“Yes.” Daniel nodded, but something tightened in his chest. He didn’t want to hurt her. If he was a decent man, he would throw his napkin onto the plate and wish her a good day. He’d thank her for a wonderful evening—and morning—and say he’d see her at the business meeting tomorrow.
But clearly, he was not a decent man. He was an asshole.
“What are your plans today?” Daniel asked instead.
Total asshole.
Harper stared at him, her mouth slightly open, surprised. He wondered if she might say she was busy.
He cleared his throat, feeling oddly vulnerable.
“I’m going to the Ala Moana Mall,” Harper said. “You?”
“Do you like shopping?” he asked.
“Of course, I have a big list.”
“Where is this list?” he grinned. Daniel would buy her every fucking thing she wanted. Then drag her home to bed.
“Up here.” She tapped the side of her head.
“I don’t believe it. You seem more of a planner than that,” he said, smirking at her.
“Okay, fine,” she said and pulled out her phone, opening her notes app. “Here’s my real list, but there are some things in my head, too.”
He took the phone and ran his eyes over all the brands, products, and shops Harper wanted to visit. They were all mainstream brands, but he wasn’t surprised.
He glanced up at her, knowing there was no way this independent woman would let him buy her anything, but he could do his best.
Daniel contemplated heading up to work but found he had no desire to do that for the first time in...ever.
“We just don’t have half these stores in New Zealand, so it’s a treat to shop in Hawaii. Not that you’d understand. I bet you have a personal shopper.”
“Yes.” He nodded
“That’s half the fun. I could never have someone buy my clothing.” Harper shrugged.
Daniel disagreed but let out a small laugh, then his phone beeped.
“Excuse me a minute,” he said, and checked the message. It was nothing urgent—at least nothing that would pull him out of the spell this woman had put him under. Strangely, Daniel was enjoying it.
Cuddling Harper last night had felt warm and delicious. He felt as if he’d been protecting her, and that made him feel powerful.
He was familiar with that feeling, but this felt different. More substantial. The way it did when he’d stood next to his brothers on the playground fighting bullies.
Daniel put his phone down, dabbed his mouth with his napkin, and dropped it onto his plate.
“Well, then. Shall we go?”
“Yes,” Harper said, standing. Then she looked up. “Wait. Go where?”
He smiled and put a hand in his pocket.
“You want to come shopping with me?” she asked. “To Ala Moana.”
“Anywhere you want to go,” Daniel said, placing his hand on her lower back and leading them out of the restaurant.
Harper nearly tripped over herself. She was so flabbergasted. He grinned.