Page 13 of Guilty Pleasures

I lean back in my chair, studying her. We've been having sex for the past two weeks, but every time I suggest she stay over, she finds a reason not to. At first, I thought nothing of it, but now I'm starting to wonder.

"What's really going on?” I ask gently. “You always have some reason you can't stay the night. If you're not comfortable, you can just tell me."

Harper bites her lip, looking down at the table. "It's not that I'm uncomfortable, exactly. I just… I guess I'm worried about things moving too fast. I thought we agreed on keeping things light. We started out hating each other.”

“I never hated you, Harper.” I shake my head slowly. “But it’s not about moving faster. It’s about moving in the right direction. Spending the night doesn't have to mean anything more than what we decide it means."

She gives a little shrug, still not meeting my eyes. I can see she's conflicted, and it hurts that she’s so hesitant about something so trivial.

I take a deep breath. "Look, maybe we should take a step back. I think we shouldn't have sex again until you feel ready to stay the night. I don’t want you to continue doing something you regret."

Harper’s head snaps up at that, eyes wide. "What? Silas, that's not what I?—"

"I'm not trying to pressure you," I assure her. "I just think it might help us figure out where we stand. No expectations, no pressure,” I rasp, gritting my teeth as I lie through them. Of course there is an attempt to pressure her. There’s no doubt I have a mountain of expectations. And if Harper Brooks wants to continue getting regular dick, she’ll tear down these nuisance walls.

She nods and unceremoniously chugs the rest of her wine. “I know what you’re doing, Silas. And I can hold out way longer than you.”

CHAPTER 12

HARPER

Itwirl pasta around my fork, my eyes tracing Silas's sculpted features in the flickering candlelight. He takes a slow sip of wine, his lips caressing the glass. As he sets it down, I intentionally swipe my tongue across my lips to capture a stray drop of sauce, feeling the heat of his gaze as his eyes darken with desire.

"How's your lasagna?" I ask innocently, leaning forward just enough to give him a glimpse of cleavage.

A smirk plays at the corners of his mouth. He knows exactly what I'm doing.

Silas clears his throat. "Delicious," he says, voice husky. He takes another sip of wine, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows. Aware he’s got my undivided attention, he stretches with a languid grace, his shirt straining against the expanse of his broad, muscular chest.

A flush of heat surges through me, settling deep within my core. Under the table, his foot grazes my calf, sending a shiver up my spine and stealing my breath.

I slip off my heel with a mischievous grin and glide my bare foot up his leg, feeling the heat of his skin.

His breath catches, an expected reaction. In playful retaliation, he leisurely unbuttons and rolls up his sleeves, showcasing those tantalizingly muscular forearms.

I can't help but bite my lip, fantasizing about those powerful arms pressing me firmly against a wall.

"More wine?" Silas asks innocently, flexing his biceps as he lifts the bottle.

"Please," I purr. Our fingers brush as Silas hands me my glass. This dinner is torture of the sweetest kind.

I take another bite of my fettuccine, savoring the rich flavor as Silas leans closer across the table. His gray eyes gleam with mischief.

"You know," he says in a low voice, "if you'd agreed to come back to my place tonight, I had some very specific plans in mind."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Oh really? Do tell."

Silas's lips curve into a wicked grin. "Well, first I'd bend you over my kitchen counter," he whispers.

My cheeks flush as he continues, describing in vivid detail how he'd spank me until my skin was flushed pink, then take me hard from behind.

I shift in my seat, pulse quickening. Silas's graphic descriptions are having an undeniable effect on me. Part of me wants to throw caution to the wind and go home with him right now. But another part holds back, not quite ready to give in to temptation.

For now, I simply take another sip of wine and give Silas a coy smile. "You certainly have an active imagination."

Silas just grins wickedly. "Trust me, Harper. That's only the beginning of what I'd do to you."

“Really?” I clench my thighs, trying to scratch an itch that’s driving me crazy, being in such close proximity to Silas.

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