Chapter 677

The steady rhythm of shower water still echoed from the bathroom—Harrison was finishing her shower.

Nathaniel lingered by the floor-to-ceiling windows, pushing them open to let the crisp night air wash over him. The breeze did little to cool the heat simmering beneath his skin.

Just the memory of Harrison's curves—the way her body moved with effortless grace—sent a pulse of desire through him.

Three years. Three years since he'd last held her, since their bodies had tangled in desperate passion. The recollection alone was enough to make his restraint waver.

He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed her until now.

The water shut off. Nathaniel closed the window just as the bathroom door clicked open.

Having discarded the ruined lingerie, Harrison had instead slipped into one of Nathaniel's crisp white dress shirts.

The fabric swallowed her petite frame, the hem brushing mid-thigh. Her toned legs stretched endlessly beneath the oversized shirt, her feet tucked into plush hotel slippers. Damp chestnut waves cascaded down her back, the scent of jasmine and vanilla clinging to her skin.

She looked like temptation incarnate—ripe, irresistible.

Nathaniel's gaze darkened as it trailed over her. Harrison narrowed her eyes. "Keep staring and I'll pluck those pretty eyes right out of your skull."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Always so violent."

Harrison huffed, marching toward the plush sofa in the suite's lounge area. "I'm sleeping here tonight."

The sofa was wide enough to be comfortable, with velvet cushions that promised decent rest. She flopped onto it decisively. "You take the bed."

Nathaniel prowled closer. "Absolutely not. The bed is yours."

Harrison crossed her arms. "This is your suite. I'm already intruding—"

"Do you honestly think," Nathaniel interrupted smoothly, "that I'd let a woman sleep on the couch while I take the bed?"

Before she could protest, he scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her against his chest.

Harrison kicked out, her bare feet flailing. "Put me down, you overgrown—"

Nathaniel deposited her onto the king-sized bed with exaggerated care. "Stop fighting. You're sleeping here."

Harrison opened her mouth to argue.

"One more word," Nathaniel warned, his voice dropping to that dangerous timbre she knew too well, "and we'll both sleep in this bed."

Together.

Harrison immediately yanked the duvet over herself, burrowing into the pillows. "Fine. Enjoy your couch, then."

Nathaniel chuckled, reaching out to pinch her cheek before turning toward the bathroom.

Alone, Harrison exhaled sharply, listening as the shower started again.

This had been a mistake. Coming here. Staying. After three years apart, she never imagined they'd end up sharing a roof again.

Her phone buzzed—the "Gilded Roses" group chat with Rosalind and Gabrielle lighting up.

[Harrison, you back home yet?] Gabrielle had sent.

Neither knew about Charlotte's kidnapping. Harrison wouldn't burden them with that.

[Still in Metropolia,] she typed.

Rosalind replied instantly. [What?? You're still here and didn't come see me?]

[Got held up with something,] Harrison answered vaguely.

[What something?] Rosalind pressed.

Harrison hesitated, then admitted, [I'm at Nathaniel's place.]

Gabrielle's response was immediate. [WAIT. You're with Nathaniel Hawk right now? So does this mean you two are finally—]

Harrison threw her phone onto the nightstand before the rest of that sentence could appear.