“Come sit with Julian and me.” Kip invited her into his office.
Fear ran up and down her spine. “Did someone get hurt?”
“The bad guys,” Julian said, then explained what happened, keeping his theory to himself.
She noticed Kip was sitting stiffly. “Do you want me and the girls to live somewhere else? If they were at the cottage, it means they were coming for me.” Harper’s eyes watered. She swiped at them, annoyed with herself for crying.
“No, I want you and the girls here. Oh, sweetheart, you are the best thing to ever happen to me.” Kip steepled his fingers. “The book in Babette’s backpack.” He handed it to Harper.
Her fingers shook as she took the book from him. She closed and opened her eyes, then began to read. How could I be so wrong about people? Why? He knew he was killing people. All that money. Those bitches. Society. Murderers.
Her hand came to her mouth, and she ran from the room.Why did I ever think there was a chance I could have my parents in my life?
She ran into the master bedroom and threw herself on the bed as tears rolled into shuddering sobs. The sound of the door opening echoed in her head as she felt the bed sink down. “Harper, I’m here,” Kip said softly. He slid down and lay beside her.
Her body shuddered. “Kip, why?”
“I wish I could answer that. Look at me.” He moved to give her room, and she rolled to her side.
His brown eyes swirled with emotion, unusually piercing. “I wish I could fix this, but I can firmly tell you, none of this is your or Chantal’s doing. None of it.” He adjusted his position and kissed each swollen eye before he placed a soft kiss to her lips.
“Will you make love to me?” There was a faint quiver to her voice.
“My love, it would be my pleasure.” Kip reached behind his head and pulled off his t-shirt.
Leaning down, he brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. Her lips fell open by a fraction. He lowered his head and brushed kisses across her mouth, jaw, and neck. His fingers made fast work of her shirt.
Her hands glided through his soft hair and across his shoulders. His lips quirked up as she seized his mouth with an intensity like she was trying to breathe air into him. The kiss never broke as he slid his hands down her shoulders and over her chest, his thumbs coaxing each nipple to peak. Suckling her through the silk, he reached around and popped the clasp, cupping and kneading each breast. His mouth licked the soft skin beneath her breast, continuing down her belly.
Releasing her breasts, she pushed down her pants. Naked, she felt his warm breath against her mound. She stifled her scream as her hips lifted against him. A chuckle sounded before she felt the first swipe of his tongue. She lay with one hand entwined in his dark hair while his head was buried deep within her spread legs.
“Kip.” She convulsed in a climax.
Kip dropped his pants and underwear in a rush. Undressed, he held his erection as he pulled a packet from his bedside table. He crawled up Harper’s body, sharing with her how to put on the condom.
Instead, she slid to the edge of the mattress, her eyes glittering as she saw the breath rush from his chest. She wrapped her lips around the crown, her tongue darting out, tasting his dripping essence. She enjoyed the sight of his eyes rolling in his head as she explored his length.
Kip pushed her away, then managed to open the packet and slide the protection on. “You undo me.” He pushed her back and pressed inside her, making her gasp as he ground against her.
Wrapping her legs around him, she tugged at his lip, rocking up against him, demanding more. She needed to feel good. He seemed to ride her, driving deep and hard. When his finger slid between him to play with her clit, she felt herself rolling toward another orgasm. Kip increased his pace, climaxing with her.
Out of breath, he rolled them to the side to avoid crushing her. Gently, he wiped the hair out of her face.
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you too.”
* * *
Monday,September 10th
Hurricane Greta T+12 days
Kip rolledover with the sound of his alarm. Instead of Harper’s gray-green eyes, he was met by two luminous brown eyes. “Kip,” Babette giggled.
“Bonjour, Babette.” He laughed as she snuggled close to him. Harper was asleep, and Desirée was asleep behind her. Kip scooped Babette up and brought her into her room. It was easy to understand why she awakened. After a quick diaper change, he carried her downstairs and poured her a cup of milk.
Kieran sat reading the paper. “Give her to me, then go shower and get dressed. Have Elin put a help wanted out for a Ninja Nanny.”
