Reaching across the table, I took her hand in mine. “Let me tell you what I think. I bet she does have them. She keeps them because she tells people something else happened. Says Vaughn killed your mom, brother, and sister along with Playboy. I’d bet you money that Auntie plays the victim and whips out the pictures for pity.”
“I know you’re trying to make me feel better. Even if she kept them, I can’t get to them. She won’t welcome me and I can’t trust her. Even with the Devils dead, she’s a threat. All the people left behind are threats.”
Nodding, I didn’t let go of her hand. “True, but having them exist in the world should give you hope. Maybe one day you’ll be tough enough to roll into town and get what’s yours.”
Harlow gave me a small smile. “Maybe I will.”
A moment passed where we both wondered about my hand on hers. What the hell did any of it mean?
“You like me,” Harlow said, grinning.
Pulling my hand away, I leaned back. “That was a sympathy hand touch. Out of pity for your loss.”
“Even though I have flat hair and don’t know how to work eyeliner, you like touching me.”
Grinning slowly, I rested my arms over the back of the booth. Harlow’s smug grin faded as she took in the hint of chest hair peeking at her from my shirt.
“Vanity will be the end of you,” she grumbled, returning to her food.
“And lust will be the end of you. Who’d have thought you’d be turned on so easily?”
Harlow opened her mouth to complain or defend herself. Whatever she wanted to say, she kept it to herself.
“Yes, you’re attractive,” she said then gave me a devious look. “I’ve always had a problem around attractive men. I usually hide it better, but the other day Vaughn was shirtless while working in the yard and I got a little turned on. Of course, I felt bad because he’s married and his wife is my friend. Still, it happens. Hey, I guess I’m growing up.”
“Vaughn, huh?” I said, scratching the stubble at my jaw. “Your big savior.”
“My big sexy savior.”
I grinned. “His wife is hot too.”
Harlow’s grin disappeared. “I don’t want to play anymore.”
Laughing, I nudged her foot under the table. “Your mistake was using Vaughn. I’d have bought it if you were hot for Judd.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I just see you going dumb over him.”
“Judd is scary. He also threw a biscuit at Vaughn once and hit me in the face. I could never lust over a guy with such bad aim.”
Laughing again, I finished up my breakfast then waited for Harlow who took her time. She knew I was waiting and I swore she chewed especially slowly to mess with me. After taking an obnoxious amount of time wiping her mouth, Harlow finally looked at me.
“You’re pretty sexy when you get impatient,” she said, standing up. “Leave a nice tip for our waitress, will ya?”
I stood up and grabbed the bill. By the time I paid and left the tip, Harlow stood outside. Her hair remained a bit damp from the earlier shower, but a few dry blonde strands shined in the summer sun.
Feeling me behind her, Harlow turned and smiled. The look on her face stopped me for a moment. When I was a young man, I saw beauty all around me. Mexico ended much of my appreciation for such things. After prison, I saw the ugliness in people. The way they plotted and lied. The world was dangerous and I became a predator to survive.
Harlow reminded of the simple beauty I loved from my childhood like a bird hovering in the sky or the sun rising on a new day. When she smiled at me, I remembered what it felt like to be a good man capable of hope. My need for her rushed over me, addictive and demanding. Hell, if I’d ever be able to let it go.
Chapter Seventeen ~ Harlow
Saint was different after breakfast. Relaxed and tense at the same time. His dark eyes were soft, yet his jaw tight. By the time we arrived at the empty gym after a quick stop upstairs to brush our teeth and fill up water bottles, Saint was making me nervous.
“I know how to set the treadmill speed,” I said when he leaned over to push the buttons for me.
“I want you to take it easy,” he muttered, tense again. “Gotta keep you healthy for the paintball matches.”
Saint set the speed to the lowest option. Even wanting to complain, I kept my mouth shut. The anger rushing off Saint scared the shit out of me.
“Did I do something?” I whispered.
His gaze met mine. His expression unreadable, Saint finally sighed and all the tension disappeared.
“You’re so damn tempting.”
I gave him a little smile. “I did get highlights recently.”
“Yeah, that’ll do it.”
Saint left me to walk while he stretched before his run on the treadmill. “I should warn you that I get pretty sweaty when I work out,” he said, glancing at me and smiling. “Better keep your eyes on the TV since I don’t want you falling under my spell.”
“Vanity is very attractive.”
“Not as sexy as those highlights.”
I planned to say something smartass until he yanked off his shirt. Watching Saint stepping onto the treadmill, I hated the bastard for being so unbelievably perfect. Had he gotten work done to make his body look so good?