Page 38 of Believing in You

That probably had a lot to do with why he hadn’t returned to playing in nightclubs. He was so musically gifted, but he probably feared the media would come back around.

Nyla wasn’t a big TV watcher, and she had never heard Harrison’s story before today. Though she’d been tempted to google him a couple of weeks ago, she was glad she hadn’t. Letting him tellhisstory instead of reading what the media had to say about it was better.

“It was horrible having cameras and microphones shoved into my face. It got so bad I worked from home for a while and barely went out in public.”

“I hate you went through all this.”

“Yeah, which was why I had no choice but to see a therapist after being released. I didn’t know what to do with the anxiety, the depression, and the feeling of loss. I met with her for a year, and then I started back not long ago once I was ready to really get my life on track. I don’t go weekly like I used to, but even every few months for check-ins have been helpful.”

When he yawned and slumped down a bit farther in the bed, Nyla knew it was time to let him get some rest.

She sat up. “Why don’t you take a nap. You were up late last night, and I know you got up early this morning. You must be tired.”

Harrison wrapped his arm around her and kissed the side of her forehead. “I am, but I need you to know how much I appreciate you listening to me. I know that was a lot to share, but talking with you really helped. I feel more at peace. So thank you.”

She kissed his lips. “Anytime and thank you for trusting me. I know that wasn’t easy for you. Now, how about you get some sleep?”

“I’ll only take a nap if you stay in here with me.”

Nyla grinned up at him. “Okay, but we’re going tosleep. No funny stuff, Mr.”

He laughed and her heart leaped. God, it sounded good to hear him laugh. After hearing his story, it was amazing he still could.

Harrison rolled her onto her back and hovered above her. He kissed her slowly and sweetly. “How about we take a short nap and then play around?”

Nyla rolled her eyes playfully and sighed dramatically. “Fine. Whatever you want.”

Chapter Nineteen

The weekend went by too fast, Harrison thought as he stared out the kitchen window drinking a cup of coffee. It was Sunday, late morning, and according to Nyla, time for her to get back to her life. If he had his way, she would be by his side forever, and wasn’t that funny?

He grunted and shook his head. For years, and even as recent as weeks, he had vowed that he’d never let a woman get close to his heart again. And wasn’t he the one who vowed to be a bachelor until he took his last breath?

That would be a yes, but that was before Nyla came into his life. He had never fallen for a woman as quickly as he’d fallen for her. Surprisingly, it didn’t freak him out. If anything, he was more at peace today than he’d been in the last five years. Happier too, and he owed it all to Nyla Priestly.

“What are you thinking about?” Nyla asked as she looped her arms around his waist from behind. Her hands rested on his stomach, and he covered them with his free hand and squeezed.

“You,” he said simply. “I was thinking about how sensational you are, and how I’ve enjoyed having you here.”

Even though yesterday’s conversation about his past had worn him out, after a nap, he felt refreshed. It was as if talking toNyla about his life helped him release the burden of keeping that information to himself.

The year he’d been arrested had been the worst year of his life. A year plagued with hurt, betrayal, humiliation, and loss. Yet he survived it. That was something Nyla made him see last night when they’d continued the conversation over dinner. No, he would never want to relive that time but surviving it had made him stronger. After what he went through, he could now handle anything that life threw his way.

Harrison sat his mug on the counter and turned within Nyla’s hold until he was facing her. Bending down, he captured her mouth with his. He loved kissing her, holding her, and inhaling her essence. She felt like a gift that he hadn’t known he needed or wanted, and he would cherish her for as long as she’d have him.

When the kiss ended, he asked. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

Nyla sucked in air and released it slowly as she moved out of his hold. “That’s a good question. At first, I was going to have you drive me home. However, if you don’t mind, can you drop me off at my parents’ B & B instead? It’ll give me a chance to visit with them for a minute. Then my father and I are going to look at a car that a friend of his is selling. I didn’t want to spend the money on one yet, but I need a vehicle.”

“I would let you use my other car, but it’s not great in this type of weather,” he said of his older model BMW. It was in immaculate condition, but he learned the hard way that it wasn’t good in snow.

Nyla moved around the center island and sat on one of the barstools. “That’s sweet of you, but I need to do this for more reasons than just needing transportation.”

Harrison frowned. “What other reason is there?”

She lowered her gaze and nibbled on her lower lip. “A couple of weeks ago, my sister, Cree, told me that I needed to grow up. I’ve been couch surfing, bumming rides, and basically not standing on my own two feet.”

“Do you need money?” Harrison asked, prepared to do anything that could help her.

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