One-Two Punch by Katie Allen Page A

to get ready.”
    “Hang on.” Harry caught her hand and reeled her back in. “I’ll walk you.”
    Rolling her eyes, Beth told him, “You don’t have to do that, you know—I’m not five.”
    “Still getting those notes?”
    She nodded reluctantly.
    “Yeah, I’m walking you home.” Harry tucked her back into his side.

    “Thanks for watching the desk tonight, Dom,” Harry said, slapping the other man on the shoulder affectionately.
    “Happy to help,” Dominic grinned. “I’m just amazed you got up the balls to actually ask her out. Things are good then?”
    Ignoring the slam on his manhood, Harry gave an affirmative shrug. “Yeah. Pretty damn great, actually.”
    “Figured that by the way you’re wandering around here with that silly-ass grin,”
    Dominic smirked. “Remember this the next time you decide to ignore my advice.”
    In too good a mood to take the bait, Harry just shook his head and headed for the door. As he drove the few blocks to Beth’s building, he realized that he was smiling.
    Damn , he thought, glancing in the rearview mirror, maybe Dominic’s right about my constant, silly-ass grin .
    He was happy, Harry realized. Really happy. The only problem with the whole situation was that the more time he spent with Beth, the more he liked her. And the more he liked her, the more he worried about her. Pulling up to her building, he glared at the front door, propped open as usual.
    He parked and went in, taking the stairs three at a time. As he headed toward her apartment door, he made a mental note to buy light bulbs. If the landlord wasn’t going to replace the burned-out bulbs in her hallway, then Harry would, he decided. It wouldn’t improve the lax security of her building very much, he knew, but at least it would help his peace of mind a little until he could get her to move to his loft.
    Startled by the thought, Harry froze in place, staring at Beth’s door. Was he actually considering having her move in with him? Was he nuts? He had only known her for a few weeks. This was their first actual go-out-and-do-something date. If he mentioned moving in together this early on, he was going to freak her out so much she’d run from him screaming.
    On the other hand, if he had to think about her creepy admirer roaming freely in her poorly lit hallway too much longer, he was going to lose it.
    Harry groaned, scrubbing his hands over his face. Stop worrying , he ordered his brain. He’d find a way to get her out of this building and into his. Somehow.
    Beth opened the door at his knock and stared. Harry was gorgeous in whatever he wore—sweatpants, shorts, absolutely nothing—but tonight he was just…amazing. She was almost drooling. It was just dress pants and a button-down shirt, but still. With a shake of her head, she stepped back so Harry could come in.
    “God, you look beautiful,” he rasped, cupping her face in his hands so he could kiss her. She wriggled with pleasure at the compliment and then forgot everything as his mouth found hers.
    Beth was dizzy by the time he raised his head.
    “We should go,” Harry rasped without dropping his hands. His eyes were lit with a hot, blue light, mesmerizing Beth. She couldn’t look away.
    “I’ll get my purse,” she breathed, not moving.
    He closed the distance between them, his mouth just millimeters from hers when he stopped himself and pulled away, shaking his head.
    “No,” he stated firmly. “I promised you an actual date tonight.”
    Giving him a sultry smile, she said, “I wouldn’t mind if you broke that promise.”
    He took a half step toward her before catching himself. “Nope, we’re actually going to do this. Grab your purse and let’s get out of here before I change my mind.” He turned her in the direction of the door and gave her a light smack on her bottom.
    Beth made a face at him over her shoulder. “Fine, fine.”
    They made it into the hallway without any other delays. As Beth locked the door, Harry scowled