Chapter 231

Evelyn found herself pulled onto Liam's muscular thigh. Her entire body stiffened as waves of nervousness crashed over her.

Liam's strong arm encircled her waist possessively. His other hand tangled in her silken strands, his smoldering gaze intensifying as he murmured against her ear, "Sweetheart, from now on, call me Liam or darling."

The endearment "darling" sent electric shocks down Evelyn's spine. Flustered, she ducked her head and whispered, "May I call you Liam?"

"Of course," he replied, his Adam's apple bobbing as he studied her delicate profile with rapt attention.

Evelyn twisted her fingers nervously. "Liam, you don't have to force physical closeness. We can take things slowly."

Liam moistened his lips. His elegant fingers traced the curve of her cheek, threading through her hair until they found her burning earlobes. Cradling the back of her head, he breathed in that dangerously low voice, "I'm not forcing anything."

Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut. Her breathing turned erratic.

As Liam's lips descended, his warm breath fanned across her skin, making her pulse race and limbs weaken. Though terrified, she secretly yearned for his kiss.

The first brush of his lips was featherlight before he deepened the contact. His teasing movements left Evelyn powerless to resist. Her hands fluttered weakly to his broad shoulders as she surrendered to his embrace.

Unlike his previous passionate assaults, this time Liam was tender yet provocative, guiding her through each new sensation with deliberate care.

Evelyn drowned in the intoxicating rhythm of his kisses. The study's atmosphere grew thick with desire.

Their ragged breaths mingled.

A soft whimper escaped Evelyn's lips, fueling the growing fire between them.

Liam traced kisses along her jaw before finding her sensitive earlobe. When his warm breath ghosted over it, her entire body shuddered.

She tried squirming away, but Liam's iron grip held her captive. "Sweetheart," he murmured against her ear.

Evelyn's response came as a breathless sigh. To her surprise, he made no further advances, simply allowing her to rest her head against his shoulder.

Eyes closed, he stroked her hair tenderly, whispering her nickname like a sacred prayer.

Pressed against his solid chest, Evelyn inhaled deeply, savoring the security of his embrace.

Each whispered endearment carried profound affection, as if he cherished something precious yet fragile.

Gradually, Evelyn surrendered to his devotion, adapting to his passionate gestures. The air between them burned with restrained desire.

She realized he was deliberately holding back - whether from respect or poor timing, she couldn't tell.

Only later that night did Evelyn understand it was sheer willpower restraining him.

For though Liam claimed every opportunity to leave her breathless with searing kisses, he never demanded more. Yet his addiction to her lips became undeniable, stealing her breath and sanity with each intoxicating encounter.