Chapter 117


    “Senately, how did you get here so fast? There’s no way you could have caught the earliest flight,”


    Jocelyn mused with a blend of


    bally and disbelief.


    Sitting beside her, Harrison took her hand gently in his own, examining it with care. “I drove here,” he


    stated simply.


    ‘Drove?” Jocelyn’s voice pitched with shock. That didn’t make sense either. They were over a thousand


    miles away. Even if he had left the moment they hung upst night, that would barely be thirteen hours


    Yep. A buddy of mine had some business out this way, so we hit the road together.” Harrison’s tone


    was casual, but his concern was palpable as he unwrapped the bandage from her hand. “What matters


    is that I’m here now with you.”


    As she met his worried gaze, a wave of guilt washed over Jocelyn. “I’m really okay,” she insisted.


    “No matter how okay you say you are, I’m not,” Harrison said softly, his fingers lightly pressing hers. “If


    we were together, I’d make damn. sure you never got hurt.”


    Jocelyn’s lips pursed, and she looked down, unsure of what to say.


    “What do you feel like eating?” Harrison changed the subject. “You can’t cook with that hand.”


    “Surprise me.”


    He rose to his feet. “Let’s see what we’ve got in the fridge.”


    “You can cook?”


    “The basics at least Harrison strode into the kitchen and opened the fridge. “Looks like we’ve got


    options. Give me a sec, I’ll make something simple.


    “Okay”


    Jocelyn watched him roll up his sleeves and move around the kitchen with surprising ease. He seemed


    so cultured and refined, yet here he was, cooking. He was quite the catch.


    Her thoughts drifted to Melvin.


    In over three years together, Melvin had never cooked a meal for her.


    What was she holding onto?


    Harrison put together a simple yetforting meal: baked chicken, sautéed green beans, a crisp


    Caesar sd, and even managed to toast up some garlic bread. It wasn’t borate, but it was made


    with care.


    Food ready, he set the table, and Jocelyn got up to help.


    “Don’t you move a muscle, Harrison said with a smile, and once again scooped her up, cing her


    gently on the dining chair.


    She felt a twinge of embarrassment being carried back and forth, still adjusting to his presence in her


    life.


    Harrison dished up a te for her anddled some homemade chicken noodle soup into a bowl. “Wish


    I had time to make something fancier, but we can save that for next time.”


    The food warmed Jocelyn from the inside out “You really are something else.”


    “Is that all it takes to impress you? A smile finally graced Harrison’s lips. “Wait till you get to know me


    better. You’ll see I’m full of surprises. Now, eat up


    As she tasted each dish, she offered genuine praise, appreciating his efforts.


    Midway through the meal, Harrison’s phone rang. He took the call right there, without stepping away.


    “How much? I’ll wire it over. Yeah, the fine is mine to pay. Alright, catch youter. Dinner’s on me when


    I’m back. Bye.”


    Hanging up, Jocelyn’s curiosity couldn’t be contained. “What fine?”


    “It’s nothing.”


    “You were speeding, weren’t you?” It was the only way he could have made it in time, she figured. And


    he hadn’t stopped to rest, either. Busted, Harrison nodded in admission.


    Jocelyn’s brow furrowed with concern


    Quickly, he thed to deflect, ‘Eat up. You can scold or lecture me all you want after you’re full.”


    She couldn’t really argue. He’de all this way to see her, cooked for her, and it had already


    happened. She didn’t want to spoil the


    mood


    “Don’t you have more work this aftemoon?”


    uhad


    a good meal first,” he said.


    Touched it to tonight I wanted to make sure you


    Dont let me get in the way of your work.”


    Youre not in the way. You are the work.”


    With her heartbeat raced, Jocelyn avoided his intense gaze.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    If Melvin’s eyes were tender and loving, then Harrison’s were clear and sincere


    Faced with such an eamest look, Jocelyn felt unworthy.


    Never had she been cared for with such tenderness. Watching Harrison bustling about, a guilty warmth


    spread through her.


    *!!! run out and buy some groceries, Harrison said as he ced a ss of water on the coffee table for


    her. “Stay put and wait for me, okay?”


    “Okay.”


    Still, Harrison seemed hesitant to leave her alone. He sat back down and scrolled through a grocery


    app, selecting items with concentration


    Jocelyn found herself captivated by the sight of him bathed in the gentle sunlight filtering into the room,


    looking both warm and wonderful.


    “I’m that good-looking, huh? Harrison caught her staring after he finished his order, teasing her yfully


    Flushing, Jocelyn looked away, flustered. “Did you book your return flight yet?” she deflected.


    “I’ll get to itter”


    “What if there are no seats left?”


    There will be His gaze was intense “If not, I’ll just stay”


    Jocelyn swallowed nervously, fidgeting with her hands.


    “You still have things to do.”


    Those things can wait. But you can’t


    Jocelyn’s heart thumped uncontrobly. Was he flirting with her?


    Sweet nothings sounded like poetry from him-elegant and refined.


    “Why are you blushing?” Harrison’s smile grew. “Not used to the girlfriend title? Or is it me as your


    boyfriend?”


    Jocelyn looked uneasy, feeling flustered and not quite sure why.


    “It just feels like a dream, she finally whispered.


    “Even if it’s a dream, it’s a beautiful one. A dream you’ll never want to wake up from,” Harrison


    whispered, drawing closer to her. With a gentle touch, he lifted her right hand, lightly holding just her


    fingertips. “I was smitten the moment I saw you, and every time since, I’ve wanted you for a lifetime.”


    Jocelyn was numb all over.


    Her mind was a mess, unable to find even a shred of coherent thought,pletely electrified by his


    words, leaving her mind blissfully empty.


    Seeing her dazed expression, Harrison’sughter grew even more joyful. “What’s the matter,


    surprised?”


    Jocelyn was indeed a bit stunned; she had never heard such sweet nothings before


    Melvin’s past remarks couldn’t even be ssified as sweet nothings. They were crude at best.


    Perhaps, the way someone spoke to you really depended on how they saw you.


    “You… you’re too much, Jocelyn blurted out without thinking


    Harrison’sughter brightened. “Jocelyn, I’m merely sharing my true feelings with you. It’s not too


    much; it’s heartfelt.”


    Jocelyn pursed her lips. He was so gentle and considerate, and his ttering words didn’t repel her.


    Why was he so taken with her at first sight?


    There’s an old saying that love at first sight is just lust in disguise.


    She knew the truth of that saying all too well.


    Wasn’t that how she felt about Melvin at first? Believing she had lured him into her domain to relish, not


    realizing that she was the prey. falling into his abyss


    What are you thinking about?” Hamson gently squeezed her fingertips.


    Jocelyn snapped back to reality, feeling guilty and unable to meet Harrison’s gaze. She shook her head


    “I just suddenly doubted your


    Henson paused moment, then understanding her implication, he said with a smile, “It’s the remarkable


    women who catch the


    eyes of many men.”


    He was open-hearted, not skirting around her past.


    After all, being pursued by many men only proved that she had many attractive qualities. It was


    perfectly normal.


    Just then, the doorbell rang.


    “That must be the delivery Quick service,” Harrison said as he got up and walked to the door. Without


    peening through the peephole, he opened the door


    Their eyes met, and the person outside felt a sudden tightness in his chest