Chapter 27
27
HARPER
B rody tips my chin upward so our gazes lock. My heart squeezes when I see the unguarded emotion swirling in his eyes, like a storm finally calmed. His thumb brushes across my lower lip, sending warmth cascading through me.
“I missed you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. My fingers curl into his shirt, holding on to him, afraid he might vanish if I let go. “I was terrified I’d lost you.”
“I’m so fucking sorry,” he offers. He leans down, pressing a kiss against the corner of my mouth. “You’re stuck with me.”
A quiet laugh escapes me, mixing with a sob that catches in my chest. The relief of having him here, safe, nearly undoes me. His arm tightens around my waist, holding me closer even if it doesn’t feel close enough.
“You must be exhausted,” I say, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. I’m full of both guilt and gratitude. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Brody nods, eyes never leaving mine as I lead him toward the bathroom, our hands intertwined. His grip grounds me in the present, and all the worries I had hours earlier vanish. The silence between us is filled with unspoken words and reassurances that are louder than any words we could exchange.
My heart is still pounding hard, but with each beat, I remind myself that Brody is here with me and safe. I lean into him, savoring his familiar scent, mixing faintly with lingering sweat, as I help undress him then I do the same.
The heavy, relentless fear begins to ease away as we step under the warm stream together. I grab a loofah and wash him meticulously, memorizing every curve of his muscle, every deep line of his tattoos. I was so worried I’d never get to be with him again that I don’t want to take a single second for granted. I tilt my head back, looking up at him through damp lashes, my gaze tracing every familiar line of his face. The deep crease between his brows, the faint stubble shadowing his jaw, the tired circles beneath his eyes, reminding me of the day he’s had.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep without you by my side,” I whisper, my fingers brushing his cheek, needing the physical proof that he’s whole, unhurt.
His eyes soften, warmth flooding through the exhaustion. “I already told you once, I don’t ever want to wake up without you by my side again. If that means driving through the night, then so be it.”
A lump rises in my throat, and I pull him closer, pressing my lips urgently to his again, the kiss deepening instantly, fueled by desperate relief and overwhelming love. His hands slide over my back, holding me flush against him, our bodies molded perfectly together.
“I was so scared,” I confess against his lips, my voice trembling slightly, vulnerable and raw.
“And I’m so fucking sorry for that.” Brody pulls back just enough to meet my eyes.
Something powerful and comforting fills me at his quiet certainty, steadying my pulse, calming the storm of lingering anxiety. I finally breathe deeply, the air no longer tasting of panic.
I brush my fingers along his jaw, noticing how tension still lingers in his shoulders. “Relax.”
His mouth curves upward, and relief meets his eyes. “You read me so well.”
He threads his fingers through mine as steam rises around us. The glass of the shower is fogged as the heat washes away the remnants of stress.
My breath catches as his strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me against him. I lean back, savoring the sensation of his warm skin pressed to mine, comforted by the rhythm of his heartbeat.
“You have no idea how good this feels,” he says against my ear.
His fingers trace slow, soothing circles along my waist, each touch causing butterflies to swarm me. Peace shines through—a silent acknowledgment of what we’ve survived.
“I think I have a pretty good idea,” I tell him, pressing a kiss to the hollow of his throat. “I feel like I can finally breathe again.”
Brody’s arms tighten slightly, holding me as if he can’t bear the thought of letting me go ever again. His fingers drift upward along my back, brushing over my neck before cradling my face. The look on his face steals my breath, and I lift onto my toes to meet him halfway, kissing him beneath the water.
Our lips move desperately, each kiss deepening as reassurance transforms into need and want. His hands slide lower again, and he grips my ass, pressing my body flush against his. Our breaths mingle as our tongues twist together.
When we finally break apart, Brody leans his forehead against mine, exhaling. “God, Harper, I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
I smile, resting my fingers against his cheek. “You fought for me when no one else did.”
His deep blue eyes are intense with sincerity. “I always will.”
The shower rinses away the remaining fear, leaving nothing but certainty and love in its wake.
Eventually, Brody turns off the water and reaches for a towel, wrapping it around me first. He dries me, taking his time. Every stroke is protective, as if he’s wiping away every trace of anxiety I felt earlier.
I take my time drying him, too, wiping away streaks of water that trail down his chest. Once we’re dry, he gathers me up in his arms and carries me to my bedroom. It’s not the first time Brody has ever been at my place, but it’s the first time we’ve been here alone. I sigh, hanging on to him, my head resting against his shoulder.
“I can walk,” I say, though I make no move to pull away.
“And I can carry you,” he tells me firmly as he sets me on the bed. “I’m not letting you out of my arms again tonight.”
The promise in his words settles deep inside me, and as I stare up at him, I realize that’s exactly where I want to be.
Brody’s eyes hold mine. The lamp by my bed casts a warm glow in the room. The way he’s looking at me, as if I’m his everything, steals the breath from my lungs. My heartbeat quickens as he moves onto the bed, settling beside me, the mattress dipping beneath his weight.
Without hesitation, I reach for him, and he moves closer. Each touch is careful, gentle, reaffirming how we feel about one another. His muscles tense slightly under my fingertips, his breath catching as I trail downward, memorizing every familiar contour.
“Harp,” he whispers. My name spills from his lips like a quiet prayer.
I lean closer, brushing a lingering kiss against his chest, trailing up to his mouth. He exhales when our eyes meet.
“I thought I’d lost this,” he confesses. “You. Us. Today, on the mountain?—”
My fingers press against his lips, silencing him. I shake my head, eyes burning with sincerity. “You didn’t. You never will. We can talk about this later, okay?”
Relief swirls in his eyes, and I can’t help but kiss him. Our mouths collide in a sensual kiss, each second deepening our connection beyond words.
His hands glide over my skin, lingering at my waist, drawing me flush against him. How he holds me makes me feel cherished, treasured, as though nothing else exists beyond this.
Brody hovers above me, and I lie beneath him, his gaze carefully tracing my face, absorbing every detail. His eyes hold a silent question, seeking my reassurance, ensuring I feel safe. My heart melts at his care, and I nod, fingertips brushing along his jaw.
“This is exactly where you should be,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, but he hears me.
The last traces of uncertainty fade from his eyes. Brody lowers himself, his mouth finding mine again, our kiss growing deeper, more urgent, emotions finally breaking free, carrying us forward. He enters me with care; each movement carries longing and love. My body arches toward him, my fingers gripping his shoulders, needing to feel every long inch of him.
We move together, building a perfect rhythm gradually. Our hearts and breaths align, creating an intimacy so powerful that I can feel it in every nerve, every cell of my whole damn body. I’ve never felt so connected to another person. It’s like our souls have intertwined, and there’s no undoing it.
“I love you,” he whispers as he moves in and out of me. “Fuck, so much.”
“Love you.” I’m so damn close that I don’t know how much more I can take before he unravels me.
Our gazes lock as I come undone below him, his name spilling from my lips as pleasure crashes through me. My back arches off the bed as my eyes squeeze tight. Brody follows moments later, his breathing uneven as he slams into me, losing himself.
“Now, everything is right in the world,” I say to him, repeating the words he said earlier.
After cleanup, we stay wrapped in each other’s arms. Our heart rates begin to slow, and breathing returns to normal. His fingers comb through my hair, and it feels so damn good. For a long moment, neither of us speaks, simply absorbing the magnitude of what we’ve shared.
Finally, Brody nuzzles his nose against mine and captures my lips. When he pulls away, his gaze is serious but somehow soft. “One day, I’m going to marry you, Harp.”
My breath catches, my heart stuttering in my chest. “You want me as your wife?”
“Fuck yes.” Sincerity is clear in his eyes as he cups my cheek. “That’s the truth.”
Emotions bubble inside me, and I’m filled with overwhelming joy. I smile, leaning in to kiss him again, sealing the promise between us—because I know, deep down, he means every word.
We’re tangled together beneath the sheets, limbs tangled, and I feel safe. His fingers drift lazily along my body, tracing patterns on my skin as he closes his eyes.
I study the peaceful expression on his face, the way his dark lashes rest against his cheeks, and how his breathing steadies. I never dreamed this could be my reality—Brody here, beside me, loving me openly, without hesitation.
His eyes flutter open, immediately finding me staring at him. A cute smile touches his lips. “See something you like?”
“I see something I love,” I admit, tracing my fingers along his collarbone.
His eyes brighten with amusement, and he leans over and kisses me. “I can never get enough of you.”
“This all feels so fragile,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
His gaze is steady, reassuring. “We’re as tough as diamonds.”
My eyes burn with sudden tears, and I quickly blink them away.
He wraps his arms tighter around me, pulling me against him. “You’re everything to me.”
I absorb his words as warmth floods my veins. “You’re everything to me too.”
The world suddenly feels distant and unimportant in the sanctuary we’ve built. It’s a moment so perfect that I’m almost afraid to breathe, scared I might somehow shatter it.
Brody’s voice breaks the silence that temporarily covered us. “I’ve never been good at imagining the future, Harp. It’s always been easier to live moment to moment. But with you …” He pauses, a smile playing on his lips. “With you by my side, I can finally see my entire life play out like a movie. It’s clear as day.”
My heart leaps in my chest; his admission jolts something awake deep inside me.
I lean up, looking directly into his eyes, my voice trembling just a little as I say, “Tell me what you see.”
His gaze is even more full of warmth, promise, and sincerity. “Us. Going on adventures. Building a life together. Having a family. Sharing love that lasts until my very last breath.”
The certainty in his words causes tears to stream down my face. “I can see it too.”
His lips brush mine so damn sweetly that I can’t handle it.
“It’s confirmed then,” he says, and the weight of his words settles warmly in my chest.
My head rests on his chest, and my breathing finally grows even, mirroring his. The future feels closer, brighter, and infinitely more possible. I soak in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear. It’s become my favorite sound.
His fingertips trail along my back, each stroke drawing me closer to the edge of sleep. I exhale, savoring how right this feels, how effortlessly our bodies mold together, as though we were made for this.
Brody’s lips press against my hair, and the sweet gesture sends butterflies fluttering in me. “I didn’t know peace like this existed.”
We hold each other quietly, the moment heavy with unspoken truths. Both of us silently acknowledge how far we’ve come, how much we’ve overcome to be right here. I close my eyes, breathing him in, feeling the rise and fall of his chest. My heart settles into an easy rhythm, matching his, as exhaustion begins pulling me under.
Just as I’m drifting toward sleep, Brody’s voice breaks through, his words like a caress against my hair. “You’re my sanctuary.”
His words pierce me straight to the core.
I lift my face, brushing my lips along his jaw, whispering with absolute certainty, “You’re mine too.”
In that simple, powerful exchange, I let go completely, sinking into sleep, secure in the comfort of Brody’s arms, knowing without a doubt that we have finally found the place we both belong—with each other.