I pulled the key fob out of my jacket pocket, I unlocked the Jeep and opened the door, sliding in and settling on the cold leather seat, putting the paper bag on the floor of the passenger seat.
I shoved the key in the ignition and waited for a break in traffic before pulling out and turning around, heading back to Harper’s a few clicks to fast. I was eager to slice any second I could off the time I spent away from her. Knowing she was under sheets, waiting for me made me itch to get back there with her. I drove just above the speed limit, slowing completely in community safety areas but rushing where I could.
My tires ripped up the gravel as I sped into her driveway a little too eagerly. I pocketed my keys and grabbed the paper bag of food before stepping out and closing the door. Jogging up the backporch steps, I threw open the mudroom door and kicked off my boots.
Moving the bag from hand to hand, I slid out of my jacket, leaving it on a hook as I passed. I slowed long enough to grab two forks and knives from the kitchen and continued upstairs.
Light spilled into the bedroom as I opened the door. Harper shifted beneath the sheets, a soft, pleasured moan escaping her lips. “Is that breakfast I smell?”
“Eggs benny, baby,” I said enticingly, shaking the bag twice as I moved to the window to open the blinds. Harper stretched beneath the sheet, her breasts pushing against the fabric. The early morning sunbathed her in an ethereal light.
I slid into bed beside her, on top of the covers, bringing the paper bag with me onto my lap. “Eat up. You need your strength for today.” I waggled my eyebrows at her. My appetite was a mile long and growing.
I had a shit ton of pent up energy in me. A mixture of excitement, trepidation and determination drove me to want to take every moment I had with this second chance. I wanted to immerse myself in it. Today was our last day together before she had to go back to work, and I got the keys to the new house.
Harper sat up, the sheet falling away from her breasts. She caught it just before her nipples were fully exposed. I frowned, tugging it from her grip. “Better.” Her nipples tightened at the cold, and she laughed, rolling her eyes at me.
“I’m starving,” she admitted, and I popped open the first box. She hummed with appreciation, taking the Styrofoam container and a fork from me. I grabbed her pillow and propped it up against the headboard, doing the same to the one behind my head.
We shifted until we were sitting side by side, with our backs against the headboard. Harper tugged the blanket around her stomach, running her hand through her tangled hair and wrapping it in a messy bun atop her head. My fingers twitched, itching to touch her, to play her body like the strings of my guitar.
Instead, I opened the second container and started eating and let her do the same. I kept stealing glances at her as I ate, feeling a little bewildered that I was here, in this place, with her, and that it all felt so fucking right.
“The coffee might be crap, but the food is pretty good at that diner,” I remarked when over half my food was gone. She finished chewing and laughed.
“I forgot to warn you,” she said sympathetically. “Your poor, sensitive, rich man’s palate.”
“It’s not that sensitive,” I shot back, tweaking her nipple between my fingers. She laughed again, the cadence filling my soul. “Your dad invited me to dinner next Sunday.”
“When did he do that?” her smile faltered a little.
“This morning, when I took the trash out.”
“Oh, crap! I forgot about garbage day,” she sighed. “Someonedistracted me.”
I stared pointedly at her bare chest. If anyone was a distraction…
She twisted, leaning to set the Styrofoam container on the end table beside her. My gaze dropped to the curve of her hip, then slid to her ass—my hand following. I gave her a playful squeeze. “I’m not at all sorry about that.”
“I know you aren’t.” She laughed, gently swatting my hand away so she could shift closer. Her bare leg slid out from the sheet and over my denim-clad ones while her left hand slid up my torso to grip my right shoulder, her other arm slipping behind my back, beneath my shirt. I put my arm around her, drawing her closer, and kissed the top of her head.
I hadn’t held someone like this in years—since I’d last held her.
“So…?”
“So what?” I asked, moving a little so I could look at her. She rolled her eyes.
“What did you tell my dad?”
“That I would be there,” I lifted my shoulder, taking her hand along for the ride. “It’s something you guys often do, right?”
“The day alternates, but yeah. We try to get together once a week. It was really hard on my parents when we moved out. They were so used to seeing Asher all of the time.” She explained, her fingers toying with the collar of my shirt.
I nodded in understanding, the movement jarring her from her thoughts. “I get it. I’m just glad he wants me there. Or…will tolerate me being there.” I frowned. I didn’t know if I was completely forgiven in Jack Morrison’s eyes.
Harper’s fingers gripped my shoulder as she pulled herself up to straddle me. My hands went to her hips. The sheet had tangled around her thighs, hiding her nakedness from my perusal, but I could feel her warmth.
“I want you there. I want you everywhere.” She told me, rolling her hips to drive her point. I took one perfect breast in my hand, massaging it while I held her gaze with mine.
