“So, about last night …” Harley says unexpectedly, subsequently ruining the moment.

I almost choke on my mouthful of liquor before swallowing hard. Placing my cup onto the railing so I don’t drop it, I close my eyes. Tight. I knew last night would be brought up again, especially after I admitted I lied about not remembering anything. But now? Seriously? Can’t we just enjoy our companionable silence and the damn view?

I force my eyes open because I can feel Harley watching me. His presence and his stare are heavy. I turn my head to find him right there, his gaze set on me and the slightest hint of a smile pulling at his lips, as if he knows the agonizing torture I’m being put through right now. But I don’t speak. I don’t say anything. Instead I just huff out a heavy breath, cocking my head to the side, quirking a brow at him, waiting for him to say whatever it is he feels he needs to say right now.

“I just wanna know one thing …” he begins, pressing his lips together in an attempt to stifle the grin that is so obviously trying to claim his entire face.

“What?” I snap abruptly, casting him a look of indifference I don’t really mean. It’s a defense mechanism. I don’t want to give myself away. But somehow, I think it’s too late. He already knows. “What?” I ask again, with a slightly less harsh tone.

The lingering hint of a smile falls from his lips, and he suddenly appears so fragile, so nervous.

“Harley?”

“Can you kiss me? Again?”

My jaw drops at his question, so hushed, so pleading, so desperate.

He’s playing me. He has to be. But as I stare at him searching for even a hint of sarcasm, I come up short. He’s serious. He’s actually freaking serious. “W-what?” I stammer, my voice suddenly broken.

“You heard me, Murph,” he says with a knowing look in his eyes.

“Y-you want me to … what? To k-kiss you?” I clear the sudden bubble of doubt lodged in the back of my throat. I try to add a nonchalant laugh as if I’m not nearly as affected as I am, but it’s impossible. I’m a mess, and judging by the look in his eyes, he knows it. Before I can say anything, or do anything to further give away how completely and utterly crazy he makes me, Harley reaches out, cupping my jaw with his hand, and just as my mind attempts to catch up with my racing heart, his lips crash against mine in a kiss so all-consuming, I’m as good as done for.

Chapter 25

Somewhere between the feel of Harley’s tongue stroking mine, coaxing me so tentatively, so delicately it’s almost adorable how hesitant he is, and the painful pinch as his fingers tangle themselves within the lengths of my hair, I begin to come to my senses. Barely. Placing my hands against his chest, I’m momentarily lost in the feel of the tight muscles clenching beneath the smooth taut skin underneath the soft shirt he’s wearing, but I force myself to gently push him away with a little less conviction than I was hoping for.