Page 81 of Perfect Harmony

She sat down at the other end of the couch.Tank wandered over and pressed his forehead against her sternum. She rubbed behindhis ears and kissed the top of his head. When he turned and backed up, Gideonsaid, “Tank, no.”

The dog stared at him before backing upagain.

“Tank,” Gideon said warningly. “Don’t siton -”

“Oof,” Grace said when Tank plopped his buttinto her lap. Gideon could barely see her behind the Great Dane, and hepointed at the dog’s bed.

“Bed, Tank.”

Tank made a low huff and Gideon said, “You’resquishing her. Bed, now.”

Grumbling, the dog heaved himself to hisfeet. Grace patted him on the flank as he walked away and then wiped the doghair from her leggings.

“Sorry,” Gideon said.

“You know I don’t mind.”

They sat in awkward silence for a fewseconds before Grace stood up. “Listen, I’m gonna go.”

“What?” He stood as well. “Go where?”

“Addie’s apartment is empty. I can staythere until she gets back and -”

“You’re staying here,” he said. “No arguing.”

“You really think that’s going to work?” Sheraised her eyebrows at him.

He stayed silent and she rolled her eyes. Hecaught her wrist before she could walk away. Her body froze and she stared athis hand before looking up at him. “Gideon, I…”

“You need sleep,” he said. “Which meanssleeping in my bed and only my bed.”

“What if I want to do something else in yourbed?” Her gaze dipped to his crotch.

His cock hardened immediately, and his handtightened around her wrist. Jesus Christ, was she deliberately trying to givehim a case of blue balls?

“You know we can’t,” he rasped.

“I know you think we can’t.” She tugged athis grip. “Which is why I can’t stay with you, Gideon. I want to fuck you andyou don’t want to fuck me.”

“That isn’t true,” he said.

She shrugged. “It’s close enough to thetruth. Anyway, I thought I could stay here without throwing myself at you, butI can’t. So, it’s better if I leave.”

“You won’t sleep. Is that what you want?”

“I’ll take my chances,” she said.

“Grace, you need sleep.”

“I need you.”

He stared at her mouth. “You wouldn’t likewhat I do to you in bed.”

“You don’t know that for certain. Besides,shouldn’t I be allowed to make that choice for myself?”

“You don’t even know what I want to do toyou in bed.”

“Yes, I do.” She took a step closer and hegroaned when she traced one finger over the denim covered bulge at his crotch. “Youtold me, remember? Here in your bedroom and at Wanda’s.”

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