She Loves Me (Harmony Pointe #3) - Melissa Foster Page 0,87
is not in my future.”
Willow’s eyes darted to Harley as she put the scones in the box and set it on the counter.
“Don’t look so worried, Willow. I know exactly how your sister feels about marriage.” Harley pulled out his wallet and said, “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. It’s on the house.” Willow sounded as though she were apologizing for Piper’s disinterest in holy matrimony.
Piper grabbed the box and said, “It’s always on the house. Thanks, Willow.” She headed for the door, trying to escape the pressure of her sister’s comment and the niggle of guilt from what she knew might send Harley running for the hills. “Keep up, Dutch, or I might eat your scones.”
“She loves my scones,” Harley said to Willow and Bridgette on his way out the door.
Once they were out of the bakery, Piper tore the box open and shoved a Loverboy into her mouth. She had a feeling even a truckload of sugar wouldn’t be enough to calm the chaos of confusion messing with her head.
Building-supply stores were as thrilling as they were calming to Piper. When she was in them, she got a rush of adrenaline, dreaming up future projects and concepts. She imagined that thrill was similar to what many women experienced in jewelry stores. And the sense of peace that came from being in her element was probably much like the sense of calm that flowery meadows brought to her sister Bridgette.
But even Piper had her limit, and she was coming very close to reaching it.
She and Harley had been at the store for more than an hour, and the only things he’d picked out were two showerheads and two sink faucets. The man did not make decisions lightly. She appreciated that about him, even if she didn’t enjoy staring at towel racks until she was blue in the face. She had a feeling his careful decision-making wasn’t reserved for household decisions. Three years was a long time to want a woman, and the more she thought about that, the more feelings it brought. She felt special, like she was precious to him and worth waiting for. Precious wasn’t a word she’d use in the same sentence with herself, but he made her feel like maybe she should. She also felt respected, because Harley hadn’t pushed during those years. He’d given her space, bided his time. She didn’t know if she deserved that kind of treatment, but she was glad he thought she did.
Given that he’d waited so long for her, she should cut him slack while choosing fixtures, but patience was not her strong suit.
“Hey, big guy. You’ve been looking at the towel racks for twenty minutes. Think you can pick one?”
He looked amused. “Got a date?”
“Yes, with a shower that needs to be tiled.” She waved at a towel rack and said, “What’s wrong with that one? It’s about as masculine as a towel rack can get.”
He pulled her into his arms and said, “Why are you so impatient?”
“Why do you take things so slow?”
“I like to savor the moment. It’s not every day I get to go shopping with one-half of the infamous Dalton Contracting duo.”
He was good at turning her complaints around. “You’re quite the sweet talker.”
“I seem to remember you liked other things I do with my mouth, too.”
Shivers of heat trickled down her spine. “If you hurry up, maybe we’ll have time for you to remind me.”
“Maybe you should help me pick one out. You’re good with hard things.”
She cocked a brow. “That’s a pretty wide net you’re casting.”
“Then let me narrow it down.” He backed her up against the shelf with a rapacious grin, his eyes darkening. “I like the way you handle my cock, and I have a feeling I’ll like the way you hold on to my towel rack while I take you from behind.”
An image of Harley taking her from behind as she clung to a towel rack slammed into her. Lust pooled low in her belly. She wanted to do that with him, and so much more. She’d been trying not to think about christening his new shower when it was finally done, but they’d showered together in the guest bathroom this morning, and they’d had to be creative because of his ankle. They’d ended up with Harley lying on his back in the bathtub, the shower raining down on them as she rode him like the stallion he was.
She was definitely building a tiled bench in his new shower.