Harper leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Sometimes mixing things up can create something magical though. Take what Loreena McKennitt did with God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."
"Oh?" Nathan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"She blended it with this amazing Middle Eastern beat." Harper's hands moved in flowing gestures as she described it. "The traditional carol meshes perfectly with the drums and exotic instruments. I can't belly dance to save my life, but whenever I hear that version, I want to get up and try."
Reyna stirred at the thought of dancing, clearly amused by the mental image of Harper attempting to shimmy.
"I've never heard that arrangement," Nathan said, his expression lighting up with curiosity. "But now you've got me interested. It sounds like exactly the kind of creative interpretation I might actually enjoy."
"Really?" Harper grinned, delighted to have piqued his interest. "I have it on my phone if you want to hear it."
Nathan carefully placed his cello back in its stand, then turned to face Harper. His warm brown eyes held a hint of concern as they met hers. "How are you feeling now? Really?"
Harper's heart fluttered at the gentle way he asked. The earlier panic and stress from work felt like a distant memory, washed away by good food, music, and Nathan's calming presence. Even Reyna had settled into a content purr in the back of her mind.
"I'm good." She smiled, realizing she truly meant it. "Better than good, actually. Being here with you..." She gestured around the cozy room. "It's exactly what I needed. The whole awful day just sort of melted away."
"I'm glad." Nathan moved to join her on the couch, close enough that she could feel his warmth but not so close as to crowd her. "I was worried about you earlier."
"I know." Harper smiled at him, reaching out her hand for his. "But you helped more than you realize. Just being here, letting me relax and not having to talk about it or explain anything..." She paused, searching for the right words. "It's like you knew exactly what I needed."
Nathan's expression softened. "I am glad," he murmured. "That you're feeling better."
His arm slipped around her shoulders, drawing her against his solid warmth. Harper caught the faint scent of his cologne mingled with the earthy notes of rosin from his cello as his fingers fingers traced gentle patterns on her arm.
His other hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb brushing softly across her skin. Harper's pulse quickened, and her eyes fluttered closed as he leaned in, his breath warm against her lips. When their mouths met, the kiss was sweet and tender, lingering with unspoken emotion. Her fingers curled into the soft fabric of his shirt as warmth bloomed in her chest.
Reyna practically purred with satisfaction, and Harper couldn't help but agree with her fox's assessment. This felt right - safe and thrilling all at once. Nathan's gentle kiss spoke of care and protection, of understanding and acceptance.
Nathan's lips were soft against hers, the kiss gentle and unhurried. Harper melted into his embrace, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. When they finally drew apart, she rested her head against his shoulder, content to simply be held.
The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed ten, startling Harper from her comfortable daze. She hadn't realized how late it had gotten.
"I should probably head home," she murmured, though she made no move to leave the warmth of Nathan's arms.
"Probably," he agreed, pressing a kiss to her temple. "We both have work tomorrow."
"I don't, actually. They told me to take tomorrow off. But you have your classes to teach."
“I only have morning classes,” Nathan said, his voice a low rumble against her hair. “Why don’t you come over for lunch? We could do something afterward.”
A thrill shot through Harper, a mix of excitement and something deeper, something that resonated with Reyna’s quiet purr of contentment. “I’d love to,” she breathed, the words barely a whisper.
They sat in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, the grandfather clock’s rhythmic ticking filling the quiet space. Nathan’s arm tightened around her, and Harper leaned into his touch, savoring the simple comfort of being held. The lingering scent of his cologne and the warmth of his body created a sense of peace she was coming to crave.
“What did you have in mind for after lunch?” she asked, finally breaking the silence.
Nathan’s fingers stilled on her arm. “I’m open to suggestions. We could go for a hike, explore downtown, or just stay here and listen to music. Whatever you’d like.”
The image of exploring the town with Nathan, hand in hand, sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. But the idea of staying in, curled up on his couch with music playing softly, held its own appeal. She could imagine spending hours lost in conversation, discovering more about this man who seemed to understand her without words.
“We could see if Jill wants to join us,” Nathan added, a smile in his voice.
The thought of the jackalope accompanying them on an outing made Harper chuckle. She pictured the little creature hopping along, observing the world with its large, curious eyes. “Jill would like a hike. Reyna would too.” The thought of running through the woods with both Nathan and Reyna made her smile.
Harper sat up straighter, her brow furrowing. "Wait, wouldn't that be dangerous? Jill can't be seen by anyone - jackalopes aren't supposed to exist."
"I thought about that," Nathan said. "There's this trail I know, deep in the woods behind the lake area. It's pretty secluded, and the undergrowth is thick enough that if we hear anyone coming, Jill can easily hide in the bushes."
