Page 23 of Believing in You

Harrison knew she was tired, but he selfishly wasn’t ready for them to part ways. He was ready for them to talk and get to know each other better. Even if it meant telling her about his past. But by the looks of her, tonight might not be the best time for such a heavy subject.

“Are you ready to get out of here?”

“More than ready,” she murmured and pushed away from the wall.

“Before I drive you home, how about coming over to my place? I know it’s late, but maybe I can fix us something to eat, and we can finally talk.”

Seconds ticked by as she studied him, and just when he thought she would say no, she said, “Okay.”

The word was spoken so low that, at first, he thought he had misheard her, but then she spoke louder.

“Give me five minutes to grab my stuff.”

Chapter Twelve

“Your home is beautiful,” Nyla said when they entered Harrison’s gorgeous, brightly lit, eat-in kitchen. From where she stood, the open floor plan also gave her a view of the living and dining room.

“Thank you.” He stored his keys in a bowl on the counter before he moved through the first floor turning on lights. “Make yourself at home.”

It had only taken fifteen minutes to get to his house, and he lived only half a mile from her parents’ B & B.

Feeling a little better than she had before leaving the club, Nyla couldn’t wait to shed her clothes and make herself a little more comfortable. On the ride there, Harrison had offered to take her home if she was too tired to hang out, but there was no way she’d miss an opportunity to spend time with him. He really surprised her when he told her that, if it got too late, she was more than welcome to spend the night. In his guest room.

He didn’t know it yet, but she planned to take him up on his offer. Jamie trusted Harrison, and so did she. Still, she shot off a quick text to her friend, letting him know she was staying the night at Harrison’s. Since she still lived with Cree, she also texted her, letting her know she wouldn’t be home tonight.

“I’m going to change clothes, then get started on something for us to eat,” Harrison said. “Do you need anything before I head upstairs?”

“Actually, I’m going to take you up on your offer of the guest room, if the offer still stands. And if it does, I’d like to change clothes too.” She lifted her bag, glad she had gym clothes inside of it. “I think I’ve had enough of this suit.”

Harrison gave her a rare smile and slipped his arm around her waist giving her a good whiff of his magnificent cologne. The woodsy fragrance mixed with a hint of leather was different from what he usually wore. It was downright intoxicating. He brushed his soft lips against her cheek, then nuzzled just below her jaw, and sent a frisson of desire pulsing through her.

Tonight, he possessed a sexual magnetism that highlighted his self-confidence. Nyla was truly seeing a different side of him, and she liked it. A lot.

“If it’s any consolation, you look stunning and sexy as hell in this suit.”

Warmth spread through her body at the compliment. She hadn’t missed the way he’d checked her out before his performance and afterwards. That alone had her thinking about updating her wardrobe. Maybe it was time to ease up on the grunge look. Not totally, but just a little. She’d heard variety was the spice of life.

“Thank you,” she said, sure her cheeks would be red with a blush if it weren’t for her dark skin.

“Follow me.” He carried her bag up the stairs instead of the instruments that he’d brought into the house.

She couldn’t wait to see the rest of his home. Nosy? Definitely. Who wouldn’t be? Not only was she seriously attracted to the elusive man, but from what she’d seen so far, his home was wonderful.

Harrison pointed to the door on the right—his bedroom. A quick peek inside showed a huge bed in the center of the space and a small sitting area off to the side. The next was the guest room where he set her bag on the bed. It was average size and brightly decorated with an ensuite.

“Since we’re up here, let me show you the rest of the second floor before you change clothes.”

They passed a guest bathroom, and then they stepped into a slightly smaller room.

“Whoa!” Nyla gasped as she moved farther into the space.

She took in the two televisions, or maybe they were monitors, one on the far wall and one on a gaming-like desk. Clear LED light strips were strung close to the ceiling and went all around the room. Another set of lights were along the baseboards, and both cast a fun glow around the space. On the side walls were glass-enclosed cabinets that held action figures and other gaming equipment.

“This is cool.”

“Thanks. Are you a gamer?” Harrison asked, hope filling his tone.

“No, but this space makes me want to be,” Nyla said honestly. She had to stop herself from roaming around and touching everything like a little kid.

---