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What did people say when you had to say or do something you didn’t want to? Like ripping off a band aid. Just do it quick.
“I own this building. It was part of the inheritance from my grandparents. The alley and the small courtyard between my building and the one behind form part of my property.”
Seth’s quiet and steady gaze unnerved her to the point she rushed on. “I didn’t tell you because,” What could she say? I didn’t trust you. I didn’t want to be used again. “I didn’t know you that well, and I keep that stuff to myself.”
“Fair enough,” he said.
That was it? “Really?”
Seth firmed his grip on her waist, reminding her of his hold. “It was none of my business. And you’re right. We’d just met. If I was in your place, a woman meeting a bloke for the first time that night, I’d keep that information to myself.”
“Right.” Okay then. “Why don’t you get your stuff while I start our meal? My keys to get back in are on the hall table.”
“Great, but first, I want something.” The way his gaze dropped to her mouth had her pulse kicking up an extra notch.
“Oh?” Her brows rose as she felt a hint of a smile. “And what would that be?”
“This.” He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulled her close, and kissed her hard and long. When he drew back, she could still feel the pressure of his lips on hers.
“Back soon.” Seth tapped the end of her nose and walked out.
Harper turned to pull open her Sub-Zero fridge. She froze as she grasped the door’s handle. When Seth returned, he’d strip naked and put that glorious, buff body of his under the water. She couldn’t stay covered in dirt while he soaped himself clean.
Too much of a temptation.
Harper raced to the linen cupboard, grabbed two navy towels and a face cloth and dropped them on the vanity in her main bathroom. She bolted to her master bathroom, ripped off her clothing, pulled a shower cap over her head and took the quickest shower ever in her adult life.
She was brushing her hair after dressing in a peach T-shirt and black cotton capri pants, when she heard Seth close the front door.
Just made it.
Leaving her now tamed locks hanging over her shoulders, she burst back into her bedroom.
“Hi.” Seth lounged against the door’s finished wood frame carrying a black gym bag.
“I, uh, decided to clean up first.”
“So I can tell.” He sniffed. “What’s the scent? Something flowery?”
Her shower gel. “Gardenia and orange blossom.”
“Nice.” He lifted his chin at her now fresh appearance. “The urge to rip my clothes off and join me in the shower was such a threat you had yours while I was gone?”
Seth. Naked. With soapy water running down that tall, muscled body. And her hands—
She mentally shook herself. “You got me.” How she stood there without her face heating was a miracle. Score one for Harper. “Alas, I can’t take advantage of you. It wouldn’t be right. Not after you promised not to rush me during your visit at the café on Thursday.”
Which she needed to remind herself.
“I’m prepared to rethink that strategy.”
“Too late. You’re a man of your word.”
He caught her gaze and held it as he spoke in a low, commanding tone, “I promised to give you time and space, but not as much as you’d like.” Harper’s breath caught at the open challenge of his words. “There’s more than one way to convince a woman not to shut the door in your face.”
Involving him, his rough, come-to-bed voice and accent, and some privacy? Or maybe just his stare, and the way she felt it right down low in her belly, heating and teasing her and making her forget all the reasons she’d said she needed to give Seth space.
Seth tilted his head to the side. “You’re thinking about all those ways right now, aren’t you?”
