I nodded.
He shook his head. “Yes, or no?”
I swallowed and tried to stop my heart from beating erratically against my rib cage. His words… they could change everything. “You said you’d take me, but—”
“Then why in God’s name did you think it was just sex? We’re good together, you and me.” He rubbed his fingers over my earlobe, and his grin grew when I let out an involuntary shudder. “We have incredible chemistry. Your body responds to my touch, and I love the feeling.”
Yes. Chemistry isn’t the issue.
“You and your sister were talking outside the guest room. I heard you say sometimes sex is just sex. And when I tried to say goodbye to you…” I swallowed hard. “I told you I liked you. I asked for more, and you told meit’s over. What else was I supposed to think?” I pushed out of his grip and walked farther into the living room, putting the couch between us. It was better that way—yes, my body reacted to him, but I needed more explanation. “I left you the note so you’d know not to be weird around me. I can be professional when I see you around.”
“You like me.” His tone changed from curious to playful.
“That’s what I said. Making me repeat it is rude, and you know it.” My entire body turned as red as the Santa Claus ornament on the tree.
“I don’t want to be professional around you. Not at all.” He stalked around the couch, so I went in the opposite direction. “Did you hear my entire conversation with my sister, or just the sex part?”
“I don’t know.” I moved to the right. He moved faster.
“Eavesdropping can be dangerous.” He took a couple large steps as his grin grew. “You missed the part where I told Blair I liked you.”
Hold the freaking phone.What?
“You like me?”
“Hell yes. I can write you a note and ask you to go steady if you’d like. We could make it a tribute to junior high.” He pointed his finger at me, using his coach voice: “Stop moving away from me.”
I froze, torn between laughing and asking him to repeat the words. “But you said it was over.”
“Trust me, that’s the last thing I want.”
“But the blizzard is gone.” My voice shook, and my resolve dissolved. He said helikedme.
“You sound confused.” Instead of going around the large blue couch, he stepped over it, his long legs making the movement look easy. He now stood a foot away from me. The couch made a loud thud on the floor, and his green eyes twinkled. Which was weird because he never looked so playful, giddy even. I swallowed so hard my throat clicked.
“We fit together, Becca, and I’m going to tell you why, so listen carefully.”
His words made me grin, and his shoulders relaxed as I moved closer to him. His wonderful lips curved up.
“Go on.” I prompted.
He held up his fingers and wiggled them. “Your girls will come first for you, just as my team does. We both have unique roles in helping younger generations. You would never be upset if I had a team obligation, just as I would never come between you or the girls at the house.”
“Okay, that’s all true.”
He smiled—a full grin on his chiseled face—and my stomach swirled with butterflies. “You’re full of colors, where I’m all the darks. You ramble when you’re nervous and know so many random facts, whereas I tend to stay quiet. Yet, I want to listen to you talk all day.” He cupped my face with both hands, caressing my cheeks with his large thumbs.
I almost whimpered, and my knees trembled. This guy… I had it bad.
“You made my house, and my Christmas, feel different. I can’t describe it, but it was in the best way, and I’m a selfish man. I want you in bed with me every night you can.”
“This is all… wonderful to hear but, Harrison, why wait three days to tell me this?” I covered his hands with my own and tensed, waiting for his answer. “What was I supposed to think? You disappeared on me after telling me we were over.”
“I never said we were over, Becca. I don’t know what you heard, but I’m nowhere near done with you.”
“You saidit’s done, we’re over.”
“Baby, I don’t recall a single thing I said when I got the phone call about Dexter. My soul left my body for a few minutes but I guaran-damn-tee that you and I aren’t over. If you heard that, I’m sorry.”
