Page 48 of Nothing to Tell

Robyn was ancient history.Keely never liked his ex and rejoiced that they’d split up.His mom was more diplomatic but probably felt the same.

“I’m not seeing her,” he said.

Dampening the surge of testosterone-fueled possession that flooded him when Harper twisted away from his reach, he had to remember she didn’t actually belong to him, yet.

The squirm of her gaze spoke to her discomfort.

She lowered her volume to a breath.“I didn’t even think to ask.We were only supposed to be together that one night.I told you it was perfect at that.”She sighed.“Now everything’s complicated.”

He had experience with calming women down.With a drama queen sister and a vocal mother, he’d been training for it most of his life.

“It’s nothing,” he soothed, stroking the silken skin of her upper arm.The pure texture boosted his testosterone again.“I’m not seeing her, Sweet.It’s just us, you and me… Fidelity’s not too much to ask, remember?”

That wasn’t the reassurance she needed.All he needed was her close to him again.He failed them both.

“You can see anyone you want,” Harper whispered.“We both know this isn’t real.The problem is that others don’t.Your mother would never have encouraged me to come here if she knew you were serious about someone else.All she wants is to see you happy, Bastian.You let her know about this woman and she’ll feel better.Right now, she’s telling me that you’re passing the time, screwing around with a bunch of women.She knows that doesn’t make you happy.”

His brows rose.“So now I’m screwing around with a bunch of women?How many is a bunch?”

The ebb and flow of this fascinating woman’s emotions led to captivating conversation.As long as they were talking, she wasn’t going anywhere.

“That’s not my business,” Harper said.“But you should’ve been honest, with me, with your mother, and with your family.They want you to be happy.”

Learning her buttons and how to stimulate them would come in useful later.

With that in mind, he had to ask, “Why are you so upset about this?”

Her blink was shock.

She leaned away, crossing her arms in front of her.“I’m not upset.”

Man, she was beautiful when she was defensive.It didn’t help ease her embarrassment when he smiled, but he couldn’t help himself.Finding this woman had been a blessing.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Would needling her provoke a jealousy confession?That implication energized his attraction.Most women who got upset about his associations were dramatic about it, giving him the sense it was a cry for attention.

Not Harper.

Their potential future relied on her admitting their attraction.From what he could tell so far, she was fighting it.

Staying rigid for half a beat, she gave no hint of what was in her head.Then, just like that, she relaxed.

“Fine, yes, I’m upset.I thought you were my friend and naïvely assumed that included honesty.”

Oh, hey, that might have backfired.

“I’ve been nothing but honest with you, Sweet.”

For the first time, he wanted to answer to a woman, this one, and he wanted her to step up and claim that right.

She got more confused and shook her head downward, only to then tip it back.

“You shouldn’t have come to me that night,” she said.“This whole thing was a mistake.We’ve been sucked in deeper than we—screw around with whoever you want.But don’t expect me to be the façade protecting your secrets.”

That was almost laughable.Never took Harper long to get him smiling.

“You don’t want to be the dutiful wife while I screw anything under twenty-five in a skirt?”