Chapter 234

"Mmmph... Nathaniel...!"

Evelyn's eyes flew open as awareness crashed over her. Her body reacted before her mind could catch up - she shoved Nathaniel away with both hands.

She scrambled upright, chest heaving. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

No response. Nathaniel simply rolled onto his side, his breathing deep and even.

Evelyn's brows knitted together.

'Was he asleep? Did he dream about some woman and accidentally kiss me instead?'

Her lips twisted in disgust as she wiped her mouth roughly with the back of her hand.

'Who said he could sleep in my bed anyway?'

Their unspoken arrangement was clear - one took the bed, the other the couch. If Nathaniel weren't sick tonight, she'd have kicked him out without hesitation.

Muttering curses under her breath, Evelyn finally calmed enough to study Nathaniel's face.

'He's sleeping so soundly... Could his cold have gotten worse?'

The dim moonlight made it hard to see clearly. After a moment's hesitation, she reached out to press her palm against his forehead.

'No fever. Good.'

Nathaniel lay still in his pajamas, no blanket covering him. Moonlight sculpted his sharp features into something almost ethereal.

That accidental kiss made looking at him feel... strange. Evelyn huffed and grabbed the discarded blanket, draping it over him.

One blanket didn't seem enough though. She fetched another from the wardrobe and carefully tucked both around him, hoping the extra layers would help him sweat out the cold.

Since she'd surrendered the bed due to his illness, the couch would be her resting place tonight.

She'd barely turned away when she heard fabric rustling. Both blankets lay in a heap on the floor again.

Nathaniel had shifted positions but remained fast asleep.

Evelyn's eye twitched. 'Grown men shouldn't kick blankets off like children!'

With a sigh, she retrieved the blankets and covered him once more before heading to the couch.

Not thirty seconds later - thump. The blankets were on the floor again.

This ridiculous cycle repeated until Evelyn's patience wore thin. She couldn't leave him uncovered - not with his cold. He'd wake up with a fever for sure.

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn made a decision. After replacing the blankets one final time, she climbed onto the bed and laid across Nathaniel, using her body weight to pin the blankets in place.

'Fine. I'll sleep like this then.'

It wasn't like either of them were drunk or drugged. Nothing would happen.

She told herself this was repayment for Nathaniel risking his life to save her from that cliff. A way to show gratitude for not abandoning her.

What she didn't see was the faint smirk curling Nathaniel's lips in the darkness.

Morning came.

Evelyn stretched as she woke, working out the kinks from her awkward sleeping position.

Nathaniel emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered. "Sleep well, Evelyn?"