I pull away further, knowing despite what my body wants, I’m not ready for this. If I fall into bed with him, I won’t be able to separate my feelings. I didn’t think I would like Harrison as much as I do. Now I have a problem and falling into bed with him feels like a terrible decision.
“I’m sorry…”
He pulls me back into his arms, holding me close. “Don’t ever be sorry for telling me what you need.”
I wrap myself around him, enjoying the closeness and regretting my decision even though I know it’s for the best. He gives me a soft, slow kiss before backing away. “I’ll be in touch…” he promises.
I touch my lips as I watch him walk away. I’m filled with both relief and regret at the same time. I’m so in over my head with him it’s not even funny.
CHAPTER
TEN
HARRISON
Walking awayfrom Olive last night was the hardest thing I’ve done. It went against everything I wanted, but some unknown voice inside me talked me out of pushing. It wouldn’t have taken much of a push to convince her to invite me in. She wants me, that’s obvious, but I just couldn’t push. Not with her.
Since when do I worry about someone else’s needs above my own? What the fuck is happening to me? I ask myself for the millionth time since the first moment I laid eyes on Miss Olive Lively.
“What?” I bark at whoever is knocking on my office door.
“Jesus, man. What the fuck crawled up your ass and died?” My best friend and business partner, Sam, asks.
“Anything that interrupts my work today,” I snarl.
Sam holds his hands up in front of him as he sits in a chair across from my desk. “No need to bite my head off. We’re supposed to be going over the Billings takeover.”
I rub my hands down my face and let out a calming breath. Work. I need to focus on work. “What are the numbers like?”
“They are in a prime position to be purchased. Stocks are down, and they are barely treading water.”
“Good, make it happen. Those idiots have no idea what they have, and I want it.” Billings have contracts with multiple tech groups, and they have no idea what they are doing. They’re sitting on millions and don’t know it.
“You got it. I’ll have the papers drawn up today. Now, do you want to tell me what’s got you turning up the asshole vibe?”
“Nothing. This is just my glowing personality.”
Sam laughs. “Well, you’re in rare form today.”
“It’s nothing,” I wave him off, not wanting to admit I’m twisted in knots over a woman. Me, Harrison James, cut-throat businessman, is feeling out of control because of a woman. A beautiful woman, a woman who is looking for love, not a one-time fuck. She’s the exact opposite of everything I stand for as a man, yet here I am, itching to spend more time with her.
“It’s a woman, isn’t it?”
“What? No. Why the fuck would you say that?”
Sam shakes his head, giving me a knowing look. “Because the only time I’ve seen you so tense was when you were dating that bitch Kaeli in college. Back when you had a heart.”
I narrow my eyes and consider his words. I have a feeling he’s not wrong. I can remember how it felt to be led around by my dick by Kaeli. That’s not what’s happening though. Yes, I’ve got the worst case of blue balls in history, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Walking away last night was the right thing to do…
Fuck. I’m actually becoming a better man for this woman. I’m putting my desires aside for someone else. It’s unheard of when it comes to me. The few times I’ve made an effort in the last several years has been to the mutual benefit of me and the woman… meaning we fucked, we got off, and we parted ways satisfied. This is totally different. I want Olive, yet here I am, giving her space and time. Wanting to spend that time with her. Get to know her.
I blame my aunt. Fucking Rita and her letters. If it wasn’t for her, I never would have met this maddening woman, and I wouldn’t be feeling like my life is out of control.
I close my eyes and let out a sigh. “Look, there is a woman, but it’s not what you’re thinking.”
“What, you’re actually thinking about going in for seconds with this one?”
