Chapter 591

Everett attempted to pry Rosalind's fingers from his body, but she only clung tighter.

"We're already in a hotel suite," she whispered, her breath hot against his neck. "You can't possibly resist me now. Don't you desire me?"

Every inch of his skin burned with unnatural heat, waves of fire coursing through his veins like liquid torment. The sensation was maddening.

Yet the press of Rosalind's curves against him, her delicate fingers tracing patterns on his chest, provided momentary relief from the agony.

"I've wanted you for so long, Everett," she murmured, lips brushing his jaw. "Let me show you how good we can be together tonight."

When Everett turned to face her, Rosalind's breathtaking beauty struck him anew. Her flawless features, the way her dark hair cascaded over bare shoulders - she was exquisite. He'd been surrounded by beautiful women all his life, but Rosalind stood apart.

Her fingertips traced the sharp angles of his face. "Everett..."

Instead of pushing her away, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward the plush bed.

Rosalind landed softly on the mattress, immediately wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him down with her. "Let me help with these," she purred, fingers working at his shirt buttons.

Abruptly, Everett caught her wrists. His bloodshot eyes locked onto hers. "I need to—"

"Shower together?" she suggested with a coy smile.

"No. Alone."

Rosalind flipped their positions, pinning Everett beneath her. She straddled him boldly, desire burning in her gaze. "Don't leave me. Not now when we're finally together."

A muscle jumped in his jaw as he gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him until their lips nearly touched.

Rosalind's pulse raced at their proximity. She'd never been this close to Everett before. The raw masculinity of him, the way his dark eyes smoldered - it made her breath catch. She leaned in, lips parting—

Pain exploded at the base of her skull. Everett's precise strike sent her collapsing onto the bed, unconscious before she hit the sheets.

Everett sat up, body still aflame but mind clearing. When Rosalind had been atop him moments ago, an image of Rosalind's delicate features had flashed through his mind - how she'd once sat astride him just like this.

The memory made him ache for her.

Outside, Reginald's men stood guard, making escape impossible. Confrontation wasn't an option - not yet. Everett moved to the bathroom, shedding his shirt before turning the shower to icy cold. The freezing spray did little to quell the fire raging within him.

If anything, the shock of cold water intensified the war between ice and fire tormenting his body. He groaned, bracing against the tile.

He couldn't endure this.

Fumbling for his phone, Everett scrolled to Rosalind's number. After a heartbeat's hesitation, he pressed call.

At that exact moment, Rosalind sat in her quiet villa. When Everett's name illuminated her screen, her heart stuttered.

He was calling.

Earlier at the lounge, she'd promised to wait for his call. That someone like Everett would reach out first meant everything.

"Hello?" she answered eagerly.

Only ragged breathing answered. Harsh. Uneven.

Rosalind tightened her grip on the phone. "Everett? Are you there? Why won't you speak?"

Under the punishing spray, Everett's entire being focused on Rosalind's melodic voice. Like birdsong to a drowning man, it made the veins in his eyes darken further.

A rough sound escaped him.

He was there.

"Something's wrong," Rosalind pressed. "That noise - what's happening? Where are you?"

Everett squeezed his eyes shut, phone clutched in one hand while the other drifted lower. "Rosalind..." Her name was a prayer on his lips.

"I'm here. Tell me where you are! Why won't you answer me?"

"You're not with Genevieve, are you?" Her voice turned fierce. "I won't have you with her, Everett Sinclair! Do you hear me? I refuse to let you two—"

Everett remained silent as Rosalind continued, oblivious to his torment.

"Do you miss me?" The question came softly, hopeful. Everett stilled.

"If you do...come to me. I'm home alone tonight. Father and Beatrice are away." The invitation couldn't be clearer.

When Everett didn't respond, Rosalind sighed. "I'm hanging up now."

The line went dead with two sharp beeps.

Restlessness consumed him. He needed Rosalind - now. Shutting off the water, Everett dressed hastily. With Genevieve unconscious and guards at the door, only one exit remained.

The fourth-floor window.

Everett fashioned a rope from bedsheets and descended swiftly. Cool night air filled his lungs as his feet hit the ground. He ran, long strides eating up the distance between him and Rosalind.

Meanwhile, in her villa, Rosalind puzzled over Everett's strange behavior. That ragged breathing, his silence...

She considered calling back when the doorbell rang.

Everett stood on her doorstep, breathing hard from his sprint.

"You came," she breathed, equal parts shocked and delighted. "Come in."

She pulled him inside, shutting the door behind them. As she stepped back, Rosalind noticed the angry scrape on his forearm from his hurried descent.

Everett seemed unaware of the injury. Without warning, he hauled Rosalind against him, capturing her lips in a searing kiss so intense her knees nearly buckled.

His arms banded around her, molding her soft curves to his hard planes. Heat radiated from him in waves.

Rosalind pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss. "What—"

"I need you." Everett's voice was gravel, his gaze molten. "Now."