Chapter 168

[Evelyn’s POV]

Every muscle in my body had gone still. Not a single breath of air passed through my lungs as I stared back at Alexander in awe.

My voice was too low for even myself to hear. “What...? You...You love me?”

The air thickened around us, making me feel as though I’d just stepped into an overly surreal setting. I was frightened that I was going to somehow find myself waking up out of a dead sleep, only to find that this had all been just a dream.

But everything about it was far too real to be mistaken. Alexander moved closer to where I could smell the alluring scent of his cologne. I felt the calloused pads of his finger play at the exposed side of my face and the very edge of the mask.

He was real. Everything around us was real which meant that even the words he’d uttered were real too.

There was a glint in his eyes as he spoke.

“Yes, I do.” He lowered his hands to rest on my hips. “I should have told you that before, I know.”

“To tell you the truth,” I started shakily. “I think part of me knew that you did. I felt it every time you touched me. It’s just that...With these scars, I was afraid you wouldn’t feel that way toward me anymore.”

Alexander gave me a chastising look, making me feel all the more embarrassed about my earlier assumptions.

“There is nothing that could make me stop the way I feel about you,” he said firmly. “Evelyn...Will you please take off the mask?”

I sucked in a tremulous breath and hesitated before ultimately nodding my head. Taking a step back, I reached behind my head to undo the ties. I kept my gaze low on the floor as I slowly removed the mask.

My heart was pounding so fiercely, I could have sworn that I heard all of the blood rushing to my head. I clamped my eyes shut.

The room had fallen silent which only made my nerves panic further. Alexander hadn’t made a single sound. Instead, he curled his finger under my chin and tipped my head up.

“Open your eyes,” he said. “Look at me.”

I blinked back the blurriness in my eyes and searched his face for any trace of discouragement. I found none. No, much to my great surprise, Alexander cupped my cheeks and pulled me closer for a better look.

He ever so lightly ghosted his fingers over the rough mended skin.

“Does it hurt?” he asked.

“Sometimes,” I answered. “It tends to be a bit sore in the morning and when I get out of the shower.”

“And the nightmares?” he inquired. “Are they every night like mine?”

This had me pulling back to get a better look at him. My brows lifted in shock.

“You’re having nightmares too?”

Oh God...I’ve really been horrible. If I hadn’t persistently pushed everyone away, I would have known that Alexander wasn’t doing well. I would have noticed it at meals had I been brave enough to show up for them.

“Yeah. Like I said before, seeing you in that horrible state was utterly traumatizing. I’d faced my worst fear, not even realizing it, and now the image of you nearly dying in my arms has been branded into my memory.”

My stomach knotted in shame and guilt. “I’m sorry.”

“Why on earth are you apologizing?”

“Because I did what I thought was best by keeping my distance, but it’s obvious that I just made everything worse.”

Alexander was swift to shake his head in denial. “Ian made it clear that you needed space. I wasn’t going to rush you back into anything if you weren’t ready. But I am going to admit that I hate sleeping in separate rooms. I hate not feeling you next to me at night.”

“Me too,” I confessed.

“Then will you please move back into our room tonight? Because I don’t think I can handle another hard night where the two of us live separate lives.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Okay.”

Alexander pushed his hand through my hair and gently tugged me back before leaning down to take my lips in a slow, tentative kiss. My eyes rolled to the back of my head, causing me to sway off my feet.

Jesus Christ. I missed this...Hell, I missed him!

The moment I felt the hot sweep of his tongue across the seam of my mouth, I’d let a small moan slip from my throat. I clung to his biceps, wanting to get closer.

After what felt like hours, Alexander pulled himself back to rest his head against my own. Our lips were puffy and red and I couldn’t remember a time when I felt so complete.

“I love you too,” I said against his lips.

I suppose I was no better than him when it came to explaining my own feelings. However, I always made it a point to show my love through actions. Nevertheless, it felt just as good as finally saying it out loud.

The smile that took over Alexander’s face was breathtaking. I’d almost overlooked the predatory glimmer that flickered over his gaze.

Suddenly, without a single warning, he dropped his hand down to the back of my thighs and lifted my feet off the floor. An excited gasp tore from my lungs while I quickly wrapped my arms around his shoulders and my legs around his waist.

“Tell me now, does anything hurt you still?” he asked.

I shook my head, but that wasn’t enough.

“Words, sweetheart,” he purred. “Use your words.”

“No,” I breathed. “Nothing hurts.”

Considering how close I came to losing my life, I was more than fortunate to have barely any aches or lingering pains. No, the only noticeable ache that I was currently feeling was the one between my thighs. Alexander had to have noticed my growing need as his look turned heated. He made his way toward the door with me still clinging to him.

“I need to make up for lost time,” he said.

I had a strong feeling he was headed straight for the bedroom. Sure enough, I was right. As soon as we reached the room, he closed the door behind us and went over to the bed.

He let his arms fall away, letting me fall back onto the mattress in a short yelp. His features creased with easy amusement as he stared down at me. I felt his hands curl around my ankles, gradually sliding their way up my legs.

My breathing tensed the closer he got to my core. Just as his finger grazed over the soaked material of panties, a guttural groan rumbled through his chest.

“How long have you been this wet?” he questioned roughly.

My face flushed a deep shade of pink as I glanced down at him.

“Honestly?” He nodded. “Probably since you showed up as Henry was leaving.”

A flash of anger crossed his face. “Oh, so it’s Henry now, is it?”

I rolled my eyes upward toward the ceiling. “Oh, for Christ’s sake! Dr. Cawfield! There, are you happy?” I laughed.

I quickly sat up and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him up toward me. I pressed another heated kiss to his lips.

“There’s something I want to try,” I told him. “Will you indulge me?”