25. Felix
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
FELIX
“Do you think Harper means it, that she won’t dance again?” Tyler asks me, keeping his voice down as we lean against a post on the rooftop garden. We’re watching Harper and her friend Cindy from afar, the two of them talking beneath a sunshade.
It’s been four days since the funeral and Harper won’t let either of us out of her sight.
I haven’t had a chance to be alone with her since that afternoon in the library.
It’s always the three of us, which I have no problem with.
We’re even falling asleep in the same bed.
Whatever she needs, she gets during this difficult time.
“She’ll dance again, when her heart is healed,” I say, listening in to Harper and Cindy’s conversation.
Cindy takes Harper’s hands in hers. “Are you sure you don’t mind me dancing your part in Swan Lake ?”
“Of course not,” Harper says. “I told the academy I won’t be in the production. I’m glad they gave the lead to you. You’re a good dancer and deserve it.”
I’ve never liked Cindy. She’s always been jealous of Harper. From the way she smiles now, having secured the lead, I’m convinced she’s pleased to have benefited from Harper’s misfortune.
“I don’t trust this girl at all,” I mutter to Tyler.
“She’s Harper’s best friend at dance.”
“Doesn’t mean she has Harper’s best interest at heart.”
“She’s harmless.”
I side-eye my brother, smirking. “Like Paul Ferguson? The guy stands no chance with Harper. She’s not interested in him at all. And yet, at the cemetery, you wouldn’t stop glaring at him every time he got too close to Harper.”
“I don’t like the guy. End of story.”
My phone vibrates. I pull it out of my pocket, seeing a message from Theo, letting me know he’s arrived downstairs in the lobby. “What do you think my chances are of slipping out of here without Harper realizing I’m gone?”
“Slim to none.”
“Guess I’ll need to be quick.”
“Where are you going?”
“Theo is downstairs. I need to speak with him.”
His brow furrows. “About eclipse? I thought you were giving that a rest for a while?”
“Actually, I need to tell him I’m out.”
“For good? What brought that on?”
“Clara. Harper too.”
Tyler watches me carefully, understanding what my words don’t say.
I see it in his eyes, that he knows something is happening between me and Harper.
He can’t possibly know the extent. With the grief in this household and Harper’s supposed values of waiting for marriage, there’s no way he could suspect we’ve been physical.
But he knows there’s something emotionally intimate between me and Harper, beyond just a friendship .
Tyler laughs. “You always gave me shit for trying to please Harper. I think I deserve an apology.”
There’s no jealousy in his response, which strengthens my suspicion that he would be open to us sharing Harper.
“She was sleeping in my arms this morning,” he continues, speaking the words quietly. “I nearly kissed her lips.”
“You should kiss her. When she’s awake, I mean.”
He laughs again, but there’s something troubled in his voice. “I can’t. The timing isn’t right with Clara’s passing. She needs me as a friend right now.”
He’s always gentle with her. She’s so delicate in his eyes.
“Bro, maybe kissing her is exactly what she needs from you.”
Tyler shrugs my words off, changing the topic but no less troubled. “I have a gift for Harper. I thought it would be a reminder of her bond with Clara and encourage her to keep dancing. But if she’s adamant about quitting, perhaps the gift is insensitive.”
“Only you can make that decision. Trust your instincts.” I pat Tyler on the shoulder. “Look, Theo is waiting. We can talk more later. Cover for me, okay? I don’t want Harper knowing where I am.”
Theo won’t be pleased with what I have to say, but the two of us have been through a lot together, we’ve always had each other’s backs, so I know he’ll understand eventually, if not today. But it doesn’t mean I want Harper witnessing this discussion.
“Yeah, I’ll cover for you.”
While Harper is preoccupied with Cindy, I quietly leave the rooftop. The elevator is fast and I’m in the lobby within a minute, finding Theo and some redhead girl waiting for me on a couch. They’re the only ones here and stand to greet me as soon as they notice my arrival.
“Felix, man, everything all good?” There’s caution in Theo’s question. I’m not surprised. He’s an intuitive guy. Asking him to meet me mid-afternoon in the lobby for a quick talk isn’t something we usually do.
My gaze switches to the redhead behind him, wondering how cautious I need to be around her. She looks familiar. From the way she’s smiling at me, I’d say I’ve fucked her before. Now she’s fucking Theo. Doesn’t surprise me.
I focus back on Theo, choosing my words carefully due to the girl. “A problem has arisen. I know we had big plans, but I can’t be involved anymore.”
Theo’s expression drops. “Dude, what the fuck? You’re serious?”
“Yes. My situation has changed. Clara’s death has made me reconsider my choices.”
“We have our biggest deal going down next week. Stay with us until then?—”
“I can’t. I’m out immediately.”
He claws at his scalp, groaning, and curses several times. Theo and his cousin can do the deal themselves, but I’ve always been the best one for the job.
“Man, are you sure this is what you want?” he asks. “Eclipse is about to burst with demand. Think of the money you’ll miss out on.”
“I have thought about this. My answer isn’t changing.”
The elevator dings and its doors slide open. “Felix?”
Fuck.
I turn around at the sound of Harper calling my name, finding her worried eyes switching between me and Theo. “Dad said you came down here. ”
Fucking Tyler.
This is exactly what I wanted to avoid, Harper fretting for no reason. Seeing me in a tense conversation with Theo. He’s like a brother to me and I know I can trust him, but she doesn’t understand my dynamic with him.
“Where’s Tyler?” I ask.
“Stuck talking with Dad about college. What are you doing?”
“Chatting. Go back upstairs. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
She looks back at Theo like a scared mouse. She’s always been scared of him. It’s always amused the two of us, but not me anymore. I don’t want my girlfriend frightened of anything or anyone ever again.
As soon as her eyes switch to the redhead, all traces of fear are gone, and she’s suddenly glaring at the girl with the most hateful look I’ve ever seen from her. Harper steps in front of me and takes my hand, weaving our fingers.
Theo laughs. “Now it all makes sense.” He’s wearing a smug grin, but he’s not being an asshole. If anything, he looks pleased for me. “How many years has it been? You finally got her.”
“What’s he talking about?” Harper asks.
Theo answers before I can speak. “You’re the only girl he’s ever been interested in.”
The girl behind him speaks up for the first time. “Felix, is this the psycho freak who threw the dagger at me?”
Harper’s eyes flare with anger again. Now I remember where I know the girl from and why Harper is so worked up over her presence. I fucking love this side of Harper.
“Yes, I’m the one,” Harper fires back. “I’ll aim for your face next time.”
I slip a hand around Harper’s waist and press her ass to my hips so she can feel the semi she’s giving me. “Be careful how you talk about my girl. I’m the only one allowed to call her names. If you’ll excuse us, we’re needed back upstairs. Theo, man, are we good?”
“Yeah, we’re good,” he groans. “I’m pissed off. But you’re lucky we’re friends and I understand your circumstances.”
I pull Harper back into the elevator with me and press the penthouse button. The moment the doors slide shut, I shove her against the wall with my lips and slip my hand beneath her panties. She’s already soaking wet when I thrust my fingers into her pussy.
“Let me make one thing clear,” I say as she gasps my name. I keep thrusting while working my thumb over her clit as we ascend the building, on a time limit before we return to Tyler. “I find it hot that you’re territorial, but my eyes will only ever be on you. Tell me you understand.”
Her eyelids fall shut and her head tilts back, enjoying the moment too much to answer.
My hand works harder, giving her what she needs. “Tell me you understand, Harper.”
“Yes,” she pants, breathless as her orgasm clamps around my fingers. “Yes, Felix.”
An orgasm achieved in record time. She’s so beautiful, with flushed cheeks and hazy eyes.
I want Tyler to see her like this. I hate that I’m keeping the secret of me and Harper from him.
If she could just give in to her desires, let go of the fear and shame, I know she’d love having him here right now, the two of us pleasing her together.
The elevator dings as we arrive at our floor. I pull my fingers free and suck them clean, achingly hard in my pants.
“I need to fuck you, Harper. But I can’t do that until you work out your issues with Tyler.”