Chapter 415

"Who's this Evelyn they're talking about?"

"Is she from some influential family?"

"No idea. Never heard of her before."

"Whoever she is, she must be something special to have both Mister Samuel and Mister Benjamin fighting over her!"

The murmurs stopped abruptly when Samuel Rivers shot the crowd a warning glare. His intense gaze carried enough authority to silence everyone instantly.

They weren't entirely wrong though. Evelyn Whitmore was indeed someone extraordinary. The fact that Benjamin Rivers—who'd never shown interest in any woman before—would publicly defend her spoke volumes.

Samuel's eyes narrowed dangerously. 'What game is Evelyn playing? She already has Nathaniel. Why is she stringing Benjamin along? I'm beginning to think her "accidental" meeting with grandfather at the embankment was all part of some calculated scheme.'

Upstairs in the guest room, Evelyn's cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"Mister, I swear I'll lose my temper if you don't stop—" she hissed through clenched teeth.

Nathaniel Grayson had her pinned against the wall for nearly ten minutes now, alternating between feather-light kisses and aggressive nips along her neck. She could already feel the telltale marks forming on her skin.

Hearing the warning in her voice, Nathaniel placed one final possessive kiss before pulling back to admire his handiwork.

His fingers traced the constellation of love bites with satisfaction. "I doubt you'd want anyone seeing these marks. Stay put—I'll bring you some food from the barbecue."

Evelyn was fuming. 'That manipulative bastard! He did this on purpose just to keep me from going downstairs. What's wrong with this dress anyway? Sure, it's a bit daring but it's not like I'm walking around naked! The man's insufferably possessive. Does he think every man is as perverted as him?'

Her anger made her cheeks puff up like an irritated chipmunk.

Nathaniel couldn't help but smile at the adorable sight. 'Even her anger is endearing.'

He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Be good and wait here, darling."

The moment the door clicked shut, Evelyn stormed into the bathroom. Her reflection showed the full extent of Nathaniel's claim—her neck looked like a vampire's favorite snack. Remembering how he'd devoured her skin made fresh heat rush to her face.

A sudden knock at the door startled her.

'That was fast... Wait, Nathaniel never knocks.'

Wrapping a towel securely around her neck to conceal the evidence, Evelyn went to answer the door.