Page 4 of Most Likely to Fear Love

“Please, come in.”

As Harle stepped inside, I caught a whiff of his cologne - something woodsy and masculine that made my head spin.

“This is my sister, Hannah.” Who was gawking shamelessly.

“Nice to meet you, Hannah,”

Harle extended his hand and Hannah shook it, her blue/green eyes wide. “Likewise.” Jesus Christ, was that drool?

“We’re, um, we’re just through here.” I gestured to the kitchen, waiting for Hannah to stop holding tight to Harle’s hand, eyeing him as though she wanted to lick him like a popsicle.

An awkward silence fell over us when Hannah finally let go and stepped back. I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, suddenly feeling underdressed and overwhelmed. I looked at Hannah, silently pleading for help.

She gave me a tiny, reassuring nod. “Ahem. Would you like something to eat or drink, Harle? We’ve got a shit ton of food.”

“Lead the way.”

In the kitchen, I busied myself with emptying our mugs and putting fresh coffee on. He hadn’t said he wanted any, but I really needed something to do. The scrape of chairs across the floor let me know they were sitting down. I thought there was going to be another awkward silence, until Hannah spoke up.

“So, what happens if it doesn’t work the first time?”

That was Hannah. Straight to the point, with zero embarrassment. Me, on the other hand? My face was beet red.

“Plenty more where that came from.” I could almost hear the shrug in his voice.

Then Hannah, “If you need any help with the extraction, you just lemme know.”

I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Harle wink at Hannah. “Thank you, darlin’. I’ll keep that in mind.”

I felt an irrational flare of jealousy at their exchange. What the hell was wrong with me? This wasn’t a date. This was a transaction. A very important, life-changing transaction, but still. I had no claim on this man. No right to feel possessive.

Get it together.

I cleared my throat, drawing their attention back to me. “How do you take your coffee, Harle?”

The moment his eyes met mine, a jolt of electricity ran through me.

“Black, please. No sugar.”

Of course he did. Probably drank whiskey neat, too.

I took my time making the coffee, grateful for the distraction. When I turned back, mug in hand, I found Harle studying me intently. It made me feel exposed, like he could see right through me.

“Here you go.” Our fingers brushed when I handed him the mug, and I jerked my hand back as if burned.

“Thank you, Cassidy.” The way he said my name, low and rumbling, sent a shiver down my spine.

I needed to focus. This was about getting pregnant, not getting laid. Though looking at him now, sitting in my kitchen like some kind of fertility god come to life, I was starting to wonder if the universe was laughing at my carefully laid plans.

HARLE

The short one was cute. Funny. Flirty. Sitting there with her chin in her hands, gazing at me with shining eyes. Nothing serious about her, that one.

Cassidy, on the other hand. Cassidy was something else. Absolutely gorgeous with her blond hair, serious green eyes and honey kissed skin. She was also tall, around five foot ten would be my guess.

Gesturing to the overloaded table, she said, “Please, eat something while we go through the contract.”

Figuring that seeing me eat would settle her nerves, I grabbed a plate and started loading it up.

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