Chapter 190

Ethan Sullivan gazed down at the woman in his arms, his heartbeat pounding so fiercely it threatened to break free from his chest.

This was the girl he had searched for over a decade.

The treasure he had schemed tirelessly to approach, finally earning the privilege of holding her close.

Though his emotions raged like a storm inside, his arms around Evelyn Laurent remained steady and unshaken.

"Congratulations! You've completed the challenge!"

The clerk's cheerful voice shattered the delicate tension between them.

Evelyn blinked, as if waking from a dream, and immediately signaled for Ethan to set her down.

Reluctantly, he lowered her gently to the ground.

"Next time, I'll carry you."

Evelyn spoke suddenly, her eyes openly studying the flush on his cheeks.

"Look at you, panting like this."

Her tone was matter-of-fact, completely unaware of the implications of her words.

Ethan's throat tightened.

How could he explain that his ragged breathing had nothing to do with exertion?

"Deal," he murmured with a low laugh, warmth flooding his gaze.

He wouldn't mind repeating this challenge a hundred times over.

But he had to pace himself.

If this perceptive girl caught even a hint of his true thoughts, he might lose even the closeness they had now.

The private room was steeped in an intimate ambiance.

The scent of roses lingered in the air.

Yet Evelyn paid no attention to the lavish bouquet of crimson blooms.

"Remember," Ethan poured her a glass of lemon water, "this kind of contact isn't for anyone else."

"Obviously," Evelyn frowned, irritation flashing in her voice. "Do you think I'd let just anyone touch me?"

Her indignant expression made Ethan chuckle.

"You'd better not even consider it," she took a sip of water. "If I didn't know you so well—if I thought you had any ulterior motives..."

Before she could finish, Ethan's grip on his glass tightened.

No ulterior motives?

Every thought in his head was exactly what she accused him of not having.