The Hotter You Burn - Page 88/106

Or, you know, revenge. “You expect to punish me for dating Beck.” There was no way Harlow would allow these two to critique and complain about everything she did.

“He’s not yours, bitch.” Tawny drew back her hand. To slap Harlow across the face?

Scott caught his cousin by the elbow, stopping her.

“Let Harlow make the first move. Carol will be forced to fire her.”

“Bitch,” the blonde snapped again. “Beck will get tired of you soon enough.”

“Maybe, but we both know he’s already tired of you.” Harlow retreated a step, intending to go.

Scott released his cousin to grab Harlow’s wrist, keeping her in place.

“Let me go,” Harlow demanded. “Now.”

“Let her go, or die.” Beck’s voice growled from down the hall.

Gasping, she spun. He strode toward her with Dottie at his side. Worry clouded the girl’s face. Rage darkened Beck’s. Scott let her go as if she’d just caught fire.

“Beck,” Tawny said, fluffing her hair. “It’s wonderful to see you.”

“I cleaned this room earlier,” Dottie said.

“Yeah, but my cousin paid for—” Scott began.

“The works? I just reimbursed her.” Beck threw a wad of cash at the twosome before claiming Harlow’s hand and focusing on Scott. “My girlfriend’s shift is officially over. I suggest you leave. If you’re still here in the morning, I’ll take that to mean you’d love to continue our previous chat.” Tawny he simply ignored, and the girl withered before Harlow’s gaze.

Almost feel sorry for her.

Almost.

As Beck tugged Harlow away, taking her the way he’d just come, she sought Dottie with her gaze. “Thank you,” she mouthed.

The girl offered a hesitant but genuine smile.

“You okay?” Beck asked.

“I’m fine, really, but thanks for the white-knight rescue.”

“Just one of the many services I offer in my boyfriend package.” He released a heavy breath. “Scott is lucky I’ve learned the value of restraint.”

“Yeah,” she said. “So lucky.”

He stopped and faced her, his lips quirking at the corners. “You mocking me, baby?”

“Me? Never.” The old-fashioned ambience of the place framed him—lace doilies surrounded each of the strawberry photos, everything surrounded by pink-and-yellow-striped wallpaper. He was a male made even more masculine around beautiful, feminine things, his strength all the more evident, and keeping her hands off him required major effort. “You’re worked into a foaming-at-the-mouth man-frenzy, and I love it.”

“I bet you’ll love this, too.” He backed her into the wall. Only a whisper away, she breathed his breath as he breathed hers, the knowledge causing her to inhale and exhale harder and faster, her heart drumming frantically.

“I’m waiting,” she said, arching her hips to rub against him. “Make your move so I can turn you down.”

His nostrils flared. “You’re already on the verge of begging for more.”

“So are you.”

“I am. So, if you want to go on that date, we have to leave now. Otherwise I’m going to carry you to our room.”

Her knees almost buckled. “I... I want to go on our date,” she forced herself to say. No matter the aches in her body, dating him was important to her.

A moment passed before he gave a stiff nod. “Very well.” He backed away from her, extended his hand. “Where have you been staying? We’ll grab your things.”

Oh...crap. A flare of panic hit her as she twined their fingers. “That’s not important right now.”

Immediate suspicion crossed his features. “Where?” he insisted.

She didn’t want to answer and wouldn’t lie. Besides, the stubborn man wouldn’t quit until he knew the truth. “First on Dane Michaelson’s land, then behind the church,” she admitted on a sigh. “In a tent.”

He ran his tongue over his teeth. “Brook Lynn hinted as much. I didn’t want to believe her.”

His eyes closed, his face suddenly ravaged with pain. “I never should have kicked you out and forced you back into a tent. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to forgive myself.”

She touched his face, making him look at her. “We both made mistakes.”

“You merely reacted to mine, but I vow to you here and now, you’ll never have to spend another night in a tent ever again. I’ve set up a trust for you.”

“A trust? Are you kidding me?”

“No. And you’re going to take the money and like it.”

“I most certainly will.”

He waited for her to finish the sentence, to add “not.” But she didn’t, and he realized she had, in fact, accepted. “Okay, then. Glad we got that settled.”

“If you want to spend your money on me, I’ll let you,” she said. Pride wasn’t going to stand in the way of her future any longer.

He laughed and muttered, “I will never understand you, will I?” then kicked into motion, dragging her with him. “You’re staying with me if I have to tie you down.”

“Kinky, but there’s no way I’m letting you do that.”

“I look forward to your attempts to stop me.”

Harlow knew her hard limits and knew if she and Beck wrestled, she’d be the one to cave. “Fine. I’ll stay in your hotel room.”