Chapter 12 Harrison
Harrison had known the moment he asked her to dinner that the night was going to end one of two ways.
Either Kelsey would run, or she would finally stop fighting the pull between them.
Watching her across the table now, candlelight reflecting softly in her eyes while the warm glow of Salt she closed the last inch herself, her fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck.
Harrison’s hand slid into her hair, tilting her head back as he kissed her—hard, possessive, and thick with all the things they hadn't said over dinner. When she finally pulled back, her breathing was jagged, her eyes wide and dark.
“Harrison…”
He traced the line of her jaw with his thumb, his expression unreadable but intense. “Yes?”
She shook her head slightly, as if trying to clear the fog. “You realize that everything about this is complicated.”
“Most things worth doing are.”
“That isn’t exactly reassuring,” she managed, a shaky laugh escaping her.
“It wasn’t meant to be.” He studied her, his hand remaining steady against her neck. “If you wanted to slow this down, sweetheart, you wouldn’t still be standing this close to me.”
She didn’t step back. If anything, she leaned into him, her hands resting against the crisp fabric of his shirt. “And what happens next?”
“That depends,” he said, his thumb brushing over her lower lip. “On whether you plan on stopping me.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then we leave.”
Confusion flickered in her eyes. “Leave? Now?”
“Yes.” His gaze moved slowly over her face, heavy and heated. “Because if we stay here, Kelsey, we aren’t making it out of this office tonight.”
A visible flush swept up her neck, her eyes searching his. She stared at him for a long beat, the reality of the choice settling between them. Then, she exhaled a slow, shaky breath.
“Well,” she murmured, a playful spark finally returning to her eyes. “I don't think your staff is ready to hear their boss lose his legendary cool through a thin office wall.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a rare, genuine smile—the kind that stayed behind closed doors. He took her hand, his grip firm and anchoring, and led her out. This time, she didn't hesitate to follow.