Page 118 of One Wrong Move

What truly happened? What does Harper need out of a relationship? What does she want?

I run a hand over my face. Fucking hell, Dean. I can’t believe the son of a bitch told her she was too loud during sex. The knowledge has settled like a brick in my stomach, and it lessens the guilt that I’ve been grappling with since Harper moved in.

Lessened it significantly.

He never deserved her.

I knew it the very first night he had decided to speak to her, had walked up and charmed her with his good looks, humor, money, and that all-American smile. His drunken confidence.

She’s mine now, I think.

However she wants me, whatever kind of relationship she wants… friends, friends with benefits, or that elusive more. The elusive all.

My phone pings.

I hadn’t meant to leave the sound on, but now that it’s on…

I reach over with a sigh to shut it off entirely.

Until I see the name on the screen.

Harper: Want to sleep down here?

I close my eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. And then, I’m tossing off the covers and heading down the steps. Knocking twice on the door. Hearing the soft sound of her voice.

Come in.

She’s sitting up in bed, her straight hair loose around her shoulders. It’s still a new and odd sight to see. She’s wearing a camisole. And around her neck, the diamond necklace, shimmering in the soft light of her night lamp.

The two dogs are lying beside the bed. Both are staring at me. Stanley’s stubby tail is wagging softly. Quincy is less enthusiastic. The older dog hasn’t yet made up his mind about me.

“Hey,” she murmurs. “I think I might get… cold.”

I walk around to the far side of the bed and pull off my T-shirt. Just boxer briefs will have to do. “We can’t have that.”

“No, not really.” She pulls her hair over one shoulder and gives me a sheepish smile. Her eyes are tired, but happy. “I couldn’t unlock this clasp, either. I think it has some sort of safety mechanism to it?”

“Yeah, it’s a double clasp. Here.” She scoots close, and I get it off her in a few quick moments before laying it on the nightstand.

She burrows deeper under the covers. “Thank you,” she murmurs and shuts off the light. “For… everything. I had the most amazing night.”

After only a second of hesitation, I slide beneath the blanket, reaching for her in the darkness. She sighs and settles against my body. As if she likes it there.

“Thank you for coming,” I murmur. “These sort of events were a lot more boring before you came along.”

She chuckles weakly, and it breaks into a giant yawn. “I’m sure you give all your dates sex toys.”

“Never have before,” I say into her ear.

“I like that.” There’s a smile in the sound of her voice.

“Mm-hmm. I liked the taste of you.”

Another soft sigh. “I liked your taste, too.”

“How convenient, then.”

“Friends help friends,” she murmurs. Another yawn, and then she snuggles even closer. I wrap my arm tighter around her waist, my hand finding purchase on her stomach. My fingers just barely brush the underside of her breast. “Thank you for… lending me the necklace. I’ve never… worn anything that nice.”

---