Page 59 of Sins of the Father

“Okay. I’ll think about it.”

We spend the entire ride lip locked. From time to time, the ship comes to a stop for the locks to fill before the boat can continue forward. The cool breeze blows, but nothing can smother the flame burning inside me. And I wonder if what’s happening between us can last.

8

Steven

The roadI’m going down with Harper is a slippery slope. I know it. I can feel it. It’s an uncomfortable desperation to claim her as mine and keep her with me, but I don’t know if she’ll agree to stay.

And I’ve only known her a few days, so I can’t expect her to give up her life in New York.

We pull up to Quinn and Jamison’s building. Ted removes my duffle and garment bag from the trunk and hands them to me. “Ready for twenty questions?”

Harper’s green eyes drill into mine. “Are you worried about them finding out about us?”

Us.I still don’t know what I’m supposed to define us as. I always know where I stand with the women I date. We’re either at the beginning of seeing if I want a relationship with them or I’m in a relationship. There are no gray areas. I don’t do casual or one-nighters. With Harper, I don’t know what we are or how I would explain us. “I’m not into hiding, but—”

“Let’s tell them parts of the truth. I wanted to see Chicago, and since we’ll have the baby all week, we decided to use our free time for the tour.”

Silence.

“What’s wrong, Steven?”

“I want to make sure you understand I’m not trying to hide you.”

She smiles. “And I’m not hiding you. But I know it’s complicated right now. Plus, we’re two thirty-five-year-old adults. We can make our own choices about what we want others to know or not know. Can we agree to those terms?”

“Now you sound like an attorney, again.”

“I was good at my job.”

“I bet.”

“We agree though?”

I peck her lips. “Yeah.”

Harper takes my hand, and we go into the building. When we get into the elevator, she hits the stop button.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

She laces her fingers in my hair and tugs my head to her lips. “I didn’t say thank you for our date.”

Her kisses are hot and deep. They stir an ache in my core I didn’t know existed. No one has ever made me feel the way she does—so wanted and needed. And it’s getting nearly impossible to restrain myself.

I drop my luggage and push her to the wall, pressing against her, consuming every ounce of affection she’ll give me. Without thinking, I pick her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist.

“You’re making it hard to stick to my rules,” I murmur in her ear then suck on her neck.

“I’m over your rules.” She pulls my mouth back to hers and grinds against my erection.

I groan. She’s given me blue balls all weekend, and I’m trying my best to be respectful. “You’re so damn sexy, Harper.”

“Do you want me?” she whispers.

I push my forehead to hers. “I don’t recall ever wanting anyone how I want you.”

“Steven, I... I need you to not be a gentleman.”

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