Page 34

COREY

“Can I drive you to work?” I ask when Harlow emerges from my bathroom, ready for a day at the office.

I run my eyes over her body-hugging black dress, and it just tells me what I already know. I’m falling—and fast.

The thought of ripping it from her body and dragging her back to bed is all-consuming, but I know I can’t. She has a job, and so do I. We’ve got other people who depend on us for shit.

“I didn’t think you had a car,” she asks, slipping her feet into her shoes. They do incredible things for her calves, making me forget she just said anything. “Corey?”

“Shit, sorry. Just, you look … Fuck. You look really fucking hot. So … are there many guys in your office?” I ask teasingly, running my fingers through my hair.

She smirks, happy to play along

“A few. Most are quite young, too. And they all wear these suits.” She bites down on her bottom lip, and I have to swallow a bubble of jealousy that makes itself known.

She leans over me, forcing me to rest back on my elbows.

“But I’m pretty sure none of them could make me scream like you did last night.”

“Damn fucking straight.”

“You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Good to know. So, back to my original question.”

“How are you going to drive me to work without a car?”

“I’m going to drive you in yours,” I say with a shrug, like it’s obvious.

Pushing from the bed, I tug on a pair of trousers followed by a clean T-shirt, and I’m ready to go.

“Is that it? Is that all you do in the mornings?”

“What? I had a shower and brushed my teeth, too.”

“It should be illegal to look that good with that little effort.”

“What should be illegal is any other man getting to see just how hot your arse is in this dress.” I pull her to me and squeeze it hard.

“Ow,” she complains.

“Nice try. We both know you loved it. Now, come on. We can pick up breakfast on the way.”

She smiles at me before I turn and leave her in the bedroom.

If someone had told me that I’d wake up feeling this alive, this happy, after the heavy conversations that happened between us last night, I’d have said they were an idiot. But that’s exactly how this morning feels, and I know Harlow is thinking the same. It’s right there in her chestnut eyes.

She feels lighter, having told me everything she went though. I can see it’s no longer resting heavy on her shoulders.

I’m sure, like me, there’s more to her story. I doubt she was taken in by Brooke’s parents and suddenly had the perfect life.

“Let’s go, then,” I say when she joins me.

“Shit, I didn’t tidy up,” she mutters, looking around the living area and kitchen at the mess we made last night.

“There’s always time for that later. Come on, we don’t want you being late.”

After texting Laura an order to go, we make a quick pit stop at her diner before heading farther into town. I follow the signs for the Crown Arena, and she points to her parking space once I’m there.

“What are you doing?” she asks when I kill the engine and go to get out with her.

“It’s your car. I’m leaving it with you.”

“But you work on the other side of town.”

“It’s fine. I’ll grab an Uber.”

“Take it.”

“But—”

“No buts.” She rests her hand on my thigh, and the heat burns through the fabric of my trousers. “If you’re done in time, come and pick me up, or just message if you’re not and I’ll find another way home.”

“No, I can’t?—”

“Corey,” she snaps, effectively cutting off my argument. “Just do it.”

“Okay,” I mutter, knowing full well that I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure my afternoon client is done in plenty of time to collect her. I refuse to take her car and force her to find another way home. Plus, if I’m honest, I don’t want her going home. I want her with me.

A trickle of concern runs down my spine that I’m about to find myself evicted any day now, and that I won’t have a home to take her back to, but I push it away, just like I’ve done for the past few weeks.

“You okay?” she asks, noticing the change in me.

“Yeah, just looking forward to picking you up later.”

“Oh yeah? Got big plans, have you?”

“I might have.” It’s a lie; I haven’t planned anything. But there’s plenty of time to do so.

She smiles at me. It’s so innocent yet full of passion. It totally disarms me.

Leaning over, I wrap my hand around the nape of her neck and pull her into me.

“Thank you for trusting me last night.” My lips brush against hers as I say the words.

“You too.” Her hand lands on my shoulder, and she tugs to close the last bit of space between us. I know she wants to kiss me, but equally I know she wants to end the conversation.

I heard the pain in every word she said last night. I know how hard it was for her to tell me.

Do I feel guilty for not returning the favour?

Hell yeah. But equally, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to say the words.

I’ve never explained it to anyone. The only people who know about it are those who were around at the time.

Even all these years on, the pain is just too much. Merely thinking about it shreds me.

“I finish at five. But no pressure. If you can’t make it back, just give me the heads up, yeah?”

“I’ll be here.”

“Okay. See you then.”

She hesitates to get out of the car. It’s not until I laugh at her for hovering that she finally pushes the door open and walks towards the imposing building. I watch her every movement, my eyes locked on her arse as it sways.

Before she disappears through the main doors, she turns and gives me a smile and wave. I return the gesture before reversing her car from the space.

Suddenly thoughts of tomorrow aren’t so scary.

Making the most of having a vehicle, I run a few errands and do a little grocery shopping before making the trip I’m dreading … to my letting agent.

I pull up out the front of their shop and kill the engine.

I’ve been here countless times, trying to buy myself some more time.

They were lenient to start with, but I know this is it.

That final eviction notice is more than enough evidence.

It doesn’t stop me blowing out a large breath and pushing the car door open.

Before, I might have been okay with living in my room at the studio. But it’s not just me now. I need to think of Harlow. My priorities are suddenly a little different.

I want to be the man she deserves if we’re going to be continuing with whatever this is that I refuse to label. I want to be someone she can be proud of. I want to have a place where she can stay the night and enjoy spending time.

“Mr. Edwards, how lovely to see you,” Chris, the guy who’s been dealing with me announces as I walk towards his desk. “What can I help you with?”

I take a seat when he gestures for me to do so.

“I need to come up with a plan. I can’t lose the flat. Not now. I’ve got a little money from last month. It’s not the whole amount, but?—”

Chris’s brows draw together in confusion as he looks at his computer. “Your account has already been settled.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I lean towards him, thinking I misheard.

He clicks about on his computer for a few seconds before nodding.

“Full payment plus six months of advanced rent was made this morning. Look.” He spins the computer screen to show me.

I stare at the four little letters in red, and confusion washes through me.

Paid.

“But how? I don’t have that kind of money. If I did, I’d have sorted this out weeks ago.”

“I don’t know. There’s no name attached.”

I sit back in the chair and let his words register in my brain.

My account’s been paid.

But no one knew about this.

No one would…

Unless they’ve seen the letter.