𝕯𝖔𝖓'𝖙 𝓐𝖓𝖘𝖜𝖊𝖗 𝕿𝖍𝖆𝖙

↑ Riel's outfit for work... Something about visualizing a character's style helps spark my creativity.

ᏒᎥᏋᏝ

Harlow's palm runs across my back and in one quick graceful motion, he sweeps up in his hands, bringing me out of the path of the racing yellow cabs. I secure myself in his arms by fixing my arm around his neck. He steps back to the sidewalk without leaving my lips for a moment.

Harlow kisses me hungrily, not leaving an inch of my mouth unexplored. He leaves my lips just a second to catch his breath, blowing his hot breath against my mouth, and then he starts again.

"We're in public," I take my lips from him. "The entire of NYC is staring at us."

"I don't care . . ." Harlow brushes his nose against my collar. "New York can't begin to imagine how long I've been waiting to kiss you."

He swings us around for our audience to get a clearer view.

"I kissed Riel Summers," Harlow announces loudly to the city. "And I'm going to kiss him again. Mwah," he throws a quick peck to my lips. "And I'll keep kissing him until his lips are tired of me."

Passers-by side-eye me and the madman but inevitably like all New Yorkers they go about their businesses ... unfazed by Harlow's commotion.

"Shh," I cover his mouth. "Are you crazy?"

"Yes," he grins. "If that's how you describe this feeling. Then yes, I'm absolutely crazy."

"You're a lunatic," I giggle as he starts walking with me still wrapped around him.

"I am," Harlow smiles, considering. "But not just any lunatic — your lunatic."

I hug him tightly.

Suddenly, the only thing I want in life is to deal with his crazy forever.

"Aren't you going to put me down?" I ask him.

Harlow leads me in circles. "Reluctantly," he sets me on my feet.

"Shouldn't we go back to work?" I tug at the sides of his jacket.

"I'm getting back to work," Harlow hails for his driver. "You're off the clock."

"Not that I'd mind the overtime," I scoff.

"Company policy says I mustn't overwork you," he tells me sadly. "HR would give me a headache."

"When since do you listen to HR?" I ask him.

"I don't," Harlow says. "But I've to find some excuse to get rid of you for tonight. If you stay, I won't be able to focus on my work because I'd be doing this for the rest of the night —," he fills in the blanks by grazing a kiss against my lips.

"Mmm," I moan into his mouth.

Harlow breaks the kiss, smirking. "You're going to land yourself in trouble, making sounds like that."

"Ahem," I gulp nervously with a blush.

Hank brings the car around the curb.

"Dream of me," Harlow smiles as he opens the door for me. "I won't be home tonight."

"Home?" I search his face.

I wonder which is more home to him, his townhouse or his East Hampton estate? If I were him, I'd choose the latter. I mean, who wouldn't? It's locked between the perfect backdrop of trees and the stretching ocean.

"Your place," Harlow smiles. "Wherever you're."

My dingy apartment? He has to be kidding.

"You're joking?" I say.

"Did it sound like a joke?" Harlow retorts, closing the car door.

"Well ..." I start.

"I'm not joking," he exhales.

Harlow gives his driver instructions, then sends me on my way home. I watch him through the backlite as the car drives away. He smiles, realizing that I'm watching him. He takes his tucked hand from his pocket to blow a kiss my way.

Could I hold you for a lifetime?

Could I look into your eyes?

Could I have this night to share this night together?

Could I hold you close beside me?

Could I hold you for all time?

Could I, could I, could I have this kiss forever?

Could I, could I, could I have this kiss forever, forever?

(Forever, ooh)

I hear Whitney Houston's voice coming from the radio.

"Could I, could I, could I have this kiss forever?"I do a whole videography in my head.

"You're shady," I laugh, yelling at Hank for choosing to play that song.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆───

As most employees dart into the office, I stand outside waiting for Rina to show up. She should've shown up like thirty minutes ago. Darn her. I really need her for my elaborate plan to go off without a hitch.

What plan? Avoiding my boss. I don't trust a rash man like Harlow not to try and kiss me in front of the entire office. I don't trust myself around him. I'm pretty sure there's a yearning look on my face that says kiss me—kiss me right now.

"Rina," I groan when she shows up with half of a bagel in her mouth. "You're late."

"Easy on the 'L' word," she whispers. "I'm very much on time." Rina brushes crumbs off her mouth. "Now, what's the favor you want from me?"

I lean forward slightly. "I need you to help me stay out of Mr. Harlow's sight for the day."

Rina shows a semblance of agreeing but then she gapes up at the sky. "Yeah . . . I don't think so," she mumbles nervously.

"Why not?" I ask her.

"Because," Rina turns me around. "He already has his sight on you," she grabs my arm, whispering in my ear. "Don't look up."

Rina saying 'don't look up' is like an on button for my curiosity.

I look up, falling victim to Harlow's eyes. His eyes rest on me, a flicker of understanding crosses his face as he watches me from his top-floor office. He tilts his head, smiling smugly, before turning away from the window.

"Didn't I tell you not to look up?" Rina sighs.

"It wasn't a good enough warning," I tell her.

"It was," she argues, pulling my arm. "Let's get to work before Harlow sets his mind on chewing us out."

Ding.

I check my phone. It's a text from my boss.

Ignore him, stuffing the phone in my pocket.

Rina runs her hand over the suede of my jacket. "I love this blazer," she gushes. "Are you hiding a secret trust fund? Because it's crazy to think you're affording Tom Ford on an assistant's salary."

"It's not mine," I tell her. "It belongs to Har–," I almost slip the truth to her. "It belongs to Harlan."

"Who?" She asks. "You've never mentioned a Harlan."

"Harlan is a guy," I think of a lie, "that left his jacket at my place by accident."

"Life is so unfair," Rina sighs. "None of my one-night stands leave expensive stuff at my place."

Thankfully, she fell for my lie. It's not like I could tell her that I'm having sleepovers with our boss. Harlow abandoned this completely nice designer jacket in my apartment. He got it soaked in the rain, committing a serious crime against suede. I footed the dry cleaning bill so I'm getting my money's worth by wearing it. As they say 'finders keepers, losers weepers'.

I stroll close to the lobby, inhaling sharply, my eyes dilating as I see Harlow hanging out at the elevator. He's leaning back, one shoulder pressed casually to the wall as though he owned the place. Which he did.

He keeps his arms crossed his chest that's almost lifting out of his shirt. He steps aside, and the elevator door opens. He tips his head to the elevator, ordering me to get inside.

Harlow should know that he isn't going to get me alone with him that easily. I raise an eyebrow at him but walk to the other elevator. I'm a 'lowly' assistant, why should I ride on the executive-only elevator?

I'm sure I got away. But a hand stops the elevator door from closing and he struts inside. I could hear my co-workers go speechless, forgetting that they had office gossip to dish.

Harlow brushes past their shoulders, swaggering to the back of the elevator to stand next to me. "I don't mind the chase," he drops his voice to a low, husky whisper that brushes against my ear.

I shiver with the hots for him as he traces his knuckles against the back of my hand. I feel my breath hitch, my heart doing somersaults. Why is this geezer troubling me?

I tap my feet impatiently, watching my colleagues file out of the elevator to their respective floors, praying the ride would end soon. I spot Rina retiring to the other side of the elevator.

"W-h-a-t  i-s   h-e  d-o-i-n-g   h-e-r-e ?" Rina mouths when Harlow is preoccupied with his phone.

"I d-o-n't  k-n-o-w," I mouth back.

Ding.

I check my notifications.

I scoff, hiding a blush.

Where does this behemoth of a man think I'm going to find the strength to even move him by an inch?

Ding.

Harlow sneaks his hands behind my palm, tickling the insides of my wrist with his finger. His touch chills my spine, I need his hands to do more to me.

"Behave," I say under a hushed breath, shoving his shoulder.

He bumps into Adrian from accounting.

"Sir," Adrian pales. "I didn't mean to get in your way."

Kiss ass.

"It's not your fault," Harlow grumbles. "Don't be stupid and apologize unnecessarily."

Three passengers were left standing. Me, Rina, and our boss. I stick close to Rina — strength in numbers, they say.

"Sasaki," Harlow presses the button for the ninth floor. "I need to speak with Summers in private."

"Yes," Rina walks out of the elevator. "Excuse me."

"You can use the other elevator," Harlow tells her, "or wait for this one to come back. No need for you to use the stairs."

The door closes and I'm stuck in the elevator with him.

"Sir?" I flash him my rehearsed professional smile. "Is there anything wrong?"

"Yes," Harlow nods. "Something is very wrong. Life has dealt me a great injustice."

"Sir," I roll my eyes at him. "You're rich. What injustice could you be facing?"

"I'm not rich in your kisses," he pouts. "Count that as my injustice."

He can't be serious.

"Tsk-tsk," I press my teeth together.

"Just a small kiss," Harlow pleads. "And I won't mind if it's on the cheek."

"No," I turn not facing him. "You're my boss. I'm not kissing you."

"You kissed me yesterday," he reminds me. "I was your boss then."

"Temporary—," I glance at him, my thoughts race, my skin warms (ooh) I want him so bad, "temporary lapse of judgment," I whisper. "And correction — you kissed me."

It wasn't just his looks, still, he's the most breathtaking man I've ever seen; it's the way he carries himself, how he speaks, and everything else about him. He's the kind of man who draws attention without trying. Every look, every word of his, has its way of making my stomach twist and my knees slightly weak.

Harlow wraps his hand to my side, pressing me against him. "That's my jacket you're wearing," he breathes on my ear. "Do you have any idea what that does to me?"

"It's my jacket, now," I pat his chest, "buddy."

The elevator doors glide open and I flip my hair in his face before leaving. Reaching the outside, I turn to look at him and he's ... and he's ... he's rooted to the same spot, smiling as he lets out a slow breath.

"I liked that," Harlow tells me breathlessly.

I should go — like right now.

Giving Harlow the slip isn't easy, especially when he keeps trying to lure me into his office.

"Hey, Summers," he calls me over the income. "I can't find a pen anywhere in this office – bring one to me."

I hear the liar.

"No," I think of something snappy to say to him, but I catch Rina's pointed look at me. "N-o ... No problem, sir, I'll bring one."

"Good," Harlow says.

I grab a fountain pen from the holder on my desk. "I'll have to poke your eye out with it."

"Riel ... Are you mad?" Rina scolds me. "He might hear you."

"Don't worry," I tell her. "He didn't hear me."

I take off to Harlow's office, making deliberate slowed steps but finally, I meet the panoramic glass that straps around his office. I stand outside, watching him for a minute or two, catching him red-handed as he empties the pens on his desk inside the trash can.

"Ha- ha," Harlow laughs, feeling proud of his actions.

I look to see if anyone is coming down the hall before I sneak open the door.

"Don't forget this one," I toss the pen in my hand at his head.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

I sit down to ice cream and a random documentary about long-lost siblings reuniting after seventy years. What's so great about having siblings? I got four and they don't make a very good case for having any at all.

Knock-knock.

He's here. I jump from the couch, blushing brightly at the insistent knocks on my front door.

"Who is it?" I ask, just to taunt the man at my door.

"Your ... one and only," he answers.

"Adele?" I joke.

"Guess again," Harlow says.

"Nah," I reply. "I give up."

"Okay—fine, I'll give you a hint," he chuckles. "I'm the only man you should be expecting at your door."

I open the door for him.

"Oh," I pretend to be disappointed. "It's you."

Harlow grabs my waist, pulling me to him. "Don't even pretend that you aren't happy to see me," he whispers.

He lifts me against him, seizing my lips in a kiss. He gets adamant about consuming me so I submit against him, letting him dominate every inch of the kiss. He lets me breathe for some time, but doesn't stop the kiss instead he moves it to the sides of my mouth, then my cheek.

"What's in your bag?" I question him, paying attention to the duffle bag that fell at his feet.

"Shh, don't talk," Harlow tells me. "You're kissing me, focus on that." He brings the kiss back to my mouth.

Harlow finally lets go out of me, lifting his weekender and shouldering his way into the apartment.

"What's in the bag?" I ask again.

"Just a couple of shirts, some sweats, boxers," he starts listing. "Everything I need to stay over."

"Hmm," I blink.

I grab my bowl of melted ice cream from the couch and set it in the sink.

"You ignored me at the office," Harlow says in a hoarse voice. "You shouldn't have done that. I didn't like it."

I turn on the tap, not particularly interested in having this conversation with him.

"What did you expect?" I ask him. "You wanted to act like some lovesick teenager instead of my boss."

Harlow comes to my side. "You can't go around all day barely noticing me, then have expectations that I'll act sensible. I want you to see me, smile at me ... scold me a bit ... do anything but ignore me — you will break my heart if you do." He takes my soapy hand and puts it at his heart. "So, don't do that. It's still healing."

Leave it to him to make romance out of a heart attack.

"Fine," I feel the beat of his heart under my fingertips. "I won't ignore you again."

Harlow smiles at me.

"But," I say. "You'll have to treat me like all your other employees. So ... no you trying to kiss me and none of your long glances at me at work."

"I'll try," he says.

"Don't try," I tell him. "Do."

"Fine," Harlow agrees reluctantly. "I'll do."

I flick a side-eye at him, not trusting his promise.

"Let me give you a test," I say

"A test?" Harlow raises his brows at me.

"Yes," I reply. "A test ... I'm going to give you a scenario and you'll choose an appropriate answer from the list of options that I give you."

He shakes his head but entertains me. "Fine, I'll do my best to pass your test."

I smile.

"Okay,"  I start."Let's say we're at work and I walk into your office, not saying anything— only staring at you like this . . ." I tousle my hair, tilt my head, and send a lustful glance his way. "A; You'll ask for your morning coffee. B; You'll ask me about your schedule. C; You'll send me out of the office on some unreasonable errand or D; You'll rebuke me for entering your office without your permission."

Harlow chuckles, leaning forward, his eyes on my lips. "I'd kiss you immediately," he smirks at me.

"That wasn't A, B, C, or D ..." I tell him.

"Yeah ..." Harlow traces his finger along my arm, then leads his mouth down the same direction. "I didn't like those options."

I shrug him off. "You got a big fat 'F'," I tell him.

"I'm quite proud of my 'F'," he mutters, resting his chin on my shoulder. "But surely you'll give me an 'A+' for being such a great kisser."

"I don't kiss-and-tell," I pause. "Actually ... I don't kiss-and-review."

I'm rambling.

I throw fresh sheets across my bed. Harlow leans on the doorframe, watching me.

"Do I get to sleep on the bed tonight?" He asks me.

I toss a pillow his way. "You'll sleep on the couch and like it."

I turn away from him, tucking the folds of a fitted sheet over the mattress.

"You're mean," Harlow throws the pillow at my butt.

"I know ..." I grin back at him.

He huffs, grabbing his pillow and retiring to the couch.

I get in bed, fully intent on falling asleep quickly. But I don't. I toss and turn, trying to find a comfortable spot.

Sleep!

Sleep!

Sleep!

I shouted at myself but I wouldn't listen. It's nearing one at this point.

"Are you sleeping?" I shout from my room.

Harlow doesn't answer.

"I know you're not asleep," I tell him. "Answer me."

His silence meets my ear.

"Ughhh, you better be sleeping," I groan, getting out of bed.

I walk out to the living room.

How dare he be asleep right now?

I stand over the couch, watching him snore lightly.

"Hey," I cross my arms over my chest. "Wake up."

He doesn't wake.

"Hey," I yell louder, "old man, wake up."

Harlow groans, pulling the blanket over his head.

"Get up," I pull the blanket from over his face.

"Let me sleep," he complains.

"No," I tell him. "Get up."

Harlow sighs sadly, looking up at me with drowsy blue irises. "Is something wrong?" He asks. "Are you asking me to leave?"

"No," I duck down near his face, pulling his hands in mine. "Just get up, and come with me."

He squeezes my hands and gets up from the couch.

"Bring your pillow," I tell him.

He turns to the couch, grabbing his pillow.

I tug on his arm, leading him into my room. Thud. But not without him knocking into furniture.

"Can't you look where you're going?" I scold him.

"No," he says. "You got me walking around in a pitch-black apartment." He flashes the light from his phone in my face.

"Stop that," I swat his phone from my face. "We're here already." I shove him onto the bed.

"Whoa," Harlow yells.

"Shh," I tell him. "You're going to wake the people next door."

I get in the bed beside him, stuffing the pillow behind his head.

"No," he says. "I won't 'shh'."

"Shh," I place my finger on his mouth, then replace it with my lips.

"Mmm," he grins under the kiss.

I settle against him, wrapping his arms around me.

"Now keep quiet and let me sleep," I mumble, using his chest in place of my pillow.

Sleep happens too fast. I tried going back to my dreams, but a determined ring-ring wouldn't let me. I slip out of the hold Harlow has on me, searching for my phone.

"Where are you going?" He asks me in a sleepy voice.

He lifts out of bed.

"Nowhere ... Don't," I push his shoulders back. "Don't move an inch from that bed."

I search for my phone for a minute, before I realize the ringing wasn't coming from my phone. I sigh, grabbing Harlow's phone from the nightstand.

"What do you want so early?" I look at Mallory's name flashing across the screen.

"Who?" Harlow asks.

"Wouldn't you want to know?" I snap. "But if you must know, it's your bribe-to-be." I give the phone to him.

"She isn't my anything," he grumbles. He stares at the caller ID, hesitating to swipe accept.

"Um...," Harlow looks up at me. "Can I answer?"

I furrow my brows. "Who am I to stop you?" I ask him.

"Riel," Harlow's face flushes. "Don't say that."

He has known Mallory for almost his entire existence. I'm not trying to compete with that. Could he actually move on from her?

I get back in bed. He and Mallory aren't going to spoil my morning. I lay next to him, lifting his arm.

Brring!

Brring!

Brring!

"Answer," I voice annoyed with the insistent ringing in my ear. "Maybe it's important."

I curl up beside him, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Okay," he switches the phone to his free hand.

I grab the sides of Harlow's face, urging him to look me dead in the eyes. "You're mine," I suddenly feel terribly possessive. I run my mouth over his ... kissing him for the added impact.

"You're making me hard," Harlow whispers.

"What?" I gasp, feeling his growing member poking my leg.

I try moving but Harlow pulls me on top of him. "Don't even think you're getting away," he kisses my shoulder. "Get to know him."

I hide my burning face against his chest . . . putting an end to a moan that arrives from making out the heat of his erection grazing my skin.

"Shy and possessive," Harlow grins loudly. "I love it."