She trails off like she’s not going to explain, and I can’t help prompting her. “To …”
“Live, be happy, take some risks.”
“And I do all of those things?”
“You can certainly help. I’m the only one holding me back.”
“Why?”
She pauses as I put my last few bits away. When I look up, I find her hovering by the door, chewing on her bottom lip, deep in thought.
“I—” she starts, but I cut her off.
“You don’t have to tell me. I was just being nosey. Shall we …” I gesture to the door at her back and follow her out.
Snake is back at the reception desk, faffing around with something, when we emerge.
“Was he gentle with you, sweetheart?”
“The perfect gentleman.”
I think about how I almost had my fingers between her legs and smile to myself.
“I’m glad. You happy with the result?”
“It’s perfect. Thank you for your help earlier.”
Snake nods at Harlow before turning and winking at me.
“I’m done for the day. See you in a few?”
“Sure thing, man. Enjoy.”
I wait until the door shuts behind us before wrapping my arm around Harlow’s waist and pulling her into my side. I drop my lips to her ear, and she shudders at my closeness.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been described as a perfect gentleman before.”
“I was just being polite.”
I bark out a laugh. “I was going to say—if what happened in there was me being a gentleman, I’d hate to know how other men treat you.” She tenses in my arm, and I panic. “I … uh … didn’t mean …” I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to say, but thankfully, she cuts me off.
“It’s okay. And you were a gentleman. Mostly. Where are we going exactly?”
“Do you have a car?”
“Yes.”
“Fancy a drive?”
“Sure.”
She leads me to a silver Audi, but instead of going for the driver’s side, she opts for the passenger door.
“You can drive, right?” she asks when I hesitate.
“Yeah, of course. I just wasn’t expecting to.”
“Well, you know where we’re going.” She shrugs and drops down into the seat.