Harlon
Chapter 5
Harlon pulled up into Nina’s drive and got out of the truck. Her blue shutters and windows were open, and lacy curtains danced in the breeze. She was sitting on the porch steps with his clothes folded and laying in her lap. Harlon’s duffel bag sat beside her.
She’d known he was coming, and she’d been waiting.
There wouldn’t be any lame excuses how she knew. Nothing that could have him second-guessing she was gifted in more ways than one.
This moment, the vision of her waiting, would be forever seared into his mind like a painting hung over a mantel. Her rosy cheeks darkened as he approached. Her gaze traveled up and down his body the same way he’d done to her in the shower. Did she know they were connected? Could she feel it?
She was perfect, and Harlon was about to ruin her.
“You knew I was coming.” Harlon’s question was said as a statement. He didn’t have to be able to read her mind to read her like an opened book.
“I should,” she said, clearing her throat. “You’ve been starring in my dreams and premonitions since I was ten.”
“Ten, huh?”
A cloud settled over her features.
“That’s a long time to be dreaming of me.”
Her expressive face changed and almost became somber as she rose to her feet. She held out the clothes he’d loaned her. “I didn’t mean to blurt that out. That must have made me sound crazy. Almost stalkerish. I’m not,” she explained, resting her hand over her heart.
Harlon took the clothes from her and dropped them on the step next to his bag. She was cute when she was nervous. Her cheeks darkened, and she twisted her fingers together, then broke them apart and shoved them into her pockets, but not before he’d seen them trembling. She shifted her weight to her left leg.
So damn cute.
“Why are you dreaming of me?”
She shrugged. Her gaze slid to his scar. “I don’t know.” Her words were a whisper. “But the day they started; you got that scar. I watched it. I knew what was going to happen, and it scared me so much that I woke up screaming for you to run.”
“Invite me in,” Harlon said, ignoring every part of himself that wanted to scoop her up again like he had yesterday and carry her inside. The pull to move closer to her was hard to resist.
“We both know what will happen if I do,” she said, picking up a book that had been lying on the railing. She hugged it to her chest as if the flimsy sketchbook could present a barrier.
He raised a brow in challenge. “Nothing more than coffee will happen. I do have self-control.” His gaze raked down her body. His self-control would be tested.
Her chest fell and rose in the same rhythm as his. Vivid color washed into her cheeks. As if she felt the chemistry between. She wanted him, too.
Slowly, she shook her head, walking backward toward the front door. She had her hand on the knob. She had more self-control than he did.
If he didn’t stop her now, he’d lose his opening. “I have a proposition for you.”
She halted her retreat. “I’m not a hooker.”
He stifled a smile. “Good, it isn’t that kind of proposition.”
The spark in her eyes told him she’d devour him if given a chance. He’d let her too.
Damn it. This wasn’t why he was here. He scolded himself. “I want to hire you for a job.”
She pursed her lips. “I don’t even know you. What kind of job could you possibly need me to do?”
“I think you do know me. I’ve starred in your dreams for years.” Harlon pointed out, slowly making his way up the porch steps in her direction. “Unless, of course, it’s what we do in those dreams that have left you…rattled.”
She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “I’m not rattled, but you should be.”
