Page 10 of Nothing to Tell

“How far into a relationship would you usually invite him to meet your family?”

“They already knew Damon before we started dating, but a guy they didn’t know… maybe three or four months, why?”

“Then that’s how long we’ve been seeing each other.”

Oh, this wasn’t a first date?Interesting slant.With one glaring flaw.

“Seeing each other…” she said.“I don’t know anything about you.”

Shit, huh, she should formulate some questions of her own.This guy was used to driving.Something about him screamed “in charge.”So far, he’d led, and he, apparently, didn’t expect that to change.

“Tonight’s about you, Harper.Our stories need to match enough to fool your family,” Bastian said.When the song ended, he retreated to take her hand.“Let’s get you a drink.”

Drunk.Yes.Stupefied.Blurring hard edges sounded good right about then.

This guy was attentive… or dangerous.In a room full of friends and family, she wasn’t afraid.

“Are you trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?”

Bastian’s sure stride faltered and he turned fast, blazing scrutiny beneath his stern brow.He had to be trying to gauge if she was joking or accusing.When she smiled, his tempting dimple relaxed.

“Maybe that’s the payment required,” he said in the spirit of the tease.

“Man, then you really would be hard up,” she said, deliberately walking in to nudge him, meaning to hasten their arrival at the bar.

Except he didn’t budge an inch.The feather-light caress of his fingertip on her temple dazed her until the intensity of his smolder was all she could see.

“Yeah, I imagine I would be.”

Corny, but she laughed.“I need to be drunker for talk like that to work.”

“Good tip,” he said, curving an arm around her shoulders, pinning their bodies together for the final leg of their journey.

On arrival, Bastian slid her between him and the bar, trapping her in a protective circle, ordering their drinks over the top of her head.This was a bold move.Shielded by his body, Bastian staked a claim, keeping her safe and away from the possibly wicked intentions of others.Did he know that or was it incidental?Was she reading too much into it?Probably.

She’d taken one sip of her drink when Damon came barreling over.

“Can I talk to you, Harpy?”Damon asked, completely ignoring Bastian.

“You are talking to me,” Harper said, licking her lips before sucking more alcohol up her straw.

Bastian’s hand flattened on her abdomen to urge her back against his torso.Physical contact.Support.Solidarity.Leaning on him… she liked it.

“It’s important,” Damon grumbled.

Whatever was going on, Damon didn’t want Bastian involved.That only encouraged her to keep her new friend close.

“You can stay at the house, Damon,” Harper said.“I can’t exactly say no.My father would probably kick me out before he would evict you anyway.But you can tell him you were noble and considerate, though you know I would never have said no.”

Sass was run of the mill for her smart mouth when it was feeling confident.And with the monolith that was Bastian supporting her, the assuredness came flooding back.Would it last?Maybe.Maybe not.But it felt good then.Which was an achievement given she’d almost vomited when Damon first raised the proposition.

“Can I say no?”Bastian chipped in.“I don’t like the idea of you living with an ex.”

Tipping up her chin, she couldn’t see Bastian’s face but addressed him anyway.

“Damon doesn’t want me, he’s in love with Charissa,” Harper said.“He dumped me, remember?”

“Thanks for screwing up,” Bastian said, propping his chin on her head.“She’s mine and staying that way.”