Page 73 of Wade’s Wrath

“I'll kick you,” she joked.

That made him smile. “Probably would too.”

“Absolutely,” she agreed.

He nodded toward the bedroom. “Go.” She turned, and Wade watched her walk away. This was a terrible fucking idea, but he followed her anyway, because apparently, terrible ideas were his new wheelhouse.

Wade stayed on his side, and Harlow stayed on hers for approximately thirty seconds before she rolled toward him. Wade stared at the ceiling. “Go to sleep, Harlow,” he said.

“I can't,” she whispered.

“Try harder,” he ordered.

“I am,” she said.

“Then try quieter,” he insisted. She poked his side, and he caught her hand. “Harlow.”

“What?” she asked.

“You're supposed to be sleeping,” he said. “That was the deal.”

“You’re supposed to be sleeping too,” she said.

“I would be if you'd stop touching me,” he insisted.

“That wasn't touching,” she countered.

“You poked me,” Wade pointed out.

“That's barely touching,” she said, rolling her eyes at him. He turned his head to face her, which was a big mistake. She was close—too fucking close. Her hair spread across his pillow. Her pale eyes watched him in the darkness.

Wade released her hand. “Sleep,” he ordered. She didn't move, but neither did he.

Then Harlow whispered, “I keep thinking about that kiss.”

Wade closed his eyes. “Don't.”

“Why not?” she asked.

“You know why,” he said.

“No, I know why you think we should wait,” she whispered. He opened his eyes, and Harlow shifted closer. “I'm not asking you to save me, Wade.”

“I know,” he breathed.

“I'm not asking you to make decisions for me,” she insisted.

“I know,” he whispered.

“And I'm not confused about Frank,” she promised. His jaw tightened at the man's name. “I never wanted him.”

“Harlow,” he said her name in warning.

“I wanted to kiss you tonight,” she said.

“I know,” he said.

“I chose that,” she promised. “And I'm choosing to be here with you now.” Wade stared at her. Everything inside him wanted to stop thinking and to take the permission she was offering and run with it, but Harlow deserved better than that.