Page 120 of Darling Obsession

But when I asked him to come over for dinner as a thank you, and meet Mom, he made an excuse not to come. Something about a business dinner he couldn’t get out of.

I mean, it could’ve been legit. I have no way of knowing.

I tell myself I should just give him whatever space he needs, but maybe I’m trying to protect myself. I know my mom’s illness is a tall order for anyone to handle.

I try to stop checking my phone, hoping for a reply, and focus on my work. While torturing myself with the rest of this steamy, twisted movie.

It seems to be reaching the climax when Harlan suddenly walks into the kitchen.

Geneviève Blaise is on-screen, making out with yet another male actor. I think he’s the hot jock’s coach. I’ve lost the plot.

Harlan totally sees it.

“Uh, hi.” I quickly close the cover on my iPad. Where the sex sounds continue to play. “Jesus.” I flip it back open and jab at it. “Doesn’t this automatically… pause…?”

I set the now-silent iPad aside, and pretend that never happened.

“Welcome home. Hungry?”

“What’re you watching there, Quinn?” he inquires.

“Porn.”

He gives me a wicked look. “Liar.” Then his gaze moves over me hotly. “How disappointing. There are a lot more clothes than I expected under that apron.”

I try to act cool. “Yeah. I got cold, so I had to put some on. Sorry you missed it.”

Hetsks at me. “More lies.”

“What can I say? You’re a bad influence.”

Heat rushes through me when he looks at me like that. Like he’s thinking very carefully about how he’s going to punish me for that sass.

I guess it’s time for another mood swing? Distant Harlan is now horny Harlan again?

But he seems to be in no hurry to pull me over his knee as he strolls over to the counter, where he places the bottle of wine he’s carrying. Then he proceeds to pull out two glasses.

“Wine?” he asks me, starting to pour.

“I would love some. But not yet. I don’t like to drink while I’m doing client work. There’s a lot of precision going on in this forest. No one wantsHappy Birthday Henrymisspelled.”

“Especially not Henry.”

“Well, in this case, Henry is three. He might not notice.”

He smiles, just a little.

Interesting.

I’m not sure I know what Harlan in a good mood is like, but I think I might be meeting him for the first time.

Post-sex Harlan? That’s maybe the nicest mood I’ve seen.

He picks up his wine and takes a sip, leaning a hip against the counter.

Relaxed Harlan?

I don’t really know this guy, either.

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