Chapter 203

Evelyn gasped, her eyes widening. "Excuse me?"

Liam's finger hovered near her skirt hem.

The summer breeze made her floral maxi skirt flutter dangerously. She crossed her legs instinctively, heat creeping up her neck.

"Have you lost your mind?" she hissed, fingers clutching the fabric tighter.

A flush crept up Liam's neck despite his composed expression. "Just curious," he said evenly. "No offense intended."

Her cheeks burned. "Did you peek while I was sleeping?"

Now his entire body felt like it was burning. "I would never," he denied quickly, ears turning crimson.

"Then how would you know?"

Memories surfaced - childhood summers when she'd proudly shown him the tiny birthmark while wearing denim cutoffs.

"Is it really there?" His voice held an odd tension. "On your right thigh?"

Evelyn tilted her head. "Why? Have you discovered my secret identity?"

"Secret identity?" His gaze sharpened.

She bit her lip, suddenly finding the fruit basket fascinating. "I'll wash these grapes," she announced, grabbing the bowl.

The moment the bathroom door closed, Liam snatched his phone. Text to Ryan: "Any progress on Victoria and Archibald Wright's DNA?"

Ryan's reply came instantly: "Victoria's being careful. Got her parents' samples though."

"Get to the hospital. Find a way to draw Evelyn's blood for comparison," Liam typed.

"On it."

Evelyn returned with glistening grapes. "You should rest," she chided, setting the bowl down. "Doctor's orders."

He locked his phone, studying her face intently.

"What?" She touched her cheek self-consciously.

"Nothing." His lips quirked.

"Grape?"

"Too sour."

She popped one in her mouth - and immediately regretted it. Her face contorted as the acidic punch hit.

Liam chuckled at her reaction.

Ryan had brought the infamous military base grapes - beautiful to look at, brutal to taste.

"You!" Evelyn gasped when she recovered. "You could've warned me!"

"I did," he said innocently.

"You should've physically stopped me!"

His eyebrows shot up. The audacity.

"I assumed you liked punishment," he teased.

With mischief sparkling in her eyes, she selected another grape. "Do you enjoy suffering?"

"No."

"Then share my pain." She brought the fruit to his lips, eyelashes fluttering.

Liam's resolve wavered at her playful expression. "No."

Undeterred, she pressed the grape against his closed lips. The moment her fingertips brushed his mouth, electricity shot up her arm.

Her breath hitched. She started to pull back, embarrassed -

Then his lips parted, taking the grape... and lightly sucking her finger.

The contact sent sparks through both of them.

Evelyn jerked her hand away, flustered. Liam chewed slowly, the sourness nothing compared to the sweetness flooding his chest.