Harper's amber eyes widened, a flicker of disappointment crossing her delicate features. She bit her lower lip, a nervous habit she'd never quite outgrown, as a rosy blush crept up her freckled cheeks. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest as she gathered her courage. The words she longed to say danced on the tip of her tongue, threatening to retreat at any moment.
"Nathan," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with a mixture of hope and vulnerability. She swallowed hard, her gaze locked onto his warm brown eyes. "Would you... would you stay?" The question hung in the air between them, laden with unspoken meaning and the promise of something more.
Nathan's heart skipped a beat, then raced to catch up. He searched Harper's face intently, his gaze tracing the scattered freckles across her cheeks, wanting to be sure he understood her meaning. A spark of hope ignited in his chest, warming him from the inside out.
"Are you sure?" he asked gently, trying to tamp down his own desire. This had to be what she wanted, no matter how much he desired her. His fingers twitched at his sides, longing to reach out and touch her, to anchor this moment in reality.
Harper's blush deepened, spreading to the tips of her ears. She nodded, her gaze steady despite the wild color in her cheeks. "Yes," she whispered. "I'm sure."
Nathan's breath caught in his throat, his heart thundering against his ribs. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently caressing her cheekbones, marveling at the softness of her skin. The scattered freckles beneath his fingertips seemed to dance in the dim light. "Harper," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion and longing.
As their lips met in a tender kiss, the world around them faded away, leaving only the warmth of their embrace and the promise of the night ahead.
Chapter 24
Harper's alarm blared,jolting her from a deep sleep. She blinked, disoriented, as her hand fumbled to silence the insistent noise. A warm presence beside her made her pause. She turned her head, her eyes widening as they met Nathan's warm gaze.
"Good morning," Nathan murmured, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Harper's cheeks flushed, a shy smile spreading across her face. "Good morning," she whispered back, her heart fluttering in her chest.
"Did you sleep well?" Nathan asked, his fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
Harper nodded, her blush deepening. "Yes, I did. You?"
Nathan's smile widened. "Better than I have in a long time."
They lay there for a moment, basking in each other's presence, nestled together in a cocoon of contentment. The world outside their cozy bubble seemed distant and unimportant. But reality, ever-persistent, couldn't be put off. Harper's gaze drifted to the clock on the nightstand, its glowing numbers a reminder of the day ahead. She sighed, a mix of reluctance and resignation in the soft sound. "We shouldprobably get up," she murmured, her voice still husky with sleep. "Work awaits."
"For both of us," Nathan agreed, reluctantly pulling away from her warmth. "I'll make some coffee while you shower," he offered, climbing out of bed.
Harper watched him go, her heart swelling with love. His retreating form, still sleep-rumpled and endearing, made her want to call him back to bed. Instead, she forced herself to get up, stretching languidly as her bare feet touched the cool hardwood floor. She padded to the bathroom, the memory of the previous night dancing through her mind, bringing a soft smile to her face and a rosy tint to her cheeks. She caught sight of herself in the mirror, noting the telltale glow of contentment in her eyes, a becoming flush on her cheeks.
After her shower, Harper found Nathan in the kitchen, two steaming mugs of coffee on the counter. She took over breakfast duty while he went to clean up and change back into yesterday's clothes.
They ate together, stealing glances and sharing soft smiles between bites of toast and sips of coffee, with only a hint of awkwardness that did nothing to diminish the tingle of awareness between them.
As they finished, Nathan glanced at his watch. "I should head home to change" he said, a note of regret in his voice.
Harper nodded, walking him to the door. They paused in the doorway, neither quite ready to part.
Nathan cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek as he leaned in for a kiss that lingered, soft and full of promise. Their eyes fluttered closed, the world around them fading away. When they finally pulled apart, both were slightly breathless, a warm glow left in the wake of their connection. Harper's lips curved into a shy smile, her eyes meeting Nathan's gaze, which held a newfound tenderness.
"I'll see you tonight after work?" Nathan asked, his eyes searching hers.
Harper nodded, a smile blooming on her face. "I can't wait."
With one last kiss, Nathan reluctantly stepped away, his fingers trailing along her arm as if reluctant to break contact. Harper watched him go, her heart light and full of joy, a soft warmth spreading through her chest. She leaned against the doorway, a small sigh escaping her lips as she clung to the memory of his touch.
Harper hurried into the bank,her heart racing with a mix of anxiety and determination. She made a beeline for Lydia's office, her heels clicking against the polished floor. As she approached, she noticed Jake standing by Lydia's desk, his expression serious.
Lydia glanced up as Harper entered, her piercing gaze locking onto the younger woman. A flicker of understanding passed across her features, her lips curving into a slight smile. "Harper, good morning," she greeted, her voice warm yet tinged with a hint of concern. "Jake was just filling me in on the situation." She gestured toward the wolf shifter, who stood with his arms crossed, his posture tense. Harper felt a flood of gratitude for Jake, who'd obviously told Lydia about the reporter… a conversation Harper had been dreading.
Lydia leaned forward, her elbows resting on her desk. "All the security guards have been given a photo of the man. They've been instructed to alert Jake immediately if they spot him."
Harper felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft with gratitude.
Jake's expression softened slightly. "Don't worry, Harper. We've got this handled."
