“I forgot you don’t actually live with me,” I mumble, and his arms tighten around me. My eyes widen and I hurry out, “I mean, I know you don’t live with me, obviously, but—”
“Babe, shut up,” he cuts me off, smiling, and I glare at him.
“Don’t tell me to shut up, Harlen,” I snap, and he smiles.
“You okay with staying at my place?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He brushes his nose across mine. Gah! I really hate when he’s annoying and sweet.
“Can Dizzy come?” I keep my tone snippy to cover up how much I love him being sweet, and his smile turns into a grin.
“Yeah.”
“Then yes,” I agree.
“Good, I’ll pick up Dizzy when I get off work and take him to my place.”
“How? Do you have one of those fancy white baskets with yellow plastic daises on it for him to ride in on your bike?”
“No, smart ass, but I do own an SUV.”
“You do?” I question, surprised, and he brushes his lips against mine.
“It’s parked up for the summer, but yeah, I’ve got an SUV.”
“Hm.”
“Go pack your bag then come kiss me before you leave for work.”
“You know what you can do?” I ask scrunching up my nose, watching his eyes crinkle in the corners like he’s trying not to laugh.
“No, what’s that?”
“You can stop bossing me around.”
“You like it when I’m bossy.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I do,” I deny, and he dips his head and brushes his lips over my ear.
“Yeah, baby, I know you do. Whenever I’m bossy, you don’t just get wet; you get drenched, and your pussy latches onto me, to whatever part of me it’s gotten ahold of.”
“Whatever.” I fight back a shiver, listening to him chuckle before he places a kiss against the shell of my ear and neck.
“Go, and then come back and kiss me.”
“Maybe I will; maybe I won’t.” I pull from his hold and head for my room. I pack a bag then take it with me, dropping it by the door before heading back to the kitchen. “I’ll see you tonight.” I lift my hand and wave, and his eyes narrow on me across the island.
“You better get your ass over here and kiss me.”
“And if I don’t?” I raise a brow, holding his stare while crossing my arms over my chest.
“Do you really wanna find out?”
“Maybe.” I shrug, and his eyes darken, causing me to brace.
“You feel like playing, baby? I got no problem with that. I’ll like the consequences of it, and so will you… after I finally give you what you want. But believe me, I’ll make you work for it before that happens,” he warns gruffly, and my nipples harden while the space between my legs tingles with anticipation. “What’s it gonna be?”
Without a word, and without telling myself to do it, I grab my purse and launch off the island, and turn for the door where I dropped my overnight bag. Picking it up, I hook it over my shoulder then look behind me to see Harlen has moved to the mouth of the living room, his dark, heated eyes on me. Swallowing, I pull open the door and leave, knowing I’m playing with fire.
***
“Harmony,” Dr. Hofstadter says, startling me as I walk out of one of my patients’ rooms. I stumble over my own feet, falling into him and letting out a squeak when he grabs hold of my hips to steady me. “Didn’t mean to scare you.” He laughs, squeezing my waist pulling me against him, and I fight back a shiver of revulsion as I push against his chest to free myself from his embrace.
“It’s okay.” I quickly take a step back out of his space. “Did you need something?”
“Did you read over the details I left for Ms. Robinson?” he asks, referring to my patient who had hip surgery early this morning.
“I did. Has there been a change made to her care plan?” I question, looking over her information on my cart, and I feel him get close to my side. Too close, so close his body brushes mine.
“No, actually, I’m just using that as an excuse to speak with you alone,” he says, and I look at him, feeling my stomach drop as he dips his chin and lowers his voice. “I wanted to see if you’d like to get dinner with me tomorrow.”
Shit.
“I… um… That’s really sweet, but I can’t. I’m sorry.” I shake my head, watching something shift in his gaze, that something making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
“If it’s about policy, I won’t tell if you won’t,” he whispers, and the soup I had for lunch turns in my stomach.
“Harmony,” Mimi calls loudly before I can tell him that I have a boyfriend, and I turn my head to look at her, hearing Dr. Hofstadter let out an audible huff of frustration from my side. “Do you mind helping me?” She asks.