Page 16 of Crave: A Reverse Harem Romance

If I had been thinking clearly, I would have told him I was fine, that I could make it to the door on my own. I would have thanked him and sent him on his way.

But I wasn’t thinking clearly, and the feel of his hand as it rested on the small of my back sent a jolt through my body that made saying goodnight the last thing I wanted to do.

He stayed right there with me all the way up to the front door, only moving his hand away when I fished around in my purse for my keys.

Belatedly realizing I still had his phone and license, I handed them over with a quick smile, trying and failing not to meet his gaze. “I guess I had better give these back,” I said. God, why did it feel like he could see right through me? “You’ll probably need them later.”

“Thank you,” he said, flashing me another easy smile. “I appreciate you indulging me and letting me give you a ride. I only hope you haven’t been scared away from the club for good after tonight. It really can be a lot of fun, even without… well, you know.”

My cheeks were on fire, and I looked away for a split-second before finding myself drawn to his gaze again. “Even without the… sex?”

I couldn’t believe the words had fallen out of my mouth, and I wanted more than anything to just run inside my house and lock the door behind me, but I didn’t.

I didn’t run. I didn’t move. I didn’t even breathe until he laughed and nodded.

“Even without any of that,” he said, taking my hand again. “Seriously, if you ever do want to come back, you’d be my guest. I’d make sure you were taken care of.”

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to speak, to thank him, to say something… but nothing came out. I closed it again with an audible snap as he slowly let my hand slip from his grasp.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable. I know you’ve been through a lot this evening.”

“N-no,” I said, shaking my head. My voice was barely above a whisper, so I cleared my throat and tried to sound more confident than I felt. “I’m not uncomfortable. Meeting you—you and Ryker, I mean—has been the best part of the night, by far.”

“Okay, good. That’s good to hear.” He looked clearly relieved at my words. “I—we just want to make sure you’re taken care of.”

Holy hell, why did he have to be so nice? I was melting with every word.

“Thank you,” I said, still not turning to open the door. Still not moving, still not resisting as he took a half-step closer. “I just… I don’t… I’m not…”

Oh, God. What was happening? Why couldn’t I think? I was a writer, for God’s sake. Why couldn’t I seem to string more than two words together at a time?

He was staring at me, waiting. Those piercing, ice-blue eyes looking right into my soul.

Think of something to say, Harlow.

Anything.

But I couldn’t. So, instead of speaking, I closed my eyes. I leaned in just a few more inches and tilted my head up until I felt his lips brush against mine.

I had no idea how he was going to react. Lord, I had no idea how I was going to react, or why I had let myself go in the first place. But he didn’t move away, and neither did I.

He didn’t stop me, and God knows I couldn’t stop myself.

Instead, he leaned in and kissed me back.

My knees threatened to buckle as a million butterflies fluttered to life in my stomach. Thankfully, he was there, his strong hand at my waist, holding me there, keeping me on my feet.

I pulled away just enough to look into those intense blue eyes again. “Would you like to come in?” I asked him, trying to sound calm and confident even though the heat and the nerves that were surging through my body made it difficult to do anything but kiss him again.

He looked hesitant. “Look, you’re an absolutely stunning woman,” he began to say, “but I don’t want you to think that’s the reason I wanted to bring you home. I promise I’m not that kind of guy. I don’t want to take advantage of the situation.”

Oh, damn. He thought he was the one taking advantage of me?

After I had basically thrown myself at him?

How was it possible that I had met the only gentleman in town at a sex club?

“No, that’s not… I mean… you’re not. I, um, I’d like it if you came inside.” I gave him what I hoped was a convincing smile. “Honestly, I’ve had a few drinks, but I feel like for the most part, they’ve worn off. I promise you, you’re not taking advantage of me. I’m in control of all my faculties. I know that I want… this. I want you.”

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