Page 40 of Hard Hat Hottie

Her expression seems to soften a bit at this, so I curl my fingers toward me, hoping she’ll know what I’m asking for. My face lights up like a kid at Christmas when she does, placing her hand back in mine.

“You’re really cute when you pout.”

Harlow instantly rolls her hand in mine so she can give me her middle finger.

Leaning forward, I lift her hand to my mouth and nibble on the tip of the offending digit. “On top of that, you tasted like you’d been drinking.”

Her hand immediately balls into a fist, and I think she’s going to retreat, so I clamp down harder.

“I’m not judging you. I just didn’t want to take advantage.” I lean in closer, attempting to keep our conversation private.“Fuck, Harlow. I’ve fantasized about you for weeks and weeks. You don’t think I want to keep kissing you? Or more? I needed to make sure you were clear-headed before things went any further. Not to mention…”

“What?” she blurts.

“Even with the suit on, I wasn’t going to be able to hide what you were doing to me if we kept that up out there.” I give her a pointed look and enjoy the relief that washes over me as her smile returns.

“I’m not intoxicated. On alcohol anyway.” She winks.

“Good.” I beam back at her. “Leave your car here and come back with me?”

“Well, that’s a little presumptuous, isn’t it?”

“I never said anything about sleeping with you. It’s not my fault your mind is in the gutter. I only wanted to continue our date. Plus, now I’ll have an excuse to see you in the morning.”

“This is a date now?” She laughs. “I have to be the cheapest date in town.”

“Why?”

“Um, I’m buying my own dinner. With a gift certificate.” She giggles.

“Yeah, you really are cheap.” I snicker. “C’mon, Harlow. Let’s make this the Cheap Date Traveling Road Show. Next date, I’ll buy you whatever your heart desires.”

She gives me a suspicious glance.

“But for the rest of this one, come back to Candy Cane Key with me.” The server returns with her check and her purse, and I hastily grab the bill from him. I’m tempted to give her the gift certificate back, but only if she promises to use it with me.

Harlow’s quiet for a moment, tapping her finger against her lower lip. “Now, how’s a girl supposed to turn down an offer like that?”

Jumping from my seat, I swiftly head for the door, her hand in mine, before she can change her mind.

“Where’s the fire, mister?” Harlow tugs at my arm. When I look back, she’s pointing to the four-inch lace up sandals she’s wearing.

“Sorry.” My face heats as I glance down at her sexy shoes.

“You’re cute when you’re an eager beaver.”

As we exit the front doors of The Conch House, I rotate my hand in hers, holding them high enough to pretend to scratch my nose with my extended middle finger. Two can play this game.

We reach my truck, and I open the passenger side door for her. Watching my mermaid climb into my beat-up old Ford is surreal. I have no idea what to do or where we should go, but I’m not passing up the chance to spend time with her.

We make the long drive back to Candy Cane Key primarily in silence. I’m so over the moon about this girl, that simply listening to the radio, stealing glances at her in the front seat of my truck is doing it for me. I can’t even hold her hand, because the other one’s in a cast. My dick has been hard since our dance, I guess it could steer for me. But I don’t trust that guy.

Luke Combs’s deep voice comes through the truck’s speakers, singing about how nothing lasts forever but the girl in his kitchen, wearing a T-shirt, and no makeup. I’m certain this girl would have me singing the same tune if she was at home with me, bare faced and comfortable. While she’s stunning as she is, all dressed up for a night on the town, I’m sure she’s equally beautiful first thing in the morning. Of course, this thought has my cock bearing down on my zipper again.

“So, if that guy wasn’t there with you, why were you all dressed up?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Because I felt like it,” she says, lifting her chin, a tinge of defensiveness in her tone. “I could ask you the same thing.”

Glancing in her direction, I notice she’s not making eye contact but staring out the window.

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