Page 52 of Harvey

“Not dull, surely.” Tipping her chin up, he studied her face and read her correctly. “A curious mixture of innocence and slightly worldly.”

“I suppose you are used to more sophisticated women.” She sniffed.

“Sophisticated is overrated.” He traced the outline of her full bottom lip slowly. “You are the most passionate woman I have ever been with, and you make me hot and needy.” Bringing her head down, he toyed with her lip. “Very need,” he whispered.

Chapter 12

“What the hell was I thinking?” He growled, glaring furiously at his reflection in the mirror and the mess he had made of the bowtie.

“Let me—" Brushing his hands away, she efficiently tied the silky material into a neat bow, her eyes on the task, a tiny frown of concentration on her forehead. Harvey felt his frustrations and misgivings dissolving as he stared at the exquisite face. He had made love to her in the shower, which had delayed them getting ready even more.

“What?” she asked, lifting her head and meeting his eyes.

“Why do I get the feeling you have done this before?” he asked teasingly, causing her heart to jolt. She was not used to him being this way—not used to this teasing and indulgent Harvey—and realized that she was falling for him more and more each day.

“My dad. He always made a mess of doing it, and his mom was hopeless. So, he would come to me. There.” She flattened her palm over the lapels of his immaculate jacket and could not help but admire how he looked in a tux.

The jacket stretched over his broad shoulders and clung to his muscled chest. His thick dark hair was brushed severely from his face and secured in a tidy bun at the nape of his neck. He was so handsome that she felt her heart swelling with pride that she would be on his arm tonight.

“Something on my face?” He asked her mildly. Last night, he grudgingly agreed to accompany her to the function for selfish reasons.

The idea of her going there with Silas was unthinkable, and he could not very well sit home twiddling his thumbs and having agonizing images of her dancing with some other guys, certainly not the way she looked in the very scandalous ruby red gown she had on.

“Just admiring you.” She told him with a whimsical smile. “You look perfect in a tux.”

“Don’t get used to it.” He warned. “They are called monkey suits for an excellent reason.”

“They are called tuxes, and you look very dapper.” She told him firmly as she turned to get her jacket.

“I think I am going to be the envy of every fellow at this ball.” His deep voice had her turn back to him, and what she saw on his face kept her going.

“Harvey.”

“Stop looking at me like that.” He said gruffly. “Unless you want to be further delayed. I would much prefer you on that bed with me on top of you.”

“Later,” She promised huskily.

“I am holding you to that.”

*****

“Continue to look at me in that way, and I am almost certain to wipe that damn smile off your face.”

“I see the suit has not improved your disposition.” Silas was waiting for them to descend the stairs together, looking handsome in a dark blue tux. He glanced at Kendra with a smile. “However, you managed to get him to wear a tux and attend the function; I applaud you.”

“He was not hard to persuade.” She cast an impish look at her husband. “He came to the decision all by himself.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“I am right here,” Harvey growled as he carefully descended the stairs with her hand on his arm.

“We know.” Silas rejoined with a grin as he went ahead of them.

“Please don’t start,” Harvey told his parents, who were waiting for them in the drawing room. Julia looked resplendent in a gorgeous, pleated midnight blue silk dress, her thick blonde hair swept up in an intricate coif. A lace mask dangled from her fingers. Gregory was wearing an ash-gray suit and looking very dashing.

“I will not say much, except my three men look quite handsome.” She beamed at Julia and gave her a nod of approval. “My dear, how lovely you look!”

“Thank you.” Kendra smiled at them and took the mask Gregory handed her. “I am looking forward to the evening.”

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