Chapter 21
21
HARPER
R ain drums steadily against the cabin windows, a soothing rhythm, blending with the warmth radiating from the fire. Brody stretches across the rug, the flames casting warm shadows along his face. His presence fills the room, as it always does, and I feel safe.
I tuck my legs beneath me, wrapped snugly in a thick wool blanket, as I steal another glance at him. The memory of our kiss in the pouring rain lingers—the quiet intensity in his eyes, the way he cradled my face like I was fragile and precious. My heart flutters because I feel like I’m living in one of my fantasies—well, almost.
He looks up, catching me watching him, and a faint smile tugs at his lips. “Want to watch TV? It’ll probably rain for the rest of the night.”
“No,” I tell him.
“Cards?” he asks, resting his arm on the couch. “If I recall, you used to be really good at rummy.”
I arch an eyebrow, shocked that he remembers that. It was one of my mother’s favorite games, and when she was going through her chemo treatments, that was how we’d pass the time.
“I don’t think you can handle losing.”
He laughs, pushing himself upright and stretching toward a wooden cabinet under the bookshelves beside the fireplace. He digs around and turns back with a well-worn deck of cards.
“You’re going down, Alexander. There’s just enough luck involved, so you can’t accuse me of cheating when you lose .”
“Oh, you think you’re that good?” I tease, scooting down to the floor with him.
Brody leans toward me, shuffling the cards like a pro, his eyes glinting with amusement. “You have no idea.”
“Fine then, let’s make it interesting,” I challenge, my heart racing as I meet his gaze. “Each hand you lose, one item of clothing disappears.”
He stops shuffling the deck, his eyes locked on mine, momentarily surprised before a slow, heated smile curves his lips. “You’re feeling bold tonight.”
Heat pools in my stomach. “I have nothing to lose.”
“Other than your clothes,” he says, his gaze darkening slightly as he hands me my cards. “Careful, Harp. You’re playing with fire.”
“Good. I crave the burn,” I state, arranging my cards as my pulse quickens.
He shifts to sit closer to me. “You’re trouble.”
“And you spell that H-A-R-P-E-R.”
He chuckles as the sounds of the crackling wood fill the comfortable silence that randomly falls between us. Each time our eyes meet across the cards, butterflies flutter. Each playful glance holds a whispered promise of forever. My strategy is half-hearted; my attention is too consumed by the stubble along his chiseled jaw and the mesmerizing way the light of the flames dances across his high cheekbones. He’s beautiful.
Brody slides a card from his hand and glances at it before looking at me. “Based on the cards you’ve picked up, I think you need this one.”
I shrug. “Lay it down, and let’s see.”
Brody discards a queen, giving me the exact card I need.
I clap my hands together and let out a, “Woohoo.”
“Ugh.”
“You’re making this too easy,” I tease, placing my meld on the floor and winning the hand.
“I knew it.” He shakes his head with mock regret.
“Rules are rules,” I tell him, my eyes not leaving his as he slowly tugs his long-sleeved thermal shirt over his head.
He reveals tattooed muscles and strong shoulders. My breath catches, and of course, he notices. He notices everything.
“Don’t get too distracted,” he warns. “Or you’ll be naked within the hour.”
“Is that a promise?” I ask with a laugh as I gather the cards and shuffle.
Brody grabs a notepad and a pen so we can keep score. When he stands, I can’t help but notice the package in his joggers. I force myself to glance away as my cheeks heat.
“You look guilty,” he says with a laugh.
“Just be glad you’re not a mind reader,” I tell him.
“Oh, but I’d love to know what you’re thinking right now.”
I smirk. “I’m sure you would.”
The next round plays quickly, but this time, Brody lays down his meld first, eyes twinkling victoriously as I sigh and discard my losing hand.
“Fair’s fair,” he says, a teasing challenge in his voice.
I hesitate only briefly before sliding the blanket from my shoulders and pulling off my sweatshirt, leaving just my tank top.
His eyes sweep over me, lingering with heated appreciation. “Oh, you’re wearing layers. Not fair.”
“Based on my calculations,” I say, “as long as I win the next two, you’ll be in your birthday suit.”
“Ah, did you count my socks?”
My brows furrow. “ Cheater. ”
He snorts, and it’s so damn adorable, him being so carefree, that I can barely handle it.
We continue the game, each round stripping away our barriers. With every discarded card and soft laugh, our glances linger longer, our breathing deepens, and the space between us shrinks.
I win the next hand, and Brody reaches for his sock, giving me a mini striptease, twirling it over his head before tossing it at me.
“Eww, stinky-boy socks!” I tell him, unable to hold back my laughter as I sit on the floor in my bra and panties.
His eyes slide up and down my body, and my heart pounds against my ribs. I love being under his gaze. Heat pools low in my belly, and I’m unable to tear my gaze away from his.
His dark blue eyes hold mine steadily, burning with raw intensity.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers.
I lean forward, shooting my shot, brushing my lips against his. Electricity races through me. “I need you.”
“You have me,” he confesses.
Emotion tightens my throat, but I don’t look away. I can’t. The moment is too real, too perfect, as our gazes lock, the crackling fire fading into the background. We both feel it—the shift, the surrender, the unstoppable pull between us. His breathing matches mine—shallow, uneven, edged with the same aching need.
“Brody …” I whisper, my voice trembling with vulnerability and want. “Tell me to stop.”
His gaze drops briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes, filled with fierce tenderness. “No.”
I breathe, my heart nearly bursting. “Okay.”
And this time, when we come together, there’s no hesitation—only surrender.
Brody’s mouth claims mine, soft yet demanding, sending a surge of heat cascading through my veins. His lips are warm, tasting faintly of chocolate. This kiss is different—no pauses, no hesitation. Instead, it’s deep and purposeful as we take our claim.
His big hands find my waist, gripping lightly before sliding slowly up my stomach, tracing gentle circles against my skin. Every careful touch sends shivers through me, awakening a deep need that I’ve never experienced before. I melt into him, my arms twining around his neck, my fingers sliding through the softness of his hair as he guides me onto his lap.
Not once do we break our slow, intoxicating kiss.
He groans as I settle against his thick cock, our bodies aligned, heat building like a storm between us. I feel his heartbeat racing beneath my fingertips, matching the rhythm of my own pulse, fierce and relentless.
My lips slide from his mouth to his ear and down his neck. My tongue traces the tattoos that stretch up toward the base of his neck.
“Fuck,” he growls as I pull away.
I’m breathless and slightly dizzy as he rests his forehead against mine, eyes closed as he fights for control. I trace my fingers along the rugged line of his jaw, marveling at the strength and vulnerability etched into every feature.
“This feels right,” I whisper, my voice trembling as my heart hammers in my chest. “Like it was meant to be.”
His eyes open, filled with emotions he usually keeps locked away. “You’re inescapable.” His voice is rough, raw, stripped bare.
I shake my head, cupping his face between my palms. “All I want is you, exactly as you are right now.”
He exhales heavily, his voice dropping lower, full of emotion, as he says, “I haven’t let anyone get close to me in a long time. I don’t know if I’m capable?—”
“You are,” I interrupt firmly, pressing a lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth, then another along his jaw, feeling him tremble beneath my lips.
His fingers grip my hips, pulling me closer, his breathing uneven as he fights his internal war. “If you need me to stop, just?—”
“I need this. I need you,” I whisper firmly, lifting my gaze to meet his.
Slowly, his resistance crumbles, replaced by a burning resolve that sends delicious heat racing over every nerve in my body. He reaches up, carefully threading his fingers through my hair, tilting my face toward his. “I want you, Harper. Completely. But only if you’re ready.”
“I’m more than ready,” I breathe out.
Brody kisses me again, deeper this time, hungrier, and every last wall between us falls away.
His strong hands slide beneath my thighs, lifting me effortlessly. The world spins around me as he lays me down on the plush rug. My pulse pounds so hard that I can feel it in my throat, racing with anticipation and nerves. I’ve imagined being with him just like this countless times, always believing it wasn’t possible. I was so fucking wrong.
But now he’s here, his weight pressed above me, blue eyes dark with desire and longing. My breath trembles as I reach up, tracing the line of his jaw, memorizing every rugged contour, every tattoo. The flickering firelight paints him gold, and I’m suddenly overcome by the reality of this moment.
I’m about to be with Brody Calloway, the man I’ve wanted since before I fully understood what that even meant. The boy I stared at as a teenager, sneaking glances at gatherings, my pulse racing every time he smiled or laughed or brushed past me. I tucked those feelings deep inside, carefully guarding secrets beneath casual smiles and lighthearted teasing.
But right now, with his gaze locked on to mine and heat radiating from his skin, I no longer have to hide. This dream is real.
Brody lowers his mouth, feathering gentle kisses along the hollow of my throat, trailing warmth that makes me shiver beneath him. My fingers tighten in his hair, holding him close, afraid if I let go even for a second, I’ll wake up. Afraid this perfect fantasy will slip through my fingers like water.
“Little Miss Disaster,” he whispers against my skin, as though he fears shattering me with the slightest pressure.
I burst into laughter as his words send warmth flooding through me, filling every lonely, uncertain place inside my chest. All those years spent imagining what it might be like to belong to him, to be seen by him—it’s nothing compared to this reality. Nothing prepared me for the intensity in his eyes or the tenderness in his touch.
“I’ve dreamed about this,” I admit, my heart fluttering nervously at my own vulnerability. “About you.”
His breath catches, eyes darkening with an emotion I’ve never seen before. He looks at me like I’m precious, like I’m something he never dared hope for either.
“You deserve better than dreams, Harper,” he mutters, pressing his lips to my collarbone with care. “You deserve it all.”
My eyes sting, emotion thick in my throat, but before I can reply, his hands glide beneath my bra, removing it, his touch igniting sparks that scatter like a kaleidoscope. The heat of his fingertips along my ribs sends shivers of longing cascading through me, awakening desires deeper and more powerful than I’ve ever experienced.
My breath quickens, anticipation merging into a dizzying rush. His eyes drift slowly down my body, filled with admiration. Under his gaze, my skin tingles, flushed and alive, because he makes me feel like treasure. Every brush of his fingertips feels like a promise—one I never imagined Brody could offer to me.
With gentle urgency, he eases my panties down my hips, his hands trembling slightly, betraying his careful control. I watch him closely, feeling empowered and desired beneath his gaze, suddenly realizing how deeply he’s affected too. This moment is just as significant for him as it is for me.
He moves lower, trailing kisses down my stomach. But as he goes further down, anxiety stirs in my chest. My pulse quickens, uncertainty gripping me.
“Wait,” I breathe, my voice shaking as his lips brush along my hip bone, teasing dangerously close. “No one’s ever … I’ve never had someone …”
He pauses immediately, lifting his gaze to mine, understanding softening his eyes as he senses my hesitation. His palm settles against my inner thigh, warm and reassuring, grounding me instantly. “Do you want me to stop?”
“No,” I say quickly, my cheeks heating at how eager the word escapes me. I swallow thickly, heart racing. “I just—I don’t know what to expect. No one’s ever … done that .”
He presses a soft kiss against my thigh, his eyes holding mine, voice low and soothing as he says, “We’ll take it slow. If you’re not comfortable, just say the word.”
“Okay.” Warmth spreads through my chest, my breath steadying at his patient reassurance.
I trust Brody completely, and the care and respect in his eyes only deepen that trust.
A slow, devastating smile curves his mouth, and heat flares in his gaze. “I’ve waited a long time for this moment,” he admits, voice rich with emotion, kissing along my skin. “Can’t wait to taste you.”
I exhale shakily, tension giving way to pure anticipation, my body trembling as he parts my thighs wider. He lowers his mouth, eyes locked on to mine, and when his lips find me, they are soft and achingly gentle.
I let out a sigh, and the world melts away to nothing. He moves slowly at first, his lips exploring me with soft strokes. My breath catches in my throat, heat flaring through my body.
Brody grips my thighs firmly, holding me open as he sinks deeper into the embrace. His mouth moves over me with growing confidence, his tongue sliding through my folds, teasing and exploring every inch of me, desperate to memorize how I respond to his touch.
“Oh God,” I whisper, fingers tangling in his hair, hips arching involuntarily toward his mouth as the orgasm builds so damn quickly. The sensation is overwhelming as electric pleasure races up my spine. “Feels so good …”
He groans against my sensitive skin, the vibration making me shudder beneath him, breathless and helpless as he guides me toward a climax I’ve never reached before. My pulse races, pleasure building deep in my belly, threatening to spill over with every flick of his tongue, every deliberate swirl over that sensitive spot.
“Mmm. My new favorite flavor,” he murmurs hoarsely, pressing deeper kisses along my most intimate area. “Better than I ever imagined.”
I shiver as the sound of his voice, which is so damn full of desire, nearly pushes me over the edge. I lift my head, meeting his smoldering gaze as he continues his sweet torture. His eyes hold mine fiercely with possessive desire as he moves his tongue in slow, sensual strokes that send sparks through every nerve in my body.
“I’ve thought about this,” he whispers roughly. His growl vibrates with intense hunger, his breath hot against my skin. “Tasting you, making you mine … God, Harper, do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted you?”
“Tell me,” I say in a hushed tone.
“Years.”
His admission ignites a fire inside me, and I lose myself completely to him. The intimacy, the trust, the feeling of him worshipping me sends me spiraling higher, sensations overwhelming me until I’m panting, gasping his name, begging for release.
“Please, don’t stop. I’m so close …”
He slides a finger carefully inside me, moving and curling slowly, perfectly timed with each teasing stroke of his tongue. My body shudders, and my back arches off the floor. My legs tremble as I desperately race toward the edge.
“That’s it, Harp,” he encourages, his voice a low rasp against my heated flesh. “Let go for me.”
His voice, his touch, the relentless rhythm of his mouth send me falling over the ledge. The orgasm steals my breath away. Ecstasy explodes within me, hot and consuming. My cries echo through the cabin as wave after wave of pleasure washes over me, and my entire body trembles in his hold.
Brody guides me through every shudder, coaxing me back down from that dizzying peak. He presses kisses against my thighs, whispering praises against my skin until my heart finally slows, until I can breathe again.
I blink up at the ceiling, my vision blurry. I lift myself up on my elbows, staring at him.
“It’s never felt like that before,” I admit breathlessly, drunk off the intensity. “I didn’t know it could feel like that.”
He slowly moves up my body, eyes burning with possessive tenderness as he captures my mouth in a slow, deep kiss. I can taste myself on his lips, feel the strength and restraint in his muscles.
“This is just the beginning, Harper,” he whispers roughly against my lips, his voice filled with promise. “We have all night.”
“I hope we have forever,” I confess, running my fingers through his messy, dark hair.
“We do,” he confirms, kissing me again. “We fucking do.”