18. Harper
Harper
I’m still on cloud nine as I head into the spa on Monday.
Wren is already there, setting things up for the yoga class she’s teaching this morning.
Yawning, I wave to her, heading into my office.
Jace had left around two in the morning, which is way past my bedtime, but I’m not complaining at all.
A few minutes later, Wren walks into my office.
“Spill!” Pointing right at my face. “What does that smile mean?”
“What? I’m just happy.”
“To quote Rachel Green, ‘You look like you slept with a hanger in your mouth.’” The front door chimes, and she glares at me.
“Saved by the bell, but this isn’t over, chica.
” Laughing, I watch her go, debating how honest I should be.
We didn’t really talk labels, but we talked a little about the future and had mind-blowing sex.
Still stuck in my inner debate, I don’t spot Wren leaning in my doorway for a second.
“Hey, boss lady, you have a gentleman caller.” Her smile is too sweet, eyes dancing. I already know who is there, and I can feel the blush creeping over my cheeks. Fuck, I have zero poker face skills.
Without a word, I scoot past her, spotting Jace by the door, with two coffees in hand, and a bag from Bree’s shop. My stomach, the traitorous bitch, chooses that moment to growl in the most absurdly loud manner. Wren busts out laughing, hiding in my office.
“Good thing I brought food.” Jace laughs. “I might get assaulted by a bear otherwise.”
“You think you’re pretty cute with that one, don’t you?” I tease, deflecting the attention.
“Hopefully cute enough to convince you to go for a walk with me?”
“Now?”
“I just delivered the counter, benches, and tables to the cafe. Thought you might want to see them yourself before the crew arrives.”
“Hey, Wren,” I call, laughing when she pops out of my office instantly, obviously hanging on every word. “I’m taking an early break, if that’s okay with you. There are no clients scheduled until after your class.” Grinning, she just nods and shoos us out the door.
Jace hands me one of the cups, and I lift it to my face, inhaling deeply. “Ooh, is this a chestnut praline latte?”
“Bree said you always insist on getting the first one of the season, and it was a must today.”
We walk down the main road of town. Fall and winter are when Juniper Falls shines.
The sidewalks are all brick, lined with old-fashioned lampposts, and at night it looks like something from a fairy tale.
The air is crisp this morning, signaling that fall is here to stay.
No more surprise warm days, just cool crisp days filled with bonfires, apple picking, and of course, Juniper Falls Fall Frenzy.
Seriously, this town will celebrate anything, and I love it.
Trees line the walkway, their leaves brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.
A few drift lazily across the sidewalk. In the coming weeks, they’ll make a carpet on the streets, like a mosaic of warm fall colors.
Each storefront along the street is unique, every inch of it screams small-town charm, and I can’t believe I get to live in this storybook setting.
“I want to take you on a date. This weekend, if you’re free,” Jace blurts suddenly, just as we reach the steps to the cafe, startling me.
Giddy as a schoolgirl, I grin up at his handsome face.
“I’d love that. I’ll see if Bree or Shaina can watch Lizzie.
” The way his face lights up has my heart doing somersaults.
We stand staring at each other for a second, unable to think of anything to say, so I turn to the cafe. “Let’s get a look at your creations.”
He unlocks the door, and I’m hit with the smell of fresh sawdust and varnish. The space is incomplete, leaving it echoey, but the light streaming in from the windows bathes the space in a warm glow.
“Watch your step. It’s still a construction zone, and there could be nails lying around,” he instructs as he swivels his head, looking at the floor like something might attack us at any second.
I find his protectiveness pretty damn cute.
I’m about to crack a joke about it when my eyes land on the new counter.
It’s stunning. One long slab of smooth rich wood, the grain shining in the sunlight.
The live edge of the wood gives the impression that it came straight from nature, the curves and contours of the tree evident.
“Jace,” I breathe, running my hand over the smooth surface, “this is unbelievable. I can’t believe you made this.” He does the same, and I watch his hands glide over this piece of art he has created, and the love and pride of it is etched in his features, stealing my breath.
“Where did you learn to do this?” He smiles wistfully, lost in thought for a second.
“My grandad was in the craft. I loved sitting in his shop and watching him work when I was little.
As soon as I was old enough to handle tools, he had me helping on smaller projects.
When I was in middle school, my grandma had an accident and broke her leg pretty badly.
Grandpa felt so guilty for not being home when it happened that he suddenly wanted to make sure he finished all the projects she had ever asked him to do.
It was summertime, and my mom, who was a teacher at the time, was off, so we spent a lot of time at their place so she could help out.
“My brother, Caleb, couldn’t sit still long enough to learn building, and my sister, well, she was too young still, so it was just me and him.
” He blinks rapidly, and I step closer, needing to touch him.
“It was,” he clears his throat, “one of the best summers I can remember. Grandma was thrilled with every piece that came through the door. She always said it was the new furniture that helped her heal so quickly.” Before I can speak, his smile is back in place, and he’s moving further into the space.
He shows me more of his work and describes what else is going to be added.
He’s so animated, eyes shining, the passion written across his face.
“The tables are in the back until the floors up here are finished.” He moves on, pointing to the row of small tables situated along the back wall.
Each table is slightly different, still with the same live edges as the counter, but the grains are so distinct in each.
I can picture people sitting here, enjoying a meal and conversation.
Little handmade touches grace each piece, and the power of it is almost too much; such care has been poured into each detail.
Blinking away unexpected tears, I find Jace watching me as I walk around taking it all in.
“I have no words, but not gonna lie, my mind is spinning with things I want you to make me now.” I smile, turning to where he’s standing by the windows.
His face, that had been vulnerable as we came in, then full of excitement as he talked, is now hot with desire.
Stalking toward me until I'm pressed against the table, Jace captures my face in his, taking my lips. His tongue finds mine as the kiss deepens. The baseball cap I was wearing falls off a second before I’m lifted off my feet and set on one of the tables.
I open my legs to let him in closer, while my hands roam his back.
The hard ridge of his cock presses against me, and I roll my hips, grinding onto it.
“Harper,” he growls into my mouth, soaking my panties and lighting me on fire. “You keep that up, and I will lay you on the table and take you, no matter who might see.” The thought is beyond hot, and I whimper, actually whimper, at the idea of him having his way with me with an audience.
His mouth leaves mine, tracing the column of my neck.
“Fuck, you like that don’t you? The idea of being caught, of someone watching us?
” I moan again, beyond words. “If I touched you,” he runs his thumb along the seam of my jeans, pausing at my clit, “what would I find, babe? Are you wet for me? Turned on knowing what I’ll do?
” His phone rings, causing me to jump and let out a startled yelp.
He checks it then slides it back into his pocket.
“The crew will be here in a few minutes, and if we don’t stop, they will see me inside of you, and I’ll have to fire all of them for seeing your body.” Laughing, I push his chest and force him back a step so I can hop down.
Feeling daring, I run my hand over the bulge in his jeans, the moan falling from his lips making me feel powerful.
To know I can affect him like this is a heady feeling.
“Thanks for the coffee.” I give him a peck on the lips then make my way carefully to the door.
I turn before leaving and find him standing where I left him.
His eyes are dark with need, like he’s about to storm through the cafe and make good on his threats.
Biting my lip to hide the goofy ass grin pulling at my lips, I turn the handle.
“You might want to take care of that,” I call out, pointing toward his crotch, “before the crew gets here.” I blow him one last kiss and push the door open.
“Harper,” his shout echoes through the space. “You and me, Saturday.” The way he says it, the intent and heat his words carry, has my toes curling.
Returning to the spa, I’m already blushing, anticipating all the questions and comments Wren is sure to have.
She’s still in the yoga class and has a private session right after.
Checking the schedule, I see we are both booked after that.
Well, at least I’ll be able to avoid the questions for a couple of hours.
I end up avoiding it until well after lunch.
Right as the yoga class was finishing up, I got a text from Lizzie’s school.
She had forgotten her jacket, and they were about to leave for a field trip to the orchard.
Dropping off the jacket meant I wasn’t at the spa during her break, so between a massage client of my own and grabbing lunch I had successfully avoided Wren.
Around three, I get back from a run to the post office and find her and Bree sitting behind the front desk, chatting in hushed tones.
They both spot me at the same time and are smiling way too big.
The theme song from Jaws plays in my head.
“Nice of you to join us.” Wren speaks up first. “What has kept you so busy today?”
“Could it be the handsome lumberjack with blue eyes and tattoos that came by to get coffee and croissants this morning?” Bree smiles behind her mug.
“We went for a walk, and he showed me his project. After that, I’ve just been running errands.”
“Hmm, you looked pretty cozy when I walked by this morning. Were you testing the strength of the tables? Is that why you were perched on one?” My face instantly flames. That little snoop!
Wren oohhs, making Bree laugh.
“Does this mean he took you up on your oh so smooth request from the other day?” I’m gonna kill Bree! Wren sits up straight, scenting juicy gossip.
“Harper, have you been holding out on me? What offer did you make?”
“Shut up, Bree!” I try to sound angry, but it loses all its umph when I dissolve into giggles. “That was the most embarrassing thing I have ever experienced.”
“Someone needs to share with the class, what happened?” Wren's voice has gone up two octaves, and she’s now standing like she’s going to vibrate right out of her skin.
Bree launches into a retelling of the event.
By the end, we are all laughing hysterically.
I’m wiping tears from my face when the bell over the door chimes.
Wren’s next client is here. Bree waves, heading out the door herself as the phone rings.
I gasp for air, trying to get control of myself before answering the phone.
“Driftwood Spa, this is Harper, how can I help you?”
Wren leads her client back into the massage room, and I turn, knowing if I make eye contact, I will lose control. A sob comes from the other end, and the hair on my arms stands up as a sense of foreboding envelops me.
“Harper, it’s Lizzie.” And just like that, my world is turned on its axis, and the air is sucked from my lungs.