Page 56 of From the Start

I growl. “I would never tell anyone about what we do behind closed doors. Unless you’re into being watched.”

“I’m not into being watched.”

“Thank fuck because I don’t want any other man having the privilege of witnessing your face when you come.”

Her eyebrows lift. “The privilege?”

“Hell yeah, the privilege.” I stand and prowl toward her. “You are beautiful, Harper Poole. The most beautiful woman on this island. Any man would be lucky and privileged to be with you.”

“You don’t have to flatter me anymore. I’m already going to agree to date you.”

I smile. “You are?”

She holds up a hand. “But I don’t share.”

“Slugger, I haven’t so much as looked at another woman since the first time I laid eyes on you.”

She rolls her eyes. “You were eleven the first time we met.”

I palm her neck. “I meant the first time I really saw you. The first time I realized what a beautiful and amazing woman you’ve grown up to be.”

“Oh. The first time you hit me with a sexual innuendo.”

I growl but I’m merely playing since she’s smiling. Even her dimples have come out to play. I trace one with my finger.

“I love these dimples. I don’t see them often enough.”

She scowls and they disappear. “I have a busy life. I don’t have time for fun.”

“Wrong. You’re making time for fun starting now.” I kiss her nose. “I’ll pick you up at eleven tomorrow for our first date.”

“A date at eleven in the morning?”

“You need to work in the evening, or have you forgotten?”

“But my dad—”

I silence her with a finger on her lips. “I would never ask you to leave your dad alone. I’ll ask Carl if he can come in early tomorrow.”

“You’ve thought of everything.”

She has no idea how much I’ve thought of her and her life. She’d go screaming straight into the ocean if she knew.

I press my lips against hers in a quick kiss. “Until tomorrow, my sweet Harper.”

I leave before she can change her mind. I’ve managed to put another crack in the ice around her heart and I’m not giving her a chance to repair it.

Chapter 17

“Trust me. Helmet hair is an emergency.” ~ Harper

Harper

The doorbell rings and I rush to answer it.

“Slow down!” Dad yells. “It’s a door, not the last call at the bar!”

I am well aware of how it’s not last call at the bar since I was there for last call last night and I have the bruises under my eyes to show for it.