Chapter 104: Nathaniel’s surprise
"Why did you come here?" Zara asked, flustered. "You should be resting. I’ll be there in a moment."
Nathaniel didn’t respond. He just took a silent step toward her.
Zara’s breath hitched as he closed in, tension crawling beneath her skin. Her fingers tightened around the hair dryer as her legs instinctively backed away, only to bump against the wall of the closet.
He stopped inches away. "Why are you nervous?" he asked, head slightly tilted, his eyes studying her face.
"I’m not," she replied quickly, lifting her chin, but the tremble in her voice gave her away.
Nathaniel moved in again, and this time, Zara’s back was fully against the closet. He leaned down, so close that his breath warmed her ear. "I don’t eat people," he whispered teasingly.
Zara’s mouth parted in surprise, but no words came out.
He took the hair dryer from her.
"I can do it—" she began to protest, but the hum of the dryer cut her off.
"You looked after my injury. Let me return the favor," he said, brushing his fingers through her damp hair as he guided the warm air through the strands.
Zara stood stiffly, her pulse quick, her breathing quicker. She wasn’t used to this version of Nathaniel. The man she knew had always been emotionally distant, unreadable. But now, faced with his quiet warmth, she found herself uncertain and overwhelmed.
She didn’t know how to react or how to respond. She stood still, letting him dry her hair.