Page 60

Harley leaned back in her chair and swirled her wine in the glass.

“It’s a risk, not a guarantee,” I said. “But I promise you, all of the clan businesses will be legitimate. I won’t leave Dylan anything illegal. There won’t be a single dirty dollar. Whatever it takes. I promise you that.”

“I want to trust you. I really, really do.”

My dragon whined. I wanted to move closer, to reach out and touch her.Then do it,I thought.Trust me. Trust us, Harley.

But I didn’t want to pressure her. This was her choice. Her life.

Silence grew between us. After what felt like years, she finally set her wine glass down and lifted those pretty blue eyes to meet mine. “If we try again, we have to take it really slow.”

My dragon wanted to spread his wings and soar. “We can take it slow.”

“We’ll see how things go,” she continued. “Until the businesses are legitimate. At least.”

“Deal.”

She laughed. “Is that what this is? A negotiation?”

“You’re a tough one to crack,” I teased. “What can I say? I accept your terms.”

“They’re not terms!” She was laughing louder now, almost giddy, and delight flooded through me. “It’s just the reality.” Then she stood and sauntered into the kitchen. “Another glass of wine? Should we celebrate?”

“We should.” I followed her into the kitchen and stepped behind her, pressing my chest to her back, caging her in against the counter. Her hands trembled and fell still on the wine bottle.

Leaning down, I nosed at her temple, inhaling that sweet, delicious scent that was all her. I exhaled, my lips close to her ear, and her whole body shivered against mine.

“Stephan,” she whispered.

God, I loved the sound of my name in her mouth. It was the only sound I ever wanted to hear.

“Slow, I promise.” My voice was a low rumble deep in my chest.

She turned around and looked up. Her blue eyes were sharp, pupils slightly dilated. Her plush lower lip was dark, like she’d bitten it.

I set one hand at the curve of her waist and squeezed gently. It was the perfect fit, like our bodies had been meticulously crafted for each other.

Then Harley set both hands on my stomach, right above my waistline. She slid her hands up, flat over my abs, my chest, until she reached my shoulders. Sighing, she wound her arms around my neck and parted her lips.

What else could I do?

I kissed her.

Gripping her waist, I stepped forward until she was flush against me. Her lips opened, and she let out a soft, delicate sigh that I swallowed hungrily. I kissed her hard, desperately. It’d been ten years since I’d tasted her lips. I’d forgotten how good they tasted, how soft they felt—I’d forgotten the pressure of her body against mine, her sweet sounds, her warm skin. It wasbetter than I could’ve dreamed. My dragon demanded we get closer, kiss harder. I wanted to kiss her breath away. I wanted to lick every inch of her skin. I wanted to drop to my knees and taste her center. I wanted to make her come harder than any man she’d been with, and I’d make it happen right here in the kitchen in front of the big glass windows.

I needed her. And finally, after all these years, I had her.

Maybe not all the way. Maybe not forever. But for now, I had her, and I was in heaven.

Harley raked a hand through my hair, then broke the kiss with a sigh. “Slow, Stephan.”

“Thisisslow,” I growled.

She laughed, and it sounded even prettier up close. “Dylan will be back soon. Will you help me clean the kitchen?”

It took every ounce of self-control I had, but I let go of her perfect waist and took a small step back. “What do you want to tell Dylan?” I asked.

“Nothing tonight,” she said. “But I don’t want to hide anything from him. He’d figure it out, anyway. He’s too smart.”