[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice Chapter 268: The Kiss That Shook Me

~Nantam’s POV~

Evans chuckled, entirely unconcerned. "Don’t worry. You will like later."

Never, I thought fiercely in my mind. I will never like you.

We drove the rest of the way in silence. His house was less a house and more a futuristic glass and steel monunt to wealth. The mont the driver parked, I slipped straight into my dramatic performance.

"Wow, what a mansion!" I shouted, throwing my arms out and tilting my head back like I was admiring the gates of heaven. "Ah-ah! Bro Evans, you are so rich! Look everywhere! See lawn, see house—wow!"

I made a big show of turning in circles, praising every brick.

"Thank you, Nantam," Evans said as he opened the front door for . "Now, co inside."

I stopped imdiately and faced him, dead serious. "Co inside to do what? You’ve already shown your fine mansion, and I’ve seen it. Very beautiful. Thank you."

I stepped back and reached for my pocket. "It’s ti for to go ho. Let order a taxi."

"Since you know I’m trying to show you my house, at least step inside and see it properly," Evans urged, still smiling.

"I’ve seen enough," I insisted. "The image is already in my head."

His voice dropped, his smile turning sly. "Hmm. Nantam... don’t tell the real reason you won’t co in is because you’re scared of ending up on my bed."

My expression shifted instantly a flicker of embarrassnt buried under stubborn defiance. "Why would I be scared of you?" I shot back. "I’ve already made it clear I’m not interested."

"If you have no interest in , why are you being scared to co inside my house?" he countered, his logic infuriatingly simple.

"Because I don’t want any further closeness than this," I said, trying to push him away with the past. "Your brother already dated my brother."

Evans shrugged, dismissing the history with a wave of his hand. "My brother dating your brother is in the past. It already ended. I don’t think that should be a problem."

I forced a stiff smile, though irritation simred beneath it. "Not a problem? Are you serious, Evans? Do you know how much your father put Zayn through? The endless tests, the judgnt, the constant pressure to prove he was ’good enough’ for your brother? Do you even understand how suffocating that was for him?"

My voice tightened, the mory sharpening every word. "I’m not Zayn, Evans. I can’t survive that kind of scrutiny."

I shook my head, the unease crawling under my skin. "Evans. For all I know, this is so twisted payback for whatever happened between our brothers. And honestly? Maybe I’m just the easiest target in front of you. There are too many complications already. I don’t want to be close to you, because I don’t want anything beyond this to even start. Not with you."

Evans stepped closer, his voice dropping into sothing soft enough to steady my pulse. He held my gaze, warm and unhurried. "Please, Nantam... can we just put all that aside for now?" he murmured. "Please... co inside and have a proper al. That’s all, I promise."

I narrowed my eyes. "Aren’t you the one who said you don’t keep promises?"

"I’m begging you now," he pleaded, his intensity suddenly real. "Please, trust just this one ti. I will keep my promise."

I stared at him for a long, calculating mont. My mind was exhausted, and I hadn’t eaten properly since I was detained. "Promise?"

"I promise," Evans confird, holding my gaze.

"Just then, he stepped toward , attempting to touch my back to guide inside. I quickly stepped back, maintaining the hard boundary."

Evans caught himself imdiately. "This way, please," he said, using his hand as a direction marker without touching .

I followed him inside.

Evans actually kept his promise. I had a proper, hot al, not so hastily grabbed takeout. We talked for hours; he lectured, advised, and, begrudgingly, I had to admit, I admired his sharp intelligence.

When he started talking, I realized he wanted to address what I had done to Zayn, but he didn’t do it in a harsh or judgntal way. He broke down the principles of loyalty and trust one by one, dissecting my actions until I realized exactly how wrong I’d been. He wasn’t judging through the past; he said he liked before he even found out I was Nicki’s brother, and seeing my true character only reinforced it.

Despite how perfectly composed he was, even though I was still furious at him for trapping , I felt a reluctant pull toward him. I liked him, I really did, but I didn’t think it could ever work, not with the mountain of reasons standing between us.

"Look, Nantam," Evans said, reading the resistance in my eyes. "What if we just start as friends? Just test the waters."

I shook my head. "You don’t have to be with . You’re intelligent. You could find soone else easily."

I stood up, ready to say goodbye and end the excruciating politeness. Evans stood up with , closing the physical gap between us. He stared straight into my eyes, and my breath hitched.

What happened next was a blur. He leaned down and kissed .

I was shocked. For a split second, the shock lted into curiosity, and I kissed back, tasting the clean, sharp scent of him. Then reality slamd back. I pushed him away, stepping back quickly. "Please," I pleaded, my voice thin. "Can we not start any of this?"

"I know it’s complicated," Evans said, his voice soft. "But I’m asking you to try to give it a chance."

I didn’t give him an answer. I couldn’t. I only told him to take ho. He didn’t argue. He grabbed his car keys and drove himself, leaving the driver behind.

When we arrived at my house, he didn’t try to touch again. He just kept his eyes on mine.

"Try to see it from my perspective, Nantam," he said, his tone serious. "I don’t chase anyone who isn’t intelligent, driven, or aligned with my values. But I know you, I see the maturity beneath that stubborn pride of yours. Just... think about what I’m asking."

Then he unlocked the door, and I stepped out.

After he left, I stood on the porch, my mind spinning. I knew Nicki wouldn’t care; my brother had already said he had no problem if I wanted to date him— I could try.

But honestly, if you were in my shoes, would you date soone whose younger brother once dated your younger brother?"

I didn’t know what to think. Confusion twisted inside , sharper than anything else.