Page 9 of Nothing to Tell

“A spade’s still a spade.”

She laughed again.That was true.Salesmen had the gift of the gab.She guessed he was off the clock and could afford to be honest.

He drew her closer to nuzzle his nose in her hair.“Your perfume is intoxicating, what is it?”

“I’m not wearing perfume.”

His disposition shifted a little and she loosened, prompting him to hold her closer.

Now this guy’s suit was definitely tailored, no doubt about that.Expensive too, just like the watch on his wrist.An air of success shimmered around him… Was it just confidence or could he back it up?What had he said about bluffing?Given he was an advocate for faking it, maybe it wouldn’t be smart to trust him too soon.Though even fake, it was impressive.He really sold the confidence and affluence, honest or not.

“Where do you live?”

“With my mother, father, and sister,” she said.“And apparently now my ex and his girlfriend.”

“They’re moving into your parents’ house?”Bastian asked, making eye contact without separating their bodies.“How big is the house?”

“Six bedrooms.”Harper couldn’t afford not to answer his questions now he’d shown up as her plus one.People would assume they were seeing each other, or at least that they knew some things about each other.She had to fill in the gaps… and fast.“It’s big but…”

“You weren’t wrong about your father’s opinion of Damon.Why would—”

“They’re just back from Australia,” Harper said.“Charissa lived with Adara at my parents’ for a long time before they went away.Damon was staying there too… with me…” Ultimately, “It gave him easier access to Charissa.”

In response to her shiver, Bastian splayed his hands on her lower back, comforting her with strength.

“Don’t think about them,” he said.“Think about us.Let them watch.”

“I don’t imagine they’ll be watching,” she said, resting her face by his lapel.

The soft fabric and unmistakable scent of man wrought a different kind of shiver.Damon’s arms were never this safe, she’d never felt this special with him.Then again, Damon never once went out of his way to care about her needs.Ha, out of his way?Her needs could be jumping up and down right there on the path in front of him and he’d still manage to avoid them.

“Oh, they are,” Bastian said.“Trust me, Sweet, they’re watching.”

She’d take his word for it.It wasn’t like she could check out the people around them.God knew what would happen if any of them made eye contact.She’d probably combust… or find herself naked in that nightmare.From bad to suspicious, it really could be she was having a psychotic break.How common was it that hot, sweet guys swooped in to play white knight?Maybe she was in a coma or high on drugs.

“Thank you for doing this,” she said, clinging to hopes of reality.“If I can ever repay—”

“The night’s not over yet,” he said with obvious cheer.If he was aiming for inspiring optimism, he’d misjudged his audience of one.“We’re just getting started.What’s your drink?”

“Vodka and cranberry,” she said.The whiskey was for emergencies and Dutch courage only.“What’s yours?”

“I drink Scotch,” Bastian said, squeezing her closer, scanning the room.Getting a measure of those he’d have to perform for?“You don’t need to know that.I take care of you.”

“I couldn’t ask you to actually—”

“What?”he asked.“We’ll dance, and drink, and talk to anyone who wants to gawk.You’re home, Harper, enjoy the night while it lasts.”

He’d been delivered by her secret fairy godmother.That had to be it.Or drugs were still a possible explanation.Would it be rude to ask Bastian if she’d been spiked?

“Okay,” she said, having no reason or inclination to argue.

It didn’t matter that this man was gorgeous or way out of her league.That night, he was there for her.What the hell?Why not enjoy it?Chances were this was the last opportunity she’d have to delay facing Damon and their past.It sure wasn’t going anywhere… unfortunately.

Bastian wasn’t done with his questions.“When would you introduce a man to your family?”

“Sorry?”

Getting their stories straight meant no time for pleasantries.