Chapter 12
Anders needed no further urging. His hands, rough yet amazingly tender, explored every inch of her skin with a hunger that bordered on desperation. His touch sought to unravel the mysteries of her body. He skillfully undressed her, his fingers exploring every inch of her body like an artist.
Harper’s breath hitched as the fabric whispered to the floor, leaving her exposed and trembling under Anders’s intense gaze. The air around them crackled with electricity, heavy with desire and unspoken promises. The rest of the world faded into insignificance; there was only Anders, with his stormy eyes darkening with lust, and the scorching heat of their bodies pressed against each other.
He ravished her with his kisses, devouring away any doubts or hesitations she may have had. She responded eagerly, lost in the overwhelming sensation of being wanted so completely by him. Together, they moved in a timeless dance, fueled by a burning yearning that seemed to fill the room. Each movement was like a stroke of fire, igniting their passion even further.
As they found their impeccable tempo, everything else melted away until there was nothing left but the sound of their ragged breaths and whispered declarations in the dark. Anders’s touches grew more possessive and intentional, setting every nerve in Harper’s body ablaze. The dim light flickered across his muscular shoulders, casting shadows that swayed along the walls in tune with their passionate movements.
Harper arched against him, her fingers digging into the muscle of his back, urging him closer, deeper. Anders groaned, a sound so laden with desire it reverberated through her entire body. He shifted, his hand sliding down to tilt her hips, finding a new angle that made her gasp, toes curling as pleasure spiraled.
“Tell me you want this,” Anders breathed out, his voice rough like gravel mixed with velvet darkness.
“I want this. I want only you.” Harper forced out between ragged breaths. Her words punctuated the thick air of the room.
Anders responded by capturing her mouth again with an intensity that left no room for more words. Their kisses were a language unto themselves, speaking of long-held secrets and newly discovered desires. Harper was swept along on the rising tide of their combined need, each surge pushing her closer to the brink.
Anders slowed his pace, as if wanting to draw out every moment. There was a need to imprint the feeling of their joining into his very soul. His hands caressed Harper’s body as if he were trying to memorize every dip and curve by touch alone. She arched into him again and again, intoxicated by the raw passion flowing between them.
It wasn’t just about lust; it was a deep connection of two people finally coming together as one. In Anders’ arms, all the outside worries disappeared. Past regrets and future uncertainties ceased to matter. They had this amazing connection, like two puzzle pieces fitting perfectly together.
Harper’s fingers tangled in Anders’ hair as his mouth trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses down the column of her throat. Every press of his lips seemed to speak the words he could not yet voice—you are everything, my only one, my always. She felt claimed, cherished, loved to the very core.
With a firm grip, Anders held Harper close as their bodies moved in perfect sync. With each stroke, the intensity between them grew, igniting a passionate fire that could no longer be ignored. His hands worshiped every inch of her body, exploring every curve and committing it to memory. She was the embodiment of perfection, everything he had ever wanted but never allowed himself to have out of fear and doubt. But tonight, there were no walls between them, no hesitation or restraint.
As Harper’s nails raked down his back, urging him on, Anders let go of the last shred of control he had held onto for so long. With a primal growl, he rolled them over until Harper was beneath him. He plunged deeply into her, losing himself in the exquisite torture of her body.
“You belong to me,” he rasped against her neck, punctuating each word with fervent kisses along her throbbing pulse point. “You are mine, Harper.”
Harper’s response was drowned out by a sharp cry of pleasure as she teetered on the edge of release. Sensing her need, Anders reached between them and found her sensitive nub, stroking it in time with his increasingly frenzied pace.
With a last burst of passion, Harper shattered around him, calling out his name to the shadows. The delicious ecstasy of her climax pushed Anders over the edge as well. With a few more powerful thrusts, he followed her into blissful oblivion.
Sensations of pure pleasure washed over her in continuous waves, each one more intense than the last. Anders’ piercing gaze was fixed on her face, memorizing every contortion and expression as she gave into the unrelenting ecstasy. And when it all finally reached its climax, she couldn’t help but scream out his name in a euphoric release.
The next morning, Harper stirred from her slumber to the shrill sound of her alarm. She opened her eyes, feeling the warmth of sunlight filtering through the curtains. As she stretched out her limbs, she realized she was cocooned in Anders’ strong arms. Memories of their passionate night together flooded her mind, and a smile unfurled on her lips. Every time she woke up beside him, she thanked her lucky stars for leading her into his bar that first night.
The scent of his cologne lingered on the sheets, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. She could feel his steady heartbeat against her back and knew that this was where she belonged. In his arms.
While Harper prepared for the day, Anders relaxed on the bed and watched her movements as she went from place to place around the room. He felt a sense of peace and satisfaction as he took everything in. For once, he could honestly say he was content with where his life had led him. It hadn’t always been this way, and he could only think about how his life had gotten to this point.
After leaving the military, he had been filled with anger and aggression, more likely to use his fists than extend a hand in friendship. But after some tough love and even harder advice from Parker and Ian, he finally realized that it was time to leave behind his old ways and start taking control of his life.
Perhaps, deep down, it was a gnawing sense of survivor’s guilt that haunted Anders. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he shouldn’t be alive when his fellow team members were not. They had families, loved ones waiting for them at home. But Anders was alone, with no one to come back to. He couldn’t help but think about how they died in the desert. A place most people couldn’t even locate on a map. The weight of their absence hung heavy on his heart as he struggled to make sense of his own survival in the face of such loss.
With a shake of his head, Anders tried to clear the lingering fog of memories. They were from a different time. A different version of himself that he had long since left behind. The anger and bitterness he used to carry with him had been shed from his shoulders years ago. As he looked at Harper, he wondered if she would have still chosen to be with the man he used to be. She was too pure, too kind, for someone like him. At least the man he used to be.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the soft carpet under his bare feet. He sauntered into the kitchen, reveling in the freedom of being completely naked. After all, there was no need for clothes when the only person around was the woman who knew every inch of his body intimately.
A smirk formed on his lips as he remembered last night… and this morning. His princess had kissed and licked him in ways that would make a grown man blush. He made a silent promise to himself to always keep their bedroom activities exciting and steamy. As he reached for a coffee mug from the cabinet, he felt that being with Harper right now, at this moment, was where he needed to be.
With a warm smile, Anders prepared a cup of coffee for her and brought it to her in the bedroom. The rich aroma of freshly brewed beans filled the air, tempting her senses. “Here you go.”
“Thank you,” she replied gratefully, sipping the hot liquid. “I don’t know why I drink this stuff. The taste isn’t that good. Maybe it’s more habit than anything.”
Anders chuckled as he took a quick shower and dressed in his clothes from the night before. He did not like that shit at all. As he walked up behind her, he caught their reflection in the large mirror and stared at the sight of them together.
“Tonight, we’re at my place,” he announced.
She nodded, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I’ll make sure to bring my spennanight bag,” she teased.
“What the hell is that?” Anders asked, looking slightly confused.
She couldn’t help but laugh at his expression. “It’s just a word we use for an overnight bag when we’re getting together for some sexy shenanigans.”
“Hmmm,” he mused with a smirk. “Maybe bring a suitcase instead. I want you to leave some things at my place. That way you don’t have to worry about bringing your… spennanight bag.”
She nodded, smiling at his playful suggestion.
He leaned in close, his lips brushing hers with a gentle touch before pulling away. His eyes held hers for a moment longer, filled with longing and affection. “I have to go back to my place to change,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. “But if you need me, just give me a call.” She could feel the warmth of his hand lingering on her waist as he pulled away, leaving her heart beating faster and her body yearning for more of his touch.
Anders had left his truck at Callahan’s bar last night, so he climbed inside and began his journey back home. As he drove, Anders couldn’t stop thinking about how perfect it felt to wake up with Harper by his side. But he knew they needed to have a serious conversation about their future together. That’s why every morning, Anders went back home to change, using the time alone to gather his thoughts and focus on the beautiful woman who had captured his heart.
He couldn’t wait to introduce her to his friends, Parker and Ian. He had been wanting them to get away for a weekend trip up to Northern Virginia together. It would be the perfect chance for Harper to meet two of the people who understood more about him than practically anyone else. They were his brothers. Even though he didn’t see them as often as he wanted to, he always knew they would be there for them. Rain or shine. The good shit or F.U.B.A.R (fucked up beyond repair).
The drive gave him even more time to think about the plans they made for their upcoming trip to Boston. He had never been to Massachusetts or Rhode Island before. All things considered, he could even admit that he was looking forward to a bit of sightseeing. He loved history and all that shit. Plus, there was a restaurant, Sabatino’s, that Harper mentioned. He would get them reservations.
As Anders’ mind swirled with ideas on how to make Harper happy while up north, he realized something else. He was falling deeply in love with her. Despite his uncertainty about the right time to tell her, the overwhelming feeling in his chest couldn’t be ignored. All he could do was hope she knew how he felt. Even still, he wasn’t the best at expressing his feelings in words. But actions spoke louder for him, and he had been showing her every night just how much she meant to him. If she didn’t feel the same way, he would just have to work harder. A smile lifted his lips as he pictured all the ways he could go about showing her exactly what she meant to him. His dick hardened beneath his jeans. Of course, he didn’t have any fucking boxers on since he hadn’t brought a change of clothes. “Yeah, that shit wasn’t happening anymore,” he said to himself in the empty cab of his truck.
One thing continued to bother him: Harper’s family secrets. Her parents, her cousin-in-law… Anders couldn’t shake off the suspicion that she was keeping things from him. He assumed it had something to do with her upbringing, perhaps some unpleasant history with her parents. Not everyone was cut out for parenthood.
A persistent unease gnawed at Anders as he thought about the new cousin-in-law up in Providence. Camille’s husband. As a seasoned military man, it was ingrained in him to gather intel before making any decisions. Before stepping foot on a private plane owned by someone he didn’t know, Anders promised himself that he would do some digging on Tristan Lucarelli first. He wanted to ensure the safety of himself and Harper above all else. With his mind already racing with worst-case scenarios, Anders couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling about the man. However, first things first, he would shower, change his clothes, then he would start digging.