Chapter 5
Chapter Five
H arrison tried, but he couldn’t stop himself from watching Nyla stroll away. Her sexy walk grabbed his attention every time. He wanted more than anything to pull her back, have her sit on his lap, and ravish her gorgeous mouth.
Which was insane.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had those types of thoughts about a woman, but Nyla was different. From day one, Harrison had been drawn to her. So much so it kind of freaked him out. They didn’t know each other well, but at work, he was so comfortable around her that it felt as if they’d known each other forever.
Nyla had that effect on him. The more time he spent in her presence, the more time he wanted to be near her. She was slowly pulling him from behind the protective wall that he’d erected around himself.
“Those are two of her sisters,” Jamie said of the women who’d just walked up to Nyla and hugged her. He wasn’t close enough to see if there was a family resemblance, but it was nice to see they at least got along.
Harrison once had a relationship like that with his family, but one fateful night changed that and everything else in his life. He’d been shattered by betrayal. He didn’t communicate with most of his relatives, but he at least talked to his sister on occasion.
“I’m glad you came in tonight,” Jamie said. “I need to leave before closing, but I don’t want to abandon Nyla to close alone. Can you stick around and lock up with her?”
Harrison narrowed his eyes at his long-time friend. They’d grown up together but lost touch after graduating from college. He had run into Jamie a few years ago at a time when he needed a friend.
“I know what you’re trying to do, and it’s not going to work,” Harrison said. “Matchmaking doesn’t suit you, and you already know I’m damaged goods. Nyla deserves a man who can be everything she needs. Someone who can be emotionally present. I can’t be that man.”
He wished he could be that for Nyla because the woman stirred a longing in him that he hadn’t felt in ages, if ever. Yes, he wanted to feel again. He wanted to start living again, and that included dating.
But…
“It’s clear you’re both interested in the other,” Jamie said.
“That may be, but nothing could ever come of us.” The words felt bitter on Harrison’s tongue, but they were true.
“Even if she has expressed a serious interest in you?”
Harrison released a long sigh. It was nice to know he wasn’t alone in his feelings. How many times had he dreamed about what it would be like to hold her in his arms and kiss her tempting lips? Which was why he’d been paralyzed earlier when she’d landed in his arms. He’d wanted to devour her mouth.
Even before that moment, he had thought about her more than he cared to admit. Unfortunately, he wasn’t ready to open his heart to anyone. Not now, maybe not ever.
Still, she was beautiful inside and out, and he wanted to know everything about her—likes, dislikes, everything.
“It’s time, Harrison,” Jamie said. “You gotta let the past go and put yourself back out there again.”
“I am,” Harrison growled. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
He’d once been outgoing and personable, but now, outside of going to work every day and maybe going to the grocery store, he had turned into a hermit.
Jamie nodded. “I’ll admit, it is good seeing you, but what about dating? When was the last time you took a woman out to dinner or a movie?”
Harrison didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. Jamie already knew the answer. Had it not been for his friend’s prodding, Harrison wouldn’t be there.
After the drama that was his life, the last thing he’d wanted was to be out in public. It had been a few years since he’d been hounded by the media, but it had left an impression. Not a good one. Thanks to an invasion of privacy, a ton of embellishment, and total lack of human decency from the media, Harrison had disconnected from the world.
People sucked!
All those holier-than-though, self-righteous folks who sat at home or behind closed doors judging someone else’s life. He hadn’t even committed the crime he’d been accused of. Yet, people crucified him.
Harrison ran his hands down his face and breathed in. This was so not what he wanted to be thinking about tonight. There were some good people in the world, and he hated to lump everyone into one basket. It wasn’t fair, especially after there’d been a handful of people back then who stood by him.
“Nyla would be good for you. Not only is she nice looking, but she’s also fun, funny, and thoughtful. She’s nothing like your ex-fiancée. She’s someone who will be there for you no matter the situation.”
Harrison believed him, but…
“You can’t keep living like this, man,” Jamie said.
There was no one sitting on the stool next to Harrison, which was good. His past wasn’t something to discuss in public, but clearly that wasn’t stopping Jamie even if he was keeping his voice low.
“What happened to you was beyond messed up. Unthinkable, even, but you can’t let it continue holding you captive. You deserve some happiness.”
Harrison nodded. Deep down, he wanted his life back, but it was hard to trust anyone. Even someone as sweet as Nyla.
“I know you, and I know you’re feeling her. I saw it in your eyes the moment you saw her tonight.”
“Jamie let’s not do this,” Harrison mumbled, then finished off his beer. “A lot has happened, and I’m not the same person.”
Jamie opened another beer bottle and slid it to him. Two was his limit.
“I know what type of person you are, and I wouldn’t push you toward Nyla if I didn’t know you two would be good for each other.”
Harrison didn’t get a chance to ask Jamie to back off. A server approached Jamie to fill an order, giving Harrison the reprieve he needed. Yet, he couldn’t help thinking about what it would be like to spend time with Nyla.
Later that evening, Nyla continued to impress Harrison. She was a jack of all trades and was currently behind the bar making drinks.
“Is there anything you can’t do?” he asked after she served the last drink of the night. There were still a few people hanging out, but the club would be closing soon.
Nyla released an unladylike snort, then quickly slapped her hand over her mouth.
“Sorry,” she laughed. “Your question surprised me since there are a ton of things I can’t do. However, as manager, I had to learn every aspect of running this place. Some things I do better than others.” She lifted the glass that she was rinsing. “Bartending just happens to be something I’m good at. Actually, it’s probably the easiest job here.”
From where Harrison was sitting, nothing about running the club appeared easy, but she seemed to enjoy it.
“You know, I appreciate you sticking around, but if you need to leave, it’s totally fine. I’ve locked up alone before, and I hate that Jamie roped you into staying.”
“I don’t feel roped in at all. Besides, it’s not a good idea for you to lock up alone. I’m glad to help. Just let me know what you need me to do to assist.”
He might’ve griped at first when Jamie asked, only because he knew his friend was trying to push them together. He understood where Jamie was coming from, especially since he thought Harrison was wound too tight and needed to loosen up.
Maybe if he spent a little time with Nyla outside of work, she’d rub off on him. Hell, maybe she’d rub off on him in other ways too. Or maybe she could just rub all over him and…
Whoa . He needed to stop that train of thought. Hadn’t he just admitted to not being good for her? That he wasn’t good for anyone right now?
He needed to remember that because Nyla came across as a forever type of woman.
For the next hour, he helped wipe down tables, clean the bathrooms, and a host of other things. It was good she’d kept him busy. Otherwise, he probably would’ve spent the whole time staring at her and wondering what it would be like to kiss her.
“Whew!” Nyla said and leaned across the bar, then lifted her head and looked at him.
Harrison’s dick stirred at the way her pretty eyes glimmered. His heart and mind might not be ready to start dating again, but his body was more than ready. He wanted Nyla even if it was a bad idea.
“Thank you for helping me,” she said. “Normally, the tidying up goes faster, but we were short a server tonight and it showed. Things had gotten a little more backed up than I realized. I owe you.”
Harrison shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything. I’m glad I was able to help. So, is that it? Is there anything else you need to do before leaving?”
“Nope, that’s it. Let’s get out of here.”
She disappeared to the back, then returned with her coat, scarf, and huge handbag. She set everything down on a table and started to slip into her heavy coat, but Harrison reached for it.
“Let me,” he said, and held it open for her.
His heart squeezed when she looked up at him and flashed him a sexy smile. “Thank you.” She slid her arms into the sleeves, then turned to him.
In that moment, staring into her eyes, something came over him, and Harrison gently tugged on the front of her coat and pulled her close.
Eyes as wide as saucers stared at him as he gently cupped her face between his hands and brushed her cheeks with the pad of his thumb. Her skin was as soft as he imagined it would be, and his heart squeezed as she searched his eyes.
So many emotions swirled inside of him—desire, affection, joy, longing, and a desperate yearning to kiss her. What he was experiencing in this moment was more powerful than anything he’d felt in a long time.
Question was, should he act on what he wanted more than anything?
Nyla’s gaze bounced between his eyes and his mouth. She wanted what he wanted. So instead of debating with himself, Harrison lowered his head and covered her lips with his. And in that moment, kissing her felt like coming home.