Page 69 of Bad Seed

“Excuse me,” he said.

There was a moment of shocked silence and then the man was yelling at him instead.

“Who the hell are you, and where’s my daughter?”

“I’m Brendan Pope, and I’m pretty sure she’s pouring herself a shot of whiskey about now.”

“What are you to her?” Jason asked.

“At the moment, assisting her in this job. Consider yourself fortunate that you are not standing in front of me right now. I’ll give her your regards, and if I ever find out you called her a bitch again, or find out you made her cry, we will discuss this further. Do you understand?”

Jason was speechless, then sputtering when Brendan hung up. When he turned around, Harley was standing behind him.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She blinked. “You stood up for me.”

He frowned. “I don’t want to make an enemy out of your father, but I also don’t give a shit whether he likes me or not, as long as you and I are good.”

She walked into his arms and hugged him. “We are so good,” she whispered.

“Well then,” he said, and wrapped his arms around her.

By the time room service arrived, Brendan had her laughing.

When they made love again, he saw the medal hanging above her breasts, and then saw the look in her eyes. She was reaching for him when he moved between herlegs and gave her everything she wanted. Over and over, time and again, until the only need they had was for sleep.

***

Brendan was on his back with his arm around Harley’s shoulders. Her head was resting on his chest. This day began on an impulse that was ending at the highest point of his life. He was so deep in love with this woman that it hurt.

“Brendan?”

“Hmm?”

“This day feels like a dream,” Harley said.

He touched her cheek. “Look at me.” Her head came up. “This isn’t a dream. I don’t play house. I play for keeps. Fair warning, Sunshine. I’m falling in love with you.”

“Then wipe the frown off your face, because you turned that page for me when you stood up to my father on my behalf. You’re my hero forever.”

***

It was ten minutes to 5:00 a.m. and Brendan was ready to walk out the door when he went to the bedroom where Harley was still sleeping. He paused at the bedside, thinking of what it would be like to see this every morning for the rest of his life, and then leaned over and kissed the spot behind her ear that made her moan.

“Hey, Sunshine, hate to wake you, but I’m leaving for work, and I need you to come lock up after me.”

She opened her eyes, rolled over on her back, saw him leaning over the bed, and smiled.

“I thought I was dreaming.”

“Nope. I’m the real deal.”

She threw back the covers and got up. Brendan helped her on with her bathrobe, and then gave her a swat on the backside as she sidled past him.

She put one finger in the air and kept walking. “That’ll cost you,” she said.

“Just put it on my tab. I’m good for it.”

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