Page 25 of A Home for Harmony

“Don’t get too used to it,” he said, the smile dropping.

“Then you can save it for special occasions.” She picked up her dinner to bring her dish to the sink to rinse out.

He did the same with his and put it in the dishwasher.

“Do you have to leave?”

“I should,” she said. “Because if I get any hotter you might see smoke coming off my body.”

“We haven’t even kissed yet,” he said.

She turned and leaned on the counter. “What are you waiting for?” she asked.

He yanked her close, no hesitation. She’d learn soon enough there was nothing gentle about him. Not in the way he moved, and definitely not in who he was.

His mouth slanted over hers, her arms went around his neck, her lips parting, his tongue sliding in rough and sure.

She let out a low moan, the sound vibrating in her throat. If he didn’t put some distance between them soon, he’d have her in his arms and halfway to his room.

She hated being judged, and assuming she was the type to just give in—that was on him. But even he had limits, and his control was hanging by a thread.

“Now what do you think?” he asked when he lifted his head.

“I smell something burning,” she said, fanning her hand in front of her face.

“That’s us. Imagine how much worse it’s going to get.”

“Not worse,” she whispered. “Better. So much better.”

8

BE YOURSELF

Christmas morning!

Harmony stretched her arms over her head, grunted out a few noises she didn’t realize she was going to do, then let out a giggle or two.

She reached for her phone on the bedside table and did a quick impromptu video. It was one thing she was known for, that she didn’t spend hours glamming herself up, rather letting the world see the real her.

When she turned the video on, she saw her eyes were a little sleepy, her hair messed up like a tornado blew through it, and a little crusty blob in her eye.

She wiped that out, as it was gross.

“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I opened my eyes this morning excited like a little child ready to race down the stairs. Not to open presents, but to spend time with those I love. Take a minute or two out of your day and think of anyone that you miss in your life and might not see them. Maybe they are working, live too far away, or are no longer with us. If you can, reach out and give them a shout you’re thinking of them. Holidays should be about loved ones. If you know of someonethat might be alone, how about sending them a quick message? You have no idea how much it could cheer a person up, even if they tell you they are fine. And last of all, be yourself. It’s the best gift you can give to someone.”

She replayed the video back and uploaded it. When she was doing cuts for her sponsors, she would edit and redo if she needed to. But when it was something like this, she liked the raw videos instead.

Why not be a leader for those to do what she said? Be themselves.

And if that meant doing it before she even took a pee or brushed her teeth, so be it.

She threw the covers back, then ran to the hall bath to do her business.

She turned the water on in the shower, then went back to her room to get her clothes. The T-shirt that barely covered her butt cheeks wasn’t very warm.

Once she was showered and dried, she spread lotion all over her body as part of her morning routine. If her mind was thinking of Micah’s hands on her, she’d keep that little secret to herself for now.

She thought for sure she wouldn’t fall asleep last night after their kiss. That kiss definitely excited her.