Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Wedding bells.
Babies.
Things I’ve never thought about before in my life.
I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?”
She blushes, ducking her head as she shakes it. “Are you avoiding my question?”
“Not at all, but I’m not going to miss an opportunity to tell you what I’m thinking.” She gives me a shy smile and I wink as I continue, “My dream is to do something with music. I’d also love to play on stage. And not focus so much on the coffee side of things..”
“You’re living your dream,” she says, reaching across the table for my hand.
I squeeze her small hand in mine and smile. “I’m living half of it.”
“What’s the missing part?”
“It’s not missing, just not permanently in place yet.”
If she doesn’t understand I mean it’s her, one day she will. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.
“You’ve got things in the works?”
I grin as I lift her hand and place a soft kiss on her palm. “I’m working on it.”
Our eyes lock and I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. I don’t know if she’s going to bolt or if she’s going to give in to what I can see she’s feeling.
“Harrison, it’s so fast.”
“Gotta grab life by the horns, February. No regrets, no settling.”
“I agree, but—”
As she tries to find the words, I speak. “You’ve been hurt. I get that, but you can’t let it stop you from living.”
“It’s not just because I’ve been hurt. Look at what is happening with my shop. It’s looking more and more like I’m going to lose everything. It’s terrifying.”
I blow out a measured breath. I take a moment, careful not to unintentionally offend her with what I’m about to say. “It is terrifying. I completely understand that. But you have a choice to face it alone or face it with someone. Somebody who’ll be a shoulder to cry on, the strength you’ll need to pick you up, and the voice of reason you’ll want. Think about it, February. Think about how good we are together. How good we can be together. How I make you feel. It’s worth the risk.”
Before she can muster up a reply, I get up and grab her face, pressing my lips against hers. It shocks her, but only for a second before she deepens the kiss. Her hands wrap around my wrists as a soft moan escapes her.
As I pull back, I stare into her heated eyes and smile. “That’s how I make you feel.”
“You realize the entire town will be talking about that romantic gesture by morning, right?”
I turn around to see a few regular customers of my shop standing there with smiles on their faces. I laugh as I stand up straight, crossing my arms. “Won’t be the first time I’m the talk of the town.”
“Me either,” February whispers.
Shit.
“Feb, don’t freak out,” I calmly say, squatting in front of her.
“I’m not.”
“You aren’t?”
She smiles, resting her hand on my cheek. “I don’t want regrets, and I definitely don’t want to settle. I like the idea of having someone by my side through all this.”
My pulse races as I search her soft blue eyes. I turn my head and smile at Bren. “I tricked her into falling for me. How smart am I?”
Bren laughs, shaking her head as she walks away. When I turn back toward February, she has a small smile on her pink lips.
“I’m kidding.”
“I can take a joke, Harrison.”
I stand up and pull her up, wrapping my arms around her. “Invite me back to your place, February.” I press a soft kiss on her neck. “That’s not a joke.”
Chapter 17
February
Idon’t even think twice about inviting him back to my place. We’re so handsy when we leave the restaurant and spend entirely too many minutes making out in his SUV. With Harrison, things come easily. Dinner was fun, and the food was amazing. The company was even better.
I like Harrison.
Heck, I think I may love him, but that word terrifies me. Makes me want to run away to some private island somewhere until the feelings pass. Will they ever pass?
I know I feel deeper for Harrison than I ever felt for Drake.
I guess I never really loved Drake after all.
When Harrison pulls into my driveway and shuts off the engine to his vehicle, it takes everything in me not to propel myself into his lap.
“Come inside,” I whisper to him under the light of a full moon.
“I plan on it,” he says, opening his door and sliding out.
I’m right behind him, getting my key out to unlock my front door. We topple through the entrance and I grab at him, wanting his mouth on mine.
He delivers exactly what I need by pressing his lips against mine. “I want to own this body tonight.”