“Really?”
“Yes. I have some business to do in Manhattan. It’s the signing of the agreements. Time to put the deal to bed.”
I beam as we kiss. “Congrats. Can I come?”
Harry and I exchange a long look, then we both laugh.
“Baby, you will always come, and you will come long, hard, and always with me.”
I lean in and look up. “Yes. Yes, I will.”
We then kiss. Long and hard, as is our way.
By lunch time,we have moved all my things up to Harry’s penthouse in the chateau. Harry has cleared plenty of space, and I start to feel calm and excited.
Harry watches me hang my few dresses, tops, skirts, and other things, and he looks on, intrigued.
He then watches closely as I place my lingerie in a drawer. His black boxers are on the other side of it and it’s kind of hot.
As his eyes start to get dark, I move quickly on and lay my shoes near his. Finally, I stand back, feeling strange.
“A bit weird, huh?” I say.
“A bit good,” Harry says, walking up and hugging me.
“Now, let’s get some lunch. We’re going out.”
“Where?” I ask.
“Surprise.”
Thirty minutes later,over wine, firelight, and the smell of incredible French sauces, we talk, eat, and make plans.
After the late lunch in the ultra-private rural restaurant, we lie against each other on a large couch.
We enjoy dessert, fireside, and we have some kind of exotic coffee. Our feet are up on an old wooden chest.
We are next to the restaurant’s rear crackling fire, and Harry lifts my feet onto his lap. He plays with my feet as we talk, and I get to see more of his gentle side. His real side.
He is far from the cold, ruthless businessman I’ve seen or the commanding sexual brute in bed. Taking what he wants, taking charge of me, and taking wicked liberties. Harry is almostanother man. A gentle human.
A man who likes to hold me, play with my hair, laugh with me, and fool around. There is just one thing that bothers me, and it is time to discuss it.
“Look, just so you know,” I say. “I still feel bad about faking it. What happens if the Japanese find out?”
Harrison inhales, taking his time to reply. “Well, we will just say we were engaged, as we kind of are, and this.” He pauses, and I’m now on edge, waiting for him. “We say you messed it up.”
I whack him hard and shake my head. “As if that would happen, dick.” Harry laughs. “Anyway, that’s just as bad as it’s a lie. And it’s bad karma.”
“Babe, I hear you,” Harry says. “But it’s a bit late now. We were in a corner, and we, well, we did what we did or felt we had to.”
Harry stands at the fire. He looks deep into the flames, unsure what to say.
“What?” I ask.
“Look, there is one other way,” he says, turning to me.
“What’s that?” I ask,turning to face him more fully.
