“I didn’t stay this handsome by taking on people with frontal attacks,” he said. “Oh, and to answer your earlier question, they’re serving German potato salad.”
The potato salad thing should have disappointed me, but I was too busy looking for anyone focusing on Harlow. The horny twin was Dayton and he was acting as if Harlow and Farah were invisible. I assumed he already got the memo, yet I remained on alert.
“Baby pictures,” Harlow said when I joined her.
Farah smiled awkwardly while sliding her phone into her pocket. Harlow removed the phone and showed me the picture.
“This is Lily Johansson. One day, she’ll rule the world.”
Something about her tone felt challenging and I was already on edge. The possessive need in my gut pissed me off, so I challenged Harlow.
I looked at the picture of the baby then focused on Harlow. “I wonder what our kid would look like.”
The women stared at me as if I was nuts, but I only smiled. Harlow narrowed her eyes and handed Farah the phone.
“He’s messing with me,” she muttered to her friend.
Grinning, I reached out and caressed Harlow’s cheek. The feisty arrogance in her eyes disappeared, leaving her looking scared. I leaned forward until my lips were next to her ear.
“I’m trying to mark my claim to ensure these other chumps will stop eyeballing your ass. You’re welcome, trainee.”
Harlow’s gaze found mine. She seemed to understand, but I saw more in her expression than simply acknowledgment. My touch affected her in a way she didn’t like. I knew how she felt since I was feeling things I didn’t appreciate either. Need, possessiveness, blinding rage at anyone even glancing in her direction, these were not normal for me. I wasn’t a clingy sort of person. Sure, I didn’t like sharing as a kid, but never like this. Never like I felt with Harlow.
Harlow’s hand caressed my bare forearm, setting off every nerve in my body. I nearly jumped at her touch then glared at her. A smile curved her pouty lips before she turned away and walked with Farah to the buffet. I stared at her in shock that she would mess with me. Cocky little brat was teasing a man not fully in control. Hell, a part of me thought to sweep her up in my arms and plant a kiss on her. See how she’d handle an escalation of a relationship that made no sense.
I didn’t kiss Harlow though. I refused to even talk to her for nearly a half hour. She was playing with me and I really wanted to play with her. In my heart, I knew she wasn’t ready to do more than play and I wasn’t capable of the kind of control necessary.
I wasn’t sure how I would get through the night sharing a bed with a woman I was having trouble keeping my hands off.
Chapter Thirteen ~ Harlow
Saint was back on the balcony when I finished getting dressed for bed. He likely heard me emerge because he appeared at the door. His dark gaze looked me up and down then he smiled. I didn’t blame him for finding my getup humorous. I needed to make clear to Saint that I wasn’t a sexy person.
“Cold?” he asked, walking to the bed and taking the remote.
I wrapped my plush robe around my flannel pajamas. “No.”
Saint turned on the TV and found a rerun of Psych. “I’m not going to hurt you, if that’s why you’re afraid.”
Shaking my head, I backed away from the bed where his powerful body was spread out. He wore only a gray tank and loose shorts. I could barely deal with so much flesh. My body felt both too hot and too cold. Unable to catch my breath, I hid in the bathroom.
Winnie picked up on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m freaking out.”
“Did he do something?” Winnie asked and I heard Dylan sounding concerned in the background.
“No,” I whispered. “He’s being normal. I’m the one freaking out.”
Winnie’s tone changed. “He’s handsome, right?”
“Yes.”
“You like him.”
“Duh.”
“You want to jump his bones.”
I frowned. “You’re spending way too much time with Bailey and Raven.”
“Oh, stop. I was always a closeted perv. Besides, you really shouldn’t be judgmental when I’m trying to help.”
Dylan was now laughing in the background, likely enjoying the perv comment.
“You know I never ever want to have sex,” I whispered. “Even years ago when I was nursing a crush on Vaughn, I never thought of him in a sexual way. It was like, ‘He’s so strong and brave.’ I never thought, ‘I want to see him with his shirt off and I hope he bends over and shows off his butt.’ These feelings for Saint are grossing me out.”
“He has a nice butt, huh?” Winnie said, giggling to Dylan. “Good to know.”
“Will you be serious? How did you deal with spending the night with Dylan?”
“Well our first time was magical. I took a sedative and he did all the work.”
Dylan laughed in the background while I rolled my eyes. “Your cutesy shit isn’t working for me.”
“What are you afraid of?”