Page 20 of Believing in You

Nyla’s mouth dropped open as she stared at his retreating back.

The suit was too low-cut to go without the blouse that went with it. Then again, she did have on a red satin bra. If she kept the top button of the suit jacket unfastened, a little of the red would show, and her 36Ds were guaranteed to make the outfit look sexy.

Sighing, Nyla resigned her fate. She was playing tonight.

She groaned in frustration but went back to the computer monitor where she’d been reviewing the liquor inventory. But then she remembered she’d forgotten to ask Jamie about today’s shipment. The numbers were off, and he’d been the one to accept the order.

I’ll just ask him later.

When she started scrolling down the inventory list, the computer screen suddenly went black, and Nyla froze.

“Okayyyy. What’s going on?”

She moved the mouse several times before checking to make sure the computer was still plugged in. When she confirmed it was, she started punching keys on the keypad, silently praying the computer hadn’t really died.

Nothing.

It was as if the black screen was taunting her, and it took everything within her power not to push the old desktop computer to the floor.

“Gawd! Can this day get any worse?”

Just then, a loud crash came from the kitchen, and she leaped from her seat and ran out the office.

God, please! Don’t let anything else go wrong tonight.

After playing a few numbers on the piano and singing, Nyla was grateful for the applause. She thanked everyone and told them the next act would be up shortly, then left the stage.

Just as her foot landed on the last step, she stopped in her tracks when she saw Harrison. At least she was pretty sure it was him. The man standing in front of her was a sexier version of him if that were even possible.

On his head was a black fedora, tilted slightly and pulled low over his gorgeous eyes. Eyes that were no longer hidden behind black wire-rimmed glasses.

As her gaze traveled over him, she took in the black leather jacket opened to reveal a dark gray T-shirt. Her eyes went lower and noted how good he looked in black jeans that hugged his muscular thighs. But it was the bottom of his pant legs that gave her pause. They were stuffed into untied… combat boots.

Combat boots?

Harrison owned combat boots?

Good Lord. Where was her buttoned-up, conservative, IT guru who was slow to speak and rarely smiled? Then again, she might like this version of Harrison better. His footwear, the hat, and the leather jacket had him giving off serious bad boy vibes, and she was totally feeling it.

His disguise, for lack of a better word, seemed to wipe away his usual guarded persona. In its place was a tall, confident man whooozedsex appeal and was sure to turn heads tonight. He definitely had turned hers, and all her girly parts stirred with need.

Her heart fluttered wildly, and heat charged through her body at the way Harrison was watching her. The sexual tension that usually pulsed between them whenever they breathed the same air was back. She felt it to the soles of her feet, and with the heated lust shining in his eyes, she sensed he felt it too.

Why now, though? Why had he been ignoring her when…

Her gaze suddenly took in the two instrument cases he was holding, and her eyebrows shot up.

“Wait.” Nyla rushed to him. “You’rewho Jamie got to perform tonight?” Her shock dripped from each word. “I didn’t even know you played an instrument.”

A slow smile kicked up the corners of his luscious lips, and her breath stilled in her chest. That small gesture lit up all his handsome features, and her ovaries quivered at the sight.

Harrison set the cases down, reached for her hand, then pulled her close, and Nyla didn’t object.

“I’m full of surprises,” he said and boldly kissed her.

Her eyes drifted closed, and though part of her knew she should pull away and get some answers, she didn’t. Instead, she fisted the front of his jacket and took what he was willingly giving.

The kiss had started sweet but quickly heated up as they got lost in the moment. It helped that there was no one in the dimlylit hallway. Just the two of them with their tongues tangling as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be doing.

---