203 Alexander, What Are You Doing

Evelyn met Alexander's gaze.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl.

Her heart gave a sudden, sharp thud against her ribs.

A wave of heat rushed to her cheeks, a telltale sign of her sudden shyness.

"Oh, stop that," she mumbled, attempting to deflect the compliment. "I've been working all day. I'm not even wearing any makeup. I must look terrible."

Alexander's focus didn't break.

His eyes softened as they traveled over her face.

His Adam's apple moved slightly as he whispered, "You have no idea how breathtaking you are right now."

The vibrant wildflowers, now a crown resting on her head, seemed to enhance her natural glow.

Evelyn was stunning in a completely effortless way.

Alexander felt an irresistible pull toward her.

He leaned in closer, drawn by an invisible force.

He wanted to be near her, to memorize every detail of her face.

Startled by his movement, Evelyn jumped to her feet.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly took a step back, staring at him in disbelief.

"Alexander, what are you doing? We're in a cemetery!"

Alexander blinked, as if waking from a dream.

Realizing how close he had gotten, he immediately retreated a step.

A faint flush of embarrassment colored his face.

"Sorry." Alexander let out a slow breath, his expression tinged with regret.

He couldn't bring himself to look at his mother's photograph.

A heavy sense of guilt settled in his chest.

Since when had he started acting so impulsively?

After a few moments of quiet contemplation, Evelyn and Alexander finally said their farewells to his mother.

They carefully tidied the gravesite and walked back to the car.

Evelyn gently lifted the flower wreath from her head.

Her fingers traced the delicate petals.

She offered Alexander a soft smile. "This wreath you made is truly beautiful. I think I'll keep it when we get home and put it in some water. It might last a little longer."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, a playful smile touching his lips. "It's just a few flowers. I'll give you many more gifts in the future. There's no need to be so attached to this one." His voice dropped to a teasing murmur. "Besides, I love seeing you wear things I've given you."

Evelyn, caught off guard by his intense look, immediately thought of the expensive necklace he had gifted her recently.

It had felt too luxurious, so she had stored it away safely.

But since Alexander mentioned it, perhaps she should start wearing it—just keeping it hidden beneath her clothes for now.

Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly became acutely aware of Alexander's gaze fixed on her.

She instinctively raised a hand to her face, feeling flustered. "What is it? Is there something on my face?"

He smirked in reply. "A little something." Then, without hesitation, he raised the car's partition, his voice softening. "Let me get it for you."

Evelyn, still processing, tilted her face up slightly, allowing his fingertips to brush against her cheek.

He studied her with intense concentration.

His fingers moved over her skin with gentle pressure.

The slight roughness of his skin sent a shiver down her spine.

A tingling sensation spread under her skin.

She instinctively tried to pull back, but his hand on her waist held her firmly in place.

Her gaze darted nervously.

Her breath hitched when his fingers lightly grazed her lips, sending a rush of warmth through her entire body.

"Is it gone now?" His voice was a soft whisper, yet it carried a quiet command.

For a brief second, she was completely stunned, her mind reeling from the sudden surge of emotion.

Then, understanding dawned.

He had raised the partition for privacy.

Back at the cemetery, he had wanted to kiss her...

And even now, here in the car, his thoughts were clearly heading in the same direction.

"Alexander!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and playful accusation. "You're being a complete rogue right now!"

Alexander's expression remained perfectly composed.

He met her gaze with steady calm. "Evelyn, I'm a man. A normal man. It's natural to feel... certain desires for the woman I care about."

He paused, leaning in just a fraction closer, narrowing the space between them. "Don't you feel anything when you're this close to me?"

Her pulse raced as she felt the warmth of his breath.

Her face flushed a deep crimson.

Of course she felt things—powerful reactions—but admitting that was out of the question.

She took a slow, steadying breath, closing her eyes for a brief moment.

The faint tremor of her eyelashes betrayed her nervousness.

Alexander's hand pressed more firmly against her waist.

With a soft, teasing smile, he tilted his head, bringing his lips within inches of hers.

But just as they were about to meet, the shrill ring of a phone shattered the intimate silence, cutting through the tension like a knife.