I bit back a groan as my cock reacted accordingly, blood surging to my groin area. Her ass wiggled as she stirred the contents of the pan, and I almost shoved a hand inside my jeans, such was the urge to touch myself.
Fuck. I’m losing it.
Whether I made an inadvertent sound, or Harlow simply felt me watching her, she lifted her head, and our gazes met over the empty space between us.
Busted.
“Oh sorry, did I wake you?” She pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. “I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d make some warm milk. I hope that’s okay.”
I entered the living room when I probably should have walked in the other direction, left her to her milk, and gone to bed. My footsteps were tentative and wary. I was so turned on by the girl standing over my stove wearing virtually nothing that I didn’t trust myself not to bend her over my dining table and fuck her into the middle of next week.
“You didn’t wake me,” I said, my voice raw and husky. “I’ve been working.”
She arched a brow. “It’s two in the morning.”
I nodded in recognition of the time. “I often work late.”
“You should relax more,” she said, returning her attention to the pan. “From what I’ve seen these past few weeks, you work too hard.”
I blinked slowly, knowing precisely what would relax me.
“Would you like some milk, too? I can easily heat up more.”
I swept a tongue over my bottom lip. “No.”
Her gaze lifted to mine, almost as though she’d heard something in my voice. I forced a swallow down a dry throat, my eyes roving over her face.
“Then what do you want?” she asked in a whisper.
The word “You” lodged in my throat. I dropped my gaze, recognizing the crossroads in front of me.
If I acted, and my advances weren’t well received, I’d have a complex problem on my hands that I’d have to find a solution to, which would most likely result in Harlow leaving my employ. And that would upset Annie which, in turn, made me a shitty father.
If I walked away—the sensible course of action—then I’d never know what might have been.
“Oliver,” Harlow said gently.
I raised my head. “Yeah?” I asked, barely recognizing the gruff rasp coming out of my mouth.
She turned off the heat and moved the pan of milk to one side. “Kiss me.”
My eyes widened, and then I took two steps and my hands were in her hair, my mouth on hers, plundering, ravaging, taking all she had to offer and demanding more. God, she tasted so fucking sweet. Like ripe strawberries and summer rain.
Her tits flattened against my chest, her nipples hard points that begged for my tongue, but we weren’t there. Nowhere close. A kiss was one thing. Yanking down her top and sucking her nipples would only lead us to one place, and though we’d both feel good while it lasted, the aftermath wouldn’t be pretty.
She wound her arms around my neck, her nails dragging over the soft skin at my nape. She moaned softly, the sound a call sign that sent a signal right to my dick. I circled my hips, gaining light relief, but nowhere near what I needed. With the last ounce of mindfulness, I broke our connection but kept my hands around her face. I stared into her eyes, watching as a war swirled in her hazel irises, flecks of burnt orange surrounding her pupils.
“Have I just fucked up?” she asked.
“No. God no.” I bent my head and brushed my lips over hers to demonstrate my point. “The exact opposite.”
She smiled, relief infusing her expression. “It’s just, after last time, you know, when I kissed you and you kind of freaked out on me, and then here I am begging you to kiss me again, except this time I’m your employee. Last time you were just some guy I met in a bar. You must think I’m very forward.”
“You’re rambling.” I smirked. “Last time was different. Things change. And no, I don’t think you’re very forward. I think you’re a woman who isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants.” I stole another brief kiss, then released her. “Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night? I can get a friend to watch Annie.”
I’d ask Athena, Ryker’s wife, to come over. She’d offered to look after Annie plenty of times, yet I’d always refused. And it’d be good practice for Ryker for when he and Athena had children of their own which, I expected, wouldn’t be that far into the future.
A slow grin spread across her face. “I’d love that.”
I smiled. “Then it’s a date.”
“It’s a date,” she murmured.
13
Oliver
With one hand buried in my pocket, I waved to Elliot, then watched as he climbed into his car and it drove away. Despair weighed heavily in my chest. This thing with Athena had become almost like an obsession for him. From what I could glean—because he’d kept his cards close to his chest—his determination to find the man responsible for what happened to his sister had overtaken his personal life in a big way. None of us could call him on his professionalism. Elliot was as committed to ROGUES as ever, delivering tons of value to the company every single day. But from the little he’d shared, his girlfriend, Brie, was having a tough time coping. I only got his side of the story, but he seemed to think she wasn’t even trying to understand his point of view, resulting in several bitter arguments.
I hoped they worked it out. Brie was good for Elliot, the soothing salve to his fiery personality.
My car pulled up curbside. I got in the back, activated the privacy screen, then called Ryker.
“You on your way home?” Ryker asked when he answered.
“Yeah, leaving the bar now. Should be there in thirty. Is Annie okay?”
“She’s having a ball,” Ryker said, chuckling. “Athena and Harlow have kept her well entertained.” His voice lowered. “I like her, Oliver. You chose well.”
I snorted. “Getting ahead of yourself, buddy. Way, way ahead.”
“It’s a start,” Ryker said. “I saw the glint in your eye when you asked me and Athena to watch over Annie this evening. Just try not to screw it up. Don’t fucking mention Sara.”
The mere mention of my ex-wife caused a dark cloud to settle over my head, but I refused to let it linger. Sara was in my past, and while Harlow might not be my future—it was far too early to make calls like that—she had at least shown me the way forward, out of the rut I’d lived in for the past six years.
“No success with Elliot,” I said, diverting the conversation away from my love life. “While he understood and appreciated my concern, he told me, and I quote, to mind my own fucking business.” I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “He mentioned Brie was struggling with the amount of time he’s devoting to this search, though.”
“Yeah, he gave me the same impression. Thanks for trying. I appreciate it. I guess we need to monitor the situation and intervene if Elliot’s obsession gets any worse.”
“Good luck with that.”
Ryker laughed. “Yeah, he’s always been a ticking time bomb, even when we were kids. He hasn’t mellowed with age.”
“Elliot would call it passion.”
“I call it a pain in my fucking ass.”
I chuckled. “See you shortly, bud.”
Ending the call, I slipped my phone in my pocket and closed my eyes. I let my head fall back. My mind turned to Harlow and our upcoming date. When I’d asked her out in the early hours of this morning, I’d momentarily forgotten my promise to Ryker to have a chat with Elliot, but the timing had worked out fine. I should be home by six-thirty. I’d made dinner reservations for seven. Plenty of time. The restaurant I’d chosen was literally five minutes away from home.
Nerves bit at my insides, leaving me with an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, a dry mouth, and heart palpitations. The kiss we’d shared last night had been impulsive, in the moment, bursting with passion and longing and need. Even the day we’d spent at Coney Island had been full of ease with Annie providing the connection, and someone to fill any gaps in silen
ce.
Tonight threw up a completely different challenge. It would be me and her. Alone. No one else to bounce off if the conversation dried up or things turned awkward.
My car coasted to a halt in front of my building. I instructed my driver to wait, then jogged inside.
“Daddy!” Annie greeted me with an enthusiastic hug, followed by a very adult, “How was your day?”
“Excellent. Thank you for asking.” I swung her up into my arms and settled her on my hip. “How was school?”
Annie made a face. “All right, I suppose.”
I kissed her cheek, then glanced around, looking for Harlow.
“She’s finishing up getting dressed,” Athena offered, correctly guessing my thoughts. “She’ll be down in a couple of minutes.”
“Aunty Athena told me you’re going on a date, Daddy,” Annie said with an impish grin. “With Harlow.”
I glared at Athena and said, “Did she now?” then mouthed, “Thanks for that.”
She mouthed back, “You’re welcome.”
I set Annie on the floor, then crouched down to her level. “And is that okay with you, munchkin? If Daddy takes Harlow out to dinner?”
Annie clapped her hands. “I love it.” She skipped off and plunked herself on the couch to watch TV.
One potential disaster avoided.
Ryker wandered over with a glass of scotch. “Drink this before you puke. It’s a date, not a trip to the gallows.”
I took it gratefully. The first sip burned. The second went some way to settling my nerves. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too fucking long,” Ryker agreed.
“I appreciate you doing this,” I said, jerking my chin at Annie.
Ryker clapped me on the shoulder. “Anytime, buddy. Anytime.”
The clacking of heels behind me drew my attention. I spun around, and my mouth fell open. Harlow had chosen a sleeveless fitted emerald-green cocktail dress paired with matching strappy sandals. The top half of the dress pushed up her tits and curved in at the waist, then snaked over her hips. It fell to mid-calf and split up the left-hand side, giving me a tantalizing glimpse of her smoking legs. She’d worn her hair loose but added soft curls that trailed over her shoulders. As always with Harlow, her makeup was light and fresh, adding to rather than detracting from her natural beauty.
“I hope this is okay for the restaurant,” she said, her voice slightly wavering, a tell that she was as nervous as me. She smoothed her hands over her hips.
I wished they were my hands instead.
“You look…”
Like sex on a stick.
Hot. So fucking hot my balls ache.
Good enough to eat. In fact, let’s forget the restaurant and dine on each other instead.
“Stunning,” I finished, all the other thoughts running through my head rated R, and definitely not suitable for seven-year-old ears.
She broke into a wide grin. “Thank you.”
“Okay, beautiful people,” Ryker said, giving me a shove. “Off you go. Enjoy—and don’t rush back.”
He sniggered at his own joke.
I made sure Annie wasn’t looking, then flipped him off.
His sniggers grew in volume.
Holding out my elbow for Harlow to slip her hand through, I said, “Shall we go and leave Athena to take care of the two children?”
Ryker’s chortling followed us right into the elevator.
“He’s funny,” Harlow said.
“He thinks he’s funny,” I replied, conjuring up all the ways I’d pay him back for his unwelcome teasing.
The elevator doors closed, and silence followed. I couldn’t take my eyes off Harlow. She, meanwhile, found a very interesting spot on the floor to give her attention to.
“How was your day?” I asked softly, my question bringing her head up. “Did Annie behave?”
She seemed relieved I’d steered the conversation on to common ground. “She always behaves. She’s an angel.”
“Not always, but I appreciate the sentiment,” I said.
Once we reached the lobby level, I gestured for Harlow to walk ahead, pointing to where my driver stood by my car. I waited until Harlow had settled herself inside, then closed the door and strode to the other side. The privacy screen remained activated from my earlier journey, and I left it in place.
“I love that color on you,” I said once the car started moving. Reaching for her hand, I pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “You look beautiful.”
She ducked her head. “For someone who professes to have been out of the dating game for a while, you’re very good at this.”
“Only with you,” I murmured.
She dampened her lips with her tongue, then swallowed. “Oh god,” she whispered, her eyes on my mouth. “I’m in so much trouble.”
I snaked a hand around the back of her neck and drew her toward me. I meant the kiss to be soft and exploratory, but the second our lips touched, the intimate moment exploded into a passion that surprised us both. I licked inside her mouth, then wrapped my tongue around hers. The sound she made was one of the sexiest things I’d ever heard.
“We’re here, Mr. Ellis.”
My driver’s voice came over the intercom, and Harlow stiffened, the intrusion into our private bubble unwelcome. I released her slowly, reluctant to break the connection. Her chest heaved, her breath coming in sharp little pants. Christ, if that was how enthusiastically she reacted to a simple kiss, what would happen when I got her into my bed?
Not that we were there—yet. But I’d accepted it would happen sometime.
Soon.
Very soon.
I pressed the flat of my palm to Harlow’s lower back and eased her inside the restaurant, the warmth from her skin heating my hand.
“Oliver?”
“Yes?”
“After dinner, let’s take the long route home.”
14
Harlow
Talk about bold, Harlow. He might have asked you on a date, but he’s still your boss.
More concerning, had my request sent a signal that taking the long route home meant I wanted more?
I mean, I did.
Just not yet.
Everything between us was still so new, so unexplored, so awkward. Jumping into bed with Oliver after two kisses—I refused to count the brief peck I’d given him the day we first met—albeit hot-as-fuck kisses, was a mistake.
I’d made enough of those to last two lifetimes.
Whatever we had going on—and I hadn’t quite figured it out yet—sex was a big step, especially with the added complication of an employment contract. And in less than two months I’d have to start the search for a new job. If we took it too far, and it went sour, I didn’t want that to ruin my chances of securing my next role. My industry, like most, thrived on gossip, and bad news traveled fast. Two strikes, and I’d definitely be out of the game.
“What are you thinking?” Oliver asked when we’d taken our seats and given our drinks orders. “Your face is very expressive, but I can’t read you at all.”
“I’m not having sex with you,” I blurted.
My mouth popped open, while the woman at the next table flashed a shocked glance in my direction. Heat flooded my face, while Oliver looked highly entertained.
“Thank you for clearing that up. Frankly, that wasn’t the response I expected to my question.”
I picked up my menu and hid behind it. “Shit. I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”
Oliver’s fingers appeared over the top of my menu, and he eased it down, an amused grin curving his, frankly, sexy-as-fuck lips upward. I couldn’t take my eyes off his mouth. I wanted to suck on his plump lower lip.
Jeez, what was happening to me?
No sex for more than four weeks. That’s what’s happening. And a delicious, fit, gorgeous man is sitting across from you not long after kissing you senseless in the back of his three million dollar limousine. No wonder my panties were soaked.
I almos
t shouted, “You’re an ass, Harlow Winter”, then remembered the conversation was inside my head and to yell such a thing out of the blue would no doubt see me expelled in disgrace from the fine-dining restaurant.
“Why don’t we start again.”
I nodded, thankful Oliver had such a forgiving personality. “That sounds good.”
“I’m nervous, too, Harlow. This is a big step for me, and despite your kind words in the back of the car, I’m seriously out of practice. I haven’t been on a date in over four years, and those I did go on after Sara walked out ended in complete disaster.” He cursed. “Shit, Ryker told me not to mention Sara.”
I wrinkled my forehead. “Why?”
He shrugged. “I guess mentioning one’s ex-wife when on a date with another woman isn’t the proper thing.”
I gestured dismissively. “She’s a part of your past, and Annie’s mother. Can’t wipe her from history.”
“No.”
His eyes slid away, pulling him into a place where I wasn’t invited. To bring him back to the present, I traced a fingertip over the back of his hand.
“What are you thinking?” I asked, replicating his question of me earlier.
He refocused his attention on me, blinked twice, then smiled broadly. “I’m not having sex with you,” he said, loud enough for the same woman at the next table to hear.
I hushed him. “Oliver.”
His beaming grin widened. “Two can play at that game.”
“You’ll get us thrown out.”
He shook his head. “Not a chance.”
No, probably not. Rich people followed different rules than the rest of society. A man as powerful and wealthy as Oliver could ruin a reputation with a single tweet, or a brief conversation with some of their business associates. Not that I could imagine Oliver behaving in such a way, but the restaurant wouldn’t know that, nor would they take the risk.
The server brought our drinks, a glass of red wine for Oliver and a pink gin and tonic for me. My one and only drink this evening. I didn’t want a repeat of the first night we met. We might be on an official date, but I was still responsible for looking after Annie, and tomorrow was a workday.
Enraptured: A Billionaire Romance (The ROGUES Series Book 2) Page 9
