How the hell does he know I'm chewing on my lip?
I look around, searching for any sight of his curly, dark hair. Right as I make a full circle, I feel a hand trail down my back, sending shivers up my spine.
Harley crowds my space and I let out a laugh. Ending the call, his arms circle around my waist and he kisses my cheek from behind. Turning around, I smile up at him and kiss his pillowy lips.
“What’re you doing here, stalker?” I ask him, confused.
“I was picking up a new shirt for tonight,” he says as his cheeks grow slightly red. I look over at Atlas, who is still in her own world.
I blow out a breath and snuggle into his chest. “I am so excited about tonight…” I begin. But Harley’s eyes leave my face and he looks over to Atlas.
“Hey, is she okay?” he asks me with worry clearly written across his face.
“I think the realization of how soon he’s leaving is catching up to her,” I tell him. “I was actually going to cancel our date and offer to take Aria so her and Asher could have some alone time.”
Harley’s mouth pulls up on one side. “I really like that idea.” I squeeze him tight. I expect him to take off out of the store, but to my surprise, he lets go of me and heads right over to Atlas. I have to put some pep in my step to catch up with him.
“Hey Atlas, how’s it going?” he asks her, surprising the hell out of her. Her eyes are puffy and I realize she must have been doing her damndest to hide it from me.
“Oh, shit. Hey Harley.” She tries to pull herself together enough to engage in conversation.
“Hey, so, my grand plan tonight kind of blew up because of the cold front coming in.” He wraps his arm around me. “I figured you’d prefer your sister without hypothermia.” I laugh, wondering where the hell he’s going with this.
“So, I’ve been wanting to see Luca,” he says. “And I have tons of snacks ready and I don’t want them to spoil. Could we kidnap Aria for the night? I promise we’ll get her to bed at a decent time.” He laughs, and I realize what he’s done.
Atlas laughs as she rests her hand on Harley’s folded arms. “You guys were so excited, watch Luca another day and put a coat on that bitch.”
“No way, I already ran it by Ember. She’s stoked,” Harley tells her, hands rubbing together excitedly.
“Atlas, let me spend some time with my little Princess,” I tell her, poking out my bottom lip, full puppy dog style.
She laughs and rolls her eyes at me. “Are you sure?” she asks, her eyes shining.
“Yeah babe. Why don’t we head to the house and you can drop me off,” I tell her. “I can Aria-proof the house and then come pick her up. Then you and Ash will have the night to yourselves.”
“Actually,” Harley jumps in. “I can take you home, pretty girl.”
I grin. “Perfect. Go get Aria ready. We’re heading out now,” I say as I usher her out of the store to her car.
Atlas takes off in her car.
“If you didn’t already, you absolutely have my heart now,” I tell him, reaching for his hand as we walk to his car.
When we make it to his car, before he can open the door, he spins me so my back is flush with the car. He leans in and captures my lips. I lean back, letting him tower over me and take control. His lips are slow and sensual. His body heat is radiating from him. I don’t want to stop this, but I have to get home to get the house ready for Aria. It’s not messy by any means, just not ready for a walking baby.
I run my hand up his chest, bringing my thumb to his bottom lip. He leans his forehead into my own before letting out a breath.
“It’s so easy to get lost in you, Ember.” He pulls me forward, off of the car, reaching for the handle behind me. “Let’s get the house ready for that little princess.”
My heart flutters in my chest as I settle in the car, already warming up out of the cold air. Harley comes around the drivers side, sliding in with a content smile before starting the car and taking off.
Harley has performed an entire living room makeover. Any little girl’s dream sleepover. He has converted the couch into a makeshift oversized bed, using the footstool and blankets. There are twinkly little lights around the window frame and around the TV stand. He was insistent on putting the living room together while I made snacks inthe kitchen. I hear a car pull up outside, and before I can finish up what I’m doing, Harley is out the door to help carry things into the house.
As I walk out of the kitchen into the living room, Atlas is walking through the front door, hands full of Aria’s night time essentials. Marching right behind Atlas is Harley, carrying Aria, who is blowing little bubbles out of her mouth. Asher follows closely behind all of them. My heart swells, watching how easily Harley falls into our little family of chaos.
As soon as Aria sees me, she screams excitedly and stretches her arms out wide. I swoop in to take her from Harley, pulling her in close, stroking her hair and giving her neck little tickling kisses. I look up and see Harley watching me with a face I can’t read, and I quickly plaster on a smile.
“If she gets fussy or doesn’t go down, just call me and I can come get her,” Atlas says, cutting through the moment. She’s clearly nervous, and I don’t blame her. Aria has stayed the night with me before, but it has been awhile since the last time.
