Chapter 11
Nathaniel caught Harrison as she stumbled into him. His piercing eyes swept over her, disapproval lacing his words. "Harrison, why are you back?"
She hadn't expected him home. Dressed in a tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, he carried the crisp winter air on his expensive fabric.
Instinctively, she leaned into his cool, controlled presence.
"Nathaniel, help me..." Her voice shook.
Before she could continue, he pushed her back firmly, brows knitting together. "What's wrong with you?"
Harrison hesitated, biting her lip. She couldn't believe she was about to beg him. "I've been drugged," she admitted softly.
Drugged?
Nathaniel's expression darkened. This woman was always in some kind of trouble.
"Stay here," he ordered.
He strode to the window, pulling out his phone. His tall frame was silhouetted against the night sky as he loosened his tie with effortless grace. The undone knot paired with his icy demeanor gave him a dangerously alluring edge.
Harrison forced herself to look away.
Sebastian answered on the second ring. "Nathaniel! What's going on?"
"Question. What do you do when a woman's been drugged?"
Sebastian laughed like he'd just heard juicy gossip. "Is Isabella in trouble? You know what to do—play the hero!"
"Be useful," Nathaniel snapped.
"Fine. Cold shower. Brutal but effective. Otherwise... well, things escalate."
Nathaniel hung up and turned to Harrison. "Can you handle a cold shower?"
She nodded weakly, cheeks flushed. "I'll try."
Without another word, she rushed to the bathroom.
Nathaniel shrugged off his jacket, draping it over a chair. As he rolled up his sleeves, a sharp cry cut through the air.
"Ahh!"
His jaw clenched as he marched to the bathroom. "Now what?"
Inside, Harrison stood under the showerhead, her thin camisole clinging to her curves. The delicate slope of her collarbone glistened under the lights. The water wasn't running yet—she was clutching her forehead with a pained expression.
"I hit my head," she whimpered, eyes brimming with tears.
Nathaniel's gaze narrowed. He pulled her hand away, revealing a red mark.
"You're impossible," he muttered.
"I'm not stupid," she protested weakly. "I'm dizzy..."
"Stay still."
What?
Before she could react, he turned on the shower.
Ice-cold water cascaded down, drenching her instantly. She gasped, instinctively throwing herself against him.
"It's too cold! I can't!" She trembled, pressing her soaked body into his, staining his white shirt and slacks.
He had no choice but to step back under the spray with her.
Harrison burned with heat. Like a parched fish, she craved relief. Her hands drifted to his waist, fingers tracing the ridges of muscle.
Nathaniel tensed immediately.
"Harrison, what are you doing?"
"Six-pack abs," she murmured, wonder in her voice.
He exhaled sharply.
Her gaze lifted to his face. "So handsome too," she breathed.
Nathaniel pinned her against the cold tiles, voice rough. "Behave."
Harrison smiled. "So strong. I like it."
He grabbed the showerhead and aimed it at her flushed face.
"Ahh!" She swatted at him. "Nathaniel, if it were Isabella, would you help her?"
He froze. "What?"
Her damp lashes trembled. "Because it's me, you make me suffer. None of you like me!"
Nathaniel noticed her red-rimmed eyes—had she been crying?
Suddenly, she lunged forward and bit his Adam's apple.
He hadn't expected that. Her teeth sank into the sensitive skin, sending a jolt straight to his spine.
This damn woman.
His arm encircled her waist—so soft, so small. Barely 20 inches. His fingers nearly met around it.
With her slender legs and narrow frame, he realized she was stunning.
His breathing grew uneven. He gripped her face, prying her off. Her flushed cheeks fit perfectly in his palm. "Do you always bite?"
Harrison had little control left. The alcohol and drugs made her pliant.
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
Nathaniel immediately released her.
But she clung to him, arms looping around his neck. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"
Before he could answer, soft lips brushed his throat—a kiss.
A spark ignited in Nathaniel's gaze.
Her kisses trailed upward, marking his jaw with red imprints.
The little beast who'd bitten him now nuzzled like a kitten, lavishing him with affection.
"Have you and Isabella...?" she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
She rose on her toes, gaze fixed on his lips. "Nathaniel, I'm drugged. I'm still your wife. Won't you help me?"
His large hand tightened on her waist. Her delicate frame made him want to crush her closer.
Harrison leaned in, lips parting.
Nathaniel didn't pull away.
They were a breath apart—
Then his phone rang.
The screen flashed two words:
Isabella Whitmore.