Page 30 of Snow Storm

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” Harley admitted. “I don’t know if I’ll be any good at…well. Any of it. My ex wasn’t exactly thrilled with anything about me, so…”

“Your ex is a fool,” Claude said. “I barely know you, but I can already tell you’re better than most people I’ve had in my bed.”

Harley choked a little. “Wow, that was weirdly smooth. You could probably win awards if you ever decided to get into the romance novel business.”

Claude grinned, and he pushed himself to stand, taking Harley with him. “I’ll leave that to you. But if you’re open to my offer?—”

“Yes,” Harley said, cutting him off. “But on one condition.”

Claude raised his left brow. “Let me hear it.”

“If I’m actually terrible at this—sex, romance, whatever—you’ll tell me. I just need to know that someone in my life will be honest, even if it’ll hurt my feelings.”

Claude stepped closer, balancing himself carefully as he cradled Harley’s face between his hands. “Even if it hurts, I’ll tell you. But I’ll let you know right now, I don’t see a world in which any of that is possible.”

“Just wait until things heat up,” Harley muttered.

Claude put a finger under Harley’s chin and lifted. “Oh, trust me. I can’t wait.”

Chapter 10

Harley

Somehow,his hands weren’t shaking. Harley felt like he was holding a hurricane in his chest, but he was taking easy, steady steps across the lobby floor as he followed Claude to the little tunnel walkway that led to his place. Harley had seen the staff cabins on his morning walk, but he hadn’t considered the owner actually living there.

He hugged his coat tightly around his body as they made their way from the safety of the enclosure to the small path that led to Claude’s doorway ramp, but they didn’t have to suffer long. He had the front door open, and before Harley could take a breath, he was bustled inside and pressed against the wall.

“Let me help you out of this.” Claude’s large, powerful hands stripped him of his coat and hung it up on a peg before he rolled back and took a long, slow look at him. “Better?”

Harley swallowed thickly and nodded. It was better, even if he felt oddly vulnerable in his Henley and jeans. He’d stopped panicking when he realized that he didn’t need to impress Claude. He wasn’t on some kind of sex trial where his words, actions, and outfit would determine whether or not Claude wanted to fuck him.

He didn’t have to do some fancy bird-mating dance with bright colors and funny whistles.

Dear God, what was wrong with his head. He tried to hide his laugh behind his hand, but Claude raised a brow at him, wheeling back a few more inches.

“Am I being ridiculous?”

Harley shook his head and cleared his throat. “I have a very overactive imagination, and…well. It’s not important. I’m just glad you like me, even when I’m, you know, this.”

Claude licked his lips. “This? Attractive? Funny? Sweet?”

“A disaster?”

“You’re nothing of the sort, and I hope by the end of the night, you realize I don’t see you as anything other than the man I want to spend my evening with. Now, come with me, and I’ll show you the rest of the house.” Claude spun his chair and pushed the wheels hard, gliding across the tiled hallway.

Harley ducked his head. “Okay.”

He quickly followed and came to a skidding halt right before crashing into Claude, who was now standing. The larger man caught him around the waist, using one hand to brace himself against the wall, and he tugged Harley close.

“Please don’t hurt yourself. I’d be happy to take care of you, but I have better plans than that tonight.”

Christ, the man was smooth. If he wouldn’t become a writer, maybe he’d be willing to become a consult because Harley couldn’t come up with shit like that on his own. He managed a smile as he took a step back, but Claude didn’t let him go right away.

“I’ll be careful. I promise,” he murmured softly.

Claude grinned down at him and brushed a finger along his jaw. “Good.”

Swallowing thickly, Harley allowed himself to bask in the touch, but only for a moment. He knew what this night wassupposed to mean, but he needed some time to process it. He took a breath, then asked, “Can I help with anything?”

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