Insignias 8
Moments 7039
This time, Harper almost giggled out loud. Ha, at the rate they were going … Which list would he finish checking off first, 1000 Romantic Things to Do Before You Die or 1000 Dirty Things I've Always Wanted to Do to You in Bed?
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Eli blinked. Then, slowly and sheepishly, he returned her a half smile, half grimace, as if only now realizing that his rant had exposed his hidden identity. "Um … Maaaybe?"
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
And its all out in the open 🤣 And why were you trying to outrank him when you weren’t even interested in her beyond a friend, hmmmm?
"Goddamnit," he grumbled against the top of her head. "HappyRoastedBeans … I spent two weeks trying to outrank that guy! When I first started reading your book, he was your number one fan for all the comments and gifts he sent you. I actually felt so accomplished when I finally took over the spot he had held for so long … But to think that reader is the suitcase jackass! Damn it!"
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Can’t wait to hear what Eli knows/thinks about Mr. Happyroastedbeans 🤣
Well, being true was the worst part. Eli gritted his teeth — that suitcase guy who was quickly becoming the bane of his existence these days … was HappyRoastedBeans??
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Harper's eyes lit up. Then she added another light peck to his lips. "Only since I joined your table though?" she asked, a slight wryness edging her voice. "I thought the way you looked at me was screaming 'I want to declare my new title to everyone in my line of sight' as soon as I walked in with a certain coworker of mine."
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
He’s such the smitten kitten 🐱
Eli almost grinned hearing it. Nataliya was infamous at Sterling Trust for being hard to impress, and it meant a huge deal whenever she gave unreserved praises like that. But Eli wasn't surprised at all. This was Harper — of course it'd take the sharp-witted girl no time to impress anyone she worked with.
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
… Hmm? Eli wasn't sure what that was about, but he found the guy's reaction satisfying.
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
The realization had come slowly as an astounding self-discovery. Eli had never thought of himself as a jealous person. In fact, he had always looked down upon the word, believing firmly that such an emotion was outwardly stupid. If a woman he was seeing somehow took interest in another man, he would simply roll his eyes at her loss for missing out on a good package. But the past couple of days had slapped him in the face with that laughable attitude. Harper wasn't even the slightest interested in this guy … yet Eli was already writhing in enough anger that he wanted to take care of the nuisance with his own hands, man to man barbarian style.
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Eli never bothered to remember the guy's name — Walrus? Walnuts? — or rather, he intentionally tried not to remember it, deciding that he'd simply use "the suitcase guy" forever. It was good enough of a label for someone who he saw as nothing but baggage to get rid of.
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Called it! He’s jelly!
Then his face darkened visibly when he saw Wallace trailing in her wake.
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Now the grin on Wallace's face turned into a grimace. "I know, I'm so sorry about that. But please believe me, I truly wasn't thinking in that direction at all! I wouldn't want to come off as some kind of creep that approached you just because … because of the kind of book you wrote. And honestly, I wouldn't even dare anyway. Judging from your latest chapters, you seem … too kinky for my tolerance."
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
So has he just been fanboying this whole time and doesn’t have a crush? Of course, Eli will still be jealous when he sees her talking with “Warren” 🤭
"… Since the beginning?" Wallace stared back at her, apparently with equal puzzlement. "Oh wait, you don't know that part yet. I haven't told you — I'm HappyRoastedBeans. Does the name ring a bell? I've been following your book since the very first chapter!"
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Uhm. Put that way it’s less awesome. No sleeping for the money here!
"Holy sh—" Naomi cut herself off before the non-work-safe word escaped. "Wow, I knew there must be something going on!" She lowered her voice to a conspiring one next. "How's your progress? Do you need any help? Heck, it would be amazing to see someone like that fully invested on our side for multiple reasons!"
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
"… Yeah, you mean at" — there was a pause as he presumably checked the clock — "three in the morning?"
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Very responsible of her.
Harper was so, so tempted to snatch the offer. The prospect of falling asleep in Eli's arms and waking up snuggled against him had tantalized her for weeks, and the chance to finally do it was almost too luring to resist. But she knew all too well that if she did stay, there would be neither falling asleep nor waking up actually happening, which would be a terrible idea considering the important meetings lined up for the next day.
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
Part of me: do it! Another part: wait, don’t. It’s too soon and others might go to your actual room to get you! The part that wins: do it!
"You do have another option besides coming to visit me every night, you know," he breathed against her lips. "Stay. Move in here with me, the bed is definitely large enough for two."
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
There she goes, innocent to . . . Not in 3 seconds or less!
"I was, but that was before I got myself a boyfriend … and a very jealous one at that." She laughed when he raised an eyebrow at the judgment. "As much as I find it cute, it'll be too mean of me to put you through such torture every day for the rest of the two weeks, wouldn't it? And besides, the sooner I deal with the explanations, the sooner we can level up our PDA, which means" — she snuggled closer, tilting her face up so that their lips almost met — "the sooner I get to sit in your lap during meetings, or come visit every night without having to worry about being spotted."
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel
"… Shit," Eli replied with elegant succinctness.
His Naughty Lessons
Urban · Witchhazel