Page 57 of A Brush with Love
The soft waves of her hair framed her lovely face, her lips painted a deep red that taunted Dan to bite and suck at them until they were parted and panting.
Emerald silk glided down her body, her skin glowing against it, tempting Dan to reach out and touch her. Straps of fabric wrapped around her neck, forming a deep V down her front. He followed its path, memorizing the swell of her breasts, the subtle points of her nipples hinted at through the liquidy fabric. Dan stiffened as he imagined undoing the bow at the back of her neck, watching the silk slide down her shoulders and fall to her waist. He dragged his knuckles across his mouth as he imagined the cool silk against his heated skin, pulling at the fabric hugging her hips, seeing the dress in a green pool on the floor.
“Hi,” she said hesitantly, and Dan’s gaze snapped back to her face, focusing on the chocolate depths of her eyes.
“Why are you staring?” she asked, her eyebrows puckered as she smoothed a shaky hand down her belly. “Is something wrong?”
Dan shook his head, trying to clear it. “No, sorry,” he said through a dry throat. “It’s just… You look incredible.”
A pale pink blush spread across her cheeks and she opened her mouth to say something, but closed it, stepping aside to let him in her apartment.
“This is for you,” Dan said, handing her the bottle of wine. “I thought we could have a drink before we head out?”
“God, yes,” Harper said, turning for the kitchen.
Harper dug around in a drawer for a wine opener before uncorking the bottle and pouring them both huge servings.
“Cheers,” Dan said.
Harper’s glass was already halfway to her lips, but she clinked it with his before chugging it down like a shot and pouring herself another.
Dan noticed the tremble in her hands as she brought the glass to her lips for another long gulp, the tension in her shoulders as she set it down. Her eyes bounced around the room while she fisted her hands in the skirt of her dress, then smoothed them over the fabric repeatedly. Dan grabbed one of her hands, catching her gaze as he gave her fingers a squeeze.
“What’s wrong?”
She looked up at him, and her eyes were swamped with a vulnerable fear.
“I…” She pursed her lips, searching his face. She blinked multiple times and tamped down whatever emotion had been peeking through.
With a deep breath, she plastered on a smile and let her gaze travel over him.
“You look really handsome,” she said, her sincerity ballooning Dan’s pride. “You should wear a suit every day.”
“Your wish is my command,” he said with a wink.
A more genuine smile tugged at her lips, and he watched her shoulders relax a fraction. Dan didn’t want to flirt or tease right now; he wanted to find out what was bothering Harper so he could fix it.
“We should probably go,” Harper said, glancing at the clock on her stove. Dan hesitated, prying questions on the tip of his tongue, but he nodded, and they finished the wine in their glasses.
The walk to Lizzie and Indira’s apartment was tense and quiet. Dan sensed Harper was somewhere far away, somewhere he couldn’t reach.
Walking through the small courtyard outside of the apartment building, they found Thu and Alex sitting on a bench talking. Harper offered them both a terse hello and stood stiffly as Thu hugged her.
They made their way into the building to join the party and Thu shot Dan a questioning look and a nod toward Harper. He responded with a desperate, confused shrug.
Laughter and shouts punctuated the thudding music as they approached the unit.
“Seems like we might have some catching up to do,” Thu said with a daring look to Alex. She opened the door, and they took in the scene of crowded bodies in the space.
Clusters of people in suits and dresses lit up the room. A beer pong table sat in the center, rowdy dudes cheering with each toss while others swarmed the booze table set up against the wall.
Energy pulsed through the crowd, and Dan couldn’t help but smile as something like enjoyment filled him, encouraging him to let loose and have a good time.
He reached for Harper and pulled the coat off her shoulders, draping it with his on the growing pile to their right.
Turning back to her, he traced his fingers along her exposed back. He was surprised to feel a thin film of cold sweat covering her skin.
Glancing at her, he took in the clench of her jaw and tight press of her lips. The color was drained from her face, and he was about to ask her if she needed to step outside for a minute when a loud shriek caught his attention.
