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“Always.”
He pumped into her once, twice. His body stiffened, and they both let out a gasp as they careened over the edge together, falling into contented bliss.
The racing of his heart slowed, and he met Harley’s gorgeous dark gaze. “I love you,” he said, and her eyes widened. “I know it’s soon and seems fucking crazy, but I do. I don’t know why or how, but I can feel it.”
She sucked in a jagged breath, a smile spreading across her kiss-swollen lips. “I love you too.”
He captured her lips, knowing he would never get tired of kissing his beautiful queen.
Chapter 10
Harley fidgeted with the hem of her tank top, wondering if she should have gone for a more modest look. No. She was tired of hiding. Tired of covering up because people were uncomfortable with her curves. What better way to prove that than to let them show on local television?
“We’ll be ready in five,” Allison said. She looked every bit of class in her tailored black pantsuit with a white camisole beneath. Her hair was perfectly curled and hung over her shoulders. The heels she wore gave her an easy four to five more inches.
Harley looked down at her dark jeans that hugged her curves and decided not to compare herself to the beautiful reporter. They were completely different people, but that didn’t mean they weren’t both beautiful.
As if to confirm her thoughts, she caught Garrett staring at her. His lips pressed together, and a devilish glint settled in his blue eyes. He pushed off the wall of the tattoo shop and made his way to her.
“You sure about this?” he asked.
“Positive.” After they had declared their love for each other, she wanted her fresh start more than ever. The only way to do that was to put an end to the past that had been holding her back for too long. It was time to tell her story and move on. She had clients who were wondering where the hell she was, and a desire to tattoo she didn’t want to suppress anymore.
It was time to reclaim her life.
“We go in two,” Allison said before turning to Larry, her camera guy.
Garrett took her hand in his much larger one and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You got this.”
“I know.”
He kissed her nose, then her lips. “I’m right here,” he said. “Not that you need me.”
“I’ll always need you.” She lifted on her toes and kissed him again before he stepped away, leaving her in the spotlight.
Larry hoisted the camera onto his shoulder, and Allison stood beside her, microphone in hand. They had already gone over the questions Allison would ask and what Harley would say. It wasn’t scripted, just rehearsed, and when it was all done, Harley’s truth would finally be out there.
“Three, two.” Larry pointed to Allison, and she jumped right into it, proving to not only look the part of a professional, but to fully encompass the role.
“This is Allison Winters coming to you this morning from Tattoo by the Sea. We have a real problem in this country—a problem that has claimed countless lives and has ruined countless more. Cyber bullying is once again on the rise, and here in our small town of Willow Cove we are not immune to the cruelty of trolls.
“I am here with one of our newest residents, Harley Love, who was driven out of her own home in Las Vegas to our small town for this very reason. And just like most cases, people only know half the story, so I am here to give Harley a voice. Her side deserves to be told, so I urge you to put those remotes down and listen. Because when you do, you will realize the victim is Harley herself.”
Allison looked at Harley, a silent question passing through her whiskey-colored eyes, asking if Harley was ready. Harley gave a subtle nod.
“Harley, let’s start from the beginning.” Allison turned the microphone to her, and her entire body tensed. This was her moment. Her moment to tell the world she wasn’t the whore they thought she was. To finally tell the world what she had endured because of a man who was too much of a pompous ass to admit to his own misdoings. It was time for the world to know she was more than her curves and tattoos. There was a woman inside who was dying to be freed.
She met Garrett’s eyes and dug deep, anchoring herself to him and feeding off his strength.
The interview ended, and Allison shook her hand. “That was great. You didn’t only tell your story, but you’re going to let people know they’re not alone and they can’t be silenced.”
“Thank you. I just hope it doesn’t all blow up in my face.”
“Don’t ever doubt my ability.” Allison smirked. “You won’t be just the victim but a woman of great courage, strength, and gumption. I already have teased your story on my own social media, and my fans are eager to see the segment.”
“I trust you.” Harley had no idea why, but she saw glimpses of the woman behind the reporter façade, and she could tell she was kindhearted.
“Good. I’m going to head to the studio see any tweaks we have to make, and this will air by ten am. Make sure to watch.”
