Absolute Harmony (A Harmony Falls Novella), page 8
The babies’ yelping and hollering grew louder as they entered the nursery. Savina glanced into the pen and sighed. While Izzie could use the doggie door to do her business, the puppies were contained in their nursery. After being gone all day, the puppy pen was in dire need of cleaning.
She smiled at Hal as he picked up one of the puppies and snuggled it against his chest. “They’re getting so big.”
“Izzie’s done a great job nursing them,” Savina said. The puppy licked Hal’s face enthusiastically, and she felt a moment of actual envy. She wanted to be licking Hal. Repeatedly.
When Hal set the puppy back in the pen, she grimaced. “Well, you’ve got puppy poop on you now.”
He stared at the poop footprint on his shirt and laughed. “It won’t be the first or the last, not in my line of work.”
“I really need to clean the pen. While I clean, I let the puppies roam free in the dining room if you want to get in some cuddles,” Savina said.
“I’ll help you clean the pen,” Hal said.
“You don’t have to do that,” Savina said. “You clean enough kennels at work. You don’t need to do it during your free time.”
“I don’t mind,” Hal said. “It’ll go faster if I help.”
Before she could argue, Hal stepped into the pen and started scooping the puppies up and depositing them on the other side of the pen. She ran to close the door to the dining room as the puppies immediately scattered across the room to chase Izzie and wrestle with each other.
“Hal, are you sure?” Savina said.
“Positive.” He grinned at her. “Grab those pee pads, and let’s do this.”
“Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.” Savina peeked through the half-open door of the dining room. Izzie was curled up in the freshly cleaned pen, the babies nursing contently against her.
“You’re welcome.” Hal stood behind her, his warm breath against her neck as he studied the babies. “How much longer will you be fostering them?”
“Not too much longer. They’ll be weaned soon, and Rayna has already lined up some new foster homes for them.”
Rayna was Rayna Abrams, a local plumber and the founder of Little Whiskers Rescue.
“What about Izzie?” Hal asked.
“I’ll keep fostering her until she’s adopted. What time is your thing tonight?” Savina walked toward the kitchen. She needed to put some space between Hal and her before she did something crazy like fuck him right there in the hallway.
Hal followed her and leaned against the counter, staring blankly at her. “My thing?”
“Your plans,” she said as she washed her hands with the hand soap next to the sink and dried them.
As Hal washed his hands, she opened the fridge and grabbed water for both of them. “You said you couldn’t go to the restaurant because you had plans.”
“Right. Uh,” faint red coloured his cheeks, “that might not have been entirely true.”
She grinned at him. “If Harper finds out you lied about having plans, she’ll probably steal your figurine collection and hold them for ransom.”
He laughed. “Probably.”
She hesitated and then crossed the kitchen to open a far drawer. “Speaking of which.”
She handed him the small bison figurine, her stomach weirdly nervous. “I found this a few months ago at a thrift store in Riverton. You probably already have it, but I bought it just in case you didn’t.”
He took the bison from her, and the look of delight on his face calmed her stomach. Hal had collected the vintage Wade figurines for as long as she’d known him, and his impressive collection was displayed in a glass cabinet in his living room. She didn’t remember seeing the bison, but it had been a while since she’d seen his collection.
“I don’t have this one. It’s from the Animal Series One, and it’s the only one I’m missing from that series,” he said.
She took a drink of water. “Well, I’m super happy I bought it for you.”
He studied her. “I am too. Thank you for thinking of me even when we weren’t….”
“Friends anymore?”
“Talking as much,” he said.
She picked at the water bottle label as awkward silence made the kitchen air feel thick like molasses. She needed to apologize for last night and could no longer put it off.
“Hal, I’m sorry for leaving without saying goodbye this morning.” She risked a glance at him, surprised by the compassion on his face. “It was a shitty thing of me to do.”
“I understand.” He set the figurine on the counter and took a drink of water.
She frowned. She should have been happy that Hal was so understanding. Instead, she was confused as hell. “Why aren’t you angry with me?”
“Because I’m not an asshole,” he said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He sighed. “I’m not going to be angry because you feel guilty about sleeping with me.”
“I don’t feel guilty,” she said.
Exasperation crossed his face. “Lying about your guilt isn’t healthy. You shouldn’t -”
“I’m not lying,” she said, her cursedly short temper already rising to the surface. She took a deep breath. “Well, mostly. Look, I didn’t feel guilty about sleeping with you, at least not in the way you assume. I woke up around three and couldn’t get back to sleep, and then my stupid brain started overthinking and I realized my lack of guilt actually made me feel guilty. I laid there in the dark wondering what kind of person I was to be so guilt free about sleeping with you, and then I started worrying that you might feel guilty or regret it. That made me feel awful and confused, and the idea of seeing that regret on your face when you woke up panicked me, so I snuck out of your house like a giant chicken.”
She set her water on the counter. “But it was immature and selfish of me to do that to you, and I want to say I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted,” Hal said.
Relief washed over her, and she sagged against the counter. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
He nodded, and she dragged her nail over a scratch in the countertop. “It was good between us, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” he said bluntly. “Really good.”
“Yeah.” She gathered her courage, reminding herself to keep her damn feelings off her face if his answer destroyed her. “Are you… I mean… do you regret it?”
He stared directly at her before moving so close his chest nearly brushed hers. “I have no regrets about being with you, Savina.”
She needed to ask him if he felt guilty, but did she really want to know the answer when he was standing so close to her? When she could lean forward and kiss him if she wanted? When it’d been less than twenty-four hours since she’d been with him, but she already wanted him again with a fierceness that shocked her?
“Hal,” she whispered.
He reached out and brushed back a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail and clung to her cheek. “Savina.”
“I know we said only once, but I want you again.”
His gaze fell to her mouth. “I want you again too.”
“Maybe just once more to help with the tension?” she said.
“Once more would probably be very helpful to ease the tension.” He let his mouth hover over hers, those perfect lips tempting her into madness.
“So helpful,” she breathed before pressing her mouth against his.
He palmed the back of her skull, pulling her tight against him as they kissed. Kissing Hal was a delicious, addictive drug. He explored her mouth with a slow and tender style that had her clinging to him and making small cries and whimpers for more.
When Hal slipped his hand under her shirt and cupped her breast through her sports bra, she was suddenly too aware of what she’d been doing all day and how much she’d been sweating. Not to mention they’d just finished cleaning a puppy pen.
She pulled back, breaking their kiss.
“What’s wrong?” Hal asked, his hand stilling on her breast.
“Nothing. Other than we both spent the day sweating like crazy, and we just finished cleaning up a truly epic amount of puppy poop.”
Hal grinned. “You make a good point.”
“I can have a quick shower and then make us some sandwiches while you shower,” she said.
“Or,” Hal squeezed her ass, “we could shower together and then have a bite to eat after we fuck each other’s brains out.”
“As long as you promise not to fizzle out halfway through the fucking because of lack of food,” she said.
Hal’s low chuckle sent a rush of liquid straight to her pussy. “I promise.”
CHAPTER 12
She took his hand and led him to the attached bathroom in her bedroom. She flicked on the light, and Hal said, “Holy shit.”
“You like?” She grinned at him. “I had it renovated earlier this year.”
“It’s amazing,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted a walk-in double shower.” She opened the shower door and turned on both showerheads, adjusting the temperature before shutting the door. “It seems a little excessive for one person, I guess, but sometimes I turn on both showerheads even when it’s just me in there.”
He grinned at her as he stripped off his shirt. “Nothing wrong with indulging yourself a little.”
“That’s what I thought.” She pulled off her clothes, surprisingly not feeling even a little self-conscious in the bright light of the bathroom.
She took Hal’s hand and led him into the shower when they were both naked. They stood side-by-side under the showerheads, letting the hot water run over them. Hal dipped his head under the spray before smiling at her. “This is incredible.”
“Right?” She wet her hair and reached for the shampoo, handing it over to Hal without protest when he tugged it from her hands.
He washed her hair with gentle efficiency. She rinsed her hair clean and then returned the favour, kneading Hal’s scalp until he groaned in pleasure. When he’d rinsed the shampoo away, he lathered his hands with soap and pulled her close, running his soapy hands over her shoulders.
“You know, I’ve been washing myself since I was a little kid,” she teased.
His hands slipped to her breasts, turning her nipples into soapy little points as her hips arched and his erection pressed against her stomach.
“It’s always nice to have help, don’t you think?” Hal kissed her wet neck, nipping at her skin as his hands caressed and cleaned her upper body before he lathered more soap and slipped his hand between her legs. He washed her pussy, ignoring how she gasped and dug her fingers into his wet shoulders when he brushed against her clit.
“Hal, please,” she said when his fingers rubbed over her entrance.
“Soon,” he said before crouching and washing her legs.
“There’s a bench you could sit on,” she gasped when he trailed his fingers over the back of her knees.
“True,” he said as he stood and grabbed the handheld and rinsed the soap from her body. “But if I sit on that bench, you’ll be in my lap with my dick in your pussy.”
“I don’t have a problem with that,” she said.
He laughed and handed her the soap. “Your turn to help me.”
She bit her bottom lip, staring at the bench with real longing before soaping her hands. Anxious to fuck him, she made her movements brisk, washing his upper body and arms with quick, efficient movements.
But the low sound of Hal’s moan when she gripped his erect dick with her wet soapy hand slowed her down. He slipped his arm around her waist, holding her tight as she gripped him in her hand and stroked him back and forth.
“Fuck, that feels good,” he muttered.
She smiled and released him to cup his balls, gently massaging and cleaning them as Hal made another low groan. He pushed away from her and rinsed himself clean under the shower head before reaching for her.
She backed away until she bumped against the bench, grinning cheekily at him. “I haven’t washed your legs yet.”
“Savina,” he growled. “I need to fuck you.”
“Hmm,” she said as she lathered her hands and sat down on the bench. “Come here.”
He stood in front of her, and ignoring the beautiful sight of his very erect cock directly in front of her face, she washed his thick thighs before bending to wash his calves.
When she straightened, Hal had his cock in his hand, and he reached for her head. He cupped the back of her skull, brushing the head of his cock against her lips. “Open, sweet Savina.”
She opened, and he slid his cock into her mouth, moaning her name when she immediately hollowed her cheeks around him and sucked hard. His fingers threaded through her wet hair, pulling it away from her face as he stared down at her with a glittering hot look.
“Take more,” he demanded, tugging lightly on her hair.
She opened wider, taking more of him until her lips were stretched wide, and she could feel him against the back of her throat.
“Good, sweet Savina,” he praised. “Keep your mouth open for me.”
She did what he asked, gripping his soapy thighs as he fucked her mouth with deep thrusts that sent unexpected waves of desire washing over her. The air was hot and steamy, the shower filled with her muffled moans and Hal’s low groans of pleasure.
His cock swelled in her mouth, and she suctioned around him, eager to taste his seed. He groaned and pulled out of her mouth with a low pop, shaking his head when she tried to take him back into her mouth.
“Stand up,” he said.
She stood, surprised at how shaky her legs were and how much her pelvis ached. Hal rinsed his legs and then took her place on the bench, taking her hands and pulling her between his legs. He reached for her pussy, gliding his fingers through her slick wetness and smiling with satisfaction when he withdrew his fingers, and they were covered in her cream.
“Good girl, my love.” He patted his lap. “Straddle me.”
She climbed into his lap eagerly, appreciating how he helped steady her as her knees rested on the wet bench.
His cock was already pushing against her entrance, and he shifted her slightly, both of them crying out when her pussy sank onto his cock. She settled on his lap, gripping his shoulders tightly as he held her wet hips.
His hard thrusts rocked her on his lap, and she clung to him, moaning happily when he cupped one breast and bent his head. He sucked her tight nipple into his mouth, laving it with his tongue until the aching fierce need inside of her could no longer be contained.
She bounced on his lap, sliding up and down his hard cock as he braced his body against the slick tile and stared up at her. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Savina.”
“You too,” she gasped, her fingers digging into his skin when he drove hard into her willing body. “Oh God, Hal…”
“Rub your clit,” he ordered.
She reached down and circled her clit with her fingers. Hal watched hungrily, his hips pumping back and forth as hot steam surrounded them.
“I need you to come, love.” A look of sudden desperation crossed Hal’s face as he moved faster inside of her. “Can you be my good girl and come on my cock?”
Hot desire slammed into her, and she rubbed furiously at her clit, as Hal bellowed a curse before his body stiffened, and he thrust hard into her. Hot liquid filled her pussy, and she cried out, her climax hitting her in an exhilarating rush of pleasure.
She slumped against him, their bodies shaking as they rode out the last of their orgasms together. Hal rubbed her wet back with long lazy strokes, his warm breath puffing in her ear.
She kissed his neck. “That was amazing. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, sweet Savina.”
She eased off of him, and they stood under the showerheads, both doing a quick clean-up before the hot water tank could run completely dry.
They climbed out of the shower and wrapped towels around themselves before staring a little self-consciously at each other. After a moment, Hal said, “I should probably go.”
His stomach growled, and Savina held out her hand. “I promised you a delicious dinner of sandwiches, remember?”
He smiled, took her hand, and let her lead him into the bedroom. She opened her closet and scanned the clothes. “You can put your clothes in the wash while we eat dinner, so you don’t have to smell puppy poop while you’re eating. But the only thing I have that might fit you is this.” She held out her silky peach robe, smiling when Hal took it without hesitating.
He put it on, tying the sash closed before grinning at her. “How does it look?”
“Peach definitely works with your skin tone,” she said.
He laughed, and she quickly dressed in a cotton pajama set with neon pink flamingos.
“Cute,” he said. “I like the flamingos.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Ready for the best sandwich you’ve ever had?”
“Ready,” he said and, after a moment’s hesitation, took her hand and followed her out of the room.
“Are you sure you don’t want another sandwich?” Savina asked.
Hal loaded the last plate into the dishwasher. “Positive.”
She nodded but still looked unconvinced. “I have some veggies and hummus in the fridge if you’re still hungry. We used a lot of energy today, and a sandwich isn’t a big dinner.”
“I’m full, I swear.” Hal checked the time on the microwave. It was close to ten, and he knew Savina wasn’t a night owl. So, why wasn’t he grabbing his clothes from the dryer? Why wasn’t he saying goodnight and going home to his apartment?
You know why. You don’t want to leave her. Ever.
Could you blame him? Her shower was magnificent, and she had puppies to cuddle. No one would want to leave.
