“I think about Brock nonstop,” Cree said. “Sometimes he’s just in the other room and I miss him.”
Brock pressed a kiss to her temple. “Me too.”
“That’s how I feel,” Harper said.
“You know how often I think of Hunter,” Jana said. “But, Harper, why would you ever think it wouldn’t be reciprocated? You’re an amazing woman, and any guy would be lucky to be with you.”
“You’ve always had guys after you at Undercover,” Colton said.
“Yeah, the wrong guys.”
“Harper,” Brock said, “when you meet the person you can’t live without, it’s only natural to think about them all the time. And when you finally come together with them, those thoughts only get stronger.”
“When they’re bummed, you’re bummed,” Hunter added. “When they’re happy, you want to do everything within your power to keep them that way. That’s love, Harper. You might not be there yet, but if you feel those things, it’s definitely worth holding on to while you figure it out.”
“Oh, I’m holding on,” she said. “But I’ve also been holding back, because I’ve never experienced so many emotions all at once. Let me finish telling you about this morning. There I was, trying to convince myself I was crazy, and when I walked out my front door to come here, I found the sweetest note on my porch from Gavin, along with a handful of red lollipops tied together with a pink ribbon and a matchbook from the Wysteria Inn where we’d stayed in Virginia.”
She thought of the note, feeling good all over. Good morning, beautiful. Have fun with your family. Remember, you achieved greatness before you ever went to LA. Your family knows how special you are. The only thing that’s changed is that now you’ve got more inspiration for your writing and a great boyfriend! Can’t wait to hold you in my arms again.
“That’s pretty sweet,” Colton said.
“Pretty sweet? Are you kidding? That’s super romantic,” Cree added.
Jana raised her brows and said, “If you told him about your red lollipop fetish you must really like him, because you hate how red lollipops make your tongue and the inside of your lips red. You always said you’d never eat one in front of a guy.”
“I know! And until Gavin, I never have.” Harper laughed. “I thought about that when we were in the candy store in Virginia, but I wanted Gavin to know my secret. I’m telling you, everything is different with him. Do you know what he did when I told him that I wouldn’t eat a red lollipop in front of him even though it was my favorite? He went in search of red lollipops. He said I should never be embarrassed to do anything I enjoy.”
“Oh, Harper,” Jana said. “He sounds like he’s really for you.”
“He is.” He’d pushed her then with the same gentleness he encouraged her now. But he hadn’t pushed her to do the one thing she knew he wanted as badly as she did. Her pulse sped up with that realization. She didn’t want to hold back anymore.
Not even for another second.
Harper pushed to her feet and dug through her purse for her wallet and keys.
“What are you doing?” Jana asked.
“I’m sorry. I have to go.” She threw money on the table and said, “I love you guys. I’ll be in touch, but there’s something I need to do right now.” As she ran for the door she remembered her siblings’ news and called across the restaurant, “Congratulations! I love you!”
She ran through the parking lot to her car, and then she sped the whole way to Gavin’s house. By the time she arrived she was out of breath.
She flew out of her car and ran up his walk, pounding on the door like a madwoman.
She was mad all right.
Mad about Gavin.
“BASICALLY, WHAT I’M hearing is that you owe me big-time for dragging your ass to that music festival.”
Gavin stepped off the dock, speaking through his AirPods to Beckett. “Yeah, I do. Everything is different with Harper in my life. I can’t even explain it, but man, Beck, I want to do things I haven’t ever wanted to do, like finally making my house more of a home. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
“Whoa. Does that mean you’re actually bringing her home? Dude, this is serious. Are you sure? You remember what went down the last time you did that.”
His jaw clenched. “Harper’s not anything like Corinne. You’ll love her as much as I do.” He looked out over the water and said, “It’s crazy, Beck, but she’ll be here in about an hour and I’m counting down the minutes like a lovesick teenager.” He headed for the house. “I’m thinking about bringing her home with me for Thanksgiving.”
“No shit? You think you’ll still be together?”
“Hell yes. Have you listened to anything I’ve just said?” Gavin opened the patio door, and as he stepped inside he heard someone banging on the front door. “Hold on. I have to answer the door.”
He strode through the house and opened the front door. Harper launched herself into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around him like a second skin and crushing her mouth to his.
“I missed you,” she panted out between frantic kisses. “I don’t want to hold back anymore. I want it all with you, Gavin. Take me to your bedroom.”
“Man she sounds hot.” Beckett’s voice jarred Gavin from his reverie.
“End the call, Beckett,” he growled against Harper’s lips.
She drew back, confusion in her eyes. “Beckett?”
Holding Harper with one arm, he tore his AirPods from his ears and threw them to the floor. “Forget him.”
He grabbed the back of her head, bringing her mouth to his, their tongues tangling in a passionate dance as he carried her toward the bedroom. He wanted to know what changed, why she suddenly wanted more of him. But she was in his arms, kissing him like she needed him to survive, and in that moment that was all that mattered. He lowered them both to the bed, their tongues thrusting, tasting, memorizing the feel of each other’s mouths. He ran his hands along her thighs, barely able to think past the need to be inside her. He broke their kiss long enough to reach behind him with one hand and tug his shirt over his head.
Her hands played over his chest, her lips curving up in appreciation. “God, I love your body.”
The need in her voice made his cock throb. She was gorgeous, her golden hair spilling over his sheets, the creamy halter top of her dress resting against her tanned skin, the skirt bunched around her waist, and her pretty lace panties begging to be removed.
“Not half as much as I love yours,” he said, taking her in another fierce kiss.
One tug on the strings around her neck freed her breasts. He kissed a path down her neck, over her breastbone, and then he teased her breasts the way he’d learned she loved. She arched and moaned, every sexy sound making him harder, hungrier. He stripped away her dress, and his heart nearly stopped at the sight of her naked, save for the peach panties he was about to tear off with his teeth. And that tattoo. He’d seen it in his most erotic fantasies. The mark of the woman he’d never forget.
She reached for him, but he was on a mission to make her feel better than she ever had. As his hands slid down her ribs to the dip at the swell of her hips, he kissed and sucked, licked and teased every soft, supple inch of her.