AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Harbor
Years earlier,I told Lark we needed a redo. Our meeting wasn’t one made of the stuff that filled the romance movies and books she loved. But I fucked up that redo back in New Haven.Twice.
This time, I’m not taking any chances. I won’t fuck it up again. Too much time without her has passed. Every moment matters, so I’m not holding back anymore. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that secrets are only meant to hold you back and make you despise the very thing you were protecting.
I reach the edge of the city and keep driving over the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey. Lark hasn’t said a word since she got in the vehicle. I haven’t felt the need to fill in the silence. I’m content with the trust she’s given me that allows her to go wherever I choose.
It’s tempting to reach over and hold her hand like we used to. I tighten my fingers around the steering wheel and try to keep my eyes forward. It’s easier to face the future than stare at my past, wondering if we’ll ever get back to where we once were in each other’s lives.
There’s no winning that battle. Lark has always been the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, so I steal a peek. The last light of the day shines through the windshield. It’s bright, but she doesn’t bother to shield her eyes. She embraces the light instead. Leaning forward, she closes her eyes and soaks in the rays.
I could stare at her for hours and find new captivations on every inch of her skin, but I drag my attention back to the road ahead, needing to stay focused on driving instead of the mesmerizing woman beside me.
Lark’s features are more defined than when she was back in college. Her nose is a little sharper like her chin. Her skin is smooth, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a blemish on her. If there ever was a flaw, I never noticed. She used to wear her hair up most days. Now it’s longer than it ever has been, shiny in the sunshine, and a thousand shades blending from blond to darker than my brown.
She looks incredible in that dress. It shows off the curves I used to spend nights traversing with my tongue. I thought I had better control of my cravings for her, but being inside the car with the rest of the world trapped outside, her sweet, floral scent wraps around me like a scarf. Her being this close to me again has unintended consequences that are out of my control.
I shift in my seat.
As if she senses my weakness for her, her eyes open, and her gaze slides over to me and down without apology. She says, “I have a feeling you weren’t in the area.”
I glance at her, catching sight of the gold centers where the sun is as rapt as I am, finding peace within the greenest depths of Lark’s eyes.
Death of me . . .
Closing my eyes briefly, I breathe, inhaling her into my lungs.
What a glorious death it will be.
I chuckle. “No, I wasn’t in the neighborhood.”
“I always knew you were a stalker.” She grins, resting her head back on the seat. “I called it the first day we met.”
She’s right. “I’d been watching you since the first time I saw you.” I grip the wheel like it can transfer the support I need to confess my sins. “You took my breath away. That had never happened before.” I glance over at her again. “I knew you were special.”
“I wasn’t special because you noticed me, Harbor. I was special because I saw through your façade. I saw you.”
I’m leveled by her words, and her insight hits me square in the heart. “You did see me. You’re the first person who ever did. I meant to thank you for that.” I volley my gaze between her and the road a few times. “After I left, I think I spent the first two years trying to become a man worthy of you again.”
Her expression falls, but she doesn’t give in and fights to keep the corners of her mouth even. “You were worthy the day we met, Harbor.”
Hearing her tell me I’m worthy cuts deeper than a knife ever could. I know I did what I had to for her, but I still doubt how I went about it. I saw no other way. I scrub over my face and turn on the music.
We cover miles, but she’s still riding along like we’re on a pleasant Sunday drive. I finally reach our destination. I drive over gravel and park. Not making a move to get out, she asks, “Where are we?”
“Palisades Cliffs.” I get out and come around, opening the door for her. When I offer my hand, she slips hers right in. The surge between us ushers us together when she stands, though our bodies barely touch. Looking at her, I tuck hair behind her ear as if I still have that right.
As if I hadn’t, she turns back and grabs the bag out of the car. Carrying it with her, she walks to the end of the vehicle and turns back. “Hungry?”
I shut the door. “I can eat.” We walk closer to the overlook, but I stop her. “You look fucking amazing, and those shoes . . .fuck me, they’re very . . .” I gulp.
“You like?” She lifts a foot, teasing me.
“Yeah, I like. You could say that.”
When she turns, I realize the view is almost gone for the night. We stand there, side by side, taking in as much as we can with the sun hiding under the tops of the distant hills. She turns to me. “I bet it’s beautiful during the day.”
“We’ll have to return and find out.”
