Chapter 331

Everything occurred in a heartbeat. Harrison looked up to see Nathaniel's striking aristocratic features.

In that critical moment before impact, Nathaniel had lunged to shield her.

Why would he do such a thing?

"Mr. Falcon?"

Their bodies tumbled violently downward as a jagged boulder rushed toward them. A collision was inevitable.

Nathaniel's muscular arms enveloped Harrison completely. "Hold onto me," he murmured urgently.

Instinct took over. Harrison clutched at Nathaniel's broad shoulders.

A sickening crunch echoed as they slammed into the rock, their momentum halted abruptly.

Harrison found herself sprawled atop Nathaniel's protective embrace. She scrambled up immediately. "Did you hit your head?"

In that final moment, Nathaniel had twisted forcefully to take the impact himself. His skull had connected with the stone with terrifying force.

Miraculously, Harrison felt no pain. His iron grip had shielded her completely from harm.

Now Nathaniel lay motionless, his eyes shut, unresponsive.

Panic surged through Harrison. "Mr. Falcon? Nathaniel! Open your eyes! Don't do this to me!"

Still no response.

As Harrison tried to rise and call for help, a strong hand suddenly seized her slender wrist, pulling her back down effortlessly.

Nathaniel's eyes fluttered open, his lips quirking in that infuriating smirk. "Why so panicked?"

Harrison froze.

That arrogant grin widened. "Weren't you the one who claimed not to love me anymore? Your concern says otherwise. Caught you red-handed."

He'd been faking it?

Relief nearly brought tears to Harrison's eyes. She balled her fist and punched his shoulder hard. "Nathaniel, you absolute bastard!"

Her legs still trembled from the adrenaline crash. The fear had drained every ounce of strength from her.

Nathaniel tightened his hold. "Stay still!"

Something in his strained voice alarmed her. His complexion had turned ashen - clear evidence of genuine injury.

Harrison carefully cradled his head, searching for wounds. "Are you bleeding? Let me check."

Head injuries could be deadly.

Nathaniel fought through the dizziness to capture her searching hand. "I'm fine. Just...stop squirming. Let me hold you."

Harrison stilled, obediently settling against him.

He'd gotten hurt saving her. Pretending indifference was impossible. Even after everything, he'd still risked himself for her.

"Nathaniel, don't ever do that again. I don't need your protection."

The ungrateful little minx.

Nathaniel pinched her chilled cheek in retaliation. The resort's frigid air had turned her porcelain skin rosy. "Harrison," he growled, "must you provoke me every single day?"

Harrison swatted Nathaniel's hand away. "Stop that!"

Nathaniel's eyes darkened when he noticed how cold she was being with him. She never acted this way around Lucas Harrington. With him, she'd been all smiles and laughter, her face glowing with warmth.

He released her cheek with a pained grunt. "My head is killing me."

Instantly, Harrison's expression softened with concern. "Where does it hurt?"

Nathaniel pointed to his temple. "Right here."

She leaned closer, her delicate fingers carefully parting his neatly trimmed hair. A nasty red bump stared back at them.

The impact had left quite a mark.

"Here?" she asked gently.

"Yeah."

"Let me help."

Harrison began massaging the swollen area with feather-light touches, her breath cooling the injury as she blew on it softly.

They'd drifted dangerously close without realizing. Her face was mere inches from his, those full lips pursed as she tended to his wound. Nathaniel inhaled sharply, her signature vanilla and sandalwood perfume flooding his senses.

Suddenly, the vivid memory of last night's forbidden dream crashed over him. His throat went dry.