ER'S

image of Mason and Kennedy tangled on bed. Compounding that nightmare was the surreal

blinds, I gave up on sleep. I tiptoed out of my r

t storm had passed, and soft, golden sunlight was filtering through the clouds, catching the dark waves of his ha

d awkwardly, bre

n me, the hard, guarded lines of his jaw visibly

expected shiver down my spine. "Thanks for letting me stay.

night were draped over a chair,

ered, pointing toward the small laundry clos

ely needing a distraction. I brewed coffee and made a

s. The white dress shirt was still a bit wrinkled, but he looked

able silence. I had no idea what to say to this man I had literall

ng at me with a focused, intense gaze that made my st

, trying to focus on my cof

That makes sense," he murmured, his voice dropping a fraction lower. "

d my mouth to reply, but he was already stand

ing toward the front door. "I'll find

d, following him. "Consider i

a quiet sigh of relief. The crazy night was over. I w

rough the apartment, followed immediately

up! Mom's he

out of my face. I f

ill on the knob. He looked bac

e trembling as panic set in. "She..

dark brows pulling to

ammered. "Well, ex-boyfrie

door in its frame. "Harper? Are you in there?

umped. She was a notorious meddler. If she found out my two-year relationshi

ity, and push me into a hundred blind da

imposing frame, his ridiculously handsome fac

bicep flexed instinctively under my touch, but he didn't pull away.

or," I begged, speaking fast

his head

riend!" I blurted out.

e shock, the calm facade sh

s gripping his shirt tightly. "Just this once! J

ding. "Harper Hayes! If you don't open this door righ

ed face, then at the vibrat

nd said in a low voice,