Page 17 of The Reluctant Siren
She stared at him for a long moment and then her hands cameup, one cupping the side of his face. He didn’t even fight the instinct. Heleaned into her palm, loving the way she touched him. “I’m scared you’re toogood to be true.”
Fuck, that made his heart hurt. He reached up and took herhand in his, brought it to his chest where his heart lay. “I’m only a man. Iwill disappoint you, but I’ll also try to make it up to you however I can. Ihave promises I made a long time ago, but I’m almost through those now.”
“Promises?” she asked.
“To an old friend,” he replied. “To my best friend. I havethings I have to do for him, but when I’m done with those errands, I need youto understand that I’m going to put any relationship I have with a woman first.As I only have interest in one woman, I’ll put you first.”
“This errand? Is it dangerous?”
“It’s more like emotional support. I might have to answercalls and go meet him and I can’t tell you why. I can tell you anything I doisn’t criminal and won’t put you in any danger.” He wanted to tell her, butbeyond his promise to Jensen he worried if she didn’t get to know him better,she would run as fast as she could. “But that only applies to when we’re not onthis mission of yours. My house could be burning down and I wouldn’t leave yourside. Do you understand?”
“I can understand the need to keep a promise, and I candefinitely understand that sometimes we have to keep secrets.” She nodded asthough making her decision. She moved in, getting close to him. “Then let’splay, Sir. Let’s see if this can work.”
He intended to make it so when she learned the truth, shecouldn’t leave. Because he was pretty damn sure he couldn’t live without her.
Chapter Four
Harlow was deeply aware that every eye was onher.
Like every single person in the damn club was waiting forthem to stop watching and start playing. Even her sister was back from dinnerwith Chloe. She was still in street clothes, but she was up in the bar, a glassof wine in her hand as she looked out over the dungeon.
Ruby and Gigi were standing across the floor. Neither ofthem had played all night, just walked around watching scenes and talkingquietly.
She was pretty sure they’d dealt with Leah, who was nowhereto be seen.
Niall stood behind her as Gabe took a flogger to a sub’sbackside. The young woman wasn’t familiar to Harlow, but Gabe often brought inwomen he met at other clubs. Like her, Gabe held a Sanctum membership. Unlikeher, he also played at his father’s club from time to time.
As her dad often hung out there, she avoided it as thoughshe would die if she walked through the doors.
“Harlow, do you want to do this? I wanted to watch sceneswith you so I would get an idea of what you enjoy, but you’ve done nothing butget more uncomfortable with every scene.” Niall had his hands on her shoulders,a comforting warmth. “I’ve never seen you play. I’ve heard you once did, but Ihaven’t witnessed it.”
Because she’d been so upset about Jensen. Was she going toallow that asshole to ruin everything for her?
Niall had been lovely. He was everything she wanted in aDom. He was comfortable talking about his wants and needs and wanted to listento her. He’d been patient, and she understood his issues. He was being carefulwith her. It felt nice.
Of course she’d also liked the rough way Jensen had bargedin, shoving an asshole aside and telling him to get lost because she was taken.
It wasn’t feminist of her, but she’d been all over him thatvery night.
Was she holding back on Niall because of what Jensen haddone? She wasn’t telling him what her problem was. She wasn’t asking him forwhat she needed. The truth was she wasn’t giving him a real chance.
She turned and took his hand, leading him away from thestage. When they were on the outer edges of the crowd, she turned to him. “Ihaven’t played in a long time, and everyone is watching me. I’m nervous, and Ihate to admit that. Honestly, I’m wondering if this isn’t a terrible idea.”
He took her hand and started to walk away, moving toward thelocker rooms.
Was he done with her? Was he giving up the first time shehad one worry?
She started to pull her hand away but he pulled her close.
“Go and get dressed. We’re going to my place. We’ll pick upsome food on the way and we’ll talk in private,” he whispered in her ear.“You’re right. This is a lot, and we don’t need this kind of pressure. Not onour first night. Don’t take too long, princess.”
He kissed her forehead and stepped back, a challenging lookon his face.
“You want to go back to your place?” Harlow asked.
“If we go back to my place, I don’t think your family isgoing to show up. Even if they do, they won’t be able to figure out how to getup to my studio,” he replied. “I typically go through the gym. You can tellRuby where you’re going if you’re afraid.”
That made her eyes roll. “I’m not afraid of you.”
