Page 70

I cleaned the kitchen quickly, then went upstairs. I had some paperwork to go over for the garage, a few orders to write up… When I was done with that, I might have some time to stretch my wings before I fell asleep. I’d do that if I wanted to sleep at all. Otherwise, the feeling of Harley against me would haunt me all night.

The door to Dylan’s room opened, and Harley slipped out. She’d changed into her pajamas—a thin tank-top that did very little to hide the perfect curves of her breasts and a loose pair of sweatpants. Her auburn hair was long and loose, and she moved down the hall on bare feet. But instead of heading toward her room, she walked past the door and straight towards me.

“Stephan, I, uh, I wanted to say…” She swallowed hard, and her gaze dropped, like it had in the kitchen.

My need to touch her overwhelmed me, and I wrapped my fingers gently around her wrist and tugged her closer. Her pulse quickened under my touch. This close, I could smell the soft musk of her skin. I wanted to taste her, feel her melt under my touch.

Harley gathered her thoughts, then looked up to meet my eyes. Her lower lip was a little pink, like she’d been biting it. “I know I said I didn’t want Dylan wrapped up in anything like this, but I know you’re doing your best.”

“I am,” I said. “I promise you that.”

“I’m grateful. Really. I know it can’t be easy to get out of this life. So, I’m really glad you’re doing it. And I’m glad you’re taking care of me and Dylan.” She touched my chest tentatively, then slid her hands up to my shoulders and around my neck again. “Really. Thank you.”

“Harley, you don’t need to thank me for taking care of my family.” I tightened my grip on her hips slightly.

“Still—”

“I’ll take care of you as long as I have breath in me,” I said softly. “I’d do anything to keep you safe, Harley.”

Her fingers wound into the hair at the base of my skull, holding me close. Her blue eyes searched mine, and the skin between her brows creased slightly. It was like she wanted to believe me, but something was holding her back.

What was it? Was it fear? Disbelief? Pain? The weight of the years between us?

All I wanted was for her to trust me. To believe me. To hand off some of that weight to me and allow me to support her. I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone—not anymore.

But I couldn’t prove that to her. Not with my history and my brother’s shadow hanging threateningly over us. She knew this was risky, and yet, she was still here. Still looking at me with those soft eyes that held a hint of uncertainty.

Before I could think better of it, I leaned down and kissed her.

Her lips parted immediately against mine, her breath escaping in a soft sigh. Her fingers tightened in my hair as I pulled her closer. It was easy, instinctive, for me to deepen the kiss. It was even easier for me to spin around and press her back against the door. Harley leaned into me, like she was finally letting go of some of the tension she’d been holding for God knows how long.

Desire smoldered through me like embers. My dragon purred as I ran my hands up along her waist.

“Slow, right?” I murmured against her lips. I felt unsteady. The kiss sent fire burning through me. I wanted to let go and let my dragon take the wheel, but not if Harley wasn’t ready for that.

“Maybe…” she whispered. “Maybe not tonight.”

The ember of desire roared into a flame. I gripped her waist tightly and she exhaled a sweet, desperate sound into my mouth.

“You’re sure?” I asked.

She pulled back and stared intently into my eyes. That fierce determination I loved so much was back in her gaze. When Harley set her mind to something, she stuck with it—like leaving Lakeview behind for a decade.

“I’m sure.”

I wasn’t going to let her slip through my fingers again.

I lowered my hands to her ass and lifted her up. She made a small, desperate sound against my lips, that I yearned to hear more of. I needed to hear that all night. Her legs wrapped around my waist, and her fingers dug into my scalp. I kissed her deeply, devouring her mouth, and only broke away to trail more kisses over her jaw. Her head knocked back against the door, and she swore under her breath.

“Shh,” I teased her in a low voice. “Can you keep quiet?”

She knocked her heels into my back. “Canyou?”

I growled and kissed up her neck. She shuddered. Her body was so soft, so warm. Her perfect, thick thighs were strong and plush in my hands. “Let’s find out.”

I opened the door without releasing her from my hold, and squeezed her thighs as she kissed my jaw. “You’re strong,” she murmured.

“You’re the perfect size.” Carrying her was barely any effort at all—if anything, it only made my desire burn hotter. She laughed quietly and clung closer to me. I kicked the door shut behind me, then strode straight to my immense bed in the center of the room. My bedroom wasn’t much to look at—closer to a den than the airy room I’d made up for Harley—but it seemed to brighten up with her in it.