Chapter 237

A dull throbbing pulsed through Evelyn's temples as consciousness returned. Blinking against the morning light, she took in the familiar contours of her bedroom, yet something felt... off. The silk sheets tangled around her legs carried a faint trace of jasmine, too sweet for her usual perfume.

"Did I..." Her fingers pressed against her forehead as fragmented memories surfaced - laughter over champagne flutes at The Canopy with Sophia and Victoria, the clink of crystal glasses... then nothing. Just hazy impressions like smoke slipping through her fingers.

The moment her bare feet touched the cold hardwood, the room tilted violently. Evelyn gripped the nightstand, knuckles whitening as she fought the wave of nausea. Only when she collapsed back onto the mattress did the spinning subside.

"You're finally awake." Alexander's voice cut through the fog like a blade. He stood framed in the doorway, a steaming mug in hand, watching her with the wary caution one might show a sleeping panther.

"Did you... bring me home?" Evelyn winced at the rasp in her own voice.

"Your assistant did the heavy lifting." He took a deliberate sip of coffee, the steam curling around his sharp features. "I merely intercepted you at Magnolia Grove's gates before you could serenade the security cameras."

A flush crept up Evelyn's neck. She vaguely recalled attempting an off-key rendition of some pop song. "I... apologize for the inconvenience."

"Inconvenience?" Alexander set the mug down with a sharp click. "You called the concierge 'my liege' and tried to knight him with a dessert spoon." His footsteps were measured as he crossed the room. "Now, about my compensation..."

Before she could react, his hands caged her against the headboard. The predatory glint in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine - not entirely unpleasant.

Evelyn arched a brow, draping her arms around his neck with deliberate slowness. "Careful, Mr. Kensington. I still reek of last night's poor decisions."

His answer came in the form of a searing kiss that was more punishment than passion. Teeth scraped her lower lip, drawing a sharp gasp. When he pulled back, a single drop of crimson stained his mouth.

"Still feeling clever?" His voice had dropped to that dangerous register that made her pulse stutter.

Evelyn touched her stinging lip, then struck like a viper. Her teeth sank into his lower lip with equal ferocity, tasting copper and expensive coffee.

Alexander jerked back, swiping his thumb across the bloodied wound. A slow, devastating smile spread across his face. "Sweet, isn't it?"

The way the morning light caught his sharp cheekbones, the teasing lilt of his voice, the effortless grace of his posture - it was unfair how breathtaking he looked. Evelyn's traitorous heart hammered against her ribs.

Mine, something primal whispered in her mind. The possessiveness curled warm in her chest, pushing aside the remnants of her hangover. This dazzling, infuriating man was hers to unravel.

And she intended to savor every moment of it.