Free The Sweetest Things by Nikki Winter Page A

less than four days ago, so get used to it and bask in the sunshine that is me.”
    “Can’t I just, you know, stab you in the face instead?”
    To that, he simply smiled. “You could, but like a fungus, I’d still be hard to get rid of.”
     
    ***
     
    “For the love of God, please tell me we’re going in there,” Harper begged.
    Konstantine’s lips twitched as he tightly held her hand in his own, their fingers interlocked while they strolled down Essex street, coming to a stop in front of Two Bit’s Retro Arcade . “Who knows you better than anyone else?” he sang.
    She did a child-like little shuffle in her heels. “You do. You do.”
    “And who was smart enough to break a twenty into several rolls of quarters?”
    “You were. You were.”
    “And who are you gonna let feel you up later as a reward for my thoughtfulness?”
    “You...stop that!”
    He chuckled. “Too late, Sweets. I’m holding you to that.”
    “Koz...”
    “Yes, baby?” He tugged her along as they headed through the doors. Two Bit’s was the only place that could make someone feel like a kid again while reminding them that they could get rocked off at the fully stocked bar.
    “I’m having a good night. Don’t ruin it, ’kay?”
    Konstantine stopped short then turned and pulled her into his chest, his hands on her hips. “Say that again.”
    “What?”
    “That you’re having a good night out—with me—because I’m awesome.”
    She peered up at him through her lashes. “I don’t remember those last details being spoken.”
    He grunted and squeezed her hips.
    Harper played with the buttons on his coat, eyes focused on his chest. “I’m having a good night out with you...because you’re acting slightly less insane.”
    Eyeing her, he asked, “How many drinks did you have at dinner?”
    “Enough to walk straight but not to attempt dancing. Why?”
    “Because you weren’t supposed to actually admit that, which means someone had more than their fair share of wine tonight.”
    Her smile was wide. “Either that or you’re a pretty good date.”
    “I’m pretty good at lotsof things, Sweets,” Konstantine replied, his voice low.
    She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, answered, “I know,” and dug her hand into his right pocket.
    He sucked in a deep breath as she brushed against his cock—which had stood at attention the moment she reached into his pants. “Harper.” His tone went from teasing to warning.
    She gave him an innocent blink as she pulled out one roll of quarters. “What?” Waving them in his face, she added, “I was just looking for these.” Then she skipped off to play.
    “God give me strength,” Konstantine prayed, following behind. He weaved through gamers until he found Harper playing Street Fighter, her hands moving across the controls with the same speed they’d had when they were kids.
    “Not today, Ken, you choppy-haired bastard,” she growled, still furiously working the controls.
    Standing there watching her, noticing the way other men stopped to admire what he knew was already his, he realized something. Konstantine wasn’t worried or doubtful that Harper would come around, that she’d wake up and see she was meant to spend forever with him. It wasn’t out of arrogance or assumption—something in him just knew this wasn’t a passing thing that she’d dismiss.
    She fought it because she felt it, and if she felt it, that meant he was already where he needed to be with her, just proving what he’d known for a very long time—Harper Sweet was his end all, be all. She’d yanked hard as hell trying to escape what was between them, but she’d never once denied it—just failed to acknowledge it.
    Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I think you may just be the best girlfriend ever.”
    She stiffened. “Since when am I your girlfriend?”
    “Want me to go down the facts?”
    “Please do.” Her hands never stopped moving.
    “I gave you your first