Chapter 3 Felix
CHAPTER THREE
FELIX
This fucking beach house. I’m hit with a bunch of memories as I drive through the wrought iron gates late Friday evening, which is why I avoid visiting this place.
Whenever I’m here, all I can think about is my childhood.
Of vacationing here with Harper, her parents, and my brothers.
Card games in the library with Harper and Tyler.
Late nights watching movies and falling asleep with her in our arms. Tyler and I chasing Harper through the abandoned hedge maze, taking turns winning at catch and kiss.
I remember the first time my lips landed on hers. We were young. It was nothing more than a peck, so innocent I’d barely classify it as a kiss. The day was cold but I was so fucking hot on the inside and knew that whatever this feeling was that Harper brought out in me, I liked it.
I liked watching Tyler kiss her too.
This beach house is where Harper and I later shared our first proper kiss. It’s where we first had sex. The three of us were so happy here.
But there are just as many bad memories associated with this beach house. Harper’s mother’s death. Me being taken away to Westbridge without a chance to say goodbye to Harper. The breakup.
The house comes into view through tall trees as my Chrysler creeps up the driveway, a sophisticated Hamptons mansion. White exterior, large porches, window shutters.
The lights are off, which is one less stress, delaying family interactions till tomorrow. I don’t know if Tyler is here yet. Harper will probably arrive in the morning to help prepare for the engagement party with the other bridesmaids.
I park the car and quietly enter the house.
Before I can place my bags on the floor and turn a light on, soft footsteps run through the house accompanied by feminine laughter.
Movement catches my attention on the far side of the entry hall.
Two silhouettes. My vision adjusts to the sight of Dan catching Ally and pressing her against the wall with kisses.
She’s only wearing a bra and panties. He’s stripped down to briefs. Moonlight streams through a window, glistening on their wet skin and hair. By the look of it, they’ve been for an impromptu night swim.
“I want you naked in bed,” Dan says before I have an opportunity to announce myself.
“Come and get me,” she teases.
Dan smiles, watching Ally run up the grand staircase.
Jesus fucking Christ. To be that happy and in love.
Dan and Ally are perfect for each other, always bringing out the best in each other.
Growing up, Dan basked in the attention the Blackwood name brought him, always partying and fucking around with countless girls.
I didn’t think he had it in him to genuinely care about a girl, until he met our stepsister.
Even though their feelings for each other remained hidden for years, he was always putting her needs before his own.
When Ally first joined our family, she was shy and timid due to a traumatic upbringing.
She didn’t have friends. But Dan made her flourish—I’ve always known that much, even when I was unaware of their relationship.
He’s always supported her. Always pushed her to fight for what she wants.
For the past eight years, Dan is the brother I’ve been closest with. During these last two years—since he’s gone public with Ally—he’s become increasingly difficult to be around, which is more of a reflection of my own issues.
Every time I see them together, it reminds me of what I used to have with Harper: that one person who understands you like no one else, who you can be truly vulnerable with and show them the barest parts of your soul.
I’ve never come close to finding that with anyone other than Harper.
I’ve never wanted to find that connection with anyone else.
Ally disappears into a bedroom upstairs. A moment later, Dan is chasing her.
“Bro.” I flick on a light switch.
Dan peers back as he reaches the top of the stairs, finding me by the front door. He glances in Ally’s direction, wanting to follow her, but groans and walks back down to me. “Showing up just in time to cock block me.”
“Oh, please. Like you weren’t just fucking her in the pool.”
He laughs, pushing dark hair back from his face, and greets me with a nod when arriving on the ground. “Good to see you, man.”
“You too. I still can’t believe you’re getting married. Who would have thought. My little brother and sister.”
Dan folds his arms and gives me shit for my comment. “It’s not too late to reassign your role of best man to Killian.”
“Has Killian arrived yet?
“He’s here, along with Dad and Amabella. Tyler is flying in from out of town tomorrow. Harper is asleep.”
My blood pressure spikes. “Harper is here already?”
“She drove up with me and Ally earlier today.”
The back of my neck prickles. I’m desperate to see Harper, yet at the same time I don’t want her anywhere near me. My mind doesn’t make sense.
“You all good?” Dan asks. In recent years, I’ve told him surface level details about my past with Harper and Tyler. He knows there’s tension between us, but he doesn’t know why.
“I’m fine. Don’t keep Ally waiting. I’ll see you in the morning.”
We part ways. I wait a minute, giving Dan his space before heading upstairs myself.
With each step, my heart is pounding out of control, knowing Harper is in this house with me.
My skin is buzzing. I thought I would have a better handle on myself, but with all the adrenaline pumping through my veins, there’s no chance of me sleeping tonight.
I don’t even have Theo around to talk some sense into me.
He has an eclipse deal tomorrow and won’t be here till late afternoon.
When I arrive at the top of the stairs, I’m standing in a hallway of doors, each leading to a bedroom. A dull glow seeps from beneath Dan and Ally’s room. Killian’s door is shut, along with Dad and Amabella’s. My eyes leap to the one other closed door.
I swallow hard, knowing Harper lies beyond that door.
I’m frozen in place, unable to follow the simple command of entering my room.
Would one moment alone with Harper really be so disastrous? One quick look to calm myself, then I’ll be able to sleep and focus on the engagement party. She wouldn’t know I’m with her. There’ll be no interaction. No touching. I’d make myself leave within a minute.
I can control myself. I’ve been controlling myself for eight years.
One tiny fucking look.
My bags drop to the ground. I’m quiet opening Harper’s door and shutting it behind myself. The instant I see Harper, I know I’ve fucked up.
She’s sleeping naked. The bedside lamp is on, displaying every inch of her perfect body.
I step up to the bed, standing over her, glaring at her black eye. At least I can rest easy knowing the man who harmed her is dead.
My gaze rakes over Harper’s body, adoring her scarlet curls splayed across the pillow. I named The Scarlet Mirage after her and I don’t think she has a clue.
Her lips are slightly parted. I admire her tits that I’m dying to kiss. The curves of her waist. Her pussy.
My dick twitches, aching and growing hard when I realize Harper’s hand is between her legs. She’s cupping her pussy and two fingertips are slipped inside. Harper fell asleep after pleasuring herself. She couldn’t wait till she was back home in the seclusion of her apartment.
Perfect little thing.
I’m not surprised. Harper loved sex when she was younger. It seems not much has changed.
I run a hand over my cock, trying to relieve the urge to be buried inside her. My fucking god, I should not have entered this room.
Harper whimpers. My eyes dart to her face, fearing she’s woken and seen me. Instead, her brows are pinched. Her breathing accelerates and she jerks, like she’s trapped inside a painful sleep. A tear trickles down her cheek.
Harper mumbles in stress. I don’t understand the word until she repeats it louder.
“Felix.”
I inhale a sharp breath. Harper speaking my name during her sleep is electrifying. I’m on her mind even when she’s unconscious.
My throat tightens. Suddenly, there’s no fight left in me. I need her. I love her so fucking much even though I don’t want to.
I sit on the bed and gently stroke hair back from her forehead. My skin tingles, touching her for the first time since we were teenagers. I want to live in this moment forever.
“I dream about you too, Harper.”
My words are soft, but not soft enough.
Her eyes blink open and my girl finds me in the dark with her.