At eight, Asher and I started making omelets. I carried one up to her on a tray Asher pulled out from the island cupboard while he packed his school bag.
Harper was still as I’d left her—her thigh tangled with the sheet, her dark hair a gorgeous, tangled mess. Setting the tray on the nightstand, I sat on the side of her mattress and brushed her dark tresses from her face.
She stretched and let out a quiet, contented hum. Unable to help myself, I lowered my lips and kissed her softly.
She roused; her lids fluttering open lazily, her lips moving slowly into a smile against mine. “Mmm. Good morning.” Blinking, she glanced around, noting the sunlight streaming in through her bedroom. She paled and sat up quickly, the sheet falling away from her breasts for a blessed moment before she tugged it back up, covering them. “Oh, my God! What time is it?”
“Eight-thirty. Don’t panic, though. I’ll drive Asher to school.”
“He’s up?”
“Yeah…he was up before me. He seemed okay with it—me crashing here, I mean.” I shrugged a little. She worried her bottom lip, pressing her teeth into it. I pulled it free with my thumb, running the pad of it over to soothe it before moving my hand to rest on her thigh. “He’s gotta get used to the sight, Harper.”
She nodded, the tension in her shoulders slipping. “You’re right.”
“A rare occurrence,” I teased, brushing my hair back with my other hand. “Gramps’ will reading is this morning. I’ve got to be at the lawyers for nine-thirty and my clothes are still at Dare’s mom’s. I know you have the day off, and I was looking forward to spending every moment of it with you…“ I trailed off, brow furrowing over thoughts of the upcoming appointment.
“Don’t worry about it, Calum,” Harper interrupted, her expression gentle and sympathetic. “I understand. Do what you need to do, I’ll be here. Or at the bookstore—probably at the bookstore.” She paused to laugh.
“You’re supposed to have the next two days off.” I cocked a brow at her.
“I’ll likely get bored here and head over for the distraction.” She admitted, lifting her shoulder in a shrug that caused the sheet to fall away from her breasts.
I’d exercised enough control for the moment. My hands shot out, cupping her boobs; my thumbs rolling over her nipples until they hardened. I leaned forward to kiss her, still massaging her breasts. Feeling her heartbeat increasing beneath my palm, I smiled, breaking the kiss with reluctance. “I’ll call you when the meeting is over.”
“Okay.” She bit her lip and tugged the sheet back up as I stood. I handed her the coffee first, knowing that’s what she’d reach for. She accepted it with a smile, keeping the blanket secure to her chest with her free arm.
I pressed my lips to her forehead, kissing her tenderly before straightening. “I gotta get our son to school.” She smiled wider like she enjoyed hearing it as much as I’d enjoyed saying it.
Leaving her in that bed—naked beneath the thin bed sheet—was a challenge, but knowing I’d be back later helped, as did the blue-eyed, dark-haired little boy waiting impatiently at the bottom of the stairs.
“Ready?” I asked him. He was already wearing his coat and hat with his backpack slung over his shoulder.
“Yup! Did she like it?”
“Yes, she does,” Harper answered, appearing at the top of the landing. Descending the stairs, she wrapped her arms around Asher and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Thank you very much. That was thoughtful of the two of you, and possibly the best omelet I’ve ever tasted.”
“You’re welcome.” Asher grinned back at her. “I made it!”
“Mmm, well, you can make me omelets any time.” She said, gently bopping his nose with her index finger. “Good luck on your spelling test,” she added.
“Could I get picked up early?” he asked hopefully.
“Sure. Oh…but I’ll have to get gas first.” She frowned, and I cleared my throat.
“Already taken care of,” I told her. After checking out the studio with Dare and Evan, I’d picked up a jerry can of gasoline and filled Harper’s tank before heading to the bookstore.
“You didn’t have to do that. I would have figured it out.”
“I know.” I nodded in agreement—she would have handled it herself, but I was trying to prove to her that she didn’t have to do that anymore.
“Well, thank you. All right. I’ll pick you up from the office at lunch.” she told him. “Now hurry up, you’re going to be late. I love you.”
“Love you, too.” He replied before he dashed towards the mudroom to put on his boots.
I wrapped my hand around Harper’s hip and tugged her against me, kissing her deeply, although briefly. “See you soon, gorgeous,” I whispered into the shell of her ear before releasing her. Stepping around her, I followed Asher into the mudroom.
Harper
