Page 35 of Stealing Home

“Computer science, particularly cyber security. I like the challenge of it.”

“That’s not the usual major for a jock.” Her eyes are twinkling, and I can tell she’s teasing me.

“I’m not like the other players you’ve met,” I play along.

Her mouth twists into a moue before ducking her head. “I am starting to see that, hotshot, but you are still a player, and being with me can destroy all of that.”

“I thought we were just friends,” I quip.

She nods and ducks her head. I don’t think she meant to admit she is thinking about me romantically.

I put my finger under her chin and tip her face back up. “Don’t hide from me. I want to hear what you think, and I like that you’re worried about me. But, you need to trust me that I know the risks I’m taking, and to me it’s worth the chance to be with you.”

She chews on her lip. “Well, what I think is—our steaks are going to get cold.”

I laugh, but let her retreat for now. I meant what I said, I’m good with slow.

After we finish eating, Harlow gets up and starts to clear the dishes. I grab hold of her wrist. “I’ve got the dishes. Why don’t you go find us a movie, and I’ll clean up.”

Harlow looks puzzled. “It’s fine. It’ll only take me a second.”

Taking the plates from her hand, I direct her toward the sofa. “Sit. You cooked, I’ve got this.”

It doesn’t take long for me to clean up after the two of us, but the look on her face makes me want to drag it out. She’s adorably confused, and as cute as she is, it also kind of makes me angry. I like surprising her, but I’m sad that something as simple as me doing dishes confounds her.

Once I’ve loaded the dishwasher I go to join her on the couch. She sits on the far end, nervously fiddling with the remote.

“Uhm, what do you want to watch?” she asks.

“Come here,” I demand. She doesn’t move, so I put my hands around her waist and pull her next to me.

Harlow sits rigidly between my legs. “This doesn’t feel slow or friendly, hotshot.”

I lean forward and brush her hair away from her face. My hands wrap all around her and pull her against my chest. She shivers when my breath hits the side of her neck. “I said slow, not glacial.” My voice drops low. “Relax, gorgeous, you’re safe in my arms.”

I’m dying to touch her, but she’s not ready. Lacing our fingers together, I wrap my arms around her. When she starts to relax, I kiss her temple. “Pick anything you want, sweetheart, I’m going to be watching you.”

Harlow turns her head to look at me over her shoulder. “Just remember you asked for it.”

“Whatever you want, whenever you want,” I tell her, hoping she picks up on my deeper meaning.

13

Harlow

Whatever I want?When was the last time I thought about what I want? Years.

Here I am, cradled in the arms of a hot, younger man, and he’s offering me everything I’ve been starving for. I feel the need to test his resolve.

“How about this one?” I ask, choosing a sappy chick flick I’ve always loved.

He leans back pulling me with him. The movie starts, and like he promised, he watches me instead of the movie. His fingers toy with my hair, sliding through the strands, over my shoulders, down my arms. I should protest more, but I think neither of us believes I asked him here as a friend. At least, I don’t believe that lie now that he’s here.

I try to watch the movie, but I feel him everywhere. The heat of his body warms me, making me melt into him. His cologne, a spicy amber and bergamot scent, envelopes me and wakes up senses I’d long let go dormant.

Not once does he stop touching me. The feel of his innocent caresses arouses a hunger I’ve never felt before. It makes me regret pushing him to agree to being friends. I wonder if I think about it hard enough if his hands would stray and ease the ache.

I lean my head back against his shoulder. Scott looks down, his clear blue eyes focused on me, and I notice they’re a little green in the middle. His hand slides across the side of my face, and cups under my jaw. I can feel his breath fan across my lips.

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