Cujo scooted over, making room for Harper to sit down on the couch.
He loved watching Harper with his friends.She had spent the last however many years fading into the background, but her confidence was returning, and given the new outfit, it appeared she was beginning to recognize the change herself.
As much as he tried, he couldn’t keep away from her.It was strange.Trent wasn’t a huge PDA guy.Sure, the odd make out here and there, but this touchy-feely stuff was all new.He’d just never had the urge.
The DJ changed the tempo from heavy dance beats to sexy, slower tunes.Leaning down, he kissed Harper behind her ear.“You wanted to dance?”
She looked surprised.“Let me guess… you’re an amazing dancer.”
“That I am, Harper.”He took her hand, guiding her to the dance floor, and pulled her close.
Despite everyone’s best efforts to get him loaded, Trent had stayed clear of alcohol most of the night just so he could have the privilege of driving Harper home.And right now, he was grateful to be fully aware of the sensations Harper’s warm body was creating as she moved against him.
She was a natural dancer.All grace and rhythm as she swayed against him.He wondered how many more secrets she had.If he were a lucky man, he’d spend the next sixty years uncovering them all.Yeah, it was definitely time to man up to the fact he was falling for her.Hard.
***
A cool breeze blew into the car through the open windows as Trent drove her home.It was a blessed relief from the stifling heat of the nightclub, or bar, or whatever it was supposed to be.
Leaning her head back against the headrest, Harper closed her eyes and focused on listening to Trent humming along to classic rock on the radio.
Who knew that the guy had moves on the dance floor?Maybe he reallywasamazing at everything.
The night sky was inky black, illuminated by a low moon and a smattering of stars.There was a hot guy behind the wheel of this equally hot car, driving her home while he gently held her hand in his strong one.
Funny how she’d had to come all the way to Miami to find this.How different would her life have been if the attack hadn’t happened?Four years later and she was starting to wonder if she wasn’t exactly where she was supposed to be.
“What are you thinking about?”Trent broke through her reverie.“I can hear those cogs turning all the way over here.”He glanced at her and smiled.
“I was thinking it’s funny how life turns out.”
“In what way, darlin’?”
“I was just thinking about everything that led up to me sitting here in this amazing car with an even more amazing guy.”He grinned at that.“I mean how crazy the twists and turns of my life have been to get me to Miami.What I’ve had to go through.A different bus and I could have ended up on the West Coast.And yet, here I am.”
“I believe there’s a bigger plan for all of us.I guess the universe conspires to give us what we need, not what we want.”
Her insides turned to jelly as Trent lifted her hand and gently kissed her knuckles.
Moments later, he turned onto Harper’s quiet street and parked outside her building.It was well after one in the morning, but Harper felt energized instead of tired.
“I guess this is my stop,” she said.
“I guess so.”Trent turned the car off, thrusting them into silence.
Harper unclicked her seat belt.
Trent hadn’t moved, still sitting slightly toward her with his seat belt on.In a moment of bravery, Harper slid across the bench seat and unclicked it.A smile spread across Trent’s face, and damn if the dimples didn’t do it to her every time.
Harper embraced her confidence, straddled his lap, and placed her hands on either side of his face.Trent’s fingers trailed down her back, settling on her ass.He pulled her tightly toward him.
Letting out a quick gasp, she leaned forward and brushed her lips across his.
“No running?”Trent pleaded against her lips.
“No running,” Harper promised.
With a groan of relief, Trent devoured her.He turned almost feral, kissing, licking, and sucking her lips.
