Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 818

Haskell gave a faint smile, then casually tugged at the lapel of his bathrobe. “In order to completely ruin your standards for other men, I’ll be sure to try harder in the future.”

As he moved, a sliver of his chest became visible.

Larissa nearly choked with laughter. “Haskell, you really know how to play the game. Excellent. I’ve got some new material for my dreams tonight.”

Haskell glanced at the time. “Then you should get to sleep. I hope you have a wonderful dream about me.”

“Oh, I will. I’ll do my best to enjoy myself with you in my dream,” Larissa replied shamelessly.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

After ending the call, Larissa placed her phone on the nightstand. It occurred to her that it had been a while since she’d had one of her steamy dreams about Haskell. It was all Paxton and the Lincoln family’s fault, keeping her so busy and stressed that she couldn’t even find peace in her dreams.

With that thought, Larissa got out of bed and retrieved a small, herbal incense burner from her cabinet. She lit it. Tonight, she was determined to have a good dream.

…

Haskell’s fingertips traced the tie of his bathrobe, the silk parting with his touch. Larissa’s eyes were drawn to the shadow it created, watching a droplet of water trace a path from his collarbone into the darkness below.

“Is the air conditioning too high?” he murmured, leaning in so close his chest nearly brushed her nose. The scent of citrus and cedar from his body wash enveloped her.

“Larissa, your face is a little red.”

She pressed a hand against his heart, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm beneath her palm. “It’s not the heat. It’s because you’re too handsome, and your body is too perfect.”

He took her hand, guiding it to trace the shape of a heart over his chest. “Is that so? What should we do about it?”

In a swift motion, Larissa spun and pinned him to the large bed. “This is what we do about it.”

“What’s wrong with our daughter?” Sapphira whispered to her husband.

Neville thought for a moment. “She… looks like she’s been dumped.”

“What? Dumped?” Sapphira’s voice rose in alarm. “Are she and Haskell having problems?”

Larissa snapped out of her stupor and looked at her parents’ worried faces.

“I’m fine,” she said with a sigh. “Don’t overthink it. I just had a good dream that ended too soon.” She paused, a wistful look in her eyes. “If only Fergus were still here. I could take my frustration out on him.”

Sapphira nearly choked on her coffee. Once again, she was reminded that all her fears about Fergus taking advantage of her daughter had been completely unnecessary.

“Oh, by the way, Mom,” Larissa said, her mood brightening. “Haskell and I have a date this Saturday night. Can you help me pick out an outfit?”