We ignored all the conversations on the deck while grabbing our supplies. Harlow led me down a long stairway to a large deck overlooking a quiet river. After setting the cooler filled with food and drinks on a little table, she hid in a little outhouse to change into her swimsuit. Not caring who saw me in my naked glory, I stripped down, tossed my clothes on the bench, and yanked up my trunks.
Harlow appeared in her pea green one piece then gave me the once over. “I really like you,” she said, again betraying how young she was.
Walking to the edge of the deck, I held out my hand. “I’m scared to jump. Will you hold my hand?”
Smiling, Harlow rolled her eyes. “I’ll help you be brave.”
I took her hand as we stood at the edge and looked down at the dark water. “Trust me?”
Harlow nodded immediately. We jumped together, splashing into the river. The water felt refreshing in the hot day. We floated along with an inner tube. The sun warmed my skin, forcing me to dip under the water to keep cool.
“How’s your leg?” I asked when Harlow watched me for too long.
“Feels like someone shot me.”
“I got shot in the back,” I said, turning around.
Harlow ran her fingers over the growing lump. “I’m glad we got out of the game so soon. This is better.”
Disappearing into the water, Harlow emerged feet away. She disappeared again, only to pop up in front of me. Before my hand reached her face, she swam out of reach.
“I should warn you I’m an ace swimmer.”
“I should warn you my swim top isn’t tied very tight. Anything too rough might make it come right off.”
Grinning slowly, I murmured, “You have no idea what I’m thinking.”
“Oh, I know.”
“I very much doubt it.”
Harlow frowned, uncertain now. Her hesitancy was all I needed to dive down and catch her before she could flee. Squealing, she wiggled under my touch. I wrapped her in my arms and kissed her neck.
Shivering, Harlow pressed her hand against my chest. “I’m going to miss you,” she said softly.
“You’ll get over that feeling sooner than you think possible.”
“Bullshit,” she whispered. “These feelings won’t just go away. They have nowhere to go. Where can I put them?”
“You’ve faced bigger trials than what to do with your crush on me.”
Harlow reacted immediately to my words. Even wanting to prepare her for my absence, I hated how the broken look on her face cut into me. It'd been years since I felt like such a piece of shit.
When she swam away from me, I should have let her escape. Having her hate me made sense. Yet I refused to let her go. I might say the words about leaving, but they were lies I told us both. I couldn't leave this woman and survive after enjoying a taste of happiness.
Swimming up behind Harlow, I stopped her from leaving the water. My lips pressed against her ear and she waited. She wanted me to say I cared about her too. She deserved to hear that feelings weren’t meaningless.
“The Memphis guys leave in a day or two. The other boys need to get back to their families, jobs, and clubs. I have nowhere to be, so it wouldn’t kill me to stick around your redneck town awhile longer.”
Harlow leaned back against me, resting her head on my shoulder. She let my words dry the tears I knew were in her big eyes. By the time she looked back at me, Harlow smirked.
“Don’t call us rednecks.”
“Yeehaw,” I said, kissing her cheek.
Her arms held me tight. “I’m not ready for this to be over.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready.”
Harlow didn’t kiss me, lacking the confidence to make a move. Instead, she licked her lips and lifted them up as the most appealing signal ever.
When my lips claimed hers, Harlow melted against me. For a man who enjoyed power, having complete control over this woman made me feel like a fucking king.
“Please tell me your real name one day," she said, her lips moving to my throat. “I promise I'll never tell anyone.”
“One day soon,” I whispered, groaning from her sucking at my neck.
Her wet body felt unbearably good until my cock refused to be ignored. Painfully hard, I imagined how easily her swimsuit would slide over so I could find relief. Harlow’s expression was soft and relaxed. Arousal lingering on her lips, she nuzzled my throat.
As bad as I wanted relief, I needed Harlow to trust me more. No doubt if I wanted her this moment, she would agree. Relaxed the way she was, Harlow was fearless.
“You trust me,” I said as she grazed her lips against my shoulder. “Why?”
Harlow’s legs wrapped around my waist, making my cock beg. “I’d tell you, but you wouldn’t like my answer.”
I forced her to look in my eyes. “Try me.”
“Even if you leave tomorrow, you're mine. Even if I spend a long life without you, you'll still always be mine.”
I studied her warm eyes. “Why do I have to stay to make this work? Why can’t you come with me?”
Harlow didn’t answer immediately. Her confidence faded before my eyes. Harlow Todds needed me, but leaving her home and family scared the shit out of her. Scared her so much that she might be willing to let me go.
Our conversation was interrupted by the sounds of approaching people. Privacy gone, we left the river and walked up to the deck where we ate lunch and allowed my question to linger.
Chapter Twenty Seven ~ Harlow