Chapter 6 Harrison
The evening slowly shifted from the warm amber hues of afternoon into the cool violet tones of twilight, and Harrison watched as the energy of the cookout softened with it.
What had started as loud conversation and laughter gradually settled into a relaxed, hazy contentment as dessert was served on the back deck.
Everyone gathered around the table to share the lemon bars Cassidy had made along with a rich chocolate cake Archer had picked up from a local bakery.
Harrison leaned against the railing with a fresh glass of water in his hand and watched Kelsey laugh with her friends.
It didn’t escape his notice that the glass she held had been refilled several times throughout the evening.
Cassidy had taken on the role of bartender, and it was clear to anyone paying attention that she had been generous with the pours.
All three of the girls were beginning to show the unmistakable signs of a comfortable buzz.
Kelsey was usually so guarded, so composed, but the alcohol had softened the sharp edges of her control. Her laughter came easier now, brighter and more frequent than he had ever heard before, and the sight of it stirred something warm and possessive in his chest.
Harrison waited for a lull in the conversation before quietly detaching himself from Barrett and Caleb and moving toward the lounge chair where Kelsey sat. When she looked up at him, her eyes were wide and slightly glassy, and the smile that touched her lips was hesitant but warm.
He pulled up a chair beside her and leaned in close enough to catch the sweet scent of the lemon bars mixed with the faint trace of her perfume.
“You look like you’re a thousand miles away,” he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate straight through her.
Kelsey blinked, a soft blush creeping up her neck as she shifted slightly in the chair.
“I was just thinking about how nice it is to be a guest for once,” she admitted quietly. “Not the one responsible for making sure everyone else is having a good time.”
Harrison studied her for a moment before reaching out to brush a stray blonde lock away from her face.
“You spend a lot of time holding things together,” he said. “Tell me what you really want when the restaurant is closed, the doors are locked, and you’re finally alone.”
She took a slow sip of her drink, and under the steadiness of his gaze her usual defenses seemed to melt away.
“I think I want to stop thinking,” she said softly. “I’m tired of being the person with all the answers. Sometimes I just want to be quiet and let someone else decide what’s for dinner… or what time I should go to sleep.”
“That’s a very honest answer,” Harrison replied, shifting closer until their shoulders nearly brushed. “Loyalty is something I take seriously, and so is the care I give the people who earn my trust. I like structure. I like knowing the people under my watch are safe and settled.”
Kelsey turned her head to study his face, her eyes searching his expression as if she were trying to read something deeper there.
“Is that what you’re looking for?” she asked softly. “Someone to look after?”
“I think I’m looking for someone brave enough to be vulnerable with me,” he said. When she dropped her gaze, something fierce and possessive tightened in his chest. “You might be surprised how much lighter life could feel if you didn’t have to carry everything alone.”
They were speaking a language that went far beyond casual friendship, and there was an unspoken understanding beginning to form between them—something that hinted they might be exactly what the other needed.
A man who instinctively protected, and a woman who had spent far too long trying to do everything herself.
The moment was broken when Archer stood and placed a steady hand on Cassidy’s shoulder as she swayed slightly on her feet.
With a crooked smile he announced to the group that he was taking his drunk little girl to bed before she fell over.
He made it clear everyone else was welcome to stay as long as they liked, but his focus was entirely on the woman in his arms.
Only a few minutes later Barrett followed suit, pulling a giggling Savannah to her feet and announcing he had the exact same plan.
Harrison remained where he was, his gaze drifting back to Kelsey, who was now staring down at her empty glass with a dreamy, distracted expression.
He stood, his height casting a long shadow over her.
“I’m driving you home,” he said, his voice calm but firm enough to make it clear the decision had already been made. “You’re far too drunk to drive.”
Kelsey immediately tried to protest, insisting she was fine and pointing out that her car was right outside, but Harrison stepped closer into her space and looked down at her with quiet authority.
“Kelsey,” he said evenly, holding out his hand. “Give me your keys.”
“I can drive, Harrison. I really can,” she murmured, her voice small and thick with alcohol.
“You’re going to give me your keys right now,” he replied calmly, “or you’re going to be a very sorry little girl.”
The words made her cheeks flush a sudden, deep crimson.
He saw the challenge in her eyes weaken as his command settled in. With a reluctant sigh she reached into her small bag and placed the keys in his open palm.
He guided her toward his SUV, his hand firm on her arm as they walked down the driveway. When her step faltered slightly, his grip tightened just enough to steady her.
“Easy,” he murmured.
He opened the passenger door and helped her settle into the seat before leaning across her to pull the seatbelt over her chest. The buckle clicked securely into place before he stepped back and closed the door.
The drive to her apartment passed in comfortable silence. Harrison kept one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested on the center console near her, close enough that she would know he was there if she needed him.
When they arrived, he walked around the car and helped her out before guiding her through the lobby and up to her door.
He didn’t leave once they stepped inside.
Instead he moved into the kitchen, scanning the cabinets until he found a bottle of Advil. After filling a large glass with water, he returned to the living room and held both out to her.
“Take them.”
He waited until she swallowed the pills and drank half the glass before his shoulders relaxed slightly.
He wasn’t about to let her wake up with a pounding headache if he could help it.
By then Kelsey was drifting deeper into her little space, her movements slower and her voice soft and sleepy as she thanked him. He told her to change into her pajamas while he stayed in the kitchen for a moment, giving her privacy.
When he finally walked toward her bedroom to check on her, he pushed the door open just as she was struggling with her silk shorts. The sudden sound made her startle, her hands instinctively trying to cover herself.
Harrison stepped inside calmly with the glass of water and spoke in a firm but gentle tone.
“Hands down, sweetheart.”
His voice was warm and steady in the quiet room.
She hesitated before slowly lowering her hands, the shy look in her eyes stirring a deep surge of protective affection in his chest.
He set the water on the nightstand and walked over to her, gently taking the silk shorts from her trembling fingers before kneeling in front of her.
With quiet care, he helped her step into them one leg at a time, smoothing the fabric over her hips with a touch that was grounded in pure, steady protection, leaving no room for anything other than her comfort.
It was a simple act, but a pivotal one.
He saw the way she leaned into his presence, the way her breathing slowly began to even out as the tension drained from her body.
When he stood again, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before tucking the blankets around her as she climbed into bed.
Only then did he notice the purple dragon resting on her pillow.
“Who’s this keeping your spot warm?” He asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Kelsey’s face lit up with sleepy, childlike delight as she pulled the toy closer.
“This is Nova,” she said softly. “She keeps the bad dreams away.”
“Nova is a very lucky dragon then,” Harrison replied.
He kept the conversation light and soothing as the alcohol slowly pulled her toward sleep. They spoke quietly for a few more minutes about the coming week, and he told her he was taking her to dinner on Tuesday night. She nodded her agreement without a single word of protest.
Harrison sat on the edge of the mattress and rubbed slow, steady circles across her back while her eyes fluttered closed, and her breathing gradually deepened into sleep.
He waited until he was certain she was fully asleep before standing and adjusting the blankets one last time to make sure she was warm.
After taking the empty glass back to the kitchen, he made sure the front door was locked before stepping quietly out into the night.