Chapter 309

The laboratory was eerily quiet during lunch break.

Adrian Klein pushed open the lounge door and headed straight for the sink.

Cold water streamed over his slender fingers as he cupped his hands to splash his face.

Droplets trailed down his jawline, dampening his shirt collar.

A faint rustling came from the inner wardrobe.

Evelyn Langley stirred awake at the sound of the door.

Her cot was wedged behind the door, leaving her hidden in shadow.

A man's lean silhouette filled her vision.

He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing taut waist muscles as the fabric slipped away.

Evelyn's breath hitched, fingers tightening around the blanket's edge.

Speaking up would only heighten the awkwardness.

She squeezed her eyes shut, feigning sleep.

But the image of that sculpted torso burned behind her eyelids.

Adrian froze mid-motion when his peripheral vision caught the cot.

His pupils contracted.

Gently pulling the door wider, he discovered the curled-up figure.

The fallen blanket pooled on the floor.

He picked it up with the care reserved for fragile artifacts.

His fingertips grazed her stray hair, recoiling as if shocked.

Evelyn caught his crisp cedar scent.

When the blanket settled over her, she barely suppressed a shiver.

His breathing hovered dangerously close, stretching seconds into eternity.

The retreating footsteps finally came.

She bolted upright, cheeks flaming.

Vincent Macmillan intercepted Adrian in the hallway. "Thought you weren't coming today?"

"Just grabbing some files." Adrian stuffed his used shirt into his briefcase.

"Why are your ears red?"

"Broken AC." The lie came smoothly.

Vincent peeked toward the lounge. "Evelyn's not here?"

"Didn't see her." Adrian strode toward the elevator. "Probably at the library."

Only when the doors closed did he loosen his tie.

His palm still tingled where her hair had brushed against it.