Page 35 of Sheltered

Nothing in my whole life could compare to her kiss.

Unable to stop myself, I groaned and forced my mouth from her.

She stared at me through hooded eyes, looking beyond beautiful. And it was in that moment it became even more clear just how deep I was getting with this woman.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?” I asked.

“Tomorrow?”

I nodded.

“I was going to go home, shower, make dinner, and veg out on the couch,” she said.

“How about you go home, shower, and wait for me to bring dinner over for the both of us? Then we’ll spend some time together eating and vegging out on the couch.”

“I’m not sure I’ll want to veg so much if you’re there,” she advised.

My lips twitched. “I’m sure we’ll be able to make whatever you want to have happen a reality.”

She stared at me.

When too much time passed without a response, I asked, “Does that work for you?”

“That works for me.”

“Do you like pizza?”

Harlow’s face lit up. “I love pizza. It’s one of my guilty pleasures.”

I cocked a brow. “I’m going to need to hear more about that tomorrow night. Until then, how about you let me pay you for the haircut and get this place locked up, so I can walk you to your car?”

Harlow shook her head. “You’re not paying for this. It’s my treat.”

“I’m paying you,” I insisted.

“Are you buying me dinner tomorrow?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“And did you pay for the dinner and movie date we had over the weekend?”

“Yep.”

“And have you paid for the coffee at the diner, the fancy dinner at The Ridge, and the ziplining?” she pressed.

My lips quirked. “Yes.”

Harlow narrowed her eyes. “Then don’t insult me by not allowing me to cover the haircut.”

I sighed, realizing I was just going to have to make it up to her in a different way. “Fine. What do you need to do to get locked up and out of here?”

She grinned at me. And only after kissing me once more did Harlow walk away to get everything shut down in the salon, so I could walk her to her car.

TEN

Harlow

I loved my job.

---