Chapter 67

Evelyn quickly grabbed her book again, her cheeks burning as she glanced nervously around the room.

Yet she couldn't help stealing glances at Liam's sculpted physique.

She buried her face behind the book, her voice trembling for the first time. "W-why didn't you get dressed first?"

Liam towel-dried his damp hair before tossing it aside. He moved toward her with deliberate steps.

"Would've had to take them off again later," he murmured in that deep, gravelly voice that sent shivers down her spine. "Too much trouble."

The implication made Evelyn's breath catch. Her wide, innocent eyes met his smoldering gaze before she quickly looked away.

"Why must you sleep... like that?" she stammered, fingers tightening around her book.

Liam studied her flustered expression with sudden realization. Julian had claimed her amnesia was fake. Was this shyness another act?

As he pondered, Evelyn pointed urgently to the wardrobe. "There are clean clothes in there. You should... put something on."

A wry smile tugged at Liam's lips. He'd misread the situation entirely. Evelyn hadn't even considered the intimate implications.

With an exasperated sigh, he retrieved pajamas from the wardrobe. When he returned, Evelyn had already turned away, curled into a defensive ball.

He understood her unspoken message and wouldn't push her.

That explosive argument when she'd tried sleeping on the floor still haunted him. Demanding intimacy now would make him the worst kind of hypocrite.

Liam shoved those thoughts aside as he switched off the lights. Moonlight spilled through the curtains, painting silver streaks across their tense silence.

Their breathing sounded unnaturally loud in the dark room, each breath heavier than normal.

After a prolonged silence, Liam finally spoke. "Do you know Julian?"

Evelyn stiffened, clutching the blankets tighter. When she finally answered, her voice was barely audible. "We met today. I don't really know him."

Liam exhaled in quiet relief, though he couldn't explain why. He let the matter drop.

The prolonged silence made Evelyn fidget. Desperate to break the tension, she blurted out, "Are you going after those pirates?"

"No."

"Then... did you board that ship to rescue Victoria?"

"No." His voice grew distant. "We didn't expect pirates on this mission. Or familiar faces. Especially not yours."

Evelyn hadn't expected to be on that ship either. Cassandra had tricked her, but she kept that to herself.

"Was it about the hydronium then?" she ventured.

Liam closed his eyes. Some secrets weren't his to share. "It's late. Sleep."

"Goodnight," Evelyn whispered, understanding his boundaries.

The night stretched endlessly for Liam, his body thrumming with restless energy. No matter how he tried, he couldn't quiet the hunger gnawing at him.

Sleep remained elusive as he waged war against his own desires.