Page 23 of Always My Love

ChapterEight

Nick poured everything he felt towards Harper into the kiss. The entire day he’d been thinking of this moment. Remembering the taste and feel of her lips against his.

Whatever darkness was behind her, he wanted to show her there could be light in her future. Her entire body vibrated next to his. Then he made a move to get closer and wacked his knee against the gear shift.

Harper laughed and pulled back.

“The front seat of a Jeep probably isn’t the best place for this,” Harper suggested.

He wanted to invite her in. Upstairs to his room. But something had him second-guessing himself. Whatever happened between them, he wanted it to mean more than any other relationship he’d had before. There was a drive deep in his gut to make what was between them special.

Maybe it was because she’d admitted to him that she’d never had any sort of relationship before. Or maybe it was simply because he wanted to show her not all police or men are bad.

Whatever the reason, when she pulled back, he decided to give himself some time to cool off.

However, the moment they stepped into his house, she plastered herself up against him and pushed him against the wall.

They could both hear the dogs happily barking, and he knew that both of them would need to be let out soon.

“Harper,” he groaned out a warning as his hands moved to her hips to hold her still. She was rubbing her body all over his. “We’d better let the dogs out.”

She smiled and then happily stood back. Then she followed him back to his laundry room. The moment he opened the kennel door, both dogs sprung out. Blue headed towards the back door a few feet from the kennel while Lucy rushed to Harper.

“They can go out here,” he said. “The yard is fenced.”

Once he opened the door, Lucy followed Blue out. Nick flipped on the porch light.

While they watched the dogs rush around in the fresh falling snow, Harper wrapped her arms around him.

“I hadn’t planned… I didn’t invite you today…” he started.

She reached up on her toes and covered his mouth with her finger before kissing him quickly. “I know you didn’t invite me sailing today to get me in your bed. But trust me when I say I want to be there.”

“From what you’ve told me, you don’t do casual. Neither do I. Just so we’re clear.”

Her smile slipped slightly. “I’m okay with that. Just as long as you don’t expect me to completely open up to you. There are things I won’t…” She shook her head. “I can’t ever tell you.”

He searched her eyes for a moment. “Just as long as it’s not that you’re married”—he smiled—“whatever secrets you have can remain yours.”

They stood back as the dogs rushed inside and shook off the fresh layer of snow covering their fur.

“They can stay down here tonight. There’s water, food.” He motioned to the bowls.

She took his hand in hers and, after shutting the dogs in the laundry room, walked towards the stairs.

He followed her up to his bedroom, afraid that if he said anything he’d break the spell she had him in.

The moment they stood inside his bedroom, she pulled off her coat and set it on the chair in the corner. Then she walked over and pulled off his coat as well.

Their boots were next, but he stopped her when she reached for his sweater.

“Let me,” he said, pulling her body up against his and kissing her. “I could lose myself in your kiss,” he admitted. “You’re the sweetest addiction. I can see myself wanting more and more.”

She smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair. Then she moved her hands down to grip his hips, much like he was doing to her. “I like the look of you in jeans.”

His smile doubled. “A lot of women get off on me in uniform.”

Her smile slipped for a split second but then returned. “Yeah, I try not to enjoy it too much.”