Page 34 of Sheltered

I let out a laugh, relieved she found a way to turn the mood around. I’d have kicked myself if this time we spent together tonight was marred by unnecessary worrying on her part over random crimes happening in the town. Obviously, I didn’t want her to be oblivious to what was going on, but I certainly didn’t want it to control her life, either.

So, while she continued to cut my hair, I told her a bit more about the women who came into the lives of the men who worked at Harper Security Ops. The one thing that she seemed most excited about was learning that the women occasionally planned times to get together as a group.

Though she didn’t say so, I had a feeling Harlow wondered if she could become part of that group.

There was nothing I wanted more.

Before I knew it, Harlow was putting product in her hands and styling my hair. She was focused on what she was doing, finally got it the way she wanted it, and as she wiped her hands on the towel on top of the cart beside her, her eyes met mine in the mirror. “What do you think? Is it okay?”

I didn’t care about the way my hair looked. If she liked it, I was fine with it. “It’s perfect. Looks great.”

She smiled. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Positive.”

After using the hairdryer to get the hair off my neck, Harlow unfastened the cape and took it off me.

Before I had the chance to stand up, she said, “I really am so happy you came here today. Of course, it’s always nice to have a new client, but this wasn’t about that for me. I never get to see you during the week, so this feels like such a special treat.”

Just like that.

Without thinking twice about it, Harlow just put it all out there. She didn’t play games with her feelings. It was refreshing.

And it was everything I could have wanted to hear from her.

“It doesn’t have to be,” I finally said, after staring at her and feeling nothing but disbelief and gratitude.

“What?” she asked, tipping her head to the side.

“Seeing me during the week doesn’t have to feel like a special treat you can only have occasionally,” I clarified. “If you would like to spend more time together throughout the week, I’d be happy to make that happen.”

Harlow’s lips parted slightly. “Oh, Blaze, I wasn’t suggesting you had to go out of your way during the work week to do anything like that. I’m sure you already have a lot on your plate.”

“Harlow?”

“Yeah?”

I hesitated a beat, taking in the curious look on her face. “I called you yesterday morning to make this appointment, because I didn’t think I’d be able to wait until the weekend to see you again. I would love more time with you, but I didn’t want you to feel overwhelmed by it.”

“Really?”

I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes locked on hers.

Harlow’s body visibly relaxed, and as that relief swept through her, she revealed, “When you called and asked about coming in to get your haircut, I was so frustrated I didn’t have any openings. That’s why I offered to stay later tonight, though. I just wanted to see you. I’ve been trying to figure out how to let you know I wanted to spend more time with you, because I was worried you would think I was too clingy or something.”

I reached back for her and used my feet on the ground to spin the chair around. With both hands on her hips, I looked up at her and said, “Baby, I can’t get enough of you.”

Her body shivered in response as her lips parted. “Blaze,” she whispered.

Rising to my feet, our bodies were inches apart. I tugged her hips forward, bringing her closer. Harlow’s hands flew to my chest just as I captured her mouth with mine.

Her lips were soft, yielding. She parted them instantly, my tongue driving inside to taste her, and Harlow’s fingertips pressed in firmly against my chest as a soft moan tore up her throat, the sound undeniably sweet.

One of my arms slid around her waist, holding her firmly in place, while the opposite hand slid up along her spine and into her long, silky hair. I still hadn’t gotten over just how soft her hair was.

But her kiss.

There was nothing better than the way she kissed.