Ducking into a hall closet and Ares’s downstairs office, he changed out of his dress shirt and into a black T-shirt.
“Now I feel overdressed,” Harper said upon his return, gesturing to the silver gown she was wearing.
“You’re fine,” Xander said. “When’s the last time you ate cake in a fancy grown?”
“Never,” Harper said.
“Want to go out on the patio? It’s a warm enough night.”
“Sure. I can carry plates.”
Xander nodded, grabbed the cake, and let Harper take the plates and utensils. They had a housekeeper and a cook that came twice a week and otherwise he and his brother got along fine. He wanted as few people around as possible.
Out on the patio, the fairy lights gleamed, giving an excellent view of the spiral pool, and Harper settled in against the patio furniture.
“Josie’s cake is the best,” Harper said.
“She’s very talented.”
“She’s been struggling a bit.”
“Has she?”
“Yeah, I ran into her last week.” Harper stopped abruptly.
“Angel, what is it?”
Harper looked away and down.
“Nothing. Forget I mentioned it,” she said.
She was keeping something from him. Putting the plate down on the table, Xander leaned over, tugging on her arm. “Tell me.”
“Xander, I can’t,” Harper said.
“You can tell me anything, Angel.”
“Maybe I can, but I don’t want to. Can I not have one secret?”
For her safety, no, she absolutely could not.
“No secrets, ever. You know that. What else do you want?” Xander said, passing her a plate.
“You,” Harper said, putting down the plate and launching herself onto his lap.
Her lips met his and he couldn’t help but respond, his hands coming hard around her neck. Her soft lips, her floral scent, and her long eyelashes seared into his brain.
It was like walking through quicksand to pull himself away, but he had to.
“Harper.”
“Why don’t you want me?” she said, her eyes downcast.
“Angel, you have no idea how much I want you. But it’s a fantasy you have,” Xander said, easing her off his lap.
“No, it’s not a fantasy. I know what I want, Xander.”
Oh, that look of steel in her eyes. It was the reason he loved her.
