Chapter 34

Evelyn froze, her pulse hammering against her ribcage. Slowly, she turned to face him, schooling her features into polite inquiry. "Yes?"

Nathan rose from his chair, his towering frame dominating the spacious office. He circled the desk with panther-like grace, stopping mere inches from her.

Up close, she could see the flecks of silver in his stubble, the faint lines of exhaustion around his eyes. He smelled like expensive whiskey and something uniquely Nathan - a scent that still made her knees weak after all this time.

"You've changed," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over her in a way that made her skin prickle with awareness.

Evelyn forced a light laugh. "Paris changes everyone." She kept her tone breezy, though her palms had gone damp.

Nathan's fingers caught her chin, tilting her face toward the light. "I wasn't talking about your hair." His thumb brushed her lower lip, sending an electric current through her body. "You're different."

The office phone chose that moment to buzz. Sophie's voice filtered through the intercom. "Mr. Black, your two o'clock is here. Should I send them in?"

Evelyn seized the interruption to step back, putting much-needed distance between them. "I should go."

Nathan's expression darkened. "We're not finished."

A knock at the door punctuated his words. The knob began to turn.

Evelyn's eyes widened in alarm. The last thing she needed was company gossip about her unexpected visit. Without thinking, she darted toward the private elevator reserved for executives.

"Evelyn!" Nathan's roar followed her as the doors slid shut.

Inside the descending elevator, Evelyn pressed a trembling hand to her chest. The rapid thud of her heartbeat mocked her carefully constructed composure.

She'd promised herself this would be a quick, professional delivery. No emotions. No complications. Yet thirty seconds in Nathan's presence had shattered that resolve completely.

The elevator doors opened to the underground parking garage. Evelyn hurried toward her waiting car, only to freeze when she saw the familiar figure leaning against her Mercedes.

"Going somewhere, Mrs. Black?" Nathan purred, pushing off the car with predatory grace.

Evelyn's breath caught. How had he beaten her downstairs?

Before she could react, Nathan closed the distance between them, caging her against the vehicle with his arms. "You owe me an explanation," he growled, his breath warm against her ear. "Starting with why you really came today."

The scent of his cologne enveloped her, stirring memories she'd fought hard to suppress. Evelyn swallowed hard, her carefully rehearsed speech evaporating under the heat of his gaze.

Nathan's phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. He ignored it, his focus entirely on her. "Well?"

Evelyn opened her mouth to respond when a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Nathan? What's going on here?"

Both turned to see Serena Cole standing a few feet away, her designer-clad figure the picture of poised elegance. Her sharp gaze darted between them, missing nothing.

Evelyn felt the blood drain from her face. Of all the people to witness this scene...

Nathan didn't loosen his hold. "This doesn't concern you, Serena."

Serena's perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched. "Doesn't it? After everything we've—"

"Enough." Nathan's voice cracked like a whip. "Leave."

For a heartbeat, Evelyn thought Serena might argue. Then the other woman's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Of course. We'll continue our... conversation later." With a final pointed look at Evelyn, she turned on her stilettos and walked away.

The moment Serena disappeared around the corner, Nathan's attention snapped back to Evelyn. "Now. Where were we?"

Evelyn's fingers clenched around her car keys. This was spiraling out of control faster than she'd anticipated. She needed to regain the upper hand - fast.

"Actually," she said, summoning every ounce of her newfound confidence, "I believe we were saying goodbye." With a deft maneuver, she slipped under his arm and into the driver's seat.

Nathan's hand shot out, preventing her from closing the door. "This isn't over."

Evelyn met his stormy gaze without flinching. "Isn't it?" She turned the ignition, the engine's growl underscoring her words. "Three years ago, you made your choice perfectly clear."

His grip tightened on the doorframe. "Things change."

"Do they?" Evelyn shifted into gear. "Then prove it."

With that challenge hanging between them, she pulled his hand away and closed the door. The tires squealed as she sped out of the parking garage, leaving Nathan standing alone in the dust.

Her hands shook on the steering wheel, but her resolve held firm. If Nathan Black wanted her back, he'd have to work for it this time.

And Evelyn Hartley was done making things easy for him.

Nathan studied the logo on the meal container with a frown. "What's this, Evelyn? You expect me to eat takeout?"

Evelyn turned to face him, arms crossed. "It's from La Maison Étoilée—hardly fast food."

With a dismissive flick of his wrist, Nathan pushed the container aside, his voice icy. "I'd rather have something you made."

A dry laugh escaped her. "You're joking, right, Mr. Black?"

Nathan's expression darkened. "Evelyn, my father told you to bring me food, not dump some random takeout on my desk to check it off your list. I want your cooking."

She didn't flinch. "This is what I brought. Eat it or don't—your choice."

Without waiting for a response, she turned toward the door.

Just as she reached for the handle, it swung open.

Evelyn froze. Standing in the doorway were two unexpected visitors. Serena's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise, while Dylan's face lit up with a charming smile.

"Ms. Hartley! What a pleasant surprise," Dylan greeted warmly.

Evelyn offered a curt nod before brushing past them without a word.

Serena and Dylan stepped inside, the tension thickening the air.

"Nathan," Serena began, her voice laced with suspicion, "why was she here?"

Ignoring her question, Nathan leaned back in his chair. "Why are you here?"

His evasion only deepened Serena's unease.

Dylan smoothly intervened. "Serena was worried you hadn't eaten, so she brought lunch."

Nathan gestured to the takeout container. "Already taken care of."

Serena's gaze flicked to the food, her instincts screaming that Evelyn had brought it. She reached for it. "This isn't healthy. Try this instead—it's homemade by our chef."

Nathan's hand shot out, stopping her mid-motion. "Leave it."

Serena's fingers hovered in the air, stunned.

Dylan cleared his throat. "Let's just leave both options here. Nathan can decide what he wants."

With a tight smile, Serena withdrew her hand.