Chapter Seventeen
Harley
I’m watching him through the kitchen window. He’s deep in thought standing over the grill and I can’t help but think he has something up his sleeve. He’s been different today. He should be happy we’re safe and don’t have to worry about anyone finding us here. Maybe he’s just getting used to the idea of staying here for an extended amount of time with me.
I have to admit; I wasn’t planning on sharing this house with anyone when I bought it had it furnished. But Slater has proven that he can co-exist with me and cause minimal distractions. Other than sex… and his sexy body… and the way he looks at me. And his smile… and eyes. Okay… so he’s full of fucking distractions, but those are all things I’ve learned to crave over that past few days on the run with him.
He starts to walk toward the house, so I turn and pretend that I’ve been busy putting away more of the groceries. “Do you want a beer?” I pull the case off the floor and rip it open before I slide one down the bar toward him.
“Thanks.” His smile goes right through me once again. “Steaks are about done.”
“I have the salad ready. I’ll set the table.” I start to wonder if every day will be like this. Can we both handle the quiet?
“You could always be the centerpiece again. I liked the view.” He flirts without even looking my direction. He knows he’s got me when I laugh out loud, my dumb cackle echoing through the house.
“Maybe you should be the centerpiece… dick standing at attention and all. I could cut my steak with that view.”
“Ouch. Fuck that. I’m not letting anyone within ten feet of my dick with a knife, if I have anything to say about it.” He’s holding his dick as he leaves the house again and I find myself watching him out the window again. Jesus. I need to get a grip.
I force myself to turn away from the window and try to figure out how to work the stereo system I had installed. I figured I’d get real lonely out here and music has always been my get away from the reality shit-hole that has been my life.
Cranking up the music, I begin to dance. Almost forgetting that Slater would be coming in, I lose myself. He’s still in the back of my mind as I close my eyes and sway with the music. It isn’t long before I feel his warmth at my back as he pulls me against his chest.
We’ve never danced before. In fact… we’ve never stopped long enough to do anything remotely relaxing before. Even sex has been rushed because we knew we were running out of time before we needed to change locations.
“That sexy ass of yours has me hard again.” He lifts my t-shirt, gripping both of my ass cheeks and covering my lace panties entirely. I may have forgone the rest of my clothes after we had sex on the kitchen table. All my inhibitions flew out the window sometime on our road trip and there’s just something invigorating about being able to be transparent with a man. He seems to like me flaws and all.
“Is that right. You seem to stay that way at all times.”
“Only around you.” His breath hits my ear and has me squirming in his arms once again. He takes a single step back before he slaps me on the ass. “Steaks are ready.”
I watch him walk to the kitchen, leaving me standing with my mouth wide open with both shock and desire.
Damn him.
Damn him for being sexy.
And damn him for making me like him.
“They smell amazing.” He’s dropping them on a plate before I make it into the kitchen behind him.
“I’ve decided we should go for a hike after we eat. The land here is amazing.” We begin having another normal conversation that makes me smile. I know there’ll be some adjusting to having him living with me, but I think for the time being it’s the best-case scenario. The perks of having him around far outweigh any pains.
“Sounds perfect.”
He flirts with me as usual over dinner, but this time he doesn’t infuriate me with it like he has in the past. I guess this is a true testament to how far we’ve come since we met each other only a few days ago. I start to do the dishes when he slides in behind me. “Let’s do these later… I want to get as much time in outside before the sun goes down.” I let his hands slide over mine and guide me to set the plate I’m holding back in the sink. His warm kiss on my neck has me wanting to ask him if we can do the hiking later and test out the bed first.
“Look at you… ready to have sex with me again so soon. A guy could get used to this.”
“You really are full of yourself, aren’t you?” I have to give him hell. It’s what we do… even though this time I know he can see right through my attempts at feigning interest in him.
“I guess I must be crazy.” He laughs as he walks away, leaving me leaning against the counter and squeezing my legs together, trying to make the awakened sensations simmer down just enough to withstand a hike with this man.
We’ve been walking for hours along the water and through the trees on my property. I knew when I bought this place that the area was large… but I hadn’t realized how secluded we were until today. It makes this place even more perfect than I imagined it would be. I’m making a mental note of the layout of the area, just in case I ever need an escape in the future.
I’ll need to thank my lawyer for the great find.
“We need to get a boat and put it on the dock here.” I can see Slater’s mind working just like mine is. I guess that’s just part of being on the run for so long and always looking behind your back expecting the next attack to happen most of your life.
The walk is peaceful and he even puts his arm around my shoulders as we get close to the house… making it the single most romantic night of my life. I haven’t had the best of luck in this department, so it’s the simple things that win me over. I find myself at peace for the first time in a very long time as I breathe in the night air… finally at my safe house and in the arms of a strong man.