the girls a long talk about not fighting and twenty bucks to help around the house and do their own laundry.”
“I still can’t believe he hired At Your Service to bring dinners for me and the girls for the next two weeks. He spoils me.” Delaney glanced lovingly at Harley and said, “He’s such a good guy, always going above and beyond for everyone else. I’m glad he’s finally doing something for himself, and by that I mean getting involved with you. He’s husband material—you see that, right? It doesn’t get much better than that man right there.”
Piper didn’t want to say she wasn’t looking for a husband, much less that she wasn’t sure she was wife material, so instead she said, “He’s a great guy, but don’t go marrying us off yet. We’ve only just started seeing each other.”
“I know. I was just bragging about my little brother.”
Piper scoffed. “There is nothing little about your brother.”
“I don’t want to know that,” Delaney said, and they both laughed.
Half an hour later, they said goodbye to the girls and Delaney and climbed into the truck. Laying all her cards on the table had been the most difficult thing she’d done in a very long time, but they were stronger for it. Harley had to be the most patient man on earth, and though patience wasn’t Piper’s strong suit, at least he’d been well aware of that from the get-go. Tonight she was going to show him that she was willing to try to let down her guard in an even bigger way so he would know she meant what she said.
“Why are you grinning like you won the lottery?” he asked.
She reached across the seat, and for the first time ever, she took a man’s hand in hers because she just wanted to feel closer to him. “Because of you.” She drew in a deep breath, her pulse beating wildly as she took a leap of faith and said, “Willow called earlier. She and Zane are meeting Remi and Mason at Dutch’s for drinks tonight. Do you want to go hang out with them?”
He squeezed her hand, an irresistibly devastating grin curling his lips. “Are you asking me on a date?”
She caught herself as she started to roll her eyes and said, “Yes. A triple date, actually.”
“Like, in public?” he teased.
“Harley,” she warned.
“I just want to be sure I understand what you’re asking. You, me, as a couple, out in public on a Friday night?”
“Yes! Now stop being weird.” She tried to pull her hand away, but he tugged her across the seat, bringing her face so close to his she could practically taste him.
“Can I kiss you while we’re there?”
“Yes.”
“Put my arm around you?”
“Yes,” she said with a little laugh.
“Dance with you?”
“On one foot?” Her stomach fluttered like an infatuated teenager’s.
“I’m a hell of a dancer,” he said arrogantly.
She sighed, feigning annoyance. She knew how great a dancer he was, and she also knew it would be different dancing as a couple rather than friends, and she couldn’t wait to experience it.
“You can hold my hand, put your arm around me, kiss me, and dance with me.” She felt vulnerable saying all those things, but it also felt good. So good, she lowered her voice seductively and added, “Play your cards right, and you might even get to drag me into your office and have your way with me.”
His eyes flamed, causing her entire body to sizzle.
“If you think the first time I make love to you is going to be on a couch or a desk with dozens of people right outside the door, you’re sorely mistaken.” His lips brushed hers as he said, “Play your cards right and you’ll be in my bed tonight.” His tongue swept slowly over her lower lip, and he whispered, “We both know you’ll never want to leave.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
HARLEY AND PIPER sat across the table from Willow and Zane, chatting as they waited for Remi and Mason, who were running late. Dutch’s sure felt different from the other side of the bar. Or maybe it was the new twists in Harley’s relationship with Piper that had him seeing the pub in a whole new light. The atmosphere was more festive, the beer was tastier, and Harley felt more alive than ever. Piper had picked him up almost an hour ago, and he still couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was always beautiful, but tonight she wore an olive miniskirt, a black off-the-shoulder