“Need assistance?” I requested, my voice low and slightly ragged.

Harlow sucked in a quiet breath after which nodded. “My blow dryer died,” she stated quietly. “Hope it’s okay I borrowed yours.”

It didn’t actually require a response, so I didn’t give one, stepping up behind her. Slowly, I dragged in a deep lungful of no matter lotion or fragrance or shampoo I used to be smelling, and I fought to maintain my eyes open.

“Thought you had been Sage.” She dropped her arms from the necklace and straightened, tilting her neck to the facet.

An providing that was nearly unattainable to withstand.

“I didn’t see her once I got here in.”

Harlow swallowed, her cheeks flushed a fairly pink. “She should be upstairs packing. My dad’s operating slightly late choosing her up.”

With cautious arms, I brushed all that hair off the sleek line of her neck till the strands caught within the inconceivably skinny chain revealed themselves. The pads of my fingers dragged over the nape of her neck, and whereas I glanced as much as watch her within the mirror, her eyes closed in a gentle, fluttering movement.

What would she do if I leaned ahead and touched my lips to that pores and skin simply above the gold? If it couldn’t be blamed on a birthday kiss or some fantasy she’d spun years and years earlier. What would she do if I slid my arms over her hips, urgent my chest flush together with her again, simply to see how we match collectively this manner?

The ideas looping round in my mind had my muscular tissues tight, and my massive, outsized arms threatened to snap that chain, so I rigorously undid the clasp on the necklace and held it agency in a single hand, utilizing the opposite to brush apart the stray hairs caught within the tiny closure. Once they had been free, Harlow shivered, and it had my eyes closing in a short pinch.

The necklace was simpler to re-clasp now, after which I gathered the thick mass of her darkish hair in my arms and gently draped it again into place, permitting one second when my fingers coasted by means of the ends.

My mouth was bone-dry once I stepped again, and Harlow swayed slightly the place she stood, her hand coming ahead onto the counter to regular herself. Her eyes opened slowly, as soon as once more assembly mine.

“You look stunning,” I informed her.

Her chest rose and fell on a deep breath, however she didn’t say something. It could be really easy to let that final fraying shred of my sanity snap, take what I needed, and rattling the results, however I’d accomplished that when, and all it induced in its wake was uncertainty and that wasn’t one thing we wanted any extra of.

“What time do you must go away?” I requested.

Her eyelashes fluttered on a number of speedy blinks. “I … quickly,” she stated. “Now, I suppose. My dad’s not right here but, although.”

“I can stick with Sage.” I tucked my arms into the pockets of my work cargos. “I don’t have any plans tonight.”

“Thanks,” she stated, her eyes regular on mine within the mirror.

Though there was solely a small house between us, Harlow turned, wanting up into my face, and I attempted to faux I didn’t know what I used to be seeing there.

As a result of her confusion was greater than I may bear. Her proximity was, too. My arms itched to the touch her, an impulse I wasn’t positive I’d ever reside with out once more. And swimming deep beneath every little thing I didn’t wish to face, I may really feel my very own fears lurking. They swamped my extra primitive urges earlier than that they had an opportunity to interrupt the floor.

“You promise you’ll be residence once I get again?” she requested.

We each knew I’d by no means promise her something if I couldn’t do it. That after I did, I’d tear myself aside to maintain my phrase to her.

“I promise.”

God, the way in which this girl checked out me. It felt like somebody digging straight into my fucking soul. I needed to know what she noticed. What she’d at all times seen, even when I couldn’t. Or what I refused to see.

I took one other step again. “Have a very good time,” I informed her.

Her eyes searched mine, deep and questioning. Then she gave a slight shake to her head, her chin rising an inch within the air. Dedication changed that confusion. “I’ll speak to you once I get residence.”

She swept previous me, leaving the lingering scent of one thing clear and candy. Unable to cease myself, I stuffed my lungs with it once more after she’d left the room. I didn’t transfer till I heard the entrance door open after which shut on a quiet click on.

Her automotive began, then every little thing light into silence as she drove away.

“Fuck,” I whispered.

I set my arms on the counter and hung my head.

Supply: www.seynovel.com