Page 79 of Singled Out
“I know. I can see it in your eyes every time you talk about it, at least when the lights are on.” I smiled, because we did spend the majority of our time in the dark. “That’s the element these bankers don’t consider.”
“Exactly.”
“I believe in you, Harper. If you need help with something, let me know. I could hook you up with my financial guy and see if he has any advice.”
She kissed me lightly, distractedly. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” She let out a big, tired sigh and cuddled in closer to my chest.
A few minutes later, her breathing evened out. She was obviously worn out and worried and in need of a good night’s sleep. I kissed her forehead lightly again, wanting her to have everything she wanted—the good night’s sleep and the financing for the store.
Her even breathing didn’t take long to relax me, and I fell asleep with her in my arms.
Harper’s alarm went off at four thirty a.m. like it did every night she stayed with me. She’d figured out if she left by five, she’d get home before the town came awake, as nothing opened until six or seven. Most mornings we woke and indulged in an extra orgasm or two.
Today she snoozed her alarm, then curled back into me. After a few rounds of snoozing, she bolted upright and rolled out of bed.
“I didn’t mean to snooze it so many times,” she said.
“You needed the sleep. I guess I did too.” Still dazed, I rolled over and hugged her pillow, watching as she pulled her hair on top of her head, preparing to leave. Before she headed to the deck door to sneak out, she came over to me, planted a thorough kiss on my lips, and said goodbye.
I inhaled her scent on my pillow after she left and let myself be lazy, knowing I had another half hour before my alarm would go off.
Just as I was about to doze off, a thought occurred to me and woke me right the hell up.
Harper and I were supposed to be fuck buddies, in this whole thing for the incredible sex, but last night we’d merely slept. No middle-of-the-night half-awake sexcapades. No morning oral. She’d never even undressed.
I hadn’t realized it until now. In fact, I’d been all on board. It’d felt natural to hold her when she was upset, to be there for her in a way that wasn’t physical.
That was a problem.
Wide awake, anxiety pumping through me, I sat up on the side of my bed, about to head for the shower when my phone buzzed.
I picked it up and read the message from Harper.
I just saw that llama between backyards near Fifth and Acorn. Aren’t you friends with Dr. Holloway?
“Ben Holloway.” My friend’s voice was groggy with sleep when he answered his phone.
“Ben, it’s Max. Your llama’s on the lam again.”
There was a pause, then, “Fucking llama. I checked on her at midnight, and she was fine. Where is she?”
“Last I knew she was near Fifth and Acorn in someone’s backyard.”
“What do you mean last you knew? Where are you?”
“At home.”
“How do you know she’s at Fifth and Acorn?”
Here’s where it got tricky. “A friend told me.”
“A friend.” He said it as if he knew damn well it was a woman who’d spent the night. “Anyone I know?”
“Don’t you have a llama to go catch?”
“Fuck. I’ve got a fever and so does Ruby. She’s in my bed and we’re both burning up and aching.” He coughed, and it didn’t sound like he had any business going out.
“You need to stay put. I can catch Esmerelda.” I’d helped Ben before.