Chapter 208
Harrison froze, her body rigid as she fought against his grasp.
"Don't, Nathaniel!" Her plea came out shaky, barely above a whisper.
Nathaniel pulled her back onto the couch effortlessly, his grip unyielding. Before she could react, his lips crashed against hers in a searing kiss. Harrison pushed against his chest, but her struggle only made him more relentless.
A loud crash shattered the moment as Nathaniel knocked over a vase. Glass shards scattered across the floor, mixing with the mess of papers now strewn everywhere.
Eventually, Harrison stopped resisting. Her forehead bumped against the couch's edge, tears spilling from her eyes.
Nathaniel suddenly stilled, his dark eyes widening in shock. "You're... still untouched?" His voice was thick with disbelief.
He had assumed otherwise. The possibility had never crossed his mind.
Harrison sat up abruptly, fury boiling inside her. In a flash, she sank her teeth into his shoulder, biting hard enough to draw blood. Nathaniel's jaw clenched, a low groan escaping him as he endured the pain.
With a firm grip, he forced her jaw open, making her release him. His left hand held her—the same hand bearing the long scar from when he'd saved her.
But that didn't erase the hurt he'd caused.
Tears streamed down Harrison's face as she glared at him, her eyes burning with anger and pain. Something inside Nathaniel cracked, his chest tightening with regret.
"I was wrong," he rasped, his voice rough. "I'm sorry."
He had been so, so wrong.
She had never been with anyone before. He was her first. And yet, he had treated her horribly, saying things that cut deep.
Harrison turned her face away, refusing his apology. Nathaniel grabbed her hand and forced it against his own face, making her slap him. The sharp sound echoed through the room.
"Hit me again," he urged. "If once isn't enough, do it as many times as you need. I deserve it."
He tried to make her strike him once more, but Harrison pulled her hand back.
A faint smile touched Nathaniel's lips at her hesitation. He leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against her mouth.
"Harrison," he murmured, his voice husky, "do you still love me?"
The question hung heavily between them. And what about him? What did he truly feel?
Harrison hesitated, Dominic's words flashing in her mind. "Nathaniel, have you ever—"
He kissed her again before she could finish. "Have I what?" His breath was warm against her skin.
But she couldn't bring herself to ask. Instead, she shrank back, fear gripping her. Nathaniel tangled his fingers with hers, holding tight.
"Give yourself to me, love," he whispered, his voice deep and velvety, sending shivers through her.
It was the first time he'd called her love, and the way he said it—so tender, so possessive—made her pulse race.
Harrison closed her eyes, unable to look at him. The floor-to-ceiling windows reflected their figures, and she caught a glimpse of Nathaniel's bare torso, his muscles taut as he hovered over her.
She felt like a boat lost in a storm, tossed by relentless waves. She surrendered, letting the currents carry her away.
The next morning, Harrison's lashes fluttered open. She was still in Nathaniel's arms, both of them having fallen asleep on the couch. He hadn't woken yet, his arm draped protectively over her.
She shifted slightly, wincing at the soreness in her body. Last night, they had truly become husband and wife.
As she studied his peaceful, handsome face, she finally gathered the courage to ask the question she hadn't dared to voice before.
"Nathaniel," she whispered softly, "have you ever loved me? Even just a little?"