Chapter 175

Nathaniel fought against the unfamiliar heat coursing through his veins, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. He understood now.

Evelyn studied him with concern, tilting her head. "Can you still drive? Maybe I should take over."

"No." The engine roared to life as his fingers clenched around the wheel. "Move to the back."

"Fine." She understood his reasoning now, her earlier irritation fading. But with the storm raging outside, she didn't bother exiting. Instead, she climbed over the console into the backseat.

The moment she settled, Nathaniel activated the privacy partition, dividing the car into two separate spaces. Yet the thin barrier couldn't mute the sound of their synchronized breathing.

Evelyn bit her lip. She couldn't ignore Nathaniel's struggle, nor pretend she didn't understand what was happening.

The rain worsened, flooding the streets until driving became dangerous. Nathaniel pulled into a roadside motel's parking lot.

"Only one room left," the clerk announced.

Evelyn's stomach twisted. Normally, sharing a room with Nathaniel wouldn't faze her. They'd done it countless times at home - her on the bed, him on the sofa, maintaining careful distance.

But tonight was different. Whatever Cassandra had slipped into his system had ignited something primal. What if his control snapped?

Before she could protest, Nathaniel took the key card. "We'll take it."

Her head whipped toward him, eyes wide with alarm.

His expression remained unreadable as he dragged her toward the elevator. The confined space amplified every ragged breath, every tense movement between them.

When their gazes accidentally locked, the silent understanding between them was almost painful. She knew his torment. He recognized her fear.

Evelyn looked away first.

Inside the room, Nathaniel immediately disappeared into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. The sound brought temporary relief.

She sank onto the bed, mind racing. She hadn't told Nathaniel everything in the car.

The medical text she'd read warned against combining cordyceps and fennel - the mixture created a toxin requiring sexual release to neutralize. Without it? Paralysis for mild cases. For severe doses? Death by internal hemorrhage.

Only Nathaniel knew how much he'd consumed.

Cassandra's cruelty knew no bounds. A simple aphrodisiac would've been manageable. But this? She'd engineered a situation where Nathaniel would have no choice but to surrender to her.

Except Cassandra hadn't anticipated their escape.

Time was critical. Evelyn needed information. She patted her pockets - her phone was gone, discarded by their captors. But Nathaniel's coat still held his device.

Her frantic searches yielded nothing. Then she spotted Benjamin's contact in the call log.

An idea sparked. Her fingers flew across the screen.