Page 108 of Country Contract

I read over the last line again, and my brows furrow deeply. I think about why he would ask that, and my first feeling of doubt regarding us rises. Our relationship is unique and easy.

I wouldn’t have offered for him to stay the night if I didn’t mean it. Sure, one of the clauses when we first wrote it was to sleep separately, but after the hotel and the barn, I figured it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. I spend a few minutes mulling over what to say to him. I don’t want to sayno and seem like a flake, but I also don’t want to make him uncomfortable if he doesn’t want to.

Me: Beef stew sounds amazing. Thank you for giving me a little time with them. I’m not sure how much I should see them since I’m just a guest.

Me: Yeah, if you want. Then we don’t have to worry about time, and you can get up on time for work.

Those three dots immediately appear as he writes his response.

Him: You’re also our friend. As much as Cassidy talks about you and Hunter grumbles, they want to spend as much time with you as possible.

I smile, thankful for his reminder that I’m more than just a guest. I’m not usually the girl who needs reassurance. Or at least I didn’t think I was. Being the black sheep of my family and in most social situations I’ve had to build thick skin.

Me: Okay, then I’ll see you soon.

Before I know it, he’s at the bunkhouse. I hear the sound of knuckles knocking on the door. I had heard his truck pulling up, so I was already heading down the stairs, but the knocking stops me at the last step.

Is he knocking? Since he’s been coming over almost every night, he just texts me when he’s on his way and lets himself in. It could just be for appearances since his parents are on the property again.

He stands there with a reusable canvas bag but that’s it. No overnight bag. I feel my stomach drop a little, and my face falls. Before he can notice, I fix my expression and welcome him in.

“Hello, Mr. Hill. Thank you for dropping by. Is that bag for me? Another welcome gift by chance?”

Harrison recoils. “Don’t ‘Mr. Hill’ me. It’s weird.” He steps inside and kicks off his boots before taking off his hat and pressing his lips to mine. It comes to my attention that he does not realize it was an instinct to kiss me after our greeting. It’s obvious by the way he freezes an inch away from my lips afterward.

“Welcome home,” I tease.

The next thing I know, the bag is dropped to the floor. He grabs me at the back of my neck and wraps his other arm around my waist. His hard, desperate lips press against mine and I respond immediately. Our lips are pressed against each other with a bruising intensity before he pulls back and kisses me gently.

“Don’t fuck with me, Harlow. I am about two jokes away from locking your rich ass up in a cellar.”

A laugh escapes me, and I kiss him with delight.

“Don’t make bad promises a good boy can’t keep.”

Harrison tosses his hat on the banister post before hoisting me into his arms and jogging up the stairs. My giggles fill the air as he tosses me onto my bed.

“Good boy?” he questions, pulling his knit shirt over his head. I lick my lips in anticipation.

Please be bad.

“Yeah, you’re the goodest boy I know.” I lie back and stare up at the ceiling. I hold out my fingers and tap each one as I name all the reasons he’s good.

“Reliable. Sweet. Kind. Gentle. Couldn’t hurt a fly.”

I feel his rough hands grab my ankles and pull me down toward the edge of the bed. He flips me so I’m bent over the end, and I almost squeal with excitement. I hide my joy to keep pushing him.

“Tries to act all tough but pulls back that last second.”

“You’re right,” he states, and I deflate before I feel my leggings and panties being pulled down.

“I am reliable, sweet, and kind. I wouldn’t hurt a fly.” He drags his rough hands up the backs of my sensitive thighs. “Lucky for us, you’re not a fly. You’re a witch.”

“I—” Before I can finish my next word, his hand comes down hard on my ass. It reverberates through my body and takes my breath away. I suck in air loudly as he rubs his calloused hand against the smarted skin. It hurts so fucking good.

“I’m no witch,” I spit, moving to stand. Harrison pushes me back down and brings his hand down to my other cheek. I moan this time as he rubs his rough skin over me.

“You are. Ever since you came into this town, you’ve put everyone under a spell.” I hear him drop to his knees behind me. His large hands rub up and down my hamstrings, and he places firm kisses where he spanked me.

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