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.