Harm, p.5
Harm, page 5
“But you took years off of work, right? So he didn’t have to be ‘bothered’ with staying home with them, but that really just meant he was probably just fuckin’ someone else... sorry if that might be news to you.”
She sighed. “No, you’re right. If Miffy was the one I caught, I know there were probably others before her.”
“That fuckin’ asshole.”
“Indeed.”
“Her name isn’t really Miffy, is it?” I asked.
“Born and raised.”
I laughed for several seconds, and I heard her laugh as well. “You can thank the universe that at the very least, you don’t have to live with a name like fuckin’ Miffy.”
“This is true,” she said.
“Have you told anyone at work you want to go down to two days off?”
“No, not yet,” she said.
“Hold off on that,” I said. “I want a little time for us. Can you do that for a month or two?”
“Yes, I can do that.”
“I appreciate that,” I said, turning around and walking back down the stairs, heading for Mack’s office.
“Now I can’t wait for my kid to leave.” She groaned. “Oh my god, I’m a monster. No, I’m a momster.”
“Yeah, you’re the worst,” I droned sarcastically.
“A horny momster. Oh my god, Harm. You’ve made me horny. I don’t think I’ve ever been horny. Even when I was supposed to be horny. I mean, obviously, I must have been at some point, I just don’t remember it ever feeling like this. Last night was the first night I actually had an orgasm with my vibrator. Avery bought it for me right after my divorce was finalized. I’d never even seen one in person before then. I seriously thought it was either broken or I was using it wrong until then.” She let out a quiet squeak. “Why am I telling you this?”
I grinned. “Because you trust me, and I love that you trust me enough to tell me that.”
“Are you seriously going to make me wait?”
“I am.”
“And you’re seriously going to wait too?”
“I am.” I knocked on Mack’s door and pushed it open when he bid. He waved me in, and I grinned. “Baby, I’m gonna need to let you go.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, you will.”
“Bye.”
I hung up and sat down in front of Mack’s desk. “I wasn’t expectin’ you’d be here.”
Mack grinned. “Darien’s at a book signing in Seattle, and the kids are off at other brothers’ places, so I came here. The house is way too fuckin’ quiet.”
“You didn’t go with her?”
“Ropes and Devlin were goin’, so he’s her bodyguard if somethin’ goes weird. Plus, Tate was gaggin’ to act as her assistant, so it’s a nice chance for Darien’s biggest fan to get some one-on-one time.”
Tate was an associate who worked for Mack in his law firm. She was actually Hatch’s daughter-in-law, married to Flash, and she was a really great human being. We all adored her.
“Jesus, it’s still a mind-bend to me that Ropes is a fuckin’ erotica author.”
Mack laughed. “Yeah, brother, I get it. He makes a decent livin’ at it, though, so I’m not gonna judge.”
I raised my hands. “Me neither.”
“Need somethin’?”
“Yeah, met a woman. She’s comin’ to mean something to me, and her ex is a fuckwad who’s still messin’ with her.”
Mack smirked. “My favorite kind.”
“Yeah.”
“What’s his name?”
“Bryce Shotwell.”
“The preacher?” he asked, sitting back.
I raised an eyebrow. “You know him?”
“I know about the scandal a few years back,” he said.
I nodded. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure he hid a shit ton of money, so he left her out in the cold, but now he’s trying to get her back. There’s just a lot of shit I don’t feel settled about and I think she’s gonna get caught in the middle of it.”
Mack clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Then, let’s bring this motherfucker down. I’ll talk to Booker tomorrow.”
Booker was our resident computer expert. In reality, he could hack just about anything anywhere, and worked with a few of the more ‘undesirables’ in the ‘biz.’ If anyone could find the asshole’s hidden money, it was Booker.
I grinned. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Brynley
The next day, I showered and took a little extra time with my hair and makeup. I took a little extra time with the menu as well, deciding a pot roast would be something Harm might appreciate. Sliding the roast in the oven, I decided to walk over to my mom’s to visit for a little while since I hadn’t seen her in a couple of days.
“Mom!” I called, letting myself in through the front door.
“Kitchen,” she called back.
I found her sitting at her bay window with a cup of tea, reading a gossip magazine. I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Hi, Mama.”
“Hey, baby, how are you?”
“I’m good,” I said, sitting across from her. “Did you make that list for me?”
“Yep, it’s on the fridge,” she said.
“Perfect. I’m heading to Freddie’s tomorrow, so I’ll pick everything up while I’m there.”
“Thanks, honey. I appreciate it.”
My mom had been an older mother. I was their miracle child and a surprise, actually. She’d found out she was pregnant with me at thirty-nine, thinking she was barren, so to say I was her one and only was an understatement. She doted on me.
But at her advanced age, she was having a harder time getting around nowadays.
I did her weekly grocery shopping, picked up her prescriptions and took her to her hair appointments. Living so close was a blessing because she refused to leave her home.
“I saw you had a man over to your home yesterday.”
“I did. He’s installing new locks on the doors. Bryce broke in.”
Mom gasped. “That little rat bastard.”
“Mama,” I said, biting out a laugh.
“Well, he is.”
“I agree. You just don’t swear.”
“I know I don’t. He’s the reason I do, though. Little piece of shit.”
I couldn’t hold back the laugh now. “Let it all out, Mom. I won’t judge.”
She snarled, then sipped her tea like a proper old lady. “I’m glad you’re changing the locks, sweetheart.”
“Me too.” I patted her hand. “How are you feeling? Any more issues with your leg?”
“No, I’m good. Briggs said he’ll come by tomorrow and mow for me before he takes his girl out.”
“He did?” I was so proud of my kid right now, I wanted to sing. “Good. I’m glad.”
“Don’t know what I’ll do when he goes away.”
“I’ll do it, Mama. Or Lance will. Don’t worry, you’ll be covered.”
“That Lance is a good man. Avery lucked out with him.”
I smiled. “I know. They don’t make them like him anymore.”
Except maybe Harm.
I kept that thought to myself.
“I’m making a pot roast tonight. Would you like to join me?”
“I was thinking I might just relax and watch Law and Order, if that’s okay,” she said.
I smiled. You didn’t get in between my mother and Law and Order.
“Want me to bring you a plate? It’s grandma’s recipe.”
“Why so fancy?” she asked.
“The handyman is coming over to finish the job, so I figured I’d make him something good to thank him,” I said. “You taught me that.”
“Yes, I did. Good girl,” she said. “Yes, I’d love a plate, honey. Thank you.”
“Great, I’ll bring it by about five-thirty.”
“That works great. Thank you.”
“Do you want me to make you another cup of tea before I go?”
“Oh, yes please, honey, thank you.”
I made her some tea, and did a quick tidy up, then headed home, getting the rest of dinner in the oven. Briggs walked in an hour later while I waited (rather impatiently) for Harm to arrive.
* * *
Harm walked in about twenty minutes after Briggs left. He looked gorgeous in his dark jeans, motorcycle boots, and black long-sleeved Henley, and it took everything I had not to peel him out of his clothes right then and there.
“Hi,” I breathed out, unable to stop myself from licking my lips.
“Hey.” He grinned, closing the door. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
“Briggs still here?” he asked.
“No, he’s across the street, mowing my mom’s lawn.”
He dropped his toolbox on the floor and wrapped his arms around me, pressing me against the door and kissing me for all I was worth.
“I picked up a contraceptive today,” I said once I broke the kiss.
He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “I really want to take this to the next level.”
“When would you like to do that, baby?”
“Honestly?” I bit my lip. “Now. I’d like to do that now, I mean, tonight.”
“Fuck, really?”
I blushed. “Is it too soon? Oh my god, it’s too soon. I shouldn’t have said that.” I tried to pull away from him. “I’m sorry—”
His mouth was on mine again and he lifted me high enough so I could wrap my legs around his waist. Man, he was strong, and I say this because I was not light. I liked pizza and donuts and didn’t really get a chance to work out much.
“Fuck,” he hissed, lowering me to the ground. “What time’s your kid leavin’ for dinner?”
“Around five, I think.” I gripped his vest. “But I have to take dinner to my mom at five-thirty.”
“But then we have the evening.”
I nodded. “Then we have the evening.”
“Right, then stop distractin’ me. I’m gonna get this fuckin’ security system installed, Bryn, so your kid doesn’t ask what the fuck I was doin’ all night while he was gone.”
“Okay.” I stepped away and turned toward the kitchen.
“And, baby?”
I turned back to face him. “Yeah?”
“If you change your mind, at any point tonight... it’s okay.”
I let out a quiet snort. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure that won’t happen.”
“No?”
“No. I’ve got some serious restless bean syndrome going on.”
He burst out laughing. “Jesus, woman, get your ass outta here before we run the risk of traumatizin’ your kid.”
I gave him one more kiss, then went to check on the roast.
By six o’clock, Harm had finished installing the security system, dinner had been delivered to my mother, he and I had eaten, and Briggs had just walked out the door.
“Oh, my god, I thought he’d never leave,” I said in frustration, setting the leftovers in the fridge.
Harm chuckled, loading the dishwasher. “Take a breath, Bryn. He might come back.”
“Oh, I didn’t even think about that.” I shook out my hands. “Lordy, I’m not good at this. I don’t know what I’m doing, Harm.”
“You don’t need to know what you’re doin’, honey. I got you.” He settled a hand on my hip. “And we can wait if you’re feelin’ overwhelmed.”
“I don’t want to wait,” I growled. “I want to do something I’ve never done before. I want to do something sinful.”
“Need to make sure you bein’ with me isn’t just some sort of act of spiritual rebellion.”
I blinked up at him. “Considering the fact I’ve never done anything like this before, I honestly don’t know.”
He released me with a frown. “Right, well, you need to figure that out before we move to the next level, Bryn.”
“Isn’t the next level some sexual relief?”
“Is that what it is for you?” he challenged.
“Wait, what just happened?” I asked. “Are we having sex, or aren’t we?”
“Well, that depends.” He raised an eyebrow and closed the dishwasher. “Am I your boy toy or are we moving in the direction of an actual relationship?”
“You want a relationship?” I asked.
“Baby, what do you think I’m doin’ here?”
“Putting aside the age difference, don’t you want kids?”
He crossed his arms. “I want you.”
I let out a quiet huff. “That didn’t answer my question.”
“I want you more than I want kids.”
“But you’ve always wanted kids of your own, right?” I asked.
“Well, yeah, I guess.”
“I don’t know if I want more kids,” I admitted. “Pregnancy was really tough for me and then I was essentially a single parent with both kids. I had no support.”
“I’m not askin’ you to have any more, Bryn.”
“Yeah, but being with me would be a huge sacrifice for you,” I rasped. “Something you shouldn’t have to do.”
“Yeah? Would it?” he snapped. “Shouldn’t I?”
I threw my hands in the air. “Why are you all snarly with me?”
“Because you’re tellin’ me how I should feel,” he said.
Before I could say anything further, I heard Briggs call out, “Sorry, Mom, it’s me. I forgot my wallet.”
Harm raised an eyebrow and I huffed.
“No problem, honey,” I said, trying to keep my voice even.
Harm put some distance between us just as Briggs walked in, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Love you.”
I forced a smile. “Love you too, baby.”
“Bye Harm.”
Harm gave him a chin lift. “See ya, bud.”
Briggs walked back out the door and I heard the lock turn before I faced Harm again. “I’m sorry.”
He sighed. “Me too.”
“I really don’t mean to tell you what you feel. I just don’t want to be hurt.”
He closed the distance between us. “Let’s break that down, then. Why do you think you’re gonna be the one gettin’ hurt here?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not even going to dignify that question with a response.”
He cupped my face. “Jesus, do you know how fuckin’ much I want to ram your asshole ex into a wall right now?”
“Get in line.”
“I’m not askin’ you to marry me, Bryn. I’m also not sayin’ that gettin’ into a sexual relationship doesn’t mean somethin’ to me, because it absolutely does. So, can we keep this on a level that’s somewhere in the middle?”
I leaned against him. “You’re going to have to help guide me on this, Harm, because I’m still getting out of the ‘sex outside of marriage’ is a mortal sin.”
He smiled gently. “Yeah, baby, I get it. And I’m not gonna take that for granted. But I don’t want you to freak out about how I’m feelin’ or what I’m thinkin’. Believe me, if I have somethin’ to share, I will.”
“Really?” I droned sarcastically. “I got the impression you were shy.”
He smirked. “But, we’re not doin’ this unless it’s something we’re both committed to. I don’t share.”
“Commence the locking on of the jaws.”
He made a chomping noise with his teeth, and I laughed.
“You gonna try this with me?” he asked.
“I’m terrified.”
“Me too.”
I cocked my head. “You are?”
“Yeah. Why does that surprise you?”
I shrugged. “Because you’re so calm, cool, and collected. Not to mention the fact, you’ve probably slept with more than just one person.”
“Cards out on the table?”
I nodded.
“I’ve only ever loved one person, and that was Stella. But we were kids. Never met anyone I even entertained having more than something to let off steam with.” He stroked my cheek. “Until you strutted your sweet ass up to me and asked if I wanted to move to a more comfortable spot in the waiting area.”
I gasped. “Really?”
“Really,” he said. “So, yeah, I’ve fucked a few women in my time, but no one for a couple of months, and I’m not plannin’ on fuckin’ anyone again unless you decide you’re done with me, so if you get out of your own way, then I know this could work.”
“I have to get out of my own way?”
“You want me to strum your nugget?”
“Lordy, yes, I do,” I breathed out.
“Then, yeah, you need to get the fuck outta the way.”
I wrinkled my nose. “If you weren’t so freaking sexy, I’d call you rude.”
He grinned. “It’s a good thing we’re on the same page, then.”
“I just went on the pill, though.”
“I brought rubbers, Bryn.”
“Oh,” I squeaked. “Cocky.”
He laughed. “Hopeful.”
“I would like very much to get out of my head and try this,” I said.
“Then, lead the way, beautiful.”
I grabbed his hand and led him upstairs to my bedroom. My heart was beating so fast, I was sure he could hear it. Once inside, I closed the door and leaned against it.
“I do feel a little guilty,” I admitted.
“Why?”
“Being in the medical profession, I’m about to break the Hippocratic oath.”
He cocked his head. “What?”
“I’m about to do Harm.”
He burst out laughing, pulling me against him and kissing me. “Jesus Christ, woman, you are funny as shit.”
I smiled, running my fingers over one of the patches on his vest, suddenly shy. “Now what?”
He chuckled. “Just relax, Bryn, this isn’t an execution.”
“My vagina may think otherwise.”
“Why don’t you start?” he suggested. “I’ll take care of my cut and boots, then you do the rest.”
“Cut?”
“This is called a cut.” He slid off his vest and folded it neatly, setting it on the chair by the window, before kicking off his boots. Once he was barefoot and cut free, he closed the distance between us and stood in front of me again. “There. Now, we’re even.”
“You’re wearing a bra, too?” I teased.
He smiled. “You’ll have to peel me out of my clothes to find out.”
