Page 67 of The Little Shop of Curiosities, The Music Box Part 2

I glance down at my watch and note the time.

“What?”

“I was just thinking.” I nod towards the bookcase where Aldred disappeared. “Constance’s daughter Evangeline haunts the bookshop, although she’s hiding right now. Once they find her, it might be worth talking to her to see what she knows about her aunt Cordelia, her mother, and more importantly, the book. Maybe she has an idea of what happened to it?”

Grumps nods. “That’s a good idea. You should talk to Tristan. After what you told me about his father passing, he could probably use a distraction right now. If you wallow too long, grief can cripple you. I know how it was for me after I lost your grandmother.”

“I’ll go later.”

“No, go now. I’ll keep looking through these, but I doubt I’ll find anything. You’ll probably have better luck.”

“I can’t just leave you here on your own.”

“Harry, I got myself from Devon to Yorkshire and from Yorkshire to London. I think I can handle getting myself back to my hotel.”

“But—”

“Oh, shut up. Go.” He waves a hand. “I’ll just get a cab back.”

“That will cost a fortune.”

“Pah, all I have left is time and money. May as well use one to enjoy the other before I die.”

16

Iopen my eyes slowly to find my arms full of warm, naked man, and he smells so good I can’t help but press my face between his shoulders and inhale.

“Are you sniffing me?” Harrison mumbles sleepily.

“Yes.” I press a kiss to the swath of freckles decorating his skin like a comet trail. “Mmm,” I hum in contentment, and continue to trail kisses to the back of his neck. I must hit a ticklish spot because his shoulders rise towards his ears and he makes the cutest sound I’ve ever heard.

“Did you…did you just giggle?”

“No, I did not,” he says indignantly, pushing at me, but I pull him closer and bury my face in the crook of his neck.

“Sounded like it.” I press a kiss there, then trail towards his ear, and despite his surly morning attitude, he tilts his head to allow me access.

“Maybe you should get your hearing checked,” he mutters.

I chuckle as he rolls onto his back, and I settle between his thighs, his soft cock starting to firm up against mine.

“Morning.” I drop a kiss on his nose.

“Morning,” he murmurs, staring up at me. His fingers tangle in my hair, which I’m learning is something he loves to do. I’m not even sure he realises he’s doing it.

Last night we were curled up on the sofa after I’d driven back from Yorkshire. I ended up spending a few more days there than I’d intended, and the whole time I was away, I had this insistent urge to get back to Harrison, a persistent itch under my skin that I couldn’t reach.

I left as soon as I could and headed straight to Harrison’s place as soon as I got back to London. He seemed just as eager to see me, so we ordered dinner and curled into each other on his sofa. I’d been beyond content to just lay there half on top of him while he traced his fingers up and down my spine. Then he progressed to playing with my hair and next thing I knew, he was waking me up. I hadn’t intended to stay the night but it was late, I was exhausted, and he didn’t seem to want me to leave either.

Instead, he’d stripped us both down and we’d climbed into his bed naked, content to do nothing more than wrap ourselves around each other and slip into a contented sleep.

But I’m not tired now.

I drop a soft kiss on his lips and then his chin, smiling as I skim kisses down his throat and then his chest. I pull the covers over my head. His stomach tenses up as I skim my fingers down his sides, and he lets out another of those giggles he won’t admit to.

It’s one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard.

I continue down, savouring the feel of his soft skin beneath my lips and the scent of his sleep-warmed body, but when I reach his cock, I shift and lightly slide my tongue along the grooves of his hips to the crease of his groin.