Chapter 338

Evelyn's cheeks flushed crimson as she quickly looked away, unable to meet Liam's intense gaze. Her breathing became shallow and rapid. "I-I'll take you to the hospital," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam's voice was low and husky when he spoke. "Are you trying to give the paparazzi more material to work with?"

She shook her head vehemently. "That's not what I meant at all."

His dark eyes burned into her as he took in her flushed face, his throat working as he ran his tongue over suddenly dry lips. The delicate floral scent of her perfume wrapped around him, making his pulse race with barely restrained desire. The cold shower he'd taken earlier seemed completely ineffective now.

His hands clenched into tight fists before he forced himself to step back. "You should go," he commanded roughly.

Evelyn blinked in surprise. "What?"

"Stay at Blackwood Manor. Don't go anywhere else," Liam ordered, his voice strained.

"But what about your condition? Are you really okay?" Her concern was evident in the way her brow furrowed.

Liam found himself distracted by the way her rosy lips moved as she spoke, each syllable drawing him in like a siren's call - intoxicating yet dangerous. He knew exactly how sweet those lips tasted.

"I'm not going to die," he rasped.

Remembering Victoria's reaction earlier, Evelyn asked, "Liam, Victoria seemed completely unaware of what happened to Julian. Can you tell me?"

His expression darkened immediately. "Do you care about him?"

"Not like that," Evelyn rushed to explain. "I'm worried he might be dead, I can't find my parents, and..." She hesitated before adding quietly, "I'm also concerned you could face legal consequences if something happened to him."

Liam took a deep breath, exerting every ounce of his self-control. "He's alive. You need to leave now."

"Where is he?"

"In the hospital."

"Did you save him?"

Liam was rapidly losing his patience. His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "Cassandra, are you leaving or not?"

Meanwhile, Evelyn's mind was consumed with questions about Julian's fate after her rescue. She completely missed the signs of Liam's deteriorating condition, both mentally and physically affected by the drugs still in his system.

Persistent as ever, she continued, "If Julian's alive, can I press kidnapping charges against him?"

Without warning, Liam grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the massive four-poster bed.

"Liam! What are you doing?" Her voice trembled with sudden panic.

He guided her to the edge of the bed, his strong arm trapping her as one knee pressed between her thighs, effectively pinning her to the mattress.

Evelyn's face burned as her body trembled with nervous anticipation. "L-Liam, what are you p-planning to do?" she stuttered.

"Do you have any idea how much pain I'm in right now?" he whispered harshly.

She nodded, her wide eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Do you know how many times I've told you to leave?"

This time she shook her head.

"Are you staying because you want to take advantage of this situation?"

Evelyn looked genuinely confused by his third question. "Advantage? What advantage?"

Liam couldn't help the helpless smile that tugged at his lips. She'd been lingering in his room asking irrelevant questions. Didn't she realize she was playing with fire with Victoria gone?

Without another word, he captured her lips in a searing kiss.

Evelyn froze in shock, her entire body tensing. Her wide eyes took in his handsome features so close they blurred together, leaving her completely disoriented.

The kiss was all-consuming, his warm breath fanning across her face like a man dying of thirst finally reaching an oasis. It left her dizzy and weak, as if all the oxygen had been sucked from the room.

When realization hit, she tried to push him away but found herself powerless against his strength. He kissed her until her limbs turned to jelly and her thoughts scattered.

Liam's muscular frame pressed against hers, seeking comfort and release. Her heart pounded uncontrollably as heat spread through her body.

A soft moan escaped her lips as her hands came to rest against his solid chest.

He teased and tasted her lips with skillful precision, his hands roaming her curves with possessive intent. Unfamiliar sensations coursed through her, leaving her body tingling and her mind clouded with desire.

When she felt his body's response, a mix of apprehension and anticipation flooded her senses. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes as she surrendered to the pleasure he offered.

Liam kissed her deeply yet with surprising gentleness, the last shreds of his control preventing him from giving in completely to his baser instincts. His lips trailed from the corner of her mouth to her ear, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair as his breathing hitched.

Closing his eyes, he whispered against her skin, "Cassandra, will you marry me?"