing an arm was draped over her waist. Her head was pillowed against someone’s shoulder.

Memory rushed back in a dizzying wave.

Right. Married.

"You're awake?" Dominic’s voice was rough with sleep, sending a shiver down her spine.

Evelyn nodded. "Good morning."

"Hungry?" he asked, his fingers tracing idle patterns along her arm.

"N-not really," she admitted, suddenly hyper-aware of his proximity. She wasn’t used to sharing a bed, let alone waking up to someone else’s warmth.

"Good," he murmured, shifting closer. His breath ghosted over her ear, sending heat pooling low in her stomach. "Because I am."

His meaning was unmistakable.

Evelyn’s pulse spiked.

"Go call for breakfast," he said, his lips brushing her earlobe. "The phone’s in the living room."

She bolted upright, scrambling out of bed before he could say another word.

Dominic chuckled as she fled, then winced, flexing his numb arm.