Chapter 154

Nathaniel's voice came through the phone, low and urgent. "The herbal prescription you wrote for Grandmother has disappeared."

So that was why he called.

Harrison immediately reached for a pen. "Give me a moment. I'll rewrite it for you."

She bent over the desk, her fingers moving swiftly across the paper.

As she wrote, the thin strap of her camisole slipped slightly, revealing the delicate curve of her collarbone and the soft swell of her breasts.

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. He had always known she was beautiful, but this—the way her waist tapered into gentle hips, the unconscious grace of her movements—was enough to unravel any man's restraint.

"Harrison." His voice was rough, strained.

She glanced up, confused. "What is it?"

Her eyes were wide, innocent, completely unaware of the effect she had on him.

That obliviousness only made it worse.

Nathaniel swallowed hard. "Once you're done, take a photo and send it to me."

Harrison nodded absently, assuming he was too busy to wait.

"Alright, I'll hang up now. Go back to your work."

When he didn’t respond, she moved to end the call—until Rosalind burst into the room, holding two ice cream cones.

"Harrison! I got you vanilla!" Rosalind grinned, handing one over as she licked her own.

The ice cream had already started melting. Harrison quickly took it, catching a drip with her tongue.

"Hurry, it's so good!" Rosalind urged.

Harrison laughed, savoring the rich sweetness. "Mmm, it’s perfect."

Rosalind noticed Nathaniel on the screen and waved. "Hi, Mr. Falcon!"

Nathaniel’s gaze didn’t leave Harrison, who was licking the ice cream with childlike delight, her pink tongue darting out to catch every drop.

He couldn’t help but think how easily she was pleased.

Something as simple as ice cream made her glow.

His throat burned. "Is it really that good?"

Harrison beamed at him. "Yes, so sweet."

She had always loved sweets—chocolates, pastries, anything sugary.

Rosalind, mischievous, teased, "Harrison, Mr. Falcon helped you with Julian. Are you thinking of how to repay him?"

At the word "repay," Harrison’s fingers stilled.

She looked up—and finally noticed the way Nathaniel was watching her.

His gaze was dark, intense, simmering with something dangerous.

She knew that look.

Beneath his usual composure was a hunger he rarely showed.

Harrison’s pulse quickened.

Hesitant, she held out the ice cream cone toward the screen.

"Would you... like a taste?"