I let out a huge sigh of relief as I take a seat on the bed.
“I’ve been sitting here all night,” Harry says in a low tone.
My head pops up. “All night? You didn’t sleep?”
He gestures toward the bed. “My bed was occupied.”
I dart to my feet. I only meant to sit and wait for Sean to leave, but I must have fallen asleep. Jet lag is still kicking my ass, and all the alcohol I consumed last night didn’t help.
I shove my phone back into my purse.
I won’t attempt to sneak back into Declan’s apartment now. That would alert him that I’m just getting home. Since I always close the door to the guestroom, my brother will just assume I’m fast asleep when he leaves for work this morning.
I need to wait until at least eight before I go back there since he’ll be gone by then.
I contemplate calling Kerry, but I know I’ll be able to find a hotel to hang out in. I can grab a shower too.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep.” I scratch my forehead. “I didn’t mean to. I’ll get out of your way now.”
Harry glides to his feet. “You’ll stay and have a coffee with me.”
It’s not a question, but I must look like hell and smell like a glass of good scotch. I really need a shower.
I shake my head. “I shouldn’t, Harry.”
He steps closer to me. The sound of his shoes hitting the hardwood fills the quiet space.
He slows when he’s only inches away from me.
I look up and into his eyes. I should tell him who I am, but I need time to figure out exactly how I’ll say it. Or I’ll completely avoid him until I head back to London.
His hand jumps to trail over his jaw. There’s a faint shadow of whiskers there now that only adds to how unbearably beautiful he is.
In another lifetime I would have gone to bed with him last night.
The air between us is thick with something I’d label as desire or basic raw need, but I can’t read what’s on his mind.
I drop my gaze to the floor, but the second I do, I feel his hand on my chin, luring it up until our eyes meet.
“You’ll stay and have coffee with me,” he repeats in a deeper tone. “I insist.”
I try and shake my head, but he holds it in place, his touch sending a pulse straight through me.
Thank god I didn’t sleep with him. I can barely handle the man’s hand on my face. I’d come apart at the seams if he ran his fingers down my stomach toward my panties.
“I can’t,” I whisper. “I can’t stay, Harry.”
“You can and you will,” he says hoarsely, running the pad of his thumb over the scar on my chin. “Ava.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Harrison
Sweet little Ava Wells almost drops to her knees in front of me when she hears me say her name.
Hours ago, I would have welcomed that by unbuckling my belt, sliding open the zipper on my pants, and feeding my hard cock to her.
That can never happen now.
She’s Sean’s sister.
It’s taken me all night to process that fact. I struggled to accept that the young woman with short hair, glasses, and braces I first met years ago is this woman.
I never really looked at her back then because of her age.
If I had, I might have realized who she was in the elevator before I stared at her tits and imagined my face buried between her thighs.
“What did you say?” she whispers.
I hold in a chuckle because she heard me just fine. The way she’s trembling and the look of shocked confusion on her face is proof of that.
“You’re Ava Wells,” I tell her.
“I’m Ava Wells,” she repeats softly. “You’re Harrison Keene.”
“You’re right.” I take a step back because my dick has yet to get the memo that this is not a woman I can think about fucking.
Three years ago, I saw Sean at a restaurant in midtown having dinner with Joslyn. I made a fool of myself while they ate seared scallops and stared at me.
After my fucking rant about my sister being off-limits, Sean informed me they’d met up to discuss a surprise birthday party for me.
Sean is all about celebrating every milestone, and Jos was quick to jump on that bandwagon.
Sean swore to me that he’d never cross the line with Joslyn because he respects me too much, and yet the forbidden fruit that is his much younger sister is standing in my bedroom staring at me like she’s not sure if she wants me to chase her out of here or toss her on the bed.
“How did you figure out who I am?” Her gaze darts to the open doorway. “Did Sean see me in your bed? Is that how you knew it was me?”