Page 27

I'm sitting in Ressyns office in the club as we wait for our visitors to arrive. Only I'm not here, my mind anyway, is stuck on a blond explosion like it has been since his job interview that included napping and practically telling us all where we could stick it. And then he proceeded to get hired. What a cluster fuck.

We never did make it to the job that was intended for us the other day after leaving the candy shop. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing his hard to come by smiles, that were directed at me more times in one hour than I've ever seen on his face in the whole time I have known him.

I took him to dinner afterwards and failed to hold back a grin every time his eyes lit up when something new was dropped onto the table.

We spoke a lot. All surface level subjects that told me more about who Harlyn was and was not, than any real dirt I was dying to hear about. So basically, I learned nothing. Which seems to be the theme with him.

Being someone who takes great pleasure in always knowing everything, it is so frustrating. However, I'm starting to get comfortable with it.

Okay, so maybe not comfortable, but used to it.

The thing is, I don't believe I'm capable of leaving him alone. Meaning I need to reluctantly get over myself and my hang ups about him if I'm to continue this fixation. I don't think he will take my back-and-forth shit standing for much longer.

Things have been different since our dinner together. The way his dead eyes light up when they catch a glimpse of me, and the way his body somehow always brushes mine when he’s passing by behind the bar is getting all of my normal wires crossed.

Perhaps he was right-maybe I am his. He practically owns my every thought, taking over my mind like a poison.

The door to Ressyns office jerks open, effectively shutting off all thoughts of Har when Shaide strolls in with four men in tow. Two hang back next to the door and based on the guns strapped to their hips, I take it they are body guards. The other two proceed to approach Res, where he stands behind his desk and offers a hand in greeting to the pair.

“Ressyn Hue, nice to meet you.”

The younger one takes his hand first. He’s late twenties, early thirties perhaps. “Rex Carter.” He grins.

I'm not sure what it is, but I don't like him. I'm immediately put on edge when I see the glint of satisfaction in his eyes, when Res returns his smile.

The older gentleman-Rex’s father I presume, based on the similarities between the two-introduces himself next before they both take their seats.

“This is my brother Creek.”

Res motions to me.

Rex hardly spares me a glance, so I refrain from even giving him a nod in acknowledgement.

“Shaide tells me you have a proposal for us?”

Res begins.

Shaide fidgets where he stands. No doubt nervous because of the disaster that was Marcus. His job is to vet potential clients and business partners before they meet the rest of us. How Marcus made the cut is still unclear, but I know he feels like shit about it. With that in mind, I take a deep breath and do my best attempt at giving this pair the benefit of the doubt.

“Yes more like a partnership if you will.”

Ressyn motions with his hand, giving Rex the greenlight to continue. “We hear you’ve met Marcus and have turned down his offer to work together.”

Not a question... Hearing that name has my head snapping up and my eyes honing in on Rex and his father. “We have recently abandoned our partnership with him and thought it may be beneficial if we worked together to take him down when the time comes.”

Silence greets him. A pen drop from a block over could be heard from here. Where did he even get that information from? And what kind of work do these two take part in if they worked with that despicable excuse of a man.

“I have questions”, I grunt.

“That is surprising to no one”, Shaide mumbles with an eye roll and I scowl.

Before I can voice my concerns the door opens once more and in walks the man of my dreams and nightmares.

“Ressyn, there's a man here asking about our license to sell li-”

The words die on his tongue when the guards the Carters have brought along, hold their guns to Harlyn's head. My heart doesn't have time to accelerate before I'm out of my chair and shielding him.

“Har...”

I hear his breath catch behind me when Rex addresses him. “Lower your weapons, now!”

“Harlyn”, Rex tries again.

I feel Har’s lithe fingers tug on the waist band of my slacks before he holds them in a fist and pulls my body closer to him.

Knowing him, his face would never portray his discomfort. However, I know better. The hand that clutches me close trembles. Whether it's in rage or fear is yet to be determined. The former is preferred because the latter will have Rex dead in seconds.

Logically I'm aware of Harlyn toeing the line of insane and he’d likely rip Rex’s eyelids off before I could pull my gun out, but still. He’s mine.

Mine...

I hardly contain a groan at the thought.

I feel his shaky breath on the back of my neck, and I want to turn around and inhale it. This is what I mean. Harlyn is a distraction. I just hope it's one I can afford.

Rex’s eye flick between Harlyn and I, finally settling on me in a narrowed state.

“Harlyn you know it wasn’t me right? How could that possibly make sense?”

I don't know what he's referring to and it pisses me off. Harlyn grasps my pants tighter, shakes harder. I want to get him out of here and shield him from whatever this is. The side of me that doesn't easily trust pears out and wants to use this as an opportunity to learn something new about the man who won't let me in. It's selfish and I feel like shit for it, but that side of me wins, leaving my feet firmly in place.

Mr. Carter sidesteps Rex and pears around my shoulder.

“Harlyn...”

If I'm not mistaken his eyes glisten with tears. “I offered a lot of money and property for you, son. We would never betray you. I can see this is going to take time and we will wait. I'll leave my card at the front when we leave if you wish to reach out. You will always have a home with us.”

Harlyn steps out from behind me just as his fingers loosen and he lets go of my slacks. He doesn't make eye contact with either of them. Seeming to have chosen a place in the room to stare at and listen.

What catches me by surprise is the look of pure unmasked hunger in Rex’s eyes, that has me wanting to throw Harlyn over my shoulder and hide him away from anyone else. Why the fuck is he looking at him like that?

“What happened was evil and beyond anything we-”

“Enough.”

Harlyn's tone is sharp and laced with something deadly.

Mr. Carter nods, sadness marring his features.

Harlyn's fingers twitch at his sides, giving away his distress, the way his character would never.

It physically hurts my chest to see him struggle-not the first sign that I'm in serious shit-and I decide to get him out of here.

Taking his hand in mine, he flinches slightly which gives me pause. It isn’t something he's ever done with me before.

Realizing it's me, he offers me a wobbly smile that turns me into no more than liquid on a sidewalk, then follows me out.

His breathing turns erratic the moment the office door click shut behind us. Turning toward him, I cup his cheeks with both hands.

“None of that, baby. How about you stay with me tonight?”

His eyes widen and light up. They flick from my lips to my eyes, and I grin.

“Do you wanna kiss me Harlyn?”

I watch as his throat bobs with a swallow and lick my lips. When my gaze scans his face I chuckle. “Are you blushing again?”

He scowls. “I am not.”

“No?”

I ask, running my fingertips over his rosy cheeks. “Tell me something I don't know about you.”

I insist before he can respond.

He doesn't miss a beat.

“I dislike racoons.”

He croaks, still eyeing my mouth.

Before I can even touch how random that is or wonder why it was at the forefront of his mind, I give into his wish. Placing a gentle kiss on his lips and pulling away. He follows me, but I don't budge.

“One t-time I was outside on a job, and I left my spot to go pee. When I came back a racoon had both his sneaky hands inside of my drink. He was scooping the ice out and eating it, like he paid and everything.”

I kiss him quickly and he sighs.

“It was one of those styrofoam fountain drinks you get at a gas station. The menace had taken the lid off and claimed it as his own.”

Another kiss.

A sweet shiver runs through him.

“I named him slinky. I hated him. I couldn’t leave to get another drink and I felt like I was going to die from the heat and-”

I smile and he pauses. Zeroing in on the act with such intensity, I should run scared for my life.

Luckily for him, I seem to ignore all red flags where he is concerned.

Grabbing his hand, I brush my lips across his knuckles. “Do you like it when I kiss you?”

“So much”, he breathes. “More kisses please.”

“Not so fast.”

I click my tongue when he shoves his hand back to my lips.

As much as I'd love to give into his request, I see an opening and I'm going to take it. I close in on him until there isn’t any space left between us, hands settling on his hips.

“How would you feel if I kissed you everywhere?”

“Heaven.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah”, He rasps.

“Then what are we waiting for?”

He gasps when I grab his hand and tug him along. Practically skipping for what's to come.