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Harper covers her mouth. “Why would she do that?”
Exhaustion from the day catches up with me, and I slump down on the sofa. With a heavy shrug, I say, “Jealousy? That’s what my brothers think. I knew she had feelings for me. I ignored them, hoping eventually she’d get over it and move on when she realized I didn’t reciprocate them. When she noticed my interest in you—that we shared something—she acted out in a way she knew would hurt me—the company. Except, it’s not the company I care about…it’s you.” Harper is still standing, so I reach for her hand and pull her down to take a seat next to me. Still holding her hand, I bring it to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you like that again. I’m sorry for my part. I should have dealt with it better.”
“Was there even a moment where you believed I could have done that?” She studies my face for the answer. I’m ashamed to admit, that for a second, the thought crossed my mind. At my hesitation, Harper pulls her hand free. “You did!” She jumps up from the sofa and hugs her arms around her waist.
I rise from the seat and stand in front of her. I want to gather her in my arms, but with the pissed expression on her face, she’d probably pull away. So, I slide my hands into my pockets to stop myself from touching her. “Shock then rage at seeing our design on someone else overwhelmed me. I was confused. I was ready to blame anyone. It’s no excuse. As soon as the thought entered my mind, I dismissed it immediately.”
Biting her bottom lip, she doesn’t look convinced. I step closer, risk touching her. I cup her face in my hands. Relief washes over me when she doesn’t pull away.
I rub my thumbs along her jaw and say, “I’m sorry. God, I’m sorry.” I kiss her cheek. “If I could go back and do things differently, I would.”
Harper’s face softens. “It was a shitty thing to do.”
I rest my forehead on Harper’s. “I know. I was a dick. Please, forgive me.” My chest squeezes tight.
With lips curling into a smile, she says, “I forgive you. I understand the stress of the moment couldn’t have been easy.”
Pent-up tension expels from my lungs, and I smash my lips on Harper’s mouth. Her hands land on my waist as she kisses me back with equal fervor. Pulling away, I stare into her eyes. “I love you.” The words slip from my mouth. I didn’t mean to say them so soon. I’d only recently worked out my feelings. Thought I needed more time to process them. But with the love of my life in my arms, this moment feels right. Why should I wait to tell her how I feel? When she gazes back at me with shocked, glassy eyes, her mouth slightly open, I say again, “I love you.”
A tear slides down her left cheek. Fuck, is that a good or bad sign?
Harper’s bottom lip trembles. “You love me? After everything I’ve done—”
“Shh.” I place a feather-light kiss on her lips. “I’ve told you before, it’s in the past. I want to focus on our future. If we’re up-front and honest with each other from now on, we can get through anything.”
She still hasn’t told me she loves me back. Have I read her feelings wrong? She averts her eyes and focuses on something over my shoulder. A cold shiver travels down my spine. Shit! I’m an idiot. She doesn’t feel the same way.
I take a step back, letting my arms fall to my sides. “You don’t want this.” I wave a hand between us.
Harper’s eyes grow round. “No…I mean, yes. Yes, I want this.” She grabs hold of my hands and clasps them to her chest. “I’m just finding it hard to believe you love me.”
I kiss the top of her nose. “Believe it. It’s true. To be honest, I’ve never stopped.”
She gives me a watery smile. “I love you too, Finn. I’ve never stopped.” She wraps her arms around my neck, kissing the relieved breath from my lungs.
This is where I’m meant to be. There’s nothing now that can tear us apart.
Chapter Thirty-Four
HARPER
Ilaynakedandspent on my bed, wrapped in Finn’s arms. Our heavy breathing echoes through the room. I should be overjoyed at hearing Finn tell me he loves me. I never believed I’d hear those words again. The words wrap around my damaged heart, mending it. While part of me is elated, guilt worms through like a dark cloud. Blanketing the moment.If we’re up-front and honest with each other from now on, we can get through anything.But I haven’t been completely honest with him. Guilt claws my chest. Can I tell him? After he’s told me he loves me, how can I keep this from him?
Finn props onto an elbow and brushes my hair from my face. “Why so serious? I’ve just given you the best fucking orgasm you’ll ever have. You should be grinning from ear to ear. What’s on your mind?”
With a chuckle, and wanting to avoid the question, I say, “The best orgasm ever? That’s all you’ve got?”
He pokes me in the ribs, and I squeal. “It was outstanding, and you know it. I’ll be giving you a lifetime of them.”
“Mmmm, I can’t wait.” I sigh as his hand covers my breast.
Finn pulls away. “But you’re going to have to wait. I want to know what you were thinking about earlier. You looked too serious for someone who’d just been fucked.”
I try to sit up, but Finn pulls me down onto my back and hovers above me.
“Honesty. Remember?” His gaze burrows into me, asking for the truth. The truth clogs in my throat, making my heart speed up at a dangerous level.
“I’m not coming back to Alessi’s,” I say.
