My lips tilt up in a small smile. “No, I suppose anyone can enjoy cheap tacos. I just didn’t take you for the type.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me…”
“I suppose so,” I smile shyly.
We both order what amounts to a taco sampler platter. The food is phenomenal, the company even better. Harrison is quick-witted, and despite his obvious arrogance, he’s quick to smile and laugh. It’s definitely the best date I’ve ever been on. Not that it’s a high bar to cross.
“So tell me, what do you do for a living?”
I almost choke on my drink at the question. I’m not embarrassed by what I do, but my career choice will probably look like a hobby to someone like him. I chew on my bottom lip for a moment.
“I’m an independent author…” I say, looking down at my nearly empty plate.
He reaches across the table and grabs my hand, lightly smoothing his thumb over my skin. “What do you write?”
I clear my throat, my words completely evading me at his touch. Such a simple touch, and yet I’m completely befuddled by it. “I write romance.”
He gives me a knowing smile. “Do you enjoy it?”
I shrug. “It’s hard sometimes, but yeah, I’ve always loved writing, so it just seemed like a no-brainer to make a career of it.”
“I admire that. Making a career of something you love. Not everyone is so lucky.”
“This is true.” I take a sip of my water, trying to hide my pleased smile. He didn’t judge me or laugh at my career choice. Most guys just laugh at my little hobby, and they assume I write nothing but smut. I mean, I do write smut, but smut with a story to it.
It always makes me mad when people assume my career is less than. I make more money than most would assume. I got lucky with my first series. It took one big-name blogger to love it, and then things spiraled from there. Now I feel like I’ve fallen down several pegs after being called out on lackluster sex scenes.
My mood instantly sobers at the reminder. My muse might be talking to me again thanks to Harrison, but that doesn’t mean that the chemistry is back.
“Hey, where’d you go just then?” Harrison asks.
“Oh, sorry. Just thinking about my new project…”
He raises his brow in question.
“I’ve been struggling a bit with my current book. It’s nothing, really. It happens sometimes.” It’s just not ever happened to me before.
He doesn’t offer any words of encouragement, which I appreciate. I hate when people try to placate me. Especially about work when they know nothing about it. Instead of dragging out the conversation, he quickly changes the subject.
“Do you mind if I ask what made you decide to approach my aunt?”
My cheeks heat with a blush. “Well, I’ve had some terrible experiences dating and decided that dating apps just aren’t for me. I have terrible taste and luck with men.” I blush darker, realizing that I just insulted him. “I mean, present company excluded.”
Harrison gives me a knowing smirk. “I wouldn’t exclude me just yet.”
I give him a questioning look but don’t ask. He quickly pays the check then leads me back out to the car. He scoots close to me, his hand curved around my upper thigh. The way his finger is drawing circles around my exposed skin is maddening. My whole body is primed and ready for him, but I can’t help his words replaying in my mind.
I wouldn’t exclude me yet.
He’s right. I shouldn’t exclude him. He definitely doesn’t seem like the settling down type. He doesn’t even seem like the second date kind of guy. He’s perfect for what Zoe wants for me, but not at all what I want for myself.
We get to my apartment quickly, and I regret that the date is coming to an end. Once again, he leads me with a hand on the small of my back into the elevator and to my door. I turn to him at my door and look up into his hazel eyes, finding myself trapped by the lust I see there.
Harrison leans in and brushes his lips against mine, once, twice, three times before plunging his tongue past my lips and devouring me. I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him to me. His hands go around my waist, and he pins me to his lower body. I can feel the hard bar of his erection, and it causes my mind to short circuit. The only thing I can think about is how it would feel deep inside me.
My thoughts are beyond explicit. I’m panting by the time Harrison pulls away. I look up at him with heated eyes, but without his lips on mine, I can think again.
“Invite me in…” he growls, his eyes positively devouring me, promising me all the dirty things he wants to do to me once he has me alone.
