Page 63 of Country Contract

Her outfit consists of tight black pants, her black combat boots, and a blazer, rolled up just above her wrists. I catch a few gold bangles I haven’t seen her wear before. A few nods to Silas and she turns to me, and I’m struck all over again. Under that blazer is a lacy, olive bodice tucked into her pants. The pattern is a mixture of snakes and vines, the thickest collection of both over her nipples to shield them from the public eye. A long gold serpent necklace hangs on her alabaster sternum.

I have to remind myself to breathe.

Holy shit.

I am truly under this woman’s spell.

When Harlow walks up to us, she wraps me in a one-armed hug and smiles darkly at me.

“Hey, kid, this is Meg. Did you introduce yourself?”She releases me, and I realize I have been ignoring the blonde since I set my sights on Harlow.

I blink a few times and shake my head.

“Harrison!” A loud and distinct voice calls. I turn to my left and see Cassidy slink her way through the crowd and approach the table where Meg sits.

“Hey, Cass.” I greet her with a hug and then look over at the three girls. Cassidy is dressed in a Rob Zombie shirt, dark jeans, and a suede jacket.

Each of them looks so different. All lovely, without a doubt, but Harlow has this beauty that only exists in folklore. If she told me one day that she really was a witch or fairy, I wouldn’t be surprised.

I shake myself from a web of distractions and smile at the group. Zoning in on Meg, I smile a little brighter, trying to make a good impression. Cassidy doesn’t miss it, but I think it’s because she knows my usual type.

“Welcome to Pebble Creek, Meg, I’m Harrison, owner of the little hideout Harlow is staying at, brother-in-law to this firecracker, and apparently part-timer here at this bar,” I say lightly, and she returns my smile. “Now, let me get something started for you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Silas is sending something over,” Harlow says.

I only offer a nod and smile in response before running back to the bar. I have another table’s order, and they’ve been waiting long enough.

Time seems to move both quickly and at a snail’s pace. I help Silas and CeCe out with whatever they need. CeCe has retreated to the kitchen after her boyfriend, Russ, pulled up to help. I see some regulars from a few other bars I visit in neighboring towns, so word must have gotten out. I want to tend to Harlow, Cassidy, and Meg, but we’re too busy. Atone point, I see Cassidy just walk up to the side of the bar and Silas hands her three beer bottles without question.

Smart Silas. I wouldn’t dare go up against her.

I finally feel like I’m caught up on everything enough to relax. My phone had gone off a few times in my pocket, but I had to ignore it.

Hunter: If the girls drink too much, mind driving them back?

Hunter: How’s things at the bar?

Hunter: Everything okay?

Hunter: Do I need to pack up B and come get the girls?

Completely whipped, that man.

Me: No, I’ll get them home if they need it. All is good. It’s the busiest I’ve ever seen this place.

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I turn around and look back over to the table Harlow was occupying. Instead of seeing her, Cassidy, or Meg, right away I see the broad back of a man who’s leaning against their high-top. He’s accompanied by two other guys, and they all flock to the women like flies on manure.

I shift around a few people to try and get a better look. When I am finally able to visualize the girls, I see Cassidy holding her chin with her hand, flashing her big ol’ wedding ring.

Meg’s mouth is moving a mile a minute in tandem with the guy I first spotted. One of the guys is wearing a black beanie, a tight shirt, and black jeans. He’s shorter than me, likely shorter than Harlow, but much bigger than me inmuscle. This guy is ignoring the conversation going on in the group and has his eyes set on Harlow. For the first time I see her bewitched, staring lovingly at her friend Meg while she talks.

This guy can’t take his eyes off her, and whatever Meg just said has everyone but him laughing. He’s lost in the conversation and under the same spell I am. Harlow’s laugh isn’t loud like Meg’s or Cassidy’s. She puts a hand over her mouth and shakes. Meg’s laugh is so loud, it can be heard over the music and causes multiple heads to turn her way.

The beanie boy walks beside the table to get closer to Harlow, and I get close enough to the table to eavesdrop.

“So, California?” he starts, and Harlow’s inky-black eyes bore into him. It causes him to stand as tall as he can. He’s in over his head, thinking that her thin frame means she is little. If only she’d stand from the barstool and show him she’s taller and out of his league.

“Yeah, it’s definitely a lot different from here.” I’m immediately pissed that she’s even entertaining a conversation. We have a contract. She doesn’t need the company of some other small-town fuckwad.

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