Nate adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, the polished elegance of his appearance juxtaposed with the surprise on his face.
“Elizabeth? Is that really you?” he exclaimed, his refined features showing a mix of shock and concern. Without hesitation, he slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
His gaze faltered momentarily, catching on the damp fabric of her nearly transparent blouse, lingering for a second at the curves faintly outlined beneath. Quickly, he looked away, his manners reigning in any impropriety. Holding out a hand, he helped her sit up, his touch firm yet cautious.
The moment she was upright, Elizabeth withdrew her hand as if his touch burned her, clutching the coat tightly around herself like armor.
Nate, however, remained composed, his gentle smile devoid of any ulterior motives.
His poised demeanor clashed sharply with the whispers of scandal that clung to his name like a shadow.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Elizabeth asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I was passing through,” Nate explained evenly, “and saw two men skulking around suspiciously.
Thought they might be up to no good—maybe thieves or something. I didn’t expect to run into you of all people.”
Meeting him in a remote corner of Foxfire County, far from the familiar streets of Orkset where their paths never crossed, struck Elizabeth as more than a coincidence. Suspicion crept in.
Was this an orchestrated rescue? Or had Nate been lying in wait, only for his plans to derail?
Either way, Elizabeth’s vulnerability was all too real. Whatever drug was coursing through her veins left her limbs weak and her mind spinning. She was cornered, her pulse racing with fear at the thought of being alone with him.
