"Ughhhh! Where are my pants?" I flail my arms as I take notice, I only have panties and his tee shirt on. I drag myself into his closet, taking out a pair of his sweats and yank them on.
I turn around, squinting at the clock. "Fuck! It's noon! Mom's gonna freak out when she finds out I'm not home."
When I rush toward the door, I stop long enough to check for my cell. "Must've left it downstairs."
Whirling back around, I hurry down to check for it before running home. I hit the bottom floor at a dead heat, only to be brought up short.
My heart thrums to life, beating wildly against my chest as I take in the sight before me, Ridge is sleeping on the couch. His shirt rides up his abs, directing my eyes to the swath of hair at the rim of his shorts.
His left leg is thrown over the back, stretching the fabric tight over his rock-hard thighs. He's covered in tattoos, but it's the one on his bicep that draws me to him.
I creep over, leaning in to read the script that's wrapped around his muscled arm. I blink, focusing on the scrolling ink. I gasp, covering my mouth as it hits me.
"Harper." He whispers, sending chills over me as I read the word again. "Why are you watchin’ me sleep?"
"Sorry!" I jump back, wincing. "Gotta go!" I step away, holding my breath as I attempt my getaway.
"Stop!" I freeze at his request, craning my neck as he sits up. "Where ya goin'?"
I throw my thumb over my shoulder. "Home."
"They know you're here," he runs his hand over his face. "I sent Landon a text when I found you."
I side eye the door, wanting to slip out of this sticky wicket I've found myself in. "Oh! So, you what? Swung by and happened up on me or something?"
"The... or something." He stands, adjusting his clothes. I compel my mouth to close to the point I can at least bite my bottom lip to curb my starving libido. Get a grip, Harper!
I gasp, fanning myself. "I feel a little sick, I think I need some water."
"Probably dehydrated." He murmurs as he brushes past me, sending a chill over me.
"Uh, okay. Maybe?" I turn, following him into the kitchen.
He hands me a bottle of water and then leans against the opposite counter. "Do you often break and enter?"
I spurt water out of nose, shooting it across the room at him. I wipe my chin, gaping. "Say what now? Huh? No!"
"I remember a few times you've entered without breaking." He flashes his mischievous grin and I melt.
I narrow my eyes at him. "If I remember correctly, I had an accomplice, and he was also the instigator."
"So, you say." He smiles and pulls his mouth to the side. "What happened last night?"
"I wanted a break." I lift my shoulders, letting them fall easily. "No, not true. I wanted to break."
He nods slowly, his eyes catching mine. "You did."
"Sorry about that, I couldn't think of anywhere else to go." I lie. Not my best defense, but I have no other.
He tilts his head, searching my gaze. "We should talk."
"Let me jump in the shower, maybe brush my teeth first and then I'm all yours." There's that sound. The one pounding out the sweetest rhythm in my ears, like morse code to my heart.
His eyes run down my body, then he shifts. "Yeah, are you going to do that here?"
"Well, my clothes are upstairs." I cock my brow.
"Oh, yeah." His eyes flash with a wicked gleam. "I remember now."
"Did you undress me last night?" I stutter through my words, blushing and feverish from the thought.
He cuts his eyes toward the back door. "I'm gonna go for a run, I'll be back."
"Ridge?" He turns, walking over to grab his shoes as I follow him. "Tell me! You undressed me, didn't you?"
He pushes the door open, stopping halfway. He leans in, his eyes smoldering. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I can't believe you!" I gape, stunned as I watch him close the door, grinning like a fool. Words fail me, though the butterflies in my stomach know what to do. "There's something to be said about a bad boy that's a damn fine man."
The path behind my house is well worn, not because I've used it lately, but we have often used it. For years, Harper and I would meet up and sneak off to the old barn.
The further down it I go, the more my lungs burn. I know I'm fighting a losing battle; Harper's always beat out over my best of my intentions.
"What the fuck am I doing?" I come to a slow stop, resting my hands on my knees, dragging in air as deep as I can.
I've always been a runner, but I've never run from a damn thing in my life. That is, until now. Standing, I lace my fingers behind my head, and turn to stare back down the way I just came from.
"Fuck!" I sling my arms in the air, punching at nothing. "It's time, I have to tell her. But damn, the way she was looking at me this morning."
Lying on the couch wasn't where I wanted to be after finding her last night. I tossed and turned until I wore the sheet off the bed down the hall from her, so I put more distance between us.
Going downstairs was supposed to help, but her scent followed me. It wafts through the air, enticing me. She's like a magnet, pulling me to her from the minute I laid eyes on her.
"Hair falling in every direction around her face, her eyes gazing into mine and the look on her face... begging me to kiss her. Damn if I didn't want to." I hang my head, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Ya gotta tell her whether or not you lose her. She deserves to know everything for once in her life." I straighten my back, fear in the form of pain ripping through my heart.
My feet refuse to move as fast as they did to get away from her a few minutes ago. I'm moving at a snail's pace as I trudge toward my home.
When it comes into view, my palms sweat. The last time I was this nervous to talk to her was the last day we spoke before the accident. The smell of her strawberry shampoo still haunts me.
My eyes cut to the tree where she waited in the swing, we had hung there years before. Her hair twisted and knotted in the wind as she swayed back and forth.
A lightness builds in the middle of my chest, spreading slowly throughout my body with a tingle. Each step closer to her, I feel light and hopeful.
I hurry through the gate, jogging over to the door. The anticipation ramps my every emotion into high gear. All I want to do is hold her, and to never let her go.
As I turn the corner, I see her sitting in my living room. My heart pounds against my chest, I know this is it, and so does it. She may hate me forever or love me no matter what I've done.
"Harper." When her eyes meet mine, my throat begins to close, and I struggle to speak. "I-I need to tell you something. It may change everything, but I can't live another minute without you knowing."
Her brow furrows as she places her hand at the base of her neck. "Alright."
"I made a mistake." I run my hand through my hair, praying I don't pull it out. "That d-day you left with him, it's my fault."
She scoots to the edge of the couch, gripping the cushion. "What's your fault, Ridge?"