Page 26 of Daddy's Little Charmer
Harmony shook her head when Christian looked at her with his eyebrow raised. “I’m good.”
“Just the check,” Christian said and turned back toHarmony.
He reached for her hand and slowly slid his thumb over the back of her smooth hand.
“The guys told me about your friends. What would you say if I told you I already have a place picked out for Mrs. Owens that’s very close to where I have my house?”
Harmony opened and shut her mouth. “What?”
Christian smiled at the confusion on her face. “Nico told me how much the older woman meant to you, and as well as I know you already, I know you’ll worry about her. Am I right?”
Harmony nodded. “I’d worry every day. She can’t walk to the grocery store like she used to, so she depends on me and another woman to bring her things.”
“So, the place I’ll have her moved into is a semi-retirement place. They can take care of themselves for the most part. There are three meals a day, an exercise room, a small shop, a hairdresser, and other amenities. They also have scheduled games and activities all the time.”
“Why are you doing this?” Harmony asked, perplexed.
Christian bent toward her. “Because to take care of you, I need to take care of the people you care about. Besides, this lady was a teacher for forty years, and it pisses me off that she has to live on so little.”
“I’ve thought the same way. She’s mentioned her husband had a gambling addiction, and she lost everything, so now she has to live off of her Social Security.”
Harmony paused as the waitress set down the check and thanked them. She watched Christian pull out a card and place it in the leather folder. Right away, the waitress was back and took it, and within a minute was back again. Christian signed the slip of paper and returned his card back in his wallet.
“What do you want from me?” she asked softly.
Christian reached out and smoothed her hair away fromher face. “Just you. I want you to trust me to take care of you.”
“What if in a month you decide we aren’t compatible? Where does that leave Mrs. Owens and me?”
“Mrs. Owens will have a place at this home for the rest of her life, no matter what. As far as you go, I can guarantee we’ll be fine. But if you end up being miserable, I’ll set you up in an apartment with an allowance until you graduate and get a job.”
“I don’t like the thought of you having to pay for me.”
“This is my idea, Baby. I’m the one pushing it. I think it would be my responsibility to get you on your feet after sweeping you off them, and taking your job and apartment away from you.”
Harmony stared at him for a long moment. “When?”
“I’ll have you talk to Mrs. Owens tomorrow, and if she agrees, the guys will have her moved into a room the same day. As for you, I want you home with me.”
“Tonight?” she screeched. “You’re really serious, aren’t you?”
Christian chuckled. “Yes. If I can help it, I don’t ever want to spend another night away from you.”
“But … but,” she stuttered.
He could tell what she was thinking and held up a hand.
“There will be no sex until you are comfortable. We’ll sleep in the same bed, and I’ll hold you all night, but I won’t make love to you until you’re ready.”
“Oh, wow.” She nervously pushed her hair away from her face and stared down at the table.
“Trust me,” he pleaded as he held his hand out to her and waited.
Harmony exhaled and then slowly nodded as she set her hand in his.
“I will, I mean, I do. I don’t know why I do already, but it’s there.”
Christian leaned forward and gently pressed a kiss to her lips. He leaned back.
