“No, Harrison. I haven’t seen him since that day.”
After that, we ride in silence for a minute or two. This day is off to a great start. I’ve got excellent company, and the scenery is mesmerizing. I know I’m smiling big because my cheeks ache. I can’t remember the last time that happened.
“Look over to our left. There are two blue herons.”
I turn my head, and excitement fills me when I spot the pair. “I’ve never seen one before! Can we pull over and watch them for a few?”
“Of course. I’ll get in front of you and pull off, then you follow my lead.” Harrison moves ahead of me and then chooses a spot and slows, then pulls over smoothly. He’s off his bike before I’ve done anything. So, I apply the brakes.
I don’t want to get too far ahead of where Harrison stands, waiting for me. So, without thinking, I jerk the bike handles too sharply before I’ve slowed enough. I swerve off the path and lose control of my balance, now wobbling like crazy. It all happens so fast, and I’m racing toward the vegetation at the edge of a marsh.
There’s no doubt I’m going down, so I throw out prayers that I don’t land on a pile of snakes or a gang of spiders. I squeeze my eyes shut as I prepare for impact, but it never comes. Instead, a muscled arm wraps around my abdomen at the same time the bike comes to a sudden stop.
When I open my eyelids and turn my head, I come face-to-face with Harrison. His eyes are bulging, and he’s about three shades paler than usual. I angle my body toward him, glancing down at his arm that’s encircling my body. After that, I look for his other hand and find it holding the bike seat in a death grip. That’s how he stopped me.
The first thing that comes to my mind is:damn, that’s hot.The second thing is how close I came to landing in a creepy-crawler haven.
“You saved me from the snakes,” I whisper. I practically dive off the bike and embrace him. “And the spiders.”
“Jesus, you scared the hell out of me.” Harrison’s breathing is shallow and rapid, and it takes several seconds for it to slow to normal.
“I misjudged how to do that,” I deadpan.
A laugh rumbles from his chest. “No shit.”
Five minutes later, we’re sitting in the grass watching the blue herons and the other wildlife, like nothing ever happened. Well, except that Harrison hasn’t stopped touching me.
“I hope I didn’t cause any damage to your bike. They’re pretty top-of-the-line even before the rearview camera and radar system you have going on there, huh?”
“They are, but they’re not mine. And the bike is fine.”
I whip my head toward him. “What? Whose are they?”
Harrison looks at me and grins. “They’re Heath’s. He keeps ‘em at Georgie’s while he’s away. He bought one for himself and one for her, so she’d bike with him. But they’ve only used them maybe four times in two years.”
“Why?” I ask. Harrison turns his gaze back toward the water.
“I think it’s mostly because he’s not here enough. His main house is in South Carolina, where he plays football. Otherwise? I suspect he’s looking for something to fill a place in him that feels like something is missing. He’s always looking for something new and exciting, but he’s yet to find what heals him.” Harrison turns back to me. “He wasn’t even out of puberty when we lost our dad, and I think that has a lot to do with it.”
“I’m so sorry. That’s heartbreaking.”
“Yeah. It’s hard to know how he’s really doing with him being so far away. Georgie talks to him several times a week, though, and she keeps us updated on his comings and goings. I’m not sure he realizes just how lucky he is to have her for a best friend.”
“Speaking of Georgie,” I say, “how cool is it that she’s an author? I started one of her books and?—”
“You’re reading one of her romance novels? The spicy ones?” Harrison’s pupils dilate, and his gaze drops to my mouth for a second before returning to my eyes.
I chuckle. “Yes. I don’t think she writes in any other genre or niche, so… Anyway, she’s a fantastic writer.”
“Yeah?” Harrison’s eyes get that look, the one he gets right before things turn very sexy.
“Harrison, stop gawking at me like that. It’s not good for our celibacy pact.” Truthfully, I want to toss the agreement out the damn window, but it’s got a purpose and will help us in the long run. Plus, I do need to take things slow—like at a glacial pace. I don’t know if I can afford to let someone into every aspect of my life.
“It’s not my fault—you started talking about reading spicy books, and it’s hot.” I shake my head and roll my eyes at him, feeling my cheeks heat. “Plus, I can still kiss you, right? His voice is rough, and he’s staring at my mouth.
I smile at him. “Yeah, you can definitely kiss me.”
Harrison leans in, threads his hands into my hair on both sides, and brings his mouth to mine. He peppers me with soft kisses, and when I part my lips, he deepens things. Over the next several minutes, I get lost in the sensuality of his slow, searching rhythm, and I’m under his spell until my stomach decides now is a good time to roar with a growl—an extremely loud growl. Sadly, Harrison brings the kiss to an end and rests his forehead against mine.
