Chapter 161

Nathaniel found himself staring into Evelyn's wide, guileless eyes, feeling like the villain in their twisted love story.

A sudden reckless impulse surged through his veins.

His gaze dropped to the soft curve of her mouth. Before reason could intervene, Nathaniel closed the distance between them, capturing Evelyn's protests with his lips.

Evelyn froze in shock.

What was happening?

She pressed her palms against Nathaniel's chest, attempting to push him away.

But Nathaniel's arms were like steel bands, refusing to yield to her struggles.

Evelyn's eyes flew open as she stared at the man currently devouring her.

His stormy sea-green eyes seemed capable of swallowing her whole.

The temperature inside the luxury car spiked dangerously.

Evelyn's fingers twisted in Nathaniel's designer shirt, caught between fighting him off and pulling him closer.

Finally, she bit down hard on his lower lip, drawing a pained grunt from Nathaniel as he broke the kiss.

His eyes burned with intensity, the veins in them standing out against the reddened whites.

An electric silence filled the vehicle.

Nathaniel wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb, his voice dangerously low. "Did you just bite me?"

Evelyn glared defiantly, her lips pursed. "What if I did? Who gave you the right to kiss me without permission? That's assault, Mr. Whitmore! You're behaving like a complete scoundrel!"

A dark chuckle escaped Nathaniel. "Now you understand what harassment feels like? I was just giving you a dose of your own medicine. Can't handle it?" he taunted.

Evelyn's mouth opened and closed like a fish before she recovered. "That's different! I barely touched you, and you—you kissed me!"

"Legally speaking, both actions carry the same weight. No difference at all," Nathaniel countered, one eyebrow arched, something unreadable flashing in his gaze.

Squirming uncomfortably beneath him, Evelyn's cheeks burned. "Would you please let me go now?"

Nathaniel caged her in, one arm braced against the car door. "You did bite me though. How do you propose we settle that debt?"

Evelyn seethed. Was Nathaniel seriously trying to turn this around on her?

She'd had enough of his games.

"Mr. Whitmore, this charade ends now. I'm not here to stroke your ego. Let's call it even and move on," she snapped.

Nathaniel's grip tightened around her delicate wrist. "Interesting. You resist me but throw yourself at other men so easily?"

His words struck like a physical blow, making Evelyn flinch as pain lanced through her heart.

To Nathaniel, she would always be that gold-digging social climber - someone who'd do anything for money and status.

Fine. If that's what he believed, she'd play the part.

Evelyn lowered her lashes, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Of course. As long as the upgrade is significant enough, no ex is worth remembering."

Nathaniel's laugh was dark with frustration. "Remember, sweetheart, our divorce isn't finalized yet. We're still very much married."

His gaze lingered on Evelyn's deceptively innocent face, noting the slight swelling of her kiss-bruised lips. Unexpectedly, the memory of their kiss didn't repulse him as much as he'd expected.

"Is the dating bar set so high these days? Must they be single? What's wrong with someone going through a divorce?" Evelyn fired back.

"Nathaniel, I never realized how quick-witted you are. You'd do well on a debate show," she added sarcastically.

"Likewise. With my exceptional qualities, I see our impending divorce as the perfect fresh start."

"Mr. Whitmore, your insights are truly... enlightening," Evelyn quipped.

Ever since the divorce discussions began, Nathaniel found his patience wearing thinner by the day.