Nathan's perceptive gaze swept over her face, reading the internal struggle etched in her furrowed brow and tight lips. "Tell me," he encouraged softly, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.
Harper took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the effort. "My fox... she wants her den. To hide out," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. A flicker of vulnerability passed through her amber eyes as she met Nathan's concerned gaze. "But I want to be with you." Theadmission hung in the air between them, fragile yet weighted with unspoken emotion.
Nathan nodded. “That’s what we’ll do then. We'll go up to your place, and I'll get us some drinks while you get comfortable. I can stay a couple of hours, then I have a private lesson at four. After that, we'll see how you feel, if you're up to coming to my place and hang out with me and Jill, and I'll make us dinner. If not, we'll call out for delivery and cuddle up together here. That sound good?”
Harper heaved a sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing as if a massive boulder had been lifted from them. The tension that had been coiled in her chest began to unravel, replaced by a warm sense of comfort.
"That sounds perfect," she assured him, her voice soft but tinged with genuine gratitude. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "I appreciate it… really, I do."
Harper spentthe afternoon curled up in her favorite armchair, wrapped in a soft blanket while Nathan kept her company. They watched silly cat videos on YouTube until her fox settled down, content with their mate's presence. When Nathan left for his lesson, she dozed off, emotionally drained from the day's events.
The gentle chime of her phone woke her. Nathan's text asked if she felt up to coming over for dinner. Reyna perked up at the thought of seeing him again, and Harper smiled, realizing the nap had done wonders for her state of mind.
The short drive to Nathan's house helped clear the last cobwebs from her mind. She pulled into his driveway just as the sun began to set, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks.The sound of music drifted through an open window - Nathan playing his piano, the melody light and cheerful.
Harper let herself in through the back door, following the familiar path to his kitchen. The aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air, making her stomach growl. Nathan stood at the stove, stirring something in a pan while humming along with the music playing from his stereo system.
"That smells amazing," Harper said, dropping her purse on a kitchen chair.
Nathan turned, his face lighting up. "Hey there. Feeling better?"
"Much." She moved closer, peering into the pan. "What are you making?"
"Chicken piccata." He lifted the spoon, offering her a taste. "Here, tell me if it needs more seasoning."
The lemony sauce melted on Harper's tongue, the perfect balance of tart and savory. "This is wonderful."
Nathan beamed at the praise. "Almost done."
"I can make the salad." Harper moved toward the fridge, but Nathan caught her arm.
"Already taken care of." He nodded toward a crystal bowl filled with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices. "Your job tonight is to relax. Would you like some wine? I opened a bottle of Pinot Grigio to go with dinner."
"Yes, please."
Nathan poured her a glass, then returned to put the finishing touches on their meal. Harper settled onto one of the barstools at his kitchen island, content to watch him work. The music shifted to something classical - Mozart, she thought - creating a peaceful backdrop to the domestic scene.
Reyna stretched luxuriously in Harper's mind, radiating satisfaction at being near their mate. For once, Harper didn't argue with her fox's assessment. The events of the day feltdistant here in Nathan's warm kitchen, the trauma at work fading like a bad dream.
Nathan moved with quiet efficiency, plating their dinner without feeling the need to fill the silence with small talk. Harper appreciated that about him - how he could just... be. No pressure, no expectations. Just acceptance.
She sipped her wine and let the peace of the moment wash over her. The knot of anxiety that had lingered in her chest all afternoon finally loosened, replaced by a gentle calm that felt like coming home.
Harper followed Nathan into the dining room, where he had already set the table with simple white plates and gleaming silverware. A single candle flickered in the center, casting a warm glow over the room. She settled into her chair as Nathan served the chicken piccata, the aroma making her mouth water.
"This looks incredible," she said, picking up her fork. "I didn't know you were such a talented cook."
Nathan chuckled as he took his seat across from her. "I'm full of surprises."
Harper took a bite, savoring the delicate balance of flavors. The chicken was tender, the sauce bright with lemon and capers. "Mmm, this is amazing."
"I'm glad you like it." Nathan's smile was soft, his eyes warm in the candlelight.
They fell into an easy conversation as they ate, discussing their favorite movies and books. Harper was delighted to learn that Nathan shared her love of classic science fiction novels, and they spent several minutes debating the merits of Asimov versus Heinlein.
"I still can't believe you've never seen Blade Runner," Nathan teased, refilling their wine glasses.
Harper laughed. "I know, I know. It's on my list."
