Page 18 of Love, Honor, and Ink

“They look in love.”

Harper brushed a kiss against her temple, and she froze. “Dance with me.”

She blinked and then looked over her shoulder. “I’m the wedding planner. I can’t dance at the wedding.”

Harper shook his head, then took her hand, pulling her onto the dance floor anyway. “A dress like the one you’re wearing deserves to be shown off. Your job is done. Colleen and the minions you hired for the day are taking care of the rest of the event, and after you dance with me, you’re coming home and resting.”

She raised a brow, falling into his arms for a slow dance despite the fact that she’d refused. “You don’t get to dictate my actions.”

Harper grinned, unrepentant. The hand at the small of her back squeezed, and she pressed her body against his in tune to the music.

“Your crew dictated, Ari. They wanted to make sure that you actually relax after your hard work. You haven’t truly been resting even though you’re sleeping more than before you started this business, and now that you’ve gotten one wedding—one amazing wedding—under your belt, you can breathe. Let the people you’ve trained and trust finish up. Relax. If only for a night.”

What he was saying might be true, but that didn’t mean she could give up control so easily. “Harper…”

“Only for a night, Ari.”

One night. She could do that.

Harper twirled her on the dance floor, and she laughed, letting her head fall back, feeling giddy and a little drunk. Though she hadn’t had a drop of champagne. The man in front of her, her best friend, did that to her, and from the knowing gleam in his eyes, they both knew it.

By the time she’d said her goodbyes and ensured that her staff was ready to go—twice—Harper was practically dragging her to his truck. She’d left her car with Colleen so her friend could not only have a ride home but also have all of Arianna’s backup supplies in one place. Arianna had picked her friend up on the way to the site with Harper since they hadn’t wanted to take up too many parking spaces at the small winery.

Her shoes in hand, Arianna made her way up to her doorstep, Harper on her heels. She turned toward him, the moonlight glistening off his hair, the dark and promising look on his face making her stomach clench.

“Thank you for the ride…and the dance.”

Harper nodded then cupped her face. She blinked, knowing what he was going to do. She should have stopped him, should have pushed him away and reminded him that they were friends and nothing more. Their friendship was one of the most—if not the most—important things in her life. They couldn’t risk that for a simple kiss.

But their kiss was anything but simple.

His lips brushed hers, once, twice. She gasped, parting for him. His tongue swiped against hers, and she sank into him, letting the sweet taste of Harper, wedding cake, and cider mix and settle on her tongue.

He moved her head back, running his thumb under her jaw, and she wrapped her arms—shoes still dangling from her fingertips—around his waist. She moaned, wanting more, craving more, then sighed as he pulled back, leaving them both breathless, a heady anticipation hanging in the air.

“Why…why did you do that?” she whispered.

Harper shook his head and then met her gaze, his hands in his pockets as if he had to force himself not to touch her. “You know why I kissed you, Ari. I’m going to go home now before you kick me out.” He gave her a sad smile, and she reached out, grabbing his arm.

She didn’t know what she was going to say until the word slipped from her lips.

“Stay.”

His eyes widened, and she couldn’t blame him. She was just as surprised herself. “What?”

“Stay with me tonight. Just for one night.” She hastily added the last part, calling herself a fool for even suggesting it. “I…I want you. And I think you want me, too.”

“You know I do, Ari.” Harper let out a rough chuckle. “You have to know that by now.”

She licked her lips. “Then…then come inside and make love to me. Just for the night because I can’t think of more, Harper. Not now. Not with everything going on. I know that’s selfish. If you think so, you can leave and forget what I said.”

Harper cupped her face, a small smile on his lips even though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I want you, Ari. If that’s what you want, if just one night is what you need, then…then it’s what I need, too.” He kissed her softly, then pulled back, leaving her wanting. “Tonight. That I can do. That’s all I want. Just like you.”

She met his gaze and thought she saw the lie in his eyes because she was sure as hell lying to him—and herself. With an inward sigh, she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and took his hand.

“Then come on inside.”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

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