Alek puts his hand on my shoulder, and pulls it back quickly. “Whoa buddy, you need to relax.”
I exhale. “Yeah,” I say and pull my phone from my pocket when he steps away. I check for messages from Harper. She had to walk the dogs earlier and I thought she’d be back by now. I shoot her off a text, and try to shake the uneasy feeling mushrooming inside me. That guy clearly got under my skin when he mentioned Harper.
I step from the bathroom, and before I realize what’s happening, some girl jumps on me, wrapping her legs around my back and pressing her mouth to mine.
What the fuck?
I put my arms around her, and try to get her off as she thrusts her tongue into my mouth, but can’t shake her so easily. I finally manage to wiggle her from my body, and she gives me a big smile. “Do I know you?” I ask. Yeah, okay, I’m used to girls hitting on me, we all are, but getting accosted in a hallway isn’t something that happens every day.
“No, but you can get to know me, if you want to.” The scent of her floral perfume clouds the air and almost gags me. “I don’t live far from here.”
“I’m seeing someone,” I say. I mean it’s the truth. I am seeing Harper, sort of, and when it comes down to it, I’m a one-woman kind of guy.
She twirls her hair in her fingers, and sticks her chest out. “She never has to know.”
“Yeah, well, I’d know, and I’m not a cheater.”
She gives a big humorless laugh, the heat in her eyes turning venomous. I guess she’s a woman who’s used to getting her own way. In the past I would have taken her up on her offer. Would have fucked her ten ways to Sunday—I had to keep the fans happy and my reputation intact right—and go home with a little less of my soul. Damn, that seems like a lifetime ago. Over the last month, my priorities have shifted, all thanks to Harper and Gavin.
“That’s not what I hear,” she challenges.
What she hears and what’s true are two different things. Alek comes from the bathroom, and once again goes still. I take that moment to get away. “If you’ll excuse us.” She glares at me as Alek and I move past her.
“What’s going on with you tonight?” Alek asks.
“Beats me.” My phone pings and I smile when I see it’s from Harper.
“Maybe you should call it a night, buddy. Seems like you’re rather distracted.”
“Yeah, okay,” I say. “I think I’ll get out of here.” I head over to the guys and naturally they call me all kinds of names when I tell them I’m cutting out early, but who are they to talk? Most of them are married with kids now, and were once where I am right now.
And where is that, Liam?
Oh, just falling for a girl I probably shouldn’t be falling for, a girl who isn’t looking for long term.
Fuck me.
I head toward the door, and as an uneasy feeling once again moves through me, I scan the bar, and find Griff’s eyes on me, that same greasy smile on his face. The sudden need to get to Harper grips me, and I hurry outside and jump in my truck. Twenty minutes later, I’m at my place, and when I walk inside and hear music, my nerves settle.
I head to the kitchen, and find her swaying to the music coming from the other room as she stands before the microwave, popcorn bursting in the bag inside. I take her in, admiring her body in her pajama T-shirt and matching pink shorts. Her hair is damp, either from a shower or a swim. I have never seen her look hotter, or more adorable in my life. I am in so much fucking trouble here. My gaze moves to the patio door, which is slightly cracked, a warm night breeze blowing in.
“Hey,” I say, not wanting to scare her.
She spins and the second my eyes meet hers, and I see the smile on her face, my heart squeezes tight.
She blinks up at me, her body warm, soft, beckoning mine, and I fall just a little harder for her. Fuck, man, I have to tell her, but what if she doesn’t want the same things. What if I ruin this last week between us?
What if I don’t?
“What are you doing home so early?” she asks, a little breathless, and I chalk it up to her arousal matching mine.
I take three big steps and close the distance between us. “Not happy to see me?”
She puts her arms around my neck, like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and I hope to hell she doesn’t smell that other girl’s perfume on me. There’s no sense in bringing it up. Nothing happened. Then again would she care? We’re not a couple. Not committed. We’re just fucking, right? I mean she can see other guys if she wants. Of course, that would have to be over my dead body.
“Sure I am, but I don’t want to keep you from your friends.”
“I had a drink, played some pool, but I’d much rather be here with you.” Unable to help myself, I press my lips to hers and every nerve in my body comes alive. I growl into her mouth as I devour her, never able to get enough. The microwave beeps and pulls me back. “Is Gavin asleep?” I ask when I break the kiss, leaving us both needy and breathless.
“He’s actually staying at Holden’s tonight. Violet brought Holden for a swim, and then she took Gavin back to her place.” She crinkles her nose. “I hope you don’t mind that I invited my friend for a swim. I would have texted and asked first, but I didn’t want to interfere.”
“You’re never interfering, Harper, and you never have to ask permission.
