“Well, I would only initiate something if the woman was single, and it had to be the last night of her trip. I made it very clear that nothing could ever come after, but making sure they were heading home the next day seemed the best way to ensure no one got any ideas about a relationship. I also never brought anyone back to my place, and I never stayed the night. So I guess this is the first time I’ve spent the night with someone, the first time I’ve had multiple orgasms with someone.” She waited for the knife of grief to slice into her chest as she said the words, but it didn’t come. She let out a long breath in relief.
“Did those rules help you move through the grieving process?” Charlie said as she studied her.
Harper shrugged. “I think so. I survived. And I’m here now with you and doing pretty well, I think.”
“Good. That’s all that matters, right? As long as you aren’t going to kick me out of your building now that we’ve slept together.”
Harper walked to Charlie and straddled her, pushing her torso back until Charlie was resting on her elbows. “Definitely not. We dragged this process out long enough, don’t you think?”
Charlie nodded without speaking.
“And after last night—and this morning—I want to keep doing this. Don’t you?” Harper leaned forward until her mouth was nearly on Charlie’s, but a sliver of air separated them. “Now, perhaps?”
“I do, but I’m not sure if we have time. I need to teach a yoga class at three. And we promised we’d check out on time.”
The expression on Charlie’s face was telling Harper that she didn’t really want to leave. It seemed to be saying the opposite. “You know, it’s only eleven. Even if we leave at eleven thirty, you’ll still be back more than an hour and a half before your class. And I just took Franky out, so she’s good for a bit.” Harper dropped her head to kiss the spot just below Charlie’s ear that she’d discovered the night before. It drove her a little wild when she licked it just right.
“You’re not fighting fair right now.” Yet, Charlie pulled her closer.
“Your actions are not matching your words, Ms. Paulson.” She leaned up to look at her again. “Tell me what you want,” she whispered.
Charlie smirked and shook her head. “I want you to take these freshly washed clothes off me before my underwear is too wet for me to wear them home.”
“NowthatI am happy to arrange.”
Chapter Twenty-two
After Key Largo, Harper waited a week before reaching out to Andrew. For a change, and maybe the first time since Kelly passed away, she reached out just to talk and not because she was in a panic about something. She wanted to know what was going on in his life, and she wanted to share what was going on with hers. She’d meant to call him sooner, but the bar had been really busy. Labor Day week was always bustling and this year more than most.
“Hey, Harper. What’s up?” Andrew said when he answered her call, but there was a twinge of surprise in his voice.
She propped her feet up on her office desk and tapped the button for speaker when he answered. “Just calling to check in. How are things? How’s Ben?”
“Things are good. We’re busy. Ben has decided he wants to paint the spare bedroom before we get our first foster kid!” He squealed as he said the last two words.
“You were approved? That’s so amazing! When is he getting there?”
“The day after tomorrow.” He nearly squealed again, and his excitement lifted her mood even more. “Buthername is Chelsea. She’s a trans woman. Trans teen? We’ll find out how she likes to refer to herself soon, but we’re so excited. I mean, we don’t really know anything about teenage girls, but we know she needs our love and support, and we’ll give her plenty of that.”
“If anyone can help her feel like she belongs, it’s you and Ben.”
“You’re sweet. Ben and I are going to take the week off work so we can spend time with her and get to know her.”
“That sounds amazing. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”
“True. But I’m just so nervous.”
“You’d be nervous no matter what, but I’m so excited for you both. You’re going to be fantastic parents. Keep me posted once she gets there, okay? I can’t wait to hear all about her.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I can once we have her settled in.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“Now, tell me what’s going on with you. Is anything brewing between you and sexy Wall Street next door?”
Harper didn’t think anyone had ever made Wall Street sound sexy before, but she could attest that Charlie made everything sexy. “Well, now that you mention it, yes, things have been developing on that front a little bit.” She paused as images of Charlie naked in her bed last night popped into her head and sent a jolt through her belly, leaving a warm ache between her thighs. Charlie had come over to hang out with Franky and had ended up spending the night, as had become their habit over the past week. They’d ended up staying up half the night. Making love, laughing, eating cheese and blueberries. When Charlie needed to get up to go teach yoga, Harper had felt an unexpected emptiness. She hadn’t wanted her to leave.
So she’d gotten up right after Charlie left so she could take her class. She could’ve had a lazy morning since Em was opening the bar, but sitting at home without Charlie didn’t feel appealing anymore. Plus, Charlie had been right about yoga helping the tightness in her back. She’d begun taking classes regularly and was starting to notice a difference.
