Page 41 of From the Start

I leave the dishes in the sink and prowl toward her. She backs up until she bumps into the kitchen counter. I slam my hands on the counter next to her hips – caging her in.

“What do you want, Harper? You know you can’t possibly look after your dad round-the-clock while managingRumrunner. What is your solution? Because from where I’m standing, you are out of options.”

“Options?” She snorts. “I haven’t had options since Mom died and Dad had his stroke.”

Her eyes fill with pain and I palm her cheek. “Reach out and grasp the hand I’m offering you, Harper.”

“I don’t want your charity.”

“Good. Because you aren’t getting it. You’re paying for the nurse.”

“What? I can’t afford a nurse. How am I going to manage?” She fists her hands in my t-shirt. “I can’t, Kai. There’s no more money.”

“No money? I don’t understand.Rumrunneris packed whenever I’m there.”

Her cheeks flush as a muscle ticks in her jaw. I assume she won’t answer but she does.

“The monthly loan payments for the bar are substantial.”

I want to ask more questions, but she’s in full-on stubborn mode.

I frame her face with my hands. “It doesn’t matter. Your dad is a vet. He can get VA benefits.”

“But…”

I place a finger over her lips. “I did some research. I’ve got all the forms for you to fill out in my vehicle.”

Her bottom lip trembles and she sniffs. “Don’t cry, Harper.”

“I can’t help it. No one’s been this nice to me since Mom was alive.”

A tear escapes and I wipe it away. “You’re breaking my heart, Harper.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. It’s been a lot. Mom and then Dad and—”

I press my lips to hers. I only meant to stop her from reeling out of control, but the second I feel her soft lips against mine, I’m lost. I’ve waited months to touch Harper. Months to feel her lips against mine.

She sighs and I plunge my tongue into her mouth. I thought I was lost before. Now, I am well and truly lost. Because Harper tastes of vanilla and beer. It’s heaven. She’s heaven.

She leans her body against mine. I groan at the feel of her breasts pressing against my chest. I glide my hands down her side to her hips. I grasp them and pick her up and place her on the counter. She doesn’t hesitate to wrap her legs around my waist.

My cock – hard and wanting – throbs in my jeans. It urges me to throw caution to the wind and take Harper right here, right now.

“Ahem.”

“AHEM!”

I rip my mouth away from Harper to glance over my shoulder.

Carl smirks at me. “I thought I’d warn you before Henry walked in on you.”

“I can’t walk!” Henry shouts from behind him. “But I can hear.”

I chuckle, but Harper groans and buries her face in my chest. “This is not happening.”

“Sorry, Slugger, this is happening.”

Her head whips up and she glares at me. “This.” She motions between us. “Isn’t happening.”