"I about died!"
"I had you, you weren't gonna fall." I sneer in protest.
She gapes. "I was mere seconds from multiple broken bones, all because you boys didn't want me up there."
"Not true." I glance at her with a wicked smirk. "I was mad that I didn't get to climb up behind you and peek up your skirt."
"Ridge!" She smacks my arm. "Are you kidding me?"
"Oh, please. Like you didn't know I was lookin' at your panties. I can tell you the day you changed them from white cotton to cute little polka dots." I bite my lip. "Can we have a moment of silence for those purple ones?"
She shakes her head. "Such a perv!"
"I am not! I was simply a boy needing to see your panties."
"If you're lucky, you'll get your chance to see them again." She waggles her brows at me, and I adjust position to give my cock a little wiggle room.
I cut my eyes at her. "Is that a promise?"
"Are you kidding? I haven't had s..." she glances over the seat behind me to Rumor, who's still out before continuing. "ya know, for a very... long... time."
"How long is very long?" My brows knit of their own accord.
Harper adverts her eyes as I come to a stop at the gates to our home. "Since someone has made love to me?"
"Yes, Harper." I breathe heavily with wanton lust. "When was the last time you were held, and assured you're wanted and loved?"
She pushes her hair behind her ear, peaking at Rumor. "You."
"Huh?" My mouth goes dry as I watch as she runs her tongue over her bottom lip.
She tilts her head toward the window, blushing. "Since we were together."
"You're kidding me?" My chin hits my chest as shock washes over me.
"Weston wasn't nice about it." She half shrugs. "You took your time, touched me, cared for me."
I lean over the console, running my finger over her jaw. "I was honored and wanted to cherish you. I always will, Harper."
"It's the only love I've ever known." She turns to me as a tear streaks down her face. "I tried so many times to forget you, but I couldn't. I've loved you since I can remember."
"And I you, your entire life." Before I can stop myself, I take her mouth, claiming it with every ounce of love I have in me for this woman. Harper's my entire life, and it's time I start showing her.
No sooner does my tongue sweep across her lips, she opens for me and accepts all that I have to offer. Harper's always taken me exactly as I am. She's never pushed or pulled.
As our mouths meet, she gives way for me to do as I please. My breath hitches, remembering the feisty young woman she once was. She gave as good as she got, but she's different now.
But not for long.
I pull away, leaving her with a gaping mouth and a look of confusion. I smirk, knowing she's been baited and taken it hook... line... and sinker.
"Wait. What was that?" She runs her finger under her bottom lip, drying it.
"If you want me, Harper Blaine," I sink my teeth deep into my bottom lip. "you'll come get me."
Her mouth hangs impossibly lower before snapping shut. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's late, let's get Rumor to bed." I bury my foot in the floorboard, making quick work of getting my girls in and ready for bed, and in more ways than one for Harper.
I pull the truck into the garage, as Harper makes sure the gates and doors close. She sets the remote back in the console as I slide from my seat.
By the time I have Rumor and turn to the house, Harper's holding the door open for us to enter easily.
"She's getting too big to be carried to bed." I chuckle, huffing my way up the steps and into the house.
Harper presses her body against the door, trying to give me more room. "Her legs get any longer, they'll be dragging the ground."
"Ain't that the truth, but I love it. She's been my Boo Baby since she came into this world."
I wait on Harper as she closes and locks the door. She sets the alarm before turning to me. "Oh. Habit."
"Good." My chest tightens thinking about her considering locking the house a habit. "I love that you're comfortable enough, you consider this home."
"It's a little scary sometimes, it feels so natural." She chews the corner of her lip.
"C'mon." I turn toward the hall. "she's getting heavy and I think we're all tuckered out tonight."
Harper traipses up the stairs in front of us, hurrying to the extra bedroom. By the time I get there with Rumor, she has a nightgown laid out for her and the bed turned down.
I lay Rumor in the bed, smiling up at Harper. "I don't think she's gonna put the nighty on, she's out cold."
"Can I try," Harper frowns. "if that's okay?"
"Yeah, sure. Why wouldn't it be?" I walk around the end of the bed, standing in front of her.
She gazes at Rumor, smiling sweetly. "No reason, really. I want her to know I'll love her as much as you do."
"Alright, I'm gonna jump in the shower."
"You do that and let me know if you need any help." She winks with a mischievous grin.
I lean in, brushing her ear with my lips. "Naughty girl."
"If you only knew." She murmurs, sending chills over me.
My chest tightens with the warmth of her breath against my skin. "I'm going to shower, a cold one."
"Haven't you heard? Some like it hot." Her eyes snap to mine, smoldering.
"The hell you say, woman. What are you tryin' to do to me?"
"Should I take you out to the barn and remind you of the things we used to do to one another?" I fist his shirt, yanking him back to me.
Narrowing my eyes, I hedge my bets. "Maybe."
"Ridge, I need you." She sweeps my bottom lip with the tip of her tongue. "I need to feel you, as much as I need you to make me feel again."
"Damn, Harp." I grip her hips, pressing my growing cock into her lower belly.
She moans from the sizzle of electricity moving between us. "Please."
"Fuck chivalry." I sweep her off her feet, and barrel toward our bedroom. "I need you just as fuckin' much."
I can't lie, I've been in need of her for years but since she came back, I want her just as much. The last month she's been home has flown by, with each and every day, my desire has grown.
I toss her on the bed, kicking the door shut behind me. I roam her body, and the curves she tries to hide. For a brief second, I'm twenty years old again and ready to own her.
"Get undressed." I watch as the hair on her neck rises. It takes everything in me to control myself and not take her now.
She stands, hooking her leggings by the thumbs and shimmies out of them. My tee shirt hangs low over her panties, she grips it, ready to yank it off, but doubt seeps in and she stops herself.
Harper glances at the light. "I'm just gonna..." she reaches for it, only to find my hand instead.
"I've got it." I flip the light off and drop my shirt to the floor.
I can feel the heat radiating off her when I lean in. I slide my hands down her sides, feeling their way until I find its hem. I bend, brushing her lips with mine, and yank the shirt over her head.