Page 24 of Love, Honor, and Ink

“You know I’d do anything for Harper.” She held up her hand as Arianna opened her mouth. “No, not that way. He’s my friend. Not to say we’re as good of friends as you and he are. God knows no one could live up to that.” She gave a wry smile. “I always knew you two had chemistry, but I knew he never would have acted on it when he was with me. I’m glad he did it now. You two deserve each other—and I don’t mean that in the catty way some exes say. I truly think it. Harper and I are better as friends who see each other with other groups of friends occasionally. Plus, I was prepared to dislike anyone that could take Harper’s heart so easily, but then I found out it was you. You’re good for him, Arianna. Don’t break him.”

There was so much in that statement that Arianna didn’t know where to start. Or even if she could start.

“I…I’m going to brush over most of that if that’s okay with you,” she finally said, forcing a laugh out of both of them.

“I don’t blame you, and I don’t want it to be awkward between the two of us as I’d like to work with you again in the future.”

Surprised, Arianna tilted her head. “Seriously?”

“Hell, yeah. I mean, come on, we always knew you were the brains behind King’s Weddings, and now, you have something that works for you and isn’t pretentious.” She grinned again. “No offense.”

Arianna laughed, relaxing at the woman’s candor. “None taken. King’s Weddings is pretentious because that’s what their image is meant to be. I don’t want Just for Them to be like that.”

“I know. And no, Harper didn’t mention anything to me if you’re worried about that. I know how you’re running the place because, despite the fact that you and I haven’t talked in years, I hear things. You’re good people, Arianna, and I’d love to work with you and Just for Them. I think we can really make something fantastic together, and I promise I won’t act like that fuckwad who flaked out on you at the last minute.”

Arianna snorted then took the flute of champagne Aubrey held out. “I think us working together would work out amazingly well. And I’m going to have to fully deal with that man soon.”

Aubrey nodded then tilted her glass for a toast. “I know you will. And I know you’ll take good care of Harper.” She winked. “Last mention of your relationship. I promise. Now, let’s toast to a beautiful partnership.”

They clinked glasses, and Arianna swallowed most of her glass in one gulp. The feelings and emotions running through her were too many to name, to count. She needed to deal with the Harper situation and decide what she wanted to do because this frantic, jealous woman was not her.

“You looked beautiful on the dance floor, Ari,” Harper whispered in her ear as he slowly undid her dress.

She shivered, loving the way his calloused hands brushed against her sensitive skin. “I still can’t believe you got me to dance at both weddings.”

“It’s all in the promise.”

The dress slid to the floor, and she turned in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. He lowered his head, brushing his lips against hers, his hands on her butt, pulling her closer.

“I like the sound of that,” she whispered back once they’d broken apart.

He grinned then stood back, pulling his shirt over his head. “I saw you talking to Aubrey.”

She couldn’t hold back the wince at the mention of the other woman’s name while they were in his bedroom and getting undressed.

He cupped her cheek, a frown on his face. “Stop with the wincing, Ari. I was only going to mention that I think the two of you would work well together. I know it was awkward as hell to have my ex-girlfriend working with my current girlfriend, but I think the two of you can work it out.”

“So, I’m your girlfriend?”

Harper rolled his eyes. “Of course, Ari. What do you think I would call what you are to me?”

She closed her eyes, leaning into his palm. “I honestly have no idea. That’s probably why I’m acting like a jealous shrew.”

He snorted. “Honey, you aren’t. You were professional and made everything work out. Yeah, you looked like you’d rather work with anyone else at first, but you let that go because you are a better person than that. Now, I will say that it annoyed me a bit that you’d ever think I’d look at Aubrey the same way I look at you. But I can let that go since we haven’t actually talked about it.”

“I…I didn’t think you were with her. It just surprised me that you were still friends.”

Harper brushed his lips against hers. “I have many friends, Ari, but there’s only one you. I’m yours just as much as you’re mine. And right now, I’m going to show you that.”

She shivered. “Oh, really?”

His eyes darkened. “Really.” And this time, when he took her lips, he didn’t back down. He took everything, and she gave it freely.

He wrapped his arms around her once more, pulling her close. Her nipples pebbled against the firmness of his chest, and she gasped, needing him.

Wanting him more than she dared.

They slowly finished stripping themselves, panting heavily as they moved together, their bodies sweat-slick, and Arianna so needy, she thought she just might combust.

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