Page 27 of Believing in You

“Oh, my goodness,” Nyla murmured, her head brushing back and forth against the rug. “I—I’m not sure I can take much more.” Her words were breathy as she continued wiggling beneath him.

Not yet. You can’t do this yet! That voice in Harrison’s mind hounded him. He tried shushing it, but…

“I want you so damn much,” he said on a groan, willing himself to slow down. No. Not. Slow down, he needed to stop.

He cursed under his breath and abruptly rolled off Nyla, bumping into the coffee table in the process.

“I can’t,” he panted. “We can’t do this, not before we talk,” he said, his chest heaving as he stared up at the ceiling.

Breathing hard, Nyla scrambled to a sitting position and adjusted her bra and shirt, and Harrison groaned. He’d probably call himself all kinds of a fool later, but right now, his only concern was doing right by Nyla. She had a right to know who and what type of person she was getting involved with.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he said, the endearment falling from his lips naturally. “I shouldn’t have started—”

“Technically, I’m the one to blame. My round of questioning was suggestive, and I’m sorry about that. I’m not a tease.”

Harrison bolted up. “Of course you’re not,” he said, rubbing his hand down her arm. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night. We only did what came naturally. Unfortunately, Nyla, I don’t feel comfortable moving forward until I tell you about my time in prison.”

Harrison was smart enough to know that to really move on from his past, he needed to come to terms with it. That meant dealing with his mother and Veronica instead of shutting them out whenever they called. He also needed to share his story with Nyla. She was coming to mean something to him, and they would never have a future together if he couldn’t close that chapter in his life. Especially the painful parts.

Closing his eyes, Harrison pinched the bridge of his nose. He was going to need something stronger than water to get through this conversation. Yet, he also needed to be sober instead of consuming liquid courage.

He startled when Nyla squeezed his hand. “Hey, if you’re not ready to talk about it, it’s okay. I’ll be around whenever you are ready.”

Bringing the back of her hand to his lips, he kissed it. “Thank you, but it’s time. First, let me clear these dishes and make some coffee. Unless you’d prefer something stronger.”

“Water for me, and I can help clean up.”

She started to stand, but Harrison encouraged her to relax while he took care of the dishes. It wouldn’t take but a couple of minutes to load the dishwasher. He was glad she didn’t argue because he needed a few minutes alone.

Harrison made quick work of gathering up their dishes while Nyla pulled the room back together. After taking her a bottle of water, he returned to the kitchen and got to work tidying up. He debated on where to start with the conversation.

How much should he share? It was late. Surely, she wouldn’t be up for hearing the whole sordid details of the snowball of events that shook his world to almost disrepair. Then again, if he wanted a future with Nyla, she deserved to know everything.

Sighing, he dried his hands and didn’t bother with the coffee. It was now or never. He went back to the living room, then pulled up short. Chuckling, Harrison shook his head.

She’s asleep.

Nyla had returned the cushions to the sofa and was fast asleep. What had he been thinking? Of course she was exhausted after her long night at the club. Instead of encouraging her to go to bed, he hadn’t wanted the night to end—for any reason.

Starting down at her, Harrison sat on the edge and gently ran the back of his fingers down her soft cheek. She didn’t stir, and he didn’t have the heart to wake her. Instead, he stood and swept her into his arms.

“Harrison,” she whimpered, and warmth spread through him when she snuggled into him.

This feels right, he thought as he climbed the stairs. Tomorrow. They’d talk tomorrow.

Chapter Fourteen

Tired but not sleepy, Harrison entered his music room with his mind whirling. This was one of the best nights he’d had in a long time, even if it included him contemplating next steps in his life.

He knew a lot of that had to do with Nyla’s presence. She made him hope for a better future. She also made him want to deal with and close the door to his past. The first one, he was looking forward to. The latter, not so much. It was going to take some emotional work that wouldn’t be easy.

Instead of picking up his bass guitar or sitting at his keyboard, Harrison dropped down onto the sofa and stretched out. The room might be soundproof, but it was too late to fiddle around on any of the instruments. Still, the room always gave him solace. How many days had he sat in here to think about everything and nothing?

“Too many days to count,” he murmured as his eyes drifted closed.

He had just gotten comfortable when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Since he knew it wasn’t Nyla calling, he started to ignore the call, but he didn’t. He dug the device out of his pocket, not surprised to see Veronica’s name on the screen. This was hersecond time calling tonight. She called once or twice a year, but this was the third or fourth call in a matter of weeks.

He sat up and placed his feet on the floor before answering the call. Might as well try to close this chapter in his life once and for all.

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