Chapter 175

Harrison felt a strange unease. Why was Nathaniel staring at her like that?

Isabella stood right beside him, yet his intense gaze remained fixed on Harrison. Lately, his attention had become more persistent, more unsettling.

Alexander approached Harrison with a smile. "Let's try that private hot spring over there."

Gabrielle stifled a giggle behind her hand. "Alexander clearly wants you all to himself. Go on, don't keep him waiting."

As she spoke, Gabrielle shot Nathaniel a knowing glance. His stormy expression secretly pleased her. Harrison followed Alexander to a secluded spring. Their conversation flowed easily until Alexander's phone interrupted them.

"I need to take this. Wait here."

"Of course," Harrison replied.

Left alone, Harrison noticed an ice cream vendor. The temptation proved irresistible. But when she reached the spot, the vendor had disappeared.

Somehow, she wandered deeper into the springs' hidden corners.

Then she saw them - a muscular man with a serpent tattoo coiling across his chest, and a voluptuous woman straddling his lap. Their movements sent ripples through the steaming water.

The woman laughed throatily. "What if your boss finds out about us?"

The man's arrogant grin sent chills down Harrison's spine. "Anyone who sees us won't live to tell."

Harrison's breath caught. She'd stumbled upon a dangerous affair.

Dominic Graves - that serpent tattoo marked him as someone who operated outside the law.

"Wait." Dominic's head snapped up, his predatory gaze scanning the mist. "Who's there?"

Panic surged through Harrison. She turned and fled.

Dominic shoved the woman aside and barked at his guards. "Find them!"

The chase began.

Harrison's heart pounded as she ran blindly. Dead end. Trapped.

Footsteps closed in. Then - solid warmth against her back.

She looked up into Nathaniel's piercing eyes.

How?

His strong hands pulled her behind a boulder. In one fluid motion, he lifted her onto the stone.

"Wrap your legs around me," he commanded, voice low.

Harrison stiffened. "Absolutely not!"

Nathaniel's smirk darkened. "Never done this before? Stop playing innocent."

His sudden anger confused her.

Before she could react, his knee parted her thighs. His lean body pressed closer, his taut waist brushing against her.

Harrison's legs trembled, refusing to obey. This wasn't protection - this was something else entirely.

"Stop!" Her voice shook as she pushed against his chest.

Nathaniel's expression turned glacial. Her resistance only fueled his fury.

"Dominic!" A voice shouted through the steam. "They went this way!"