Page 38 of Unpredictable
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath.
“Needed to escape?”
Startled, my eyes popped open, and I placed a hand to my chest. “God, you scared me.”
“Name’s Harrison.” I could hear the smile in his voice as he came to stand beside me. “But it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve referred to me as a god.”
I smacked his bicep then had to shake out my hand.Dang.
“Are you always so cocky?” I teased.
A smirk played at his lips. “What can I say? You bring out the best in me.”
If I’d thought it was warm inside, it was a million degrees hotter out here. His eyes devoured me, his lips parting as he shifted closer. My nerve endings tingled with awareness, but I tried to ignore it. To push it away.
My core heated, and I needed to change topics. “It’s beautiful out here.”
“Yes.” He cleared his throat, shoving his hands in his pockets as he peered out over the yard. “It is. I half hoped Olivia would want a backyard wedding, but—” He lifted a shoulder, indicating it wasn’t meant to be.
“It would be a great location.” I could easily envision it. “Chairs over there.” I gestured to a section off the pool. “Leading to a floral arch. Flowers scattered over the pool.”
“Sounds pretty perfect to me,” he said, and I could feel him watching me intently.
I squirmed a little, my skin heating beneath his perusal. I wasn’t sure he was talking about Olivia’s wedding anymore, but I quickly shook away the thought. Harrison wasn’t the marrying kind.
“But we don’t always get what we want, do we?” he asked, to which I nodded.
The conversation was taking a personal turn, and as much as I craved that connection with him, it scared me. Besides, as Camille had so painfully reminded me—I was here to do a job.
“Speaking of wedding venues,” I said. “We have the menu tasting at the inn next Saturday.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“And—” I shifted on my feet, suddenly anxious “if you don’t have other plans, Olivia was hoping we could go for the weekend. She wants us to scope out some restaurants and attractions for the guests.”
“Oliviawants us to go for the weekend, huh?” His arched brow belied his skepticism, so I merely nodded. “So…you’re saying I get an entire weekend alone with you?”
His words sparked my desire and ignited my core. “It’s strictly a business trip,” I insisted, not sure who I was trying to convince more—him or myself.
The corner of his mouth tipped into a grin, and I glanced away. A weekend away with Harrison… I shook my head. It was going to be difficult, if not impossible, to keep things professional.
Chapter Twelve
“Iwas thinking we could kick off the weekend with a winery tour.” Juliana glanced down at her tablet, where I was sure a detailed, color-coded schedule was displayed. I merely watched her, a smile playing at my lips as she continued to list her plans for us. “Then dinner at a local restaurant downtown. It’s within walking distance to some shops. Then…”
“Juliana.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the porch railing.
A breeze picked up, swirling the air around us, giving me a hit of her floral scent. And then there was her dress, which bared most of her tanned, toned shoulders. I rubbed my hands together, wishing I could rub them over her skin. I couldn’t get her out of my head.
“Hmm.” She hummed absently, her attention still focused on the screen.
I admired the resort’s lush garden, lifting my hand to shield my eyes from the sun. The mountains rose up in the distance, and I didn’t intend to waste our weekend alone by filling it with local attractions. She seemed intent on staying busy, when all I wanted to do was slow down, soak her in. Explore the landscape and her body.
When she continued to ignore me, I pushed off the rail and went over to her. She was so immersed in her schedule, she didn’t notice my approach. I wanted nothing more than to imagine that we were here together and not because of something to do with my daughter’s wedding. I wanted to see my Juliana again—the one I’d spent the night with. The one who ditched the strict schedule and knew how to have fun. So, I tugged the tablet out of her hand.
She jerked her head up. “Hey! I need that.”
“Nope.” I tucked it behind my back. “What you need is to let go,relax.”
