Page 25 of Sins of the Father

My heart sinks. I look up. “Oh. Is everything okay?”

His jaw clenches. “Just another awesome conversation between mother and son.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, my mom isn’t scoring any points tonight.”

“No?”

“Nope. Actually, not many people here are.”

He opens his mouth but shuts it.

“What were you about to say?”

“Do you want to get out of here?”

“Yes.”

He licks his lips. “Should I drop you off at Quinn’s, or do you want to experience Chicago?”

“Take me wherever you’re going.”

4

Steven

What am I doing?

“Great. Let’s go.” I put my hand on the small of Harper’s back and lead her into the elevator. I push the button but don’t move away, and she doesn’t, either.

She gazes up at me with her green eyes, and my blood pounds in my ears so hard, I get slightly dizzy. “I didn’t tell Quinn or Jamison I’m leaving. My phone is at their place.”

Without analyzing it, I take a finger, slide it along her forehead, and catch her hair, then tuck it behind her ear.

She holds her breath.

“I can text them.”

“Okay.”

I continue fixating on her, and a sexy blush creeps up her face, coloring her cheekbones I’m dying to stroke.

The elevator jolts to a stop and breaks my daze. I remove my phone from my pocket and keep my other hand on Harper’s back, leading her out of the building while texting Quinn we left, and I’ll drop her off later.

We get to the car. Ted opens the door, and after Harper slides in, I follow.

“Where are we going?” she asks.

“Do you want loud and crazy or quiet and cozy?”

She fidgets with her fingers and opens her mouth but shuts it.

She’s regretting coming with me already.

“Let’s do loud and crazy. It’s probably better.”

“Better?”

Her face reddens again. “Umm...don’t listen to me. I don’t make sense to myself half the time.”

---