Pretend You're Mine(8)

Oh my God. She was going to sleep with that.

No! She was not going to fall down the rabbit hole of crappy life choices again. She had promised herself that she was turning over a new leaf. Starting fresh, focusing on herself.

Harper was failing at not focusing on Luke’s naked chest. Her fingers itched to trail over the tattoo, across his chest and down those abs to the indecently low waistband. She fisted her naughty-minded hands in the quilt. There was no way she was going to sleep a wink. Not next to that perfect body.

He was staring at her, too, but his eyes weren’t bugging out of his head like hers. Harper thought she heard him sigh. But he moved towards the bedroom door and wordlessly flipped the light switch.

In the dark, Harper was relieved she had nothing to stare at. Until she felt his weight on the other side of the bed.

He seemed to have the same idea she did, hugging his side.

“Good night,” she whispered into the darkness.

“Night.”

“Luke?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks for letting me stay here.”

He sighed. “You’re welcome.”

“I really appreciate it.”

“Harper?”

“Yeah?”

“Shut up and go to sleep.”





CHAPTER FOUR


Luke woke suddenly in the middle of the night feeling warm. He didn’t even remember falling asleep. He heard breathing and remembered he wasn’t alone. Harper’s head was resting on his shoulder, her hand splayed across his chest. Her thigh was drawn up and across his legs.

It had been a very long time since he woke up to a woman draped over him. He automatically squashed the memory. He was good at that. Staying focused on the present. That’s how he got through every single day.

Harper made a little sound like a sigh and nuzzled closer.

The woman was a disaster. She had invaded his night and now his bed. It was taking an act of supreme willpower not to roll over and wake her up in the way his body was demanding.

Harper. It was an old-fashioned name for such a free spirit. He had already been heading in Glenn’s direction when he saw the blonde blur launch herself at him. It was incredibly stupid of her to get involved like that. Anyone with common sense would have just called for help.

But not Harper. She went in swinging. If tonight was any indication of how she lived her life, it was a miracle she was still alive.

There was no doubt that she was beautiful. Those wide gray eyes didn’t miss a beat and her full mouth always seemed to be smiling. And judging from the feel of her body plastered against him, she was built with the soft curves that commanded a man’s hand to follow them. She had an energy that seemed to be trying to explode out of her at every second.

She was not a restful, careful person. He had known her for only a few hours and was already concerned for her safety.

No job. No home. No money. According to Soph, Harper was screwed. She probably didn’t even have a plan. Someone who stormed out of her own life with nothing but car keys didn’t sound like much of a planner.

He would talk to her in the morning. Find out what she was going to do and then talk her out of whatever ridiculous scheme she came up with. He’d help her whether she wanted it or not.

Luke clenched his jaw in the dark as Harper slid her leg higher up his thighs and murmured something into his neck.

***

Harper woke up to sunlight streaming through the window onto her face. She tried to stretch but found her arms trapped.

Luke.

Hot and hard against her, he was spooning her. His breath was warm in her hair. An inked arm was thrown possessively over her, hand cupping her breast through the t-shirt that was now bunched up around her waist. Her ass was pressed against some impressive morning wood.

Now this was the way to wake up. Warm, safe, and wrapped in strong arms.

She pressed her lips together to stop the laughter that bubbled up inside. She had been the one worried about not controlling herself.

He twitched in his sleep, squeezing her breast.

Harper bit her lip. She didn’t know Luke well, but she was fairly certain he wouldn’t like waking up in such a ... vulnerable position.

She was going to have to sneak out. After she enjoyed this for another thirty seconds.

She nuzzled in and breathed in his scent. His chest rose rhythmically against her back, his hard thighs cradling her.

She deserved a medal for leaving this bed. She held her breath and gently pried his hand off her chest. Holding up Luke’s arm, she inched away from his perfect body. And cursed herself as she did it.

Maneuvering to the edge of the bed, she eased into a sitting position.

Even in his sleep, Luke was sexy. Inky long lashes brushed his sculpted cheekbones. Except for those lashes, there was nothing delicate about him. He was built with power and strength. She let her gaze linger on the lines of his arm. The sinewy muscle of his biceps gave way to the sensual ink on his forearm.