Page 28 of Score to Settle (Oakwood Ranch #1)

EIGHTEEN

JAKE

I wake to find I’m on my side, with an arm flung over Harper’s waist and a hard-on so big it’s almost painful.

My thoughts leap straight back to last night.

The way Harper pressed against me when we kissed and how fucking good it felt.

And that cute night-set she’s wearing, the strap of which has fallen over her shoulder in her sleep.

I was halfway to ruined when she stepped out of the bathroom wearing it last night.

But it feels weird to stare while Harper’s asleep.

Slowly, I move my arm away from Harper’s body, trying not to wake her. The last thing she needs to see is the tent I’m pitching under the sheets. Man, I haven’t woken up with morning wood like this since I was a teen.

I step to the bathroom and quietly close the door.

I need to get it together. I’m acting like some horny frat boy around Harper and she deserves better.

That’s why I stopped things progressing last night.

It took every ounce of my willpower to pull away from those beautiful full lips.

All I wanted was to push her onto the bed and ravage every inch of her body.

And I’m pretty sure from the sultry look in her eyes when I pulled back, she wanted it too.

But Harper had been sad after the call from her dad.

It felt like I was taking advantage of a low moment.

Besides, the whole reason Harper is spending so much time with me is so I can prove my reputation is bullshit.

I can hardly do that and make a pass at her at the same time.

Even if it did half kill me to promise I wouldn’t try to kiss her again when, honestly, it’s all I can think about.

Turning on the shower, I step under the hot spray and take my dick in my hand. I think of Harper’s lips, her smooth skin, the soft sound she made in her throat when I touched her. It barely takes any time before I’m shuddering in release.

Harper is awake when I step out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist. Just looking at her tousled hair and that sheepish smile makes my dick twitch all over again.

“Morning,” I say, trying to act like this is a completely normal situation.

“Hey.” She bites her bottom lip then pulls her hair up into a bun. “Look, about last night…” she starts, but trails off.

“If you’re going to start getting weird on me about the thing that is already forgotten, please don’t,” I say.

“It happened. It’s forgotten. So get up because we’ve got the meet-and-greet fans breakfast this morning and you’re going to want to be taking notes on how amazing the fans think I am.

It’ll be good background for your feature. ”

Harper arches an eyebrow in reply. “Someone’s woken up thinking pretty highly of himself.”

“Maybe you bring out the best in me,” I reply. I meant it as a throwaway comment, but it lands like it’s more.

Harper shoots me a look like she isn’t sure I’m joking. I’m not entirely sure I am either and the realization causes a nervous energy to thud through me. I think about how much better I’ve been playing for the last three weeks and wonder if there’s some truth to my comment.

I reach for the edges of the towel slung around my hips. “Are you planning to watch me get dressed or?—”

“No,” she yelps, jumping up and heading for the bathroom.

I keep my eyes off her ass and focus on finding my clothes.

“Jake,” she says, and I look up to find her standing in the doorway to the bathroom. Her eyes are wide, her face clear of makeup and just as beautiful. “I know we’re not talking about the thing we’ve forgotten, but I just wanted to say thank you. You were kind to me last night when I needed it.”

I smile, but then her next comment feels like a sucker punch even though I know it’s coming.

“But we can’t kiss again. We need to keep things?—”

“Professional,” I finish for her. “We’re on the same page, Cassidy. Relax. I have no intention of breaking my promise.”

Harper disappears into the bathroom and a moment later I hear the shower running. My mind reels as I get dressed. I think back to last night again. I’ve kissed a lot of women in my life, but none of them have ever made me feel the way Harper does. This is a problem…

I enjoy spending time with her. I love the way her mind works.

The more time we spend together, the more layers it feels like I peel back from myself and from her, catching glimpses of the real Harper underneath—vulnerable and uncertain but also passionate and so smart it blows my mind.

She’s the kind of girl a guy takes seriously if he knows what’s good for him.

I want to know everything about her. I want to be the one she turns to, the one who makes her laugh, the one who holds her when she cries.

The realization hits me like a lightning bolt.

I want Harper to like me. I care what she thinks about me.

This is more than just finding her physically attractive.

It’s more than my dick feeling deprived of attention.

A lot more. But I just promised I wouldn’t kiss her again… and I know I have to stick to it.