Page 105 of Country Contract

“Romantic?” She lightly laughs.

“Yeah, not only girls like that shit. Our mom was a big reader, so we would make up our own fairy tales.”

“Tell me one,” she says, snuggling deeper into her spot.

I have to think for a moment, but I remember the one I would tell Hunter the most. A makeshiftRumpelstiltskinmeetsRomeo and Julietwith a touch ofCinderella. Harlow listens to me intently, smiling at some of the things I say. Jokingly calling me ridiculous. She laughs when I say, “Then they go off and do naughty stuff,” before jumping right back into the story.

I get that flutter in my chest. The signal to pull back, but I can’t. I keep telling her story after story, some shorter than the others.

“Let’s make one up together,” she offers.

We’re closer now, facing each other, and under a blanket. I don’t think she’s ever looked more naked than she does right now, in my sweats and hoodie.

“Okay. Once upon a time . . .”

I wake up to the smell of jojoba and hay. It’s still night, but my left arm is tingling. Harlow is tucked against me, her head under my chin, our arms wrapped around each other. Even our legs are tangled up, likely in an attempt to stay warm.

I shift a little to get some blood flow back into my arm.

“Noooooo,” she grumbles, squeezing me tighter.

“Let me just?—”

“Nooooooo!” she says louder.

“Shh, you’ll wake all the horses.” She wiggles a little and then settles back into me.

I need blood in my left arm or it’s going to need to be amputated. I squeeze her tight and roll us both over so we’re on my right side. A little squeak escapes her, but she doesn’t fightme.

That flutter in my chest is stronger this time, and I can’t help but squeeze her tighter. She makes a happy sound and presses her soft lips to my neck. A shudder racks my whole body.

We slept in our own beds at the hotel to keep our no-sleeping-in-the-same-bed rule, but I guess we’re not technically in a bed now.

I lie awake and listen to her breathing, and I feel her heartbeat under her skin. The sounds around us are tranquil and subdued compared to my loud, pounding heart.

This shit is going to hurt more than I am willing to admit.

This shit is going to hurt so bad; I’ll cry to my niece, because she won’t tell a soul.

I go to sleep thinking about how bad this will hurt later, but how good it feels now.

The next time I wake, it’s with a kiss. My nose feels cold, but the rest of me is suddenly hot.

“Good morning.” My voice is rough from sleep.

“Good morning. What time do people start coming in here?” She lays her head down on my chest and intertwines our fingers.

“The earliest hand sometimes opens things up at five . . . or Hunter at 5:30.”

Harlow shoots up out of my hold, taking the blankets with her.

“Fuck, it’s cold!” I bark and try to grab her.

“Harrison, it’s 5:20! Get the fuck up right now.” I understand her panic; both of our cars are still parked out front. They know she’s probably with me.

I know she’ll prefer the privacy of not being caught in the stable with me.

We get up, and I leave all my stuff where it is. I can get it anytime. While Harlow splashes some water on her face in the stable bathroom, I start her car for her.

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