“That’s the part I feel the worst about. I didn’t like hiding myself from you. Especially the more we got to know each other.”
“So why did you?”
He sucks in a breath and blows it out. “I’ve had some bad experiences with women.”
“Describe bad experiences.”
“They could have been much worse, I admit that. But it’s never fun when you realize a woman is dating you for your money. Or for your business. Or for the status your money and business will bring her. It’s not like the name Harrison McGinnis is all that common. One Google search and…”
“… and the sharks circle in the underground parking lot.”
“Exactly. I’m not about that. Yes, I have more money than most people in this town. Yes, as our agents sign more and more quality clientele, the company gets bigger. And yes, I’m the man in charge of all that. But at the end of the day, I’m also the guy who is going to grab the ten-foot ladder and change the lightbulbs in his ceiling and is going to do a DIY if he feels like it and hates scary movies because his nightmares are vivid.”
“That was oddly specific.”
“If you’re going to see the real me, I might as well tell you the truth and that is, I am a wienie. I also jog in case I need the endurance someday during the zombie apocalypse because I don’t have to be the fastest runner. I just have to be faster than the last person. If that’s you, I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
He says it so nonchalantly I can’t help but laugh, especially when the shit eating grin crosses his face.
“You’re a hot mess, you know that?”
“I do. And that’s the guy you’ve been getting to know. Harry, or Steve, who just slaps on deodorant to pop in the office after a run. Not Harrison McGinnis, the CEO and majority shareholder of the McGinnis Agency.”
“Is that why you looked like you work in maintenance today? You didn’t shower before coming in?” I’m not sure why that thought makes me happy, but it does. Maybe because it reiterates how down to earth he really is.
“I hope I didn’t smell too bad.”
There is pleading in his piercing blue eyes. A longing for me to accept him for who he is, not what he comes with. I have to admit, his insecurity in this moment is hella sexy.
I shake my head and bat my eyelashes just a bit. “Not too bad at all. In fact, I may have gotten a whiff or two that made me want to jump you.”
He belts out a belly laugh and my heart skips a beat. All day I’ve been thinking about Harry and feeling guilt about Steve when they’ve been the same person all along. And I get why he did it. He wants someone who is genuinely interested in him. Considering I was ready to jingle his balls when he was an hourly worker, I think I’m a safe bet.
He rests his forearms on the table and leans in. “Am I forgiven for the lies by omission?”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I understand completely. And I’m glad you made sure this was a real connection before throwing your money around. If there weren’t extenuating circumstances, all this,” I wave my hand at the extravagant set up, “could be kind of intimidating.”
“But not to you, right?”
“Knowing Sheila is involved, I’d say this is actually pretty toned down.”
The noise on the street below increases in volume and I can only imagine it’s almost that time.
Harrison stands and holds out his hand to me. “Come on. Let’s get ready to ring in the New Year.”
I take his hand and thread my fingers through his, following where he leads me. Closer to the ledge and away from the heaters, I begin to shiver. Harrison immediately moves behind me and wraps arms around my shoulders, enveloping me in his warmth. His body feels just like I knew it would — hard in all the right places with a softness to his touch.
“Is this okay?” he whispers in my ear and I shiver again, although this time it’s not from the cold. Oh no. This one is all lady bits.
“It’s perfect.”
We watch as the giant ball several blocks away illuminates, the lights below it dancing as if they’re getting ready for the countdown with us. In a matter of seconds, it begins to lower, changing colors every second as we count down.
Ten… nine… eight…
I turn my head and look up at Harrison who isn’t paying any attention to the scene in front of us, instead staring down at me with a lust-filled gaze.
Seven… six… five…
When he realizes I’m looking back at him, he turns me in his arms so we’re standing face to face.
Four… three… two…