Page 34 of Unmasking Love (D.C. Renegades #1)

Aide n

"I think we nailed it.”

I should have had Harper come over an hour earlier. Or have had her waiting for me when I got home this morning. I only had time to eat her out once before I sank into her sweet cunt. No where close to enough to release the tension that’s built up over the last two weeks.

But we're on a deadline.

The guys helped me plan this date over team breakfasts and lunches while we were on the road.

Bryson made the case that dates need to be activity based so there is less pressure just to sit and talk to each other. Crosby added that the activity should involve ways to casually touch her or be close to her.

Duncan's vote was for rock climbing but I think that was just so the guys could spy on us.

Emmett suggested a movie but the guys all poo-pooed the idea because it was too cliché and best saved for later dates when holding her hand for a few hours in public was an established norm.

Felix listened in as the guys all chirped away about what would be best. Finally he cleared his throat and said "take a class."

When he was met with confused faces all around the table he explained that taking a class or a workshop together would give us an activity, show her I take an interest in her interests, and I'm willing to learn new things.

After a few quick searches I found the perfect thing.

We're going to reupholster a chair together.

The workshop is at this old warehouse space and is run by a group focused on repurposing materials in building and design projects. The class was for people with furniture they wanted to fix up but I called and asked them to find something for us to work on.

After helping Harper into the passenger seat, I round the front of the car and take a deep breath. She's already slept with me today. I don't need to be worried about this date going well. But I am. I just want her to have a good time, to like me outside of the hockey rink or the bedroom.

"So where are we off to?" Harper asks as I turn on the car.

"Do you just want the address or do you want the full itinerary?"

"The full itinerary, I actually hate surprises."

"Fair enough," I say as I pull out onto the road. "First, I'm picking up the coffee order I placed for us a few minutes ago. Then we're driving out towards Bethesda for an upholstery workshop. We're going to restore an antique chair."

"That sounds fun!" Harper says. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For planning this day."

"I'm taking you out on a date, why wouldn't I plan the day?" I ask as I pull up to the coffee shop.

"My dates before have been just dinners or movies or going to each other's houses. There haven't been a lot of activities, I guess, so this is new and exciting."

"You've really been dating terrible men, Harper," I lean over and plant a kiss on her cheek. "But not anymore, you're with me now and I'm going to show you what a real relationship looks like."

She smiles and I can see the light sparkling in her eyes.

I know today isn't the day but I want to know everything about her.

I need to understand her on a deeper level, more than anyone else has before.

A good starting place seems to be just treating her like she's special.

Reminding her she's worth the thought and effort.

I return to the car with her coffee concoction and my black drip. She's humming along quietly to the radio, it sounds like country music. I turn up the volume from the steering wheel.

"Oh, sorry, we don't have to listen to this," she mutters as she leans over to turn the dial down. I reach over and slap the back of her hand. Her eyes fly up to mine in shock.

"Sorry, but don't turn it down. I want to hear the music you like."

"But, it's country."

"Who told you country music was bad?"

"No one."

"Mmhmm," I hum as I turn it up a notch higher. She turns to look out the window as I start to drive and when the next song starts I catch her tapping her fingers to the beat. We listen as we drive to the warehouse and as we pull into the parking lot she turns to me.

"What kind of music do you like?" She asks.

"I mostly listen to alternative rock, but I spent a lot of time in the Edmonton area and that's cowboy country so I've always had a soft spot for country music."

"Yeah?" She asks, hopeful.

"Absolutely. And even if I didn't, if you like it, I'll listen to it whenever you want."

She blushes and when I meet her at the back of the car, I interlace her fingers with mine and walk us into the studio.

***

"I think we nailed it," Harper jokes and I immediately laugh. I've always been a sucker for puns and dad jokes.

The workshop was awesome. First, they walked us through the different elements of an upholstered piece. Then they came around and helped each group individually. Our chair was from the 1970s and we had to replace everything, including one of the arm rests.

The instructor cut the wood for us and Harper really wanted to use the automatic sander. I've never seen anything cuter than the way she concentrated behind safety goggles.

We've just finished putting on the new layer of foam and batting, using the staple gun to get everything secured. Now we need to pick the fabric we're going to use so we follow the instructor over to a table covered in scraps.

"We have everything here in a longer bolt. You could do the same fabric on both the seat and the back of the chair or you can pick something different to use on each. The choice is yours. Let me know if you have any questions."

"Thank you," we say and Harper starts to thumb through the samples.

"So, where are you going to put this chair?" She asks me.

"At your house." I tell her and she looks up at me sharply.

"My house?"

"Yeah. Your remodeled house will need a lot of furniture. I figured this would be a good first piece. I can keep it at my place while you get the work done if you want but then it's moving into your new home."

"Oh, okay." Harper says and then she slowly runs her hands over some fabric. "I'm not sure what the color scheme will be though. I haven't gotten that far yet."

"Well, then let's keep it simple. What's your favorite color?"

"Pu rple." She answers and I smile. "But not like bright purple, the inky purple the sky turns just after sunset. When there is still light in the sky but the sun has dropped below the horizon."

I nod as I start to pick out some samples. There are a few purples and I start to arrange them in front of her. "Like these?" I ask.

"Yeah," she says as she shuffles them around. She stops on one with a delicate diamond pattern to it. "This one."

"Sold." I say and I wave the owner over. "We'd like to cover the chair in this fabric."

"Oo I love it!" She coos and then turns around to find us the roll.

An hour and a half later we've loaded the new old chair into the trunk of Harper's SUV and we're on our way to lunch.

We're both a little dusty and I decide to take us to a hole-in-the-wall ramen place Crosby suggested.

We order and take our seats. I got us both a Vietnamese beer so we crack them open and take a sip.

"So, what's your favorite color?" Harper asks me.

"It's basic, but blue. Honestly any shade. I didn't think I'd like wearing the Renegade teal but it's growing on me."

"When is your next game?"

"I probably won't play until after Christmas, but there's a home game on Tuesday."

"What's your typical pregame routine?" She asks as our bowls get set down on the table.

"I haven't developed a strict one but I like to take a bike ride early, get to the rink to warm up, and I have a meditation sort of thing and a set of rapid eye movement drills I run through, even if I'm not playing."

"So no superstitions or rituals?"

"Not really, although sex with you before my last win might be something I need to repeat."

She blushes and I love seeing her beautiful olive skin glow under my praise. I haven’t been on a lot of dates, hockey has always come first, but everything with Harper is easy. She’s vibrant and funny and I want to see more.

"What does your week look like for work?" I ask because nothing gets her more excited than her calendar. And, it would be helpful to know so I can manage my schedule and see her every opportunity I can.

“There are a few showings on my schedule this week but it’s pretty easy. We usually slow down a bit as we go into the end of the year. January will pick up again.”

“Did you call your contractor last week?”

“Uh, no. I didn’t.” She says quietly as she looks down at her lap. What’s that about? I figured she’d be excited to do it. Why is she putting it off?

“Want to call together?”

Her dark eyes flash up to mine and she blinks quickly. “Sure, we could do that.”

“I’d love to help with the project. We can set up meetings around my schedule.”

“Okay, sounds like a plan.” Harper returns to her soup and tips the spoon to her lips. A little bit dribbles down her chin and she darts her tongue out to catch it before wiping it with her napkin. “Sorry, I’m a mess.” She apologizes unnecessarily.

“Don’t be sorry, I like you a little messy,” I lean closer to her. I don’t usually say shit like this but I want to rattle her. “Especially when your mouth is full of my cock.”

Her eyes double in size again and she quickly looks around the restaurant to see if anyone overheard me. They didn’t. This place only has one other customer up at the counter. I wouldn’t have said it if there was a chance I’d be heard and she’d be embarrassed.

“ I can’t believe you said that!” Harper whisper-scolds as she leans across the table. “Seriously, you were too shy to talk to me two months ago! Who are you?”

“I wasn’t too shy.” I correct her. “I didn’t want to connect with you, or anyone. But, things have changed and D.C. feels more like home than anywhere else ever has.”

“Then let me find you a home!” She says, exasperated. I’ve been saying no to all the listings she’s sent my way.

“Nah, I’m good.” I wink at her and go back to my soup. I don’t know how she hasn’t figured out that I’m scheming for us to live together. At the very least for the few months it takes to renovate her home.

Harper Daniels is incredible and I know I’d be foolish to let this relationship fizzle out. She might not be ready to fully commit but I’m trained to anticipate, to see actions before they happen, and I’m not letting this incredible woman get by me.