Page 106 of Country Contract

Harlow comes out and meets me by her car. She leans in, giving me a hard, urgent kiss.

“Come back to the bunkhouse for twenty minutes.”

I’m torn between my want to say yes, and my need to say no.

The sky is still dark, and the wind that blows past us cuts through me. The bugs are long gone at this time. Dead or in a frozen state. The horses don’t make a sound. The cattle don’t need to be moved until closer to noon today. It wouldn’t be obscene to say yes and indulge more while she’s here, but there’s no way it will only be twenty minutes. I know my need for her too well.

Opening the car door for her, I kiss her back and usher her into her seat.

“I can’t right now, but I will come by tonight. And it will be much longer than twenty minutes.” I lean against the car frame, looking down at her. Simply beautiful. Too tall for such a tiny vehicle. Too special to be in an arranged marriage. Too different to be your typical bunkhouse guest.

She must sense me assessing her. Harlow sits taller and smiles wide.

“Bring an overnight bag.” She winks before grabbing the handle of the door to excuse me.

My brows shoot up in surprise, but I nod in response.

If I thought I should say no earlier, I know I should say no now. I might have wanted to share a bed throughout the night with her before, but knowing what I do now, I don’t think it’s the best idea.

I can’t fight the feeling of falling when we’re lying in bed, tangled up in comfort instead of lust. It’s not the same as lying on the couch and then heading back to our own spaces. It’s a complete invasion. With all the warning bells going off in my head, I nod.

“You got it.”

I’m a fucking idiot.

Chapter 41

Harlow

Heath: What do you like when you’re on your menses?

I spit my coffee. He said what?

Me: Beg your pardon?

Heath: Your sister insists I know how to handle you on your cycle. She says if I think “she’s less than agreeable now, then she might as well be possessed when she’s bleeding.” Hence I am asking what you like on menses.

I laugh hard.

Me: Which sister?

I watch the dots come and go on my screen.

Heath: Helen.

I love that woman; she’s trying to help scare him off.

Me: Well, I like things most women like.

Heath: You’re not like most women.

I should like that line, but it doesn’t do anything. Nothing like waking up wrapped in Harrison’s arms.

Me: Chocolate. Wine. My cat.

Heath: Is that all?

Me: Oh, I wasn’t finished. That was the easy stuff.

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