Chapter 52 Ryan #2
I leaned closer to the screen as if sharing a secret. “I’m going to walk straight up to you, pull you into my arms, and kiss you like I’ve been dying to for months. Then I’m going to take you upstairs, Harper, and remind you exactly how good we are together.”
Her breath hitched, colour deepening in her cheeks. “Oh?”
“Oh,” I echoed, my grin turning wicked. “And once we’re upstairs, I’m going to lay you out on that bed of yours, take my time exploring every inch of you, and make you come so many times you won’t even remember what it’s like to be apart from me.”
“Ryan,” she whispered, her voice breathy.
“I mean it,” I said, heat threading through my tone. “I’ve missed you, Harper. I’ve missed everything about you–your laugh, your touch, the way you taste.”
She exhaled shakily, her pupils blown wide. “Connor should spend the night with Mrs. Knox,” she murmured, a sly smile forming.
I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “I think that’s a great idea.”
We held each other's gaze, the connection between us crackling through the screen.
After a beat, she sight, her lips curling. “I’ll call Mrs. Knox tomorrow.”
“Good,” I said, my voice softer now. “Because I need you, Harper. All of you.”
She nodded, her expression warm and full of anticipation. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” The words left me effortlessly, my chest swelling with emotion.
We stayed on the call for a little while longer, our conversation softening into something tender, something that settled deep in my bones. By the time we finally said goodnight, I was buzzing all over again–counting down the hours until I could be with her.
After we hung up, I stared at my phone, heart pounding, brain racing. Three days? No way in hell I could wait that long. I tossed my practice notes onto the coffee table and scrubbed a hand over my face. Every second since I’d left Harper and Connor felt like a year.
And then there was my plan.
Talking to Shane the other day had only made me itchier to bring it up to Jeff, but I needed the right moment to lay everything out. Screw waiting. I grabbed my phone and fired off a text.
Ryan: Hey, any chance we can talk tonight?
His reply came in almost instantly.
Jeff: Sure. Usual spot in 30?
Perfect. I grabbed my jacket, locked up, and headed out.
The next morning, I was up before the sun, too wired to sit still. The storm that had lingered for days had finally passed, leaving behind a sky so crisp and cloudless it looked almost painted. A cool breeze rippled through the air, carrying the scent of wet leaves and fresh-cut fields.
The drive out of town was stunning. September had transformed the landscape into a masterpiece, bold strokes of gold and crimson stretching as far as I could see.
The trees on either side of the road stood ablaze with colour, their leaves fluttering like flames in the wind.
Cornfields sprawled across the countryside like golden carpets, stalks swaying gently in the breeze.
The low-hanging sun cast everything in a soft, golden glow, making the world look like it had been kissed by fire.
And then finally, the familiar gravel driveway came into view. My chest tightened with anticipation. I barely threw my truck in park before I was out, bounding up the porch steps, taking them two at a time. I knocked on the door, rocking on my heels as I waited, my heart hammering against my ribs.
The door creaked open, and there she was.
Harper. She stood in the doorway, eyes wide with shock.
Her dark jeans hugged her curves just right, and she was wrapped in a soft cream-coloured sweater that looked as cozy as it was beautiful on her.
The loose knit slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing a delicate collarbone and just a hint of skin that made my pulse quicken.
Her hair was down, wild waves tumbling over her shoulders, catching the light like strands of gold.
She was flushed, her cheeks tinged pink–whether from the warmth of the house or my sudden appearance, I wasn’t sure.
She parted her lips, trying to form a sentence. “Wh-what are you–”
I didn’t let her finish.
“Hi,” I murmured, reaching for her, my hands sliding to her waist as I pulled her to me.
She gasped softly, but it was swallowed by my lips as I kissed her, pouring five months’ worth of longing into it. Five months of waiting, five months of aching, five months of missing the hell out of her.
And she melted against me, her arms looping around my neck, her fingers threading into my hair.
The open door behind her didn’t even register. My world has narrowed down to this–the warmth of her, the way she fit against me, the way she clung to me like she never wanted to let go.
I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding down to grab her hips. With one quick motion, I lifted her, and her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively.
And then–
Someone cleared their throat. Loudly.
Harper stiffened, her body going rigid. I pulled back just enough to glance past her, still slightly dazed from the way she had just wrecked me.
And there, sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming mug in hand, was Nina.
One brow raised. Smirking. Entirely too entertained.
“Well,” Nina said, taking a slow sip of coffee, “this is better than reality TV.”
Harper scrambled down from my arms so fast I barely had time to steady her. Her face was on fire, hands flying to cover it.
I rubbed the back of my neck, grinning sheepishly. “Good to see you, Nina.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” Nina quipped, shaking her head. “Don’t stop on my account. But if you’re gonna keep this up, maybe close the door? There’s a draft.”
Harper groaned, dragging her hands down her face in mortification, while I just laughed, slipping an arm around her waist.
Nina took another slow slip of her coffee, eyes twinkling. “Now, can I finish my drink, or do I need to leave so you two can reenact The Notebook out here?”
I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of Harper’s head. “We’ll behave. For now.”
Harper muttered something under her breath, probably about killing Nina later, but I didn’t miss the way her lips curved into a smile.
The three of us sat around the kitchen table, laughing and chatting, the conversation flowing effortlessly.
Nina had her usual sharp wit in full force, teasing both Harper and me relentlessly–making Harper blush and me grin like a fool.
It felt like old times, like the kind of easy warmth I’d been missing for months.
All that was missing was Shane. I’d have to call him later today, let him know I showed up a couple of days earlier than planned.
He’d probably have something to say about that–mostly how predictable I was when it came to Harper.
As the minutes ticked by, I caught Nina giving me a look.
A knowing look. A smirk that widened every time she gleaned between Harper and me.
I barely had time to brace myself before she stretched her arms dramatically and pushed back her chair.
“Well, I’d better get going,” she announced, standing up and grabbing her coffee mug.
“You two obviously have some… catching up to do before Connor gets home.”
Harper’s face turned bright red. “Nina!” she hissed, glaring daggers at her best friend.
“What?” Nina said innocently, all wide eyes and fake innocence.
“I’m just trying to help you make the most of your day.
Don’t waste it, kids.” She winked at me, before strutting toward the door, barely holding in her laughter.
The second it clicked shut behind her, Harper turned back to me, shaking her head.
“I swear, that woman has no filter.”
I grinned, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah, well, she’s not wrong.”
Harper huffed. “What are you even doing here? You’re not supposed to be back for three more days!”
I pushed my chair back and stood, closing the distance between us in two steps. My fingers brushed her waist before trailing up to the back of her neck, my thumb tracing the soft skin there.
“Harper,” I said, my voice dropping lower, “I know I haven’t been the best communicator in the past, but trust me when I say I’ll fill you in.” I tilted my head, my lips just inches from hers. “Right now, though, I can’t wait another second.”
Her lips parted, her breath catching. I didn't give her a chance to respond. I pulled her against me, my mouth crashing onto hers. She melted into me instantly, her hands fisting in my shirt, pulling me closer. The kiss was heated, desperate, like we were making up for all the lost time at once.
My hands slid down to her hips, and instead of steering her toward the stairs, I lifted her onto the edge of the kitchen table. She let out a little gasp, then laughed breathlessly, her legs wrapping around my waist.
“Ryan,” she whispered against my lips.
“Not waiting any longer, Harper,” I murmured, kissing her again, harder this time. My hands roamed, tugging at the button of her jeans, popping it open before she could protest.
Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. “I need you,” she breathed, the desperation in her voice mirroring my own.
“You’ve got me,” I said, my voice rough with need.
I slid her jeans down and she kicked them away, lost in the frenzy of it all. My fingers traced up her thigh, feeling how much she wanted me.
When I slid a finger inside her, she gasped, her hips arching against my hand.
I added another finger, moving slowly, deliberately, while my thumb pressed against that sensitive spot that made her moan.
Her sounds drove me wild, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her, watching as her head tilted back and her lips parted.
“Ryan,” she gasped, her voice breaking as her hips arched to meet me.
“Come for me,” I whispered, low and commanding. My thumb circling that spot that made her fall apart.