“Say good-night to Jeremy for me.”
“I will.”
“You won’t be coming to work on the car this weekend, will you?”
How could she when she desperately needed to take a long, hard look at what she was doing? Because it was one thing to tell herself she was having a fun, sexy affair—and that she deserved to have something so delicious for once in her life. But it was another thing entirely to watch how easily Will could take over if she wasn’t careful. Especially when the only thing that had held Harper and Jeremy together for the past several years had been her tight grip on their lives.
“I think it would be best if we skipped this weekend.”
Will’s eyes were as dark and intense as she’d ever seen them. Full of disappointment, and something that looked like regret, too. “I know I screwed up,” he said softly, “and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you.”
Before her conflicted brain could even try to think of a reply, he was gone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Will didn’t blame Harper for pulling back to reassess things—he had completely screwed up by forgetting that she was the boss when it came to her brother. Will might be able to make suggestions, but he’d never again make the mistake of taking decisions out of Harper’s hands. She was too strong, too smart, for that kind of behavior. He knew he had a lot to prove, and a lot of ground to make up, but he wasn’t giving up.
They quickly established a routine over the next few days. His driver Benny picked up Jeremy from school, and Will drove him home. Fortunately, Harper’s brother loved his new job and he also loved the people he worked with. Will checked several times each day to make sure his employees were treating Jeremy right. He’d promised Harper he wouldn’t let anything hurt her brother, and he would die before he broke that vow.
The first night, Harper thanked him for bringing Jeremy home—and then shut and locked the door.
The second night, he brought takeout and made sure the bags he was holding at her front door smelled so good that it would be really hard for her stomach, at least, to turn him away. She’d been quiet as they ate together in her kitchen that night, mostly letting him and Jeremy do the talking, but even if it was just a baby step, at least it was one in the right direction.
The third night, while they were eating another takeout meal, he wanted to tell her that she and Jeremy filled up all his empty places. He wanted her to know that he’d drop anything at a moment’s notice when one of them called. He wished he could tell her that taking care of them had grown into a need inside him, on a deeper level even than the bond he had with his fellow Mavericks. His friends—his brothers—weren’t kids anymore, and they hadn’t needed anyone to fight their battles in years. But Jeremy and Harper needed him.
Although sometimes he felt like he needed them even more.
By Thursday night, he couldn’t stand it any longer and asked her if he could take her out again. She told him she needed to think about it, and he wasn’t sure he managed a full breath all the way through until Friday night, when he brought Jeremy home from work again...
...and she finally said yes.
Will couldn’t remember a time he’d ever been happier, or more relieved, in his life.
Now, with Mrs. Taylor watching Jeremy at home, Will had Harper sitting beside him in his ’57 Chevy. Though she was still too quiet, he was content just to be with her. To let her delicious scent wash over him, cleanse him, make him new.
Of course, when he saw an overlook along Skyline Boulevard with a great view, he couldn’t resist pushing for more. Because he couldn’t resist her. She was gorgeous in the moonlight. Stars sparkled in her eyes, and the full moon made her skin glow. There was no wind deflector in the mammoth Chevy and her hair was a mass of sexy tangles.
“Let’s park,” he said after he’d stopped the car, tugging her gently over to his side of the bench seat.
Thankfully she didn’t tense up, but he remained on tenterhooks waiting for it to happen. Waiting for her to pull back. Because they hadn’t talked about what had happened last Thursday. He’d wanted to give her time to process, and to forgive. But should he have pushed a little harder to make sure there weren’t any lingering mistakes that he still needed to make right?
He’d never been afraid of pushing anyone before. But with Harper, everything was different.
Because he was terrified of losing her.
“Harper.” He wanted so badly to reach for her. “Are we good again? Like before? Or are you still upset with me for overstepping my bounds with your brother?”
She looked a little surprised by his question, as if she hadn’t expected him to come right out and ask. But also, relieved.
Had she been wanting to clear the air, too?
“To be honest,” she said slowly, “those first couple of days, I didn’t know exactly how I was feeling. Still a little mad. Still a little guilty. But more and more, as Jeremy came home happier every day, I was able to see just how right you were. He needed this change, needed to get out of that grocery store. I wish I’d been able to see it—”
“You’re the best sister in the world. You do so much for him. You can’t beat yourself up about this.”
“But I did.” She took a deep breath. “And now...now I think I’m finally ready to let it go.” She looked him in the eyes and held his gaze. “And I’m finally ready to let go again, too.”
She reached for his hand, and the act felt huge. Bigger even than a kiss might have.
“Being with you, being wild and free for a little while—it made me happy, Will. Whereas when I was holding you at bay this week?” She frowned. “I wasn’t as happy anymore. Wasn’t as free.” She threaded her fingers through his. “I’m ready to be free again. Ready to fly fast with you, if you still want me.”
“If I still want you?” He didn’t even try to keep the incredulous tone from his voice. “All I do all day long, all night long, is want you, Harper.”
The smile she gave him was so beautiful, it nearly knocked his heart from his chest. “I want you, too, Will. Just that badly. Only...”
“Anything you want, anything you need, just tell me what it is and I’ll make it happen.” This was the first real, meaningful relationship he’d ever had with a woman. Whatever Harper needed, he’d give it to her, come hell or high water.
She bit her lip, then let the damp flesh go to say, “You can’t make what I want happen tonight, Will. Only I can. Every time we’re together, I completely lose control. But you’re always so steady. I need to know...” She paused for a moment as if she was deciding whether to finish her sentence or not, and he held his breath until she said, “Tonight I need to know if I can make you as crazy as you make me.”
“Crazier, Harper. A thousand times over.”
“Let me see it.” She leaned forward and whispered against his lips, “I need to see it.”
“I’m yours.” He now knew that he had been from the first moment he’d set eyes on her. “All yours.”
She looked up at him in surprise, as though she hadn’t actually expected him to agree to give up his control tonight. And she was right that there was almost no one he would consider doing that with. But she was different. She was special. And he trusted her in a way he didn’t trust anyone else.
“Come closer,” she said softly.
He immediately moved across the seat. When Harper straddled him, her dress billowing down around them, he couldn’t remember ever being happier. She’d forgiven him and she wanted to make love with him until he lost his mind.
Was there a luckier guy on the planet?
Summer was just around the corner and a warm breeze rippled through her hair. Stars lit up the sky around her as he thought, I want you, Harper. I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone else. I want you more than I can remember ever wanting anyone or anything before in my life.
He opened his mouth to say the words, but she stole them away. Cupping his face, she kissed him as if she were making love to his mouth, licking him, taking his tongue. Her whole body got into the kiss, swaying and moving on his, her breasts caressing him, her legs tightening along his thighs.
He’d always been the one in control, not just with her, but with all women. He’d always set the pace and the tone, decided where the night began and ended. Even when Harper had kissed him in the garage, he’d taken over, pushing her down on the hood, using his mouth on her because he’d been desperate to taste her. To have her.
Yet now that she was the one controlling his reins, she wasn’t rushed. Not at all. Even though he could hardly remember his own name.
“You taste so good,” she murmured against his lips. “I wonder how you taste all over.” She leaned back to work the buttons of his shirt. When his chest was naked to her touch, and she ran her fingers down his skin, he actually felt a quiver deep in his gut. A part of him worried that she’d want to strip his shirt away completely, and that she’d finally see his tattoo, but even that worry could hardly take hold when she was touching him like this, kissing him like this.