I hug him tighter.
“I don’t even know the best way to help her.”
“Sit down for a minute.” He slowly turns and obeys.
I sit on the bed with my legs crisscrossed, facing him. “I think I know who you should call.”
Lines form on his forehead. “You do?”
“Yes. I have a friend in New York. She represents a lot of people who have done bad things—”
His face turns red. “My mom makes stupid decisions when it comes to the sperm donor. She’s not a bad person.”
“I didn’t say she is. Hear me out.”
He briefly closes his eyes. “I’m sorry. Go on.”
“She’s known for getting people immunity in exchange for their cooperation with the FBI. She’s licensed in most states, and because of the size of Chicago, I’m sure she’s licensed in Illinois.”
“This attorney, most of her clients are criminals?”
“Yes and no. She only takes on clients if they did something criminal but didn’t know they were doing something wrong. And I don’t know what your mom told you, and to be honest, it might be better if I don’t know, but if she’s done anything criminal, whether she knew it or not, she needs someone who knows the FBI and can create an ironclad deal.”
He nods. “Okay. What about the mob coming after my mom?”
“The FBI will need to discuss how to protect her.”
Steven puts both hands over his face. “She’s screwed either way, isn’t she?”
“I don’t know. But I would bet my last penny my friend can help her.”
“Jamison said he was going to call his attorney friend. Is this her?”
“I’m not sure. Let me call Jamie.”
“Can you do it now?”
I trace his jaw with my thumb. “Of course.”
His eyes are full of worry. “Thank you. I’m sorry this is wrecking our day off.”
I rise, stand between his legs, and put my arms around his shoulders. “Don’t be sorry. And nothing is wrecked. I’m with you.”
He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Can I take you out tonight on a date?”
“Mm-hmm.” I kiss him, and he tugs me closer and flicks his tongue in my mouth. I pull back. “Let me call my friend.”
He squeezes my ass. “Thanks.”
I remove my phone from the bag I borrowed from Quinn and text Jamison not to contact an attorney yet, and who I’m calling. Then I dial my friend.
It only rings twice. Her bubbly voice answers, “Harper, how are you?”
“Hey, Claire. I’m good. I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Are you licensed in Illinois?”
“Yep. Why? You aren’t in jail, are you?” She lowers her voice but still asks in a joking manner.
“No. I’ve got a delicate situation. I can’t talk about it over the phone.”
Her voice turns serious. “Are you in trouble?”
“No. It’s...” I glance at Steven. “It’s my boyfriend’s mom.”
“I see. And does this boyfriend live near your brother?”
“Umm. Yeah. Anyways, are you taking on new clients?”
“Nope. But I will for you.”
I sigh. “Thank you.”
“So, you’re in Chicago?”
“Yes.”
“And his mom lives there?”
“Yes.”
“Ethan’s sitting across from me right now, massaging my feet.” Her voice lowers again. “He lost a bet and had to serve me lunch in my office while giving me a good foot rub.”
I laugh. “Is that all?”
“For now. Anyway, we were just debating about where to fly to this weekend. We need a change of scenery. Hold on a minute.” Her voice becomes muffled. “What do you think about Chicago for a few days?”
He replies something, but I can’t decipher it.
“Ethan’s up for a trip to the Windy City. What do you think? Should we fly in, and I can meet this boyfriend of yours and his mom?”
“That would be great.”
“Send me the address, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Claire. I owe you.”
“No, you don’t. But Ethan wants to know if Noah is in town right now.”
“I think so. Why?”
“He needs to talk to him about one of his buildings. Ethan will call him and arrange it.”
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“Can’t wait. Bye. Oh...right there, Ethan...”
I chuckle and hang up. “She’ll be here to meet with your mom tomorrow.”
Steven raises his eyebrows. “Just like that?”
I cockily brush the tops of my shoulders. “What can I say?”
Steven grins and pulls me down on the bed. “I think you deserve some extra attention for being so resourceful.” He drags his finger down my cleavage and slides it over to my nipple, teasing it through my shirt. His lips brush on my neck, stirring the craving for him that coats the surface of all my cells, waiting for him, never entirely disappearing and always ready to come at me in full force whenever he’s around.
“How much time do we have?”
“Until what?” he murmurs and slides his hands under the back of my shirt and unclasps my bra.
“Anything,” I squeak out.
“I thought I was the scheduled one,” he says then sucks on my earlobe.
A small laugh escapes me. “So we have nothing to do all day?” I grip his hair and force his head up to kiss me, sticking my tongue in his mouth the moment he opens it.
Between kisses, he says, “This is it until I take you to dinner.” He ravages my mouth some more. “I think I was going to make you hot.” He slides my shirt over my head then removes his with one hand before leaning over me again. “And wet...” He circles his index finger on my slit over my shorts.
“Don’t forget begging,” I mumble, my face already filling with heat.
His lips turn up. He focuses on my collarbone, lightly sucking. “You know what I love, Harper?”
“What?” I breathe.
“How you taste. I love every part of you in my mouth.”
A wave of tingles and heat rolls through my cells, and I buck my hips up at his hand.
“Like your nipples.” He flicks his tongue on the right one then drags his teeth repeatedly over it.
I gasp.
He sucks, and a zing shoots from my breast down to my sex.
“Oh God,” I cry out.
He groans. “I’m hungry, Harper.”
“Yes,” I breathe.
His mouth trails down my torso, licking the curve of my waist, flicking my belly button, sucking on my mound until I’m so wet and buzzing, I beg him. “Please, Steven.”
He removes my shorts and panties, gliding his finger in my sex, then lunging up my body.
His warm torso sits on top of my glistening skin, and he traces my lips with his finger.
I part my lips, and he slides it in my mouth.
“Greedy girl,” he murmurs, his eyes full of heat. He pulls it out and kisses me, groaning as his tongue explores my mouth. “See why I can’t get enough of you, Harper?”