I liked it. I liked her. Beyond the obvious attraction that I wasn’t sure I’d ever get over, I liked who she was. I liked that she’d been fired because she wasn’t willing to do shit she didn’t want to. I liked how much she loved her family, even taking time to text that she wouldn’t be home so her mom wouldn’t worry. I liked that she’d come straight out and told me that she thought I had something going on with Lou and then taken me at my word when I’d set her straight about it.
I liked how quick she was. I was surrounded by funny people all the time, but there was something extra funny about the shit she said coming out of a face that looked so fucking innocent.
I even liked how she kept her glasses on during sex because she didn’t want to miss anything.
Glancing at the clock, I scowled. There was no way in hell I could go in late to work, especially when Leo knew that his daughter had spent the night at my house. It was going to be bad enough dealing with the comments and glares already. I wasn’t about to give them extra ammunition.
“Harp,” I called quietly, running my hand down her back. “Baby, it’s time to wake up.”
“I’m awake,” she murmured, her eyes closed.
“You sure?” I pulled the blankets off her slowly, enjoying every inch I uncovered.
“You’re a sadist,” she said, lifting her head to look at me blearily. “I knew I was going to find a flaw somewhere.”
“I gotta get to work,” I replied, trying not to laugh at the scowl on her face. “I’ll drop you at home on my way.”
“Damn,” she groaned, rolling away from me to grab her glasses. “I forgot it’s the middle of the week.”
“Come back and kiss me,” I ordered, grabbing her ankle as she started to leave the bed.
Looking over her shoulder, she smiled and shook her head. “No way. I need to brush my teeth or guzzle some mouthwash or something.”
“I don’t care,” I argued, giving her ankle a little tug.
Her gaze slid down my body and then back up again. “If I come over there, I don’t think you’ll make it to work,” she said huskily.
I debated internally for a good fifteen seconds before sliding my hand away from her ankle. As much as I wanted to drag her back under me, I needed to get to the garage. Starting my morning off with the taste of Harper in my mouth would’ve been worth the shit I’d shovel for being late to work, but Leo had called in a couple of second opinions the night before, and I wanted to know what they’d thought about the power steering line on the Toyota.
No way did that happen without outside interference.
I watched from the edge of the bed as Harper walked naked as a jaybird into the bathroom and then shook my head to clear it before going to my dresser for some clothes. The woman was beyond distracting.
Since I didn’t have time to shower, I threw on some work clothes and waited for her to come out of the bathroom.
“We forgot half my clothes downstairs,” she said wryly, her hands covering her nipples. She was fully dressed from the waist down.
“You want to wear one of my shirts?” I asked, drawn to her like a fucking magnet.
“No, I need my bra anyway.” She tilted her head up as I reached her, and I could smell my mouthwash on her breath.
Instead of kissing her lips, I detoured and ran my lips along her jaw instead. “I’ll be out in a minute, and we can go.”
“Hey, man,” she said with a grin, stepping out of my way. “You’re the one who’s in a hurry. I would’ve stayed naked in your bed all day.”
I paused halfway in the bathroom.
“That was an option?”
Harper laughed as she started down the stairs. “Rain check!”
She was dressed, ready, and holding my cut when I found her in the kitchen a few minutes later.
“It was still on the floor,” she explained, handing it over. “You need to condition your leather.”
“I know,” I muttered, putting it on over my hoodie. “The fucking rain does a number on it.”
“I love riding,” she said as she picked up her purse and paper bag. “But give me a car any day when it’s cold as shit and raining.”
