Page 122 of Country Contract

When she comes back, carrier in her hands, she smiles at me.

“We’re saving Aurora for if we have a girl.”

If I didn’t have a dog in my arms, she would be.

We step into the house, and I set Lilly down, making sure she’s safe. I probably should be concerned she’ll pee or get into something, but I’m not.

“Yeah, we fuckin’ are,” I say with a grin, pulling Harlowinto my arms. When our lips are a breath away from each other I say, “I love you,” against her lips.

Harlow is rinsing off in my shower, and I’m letting Lilly outside. We couldn’t wait another moment and ran to my bedroom to fuck. It was quick and heated. Our dirty talk mixed with constant I-love-yous.

I should be cold standing out here in only sweats, but the cool air feels good on my skin. Lilly does her business, and I’m happy with how well she’s doing. I shouldn’t have just left her in the house unattended, but the excitement of Harlow took the forefront of my mind.

When I get back inside, Harlow is waiting on my couch in one of my Hill Farm T-shirts with Cleo in her lap. Before sitting next to her, I kiss her cheek.

“So, what now?” I ask, hopeful.

“Well, there’s a lot. I’ll have to go back and talk with my family. I’ll have to find a new job. I’ll need to pack up and find a place out here.”

“Well, you already have a place,” I say, putting my arm around her. She eyes me for only a moment.

“It doesn’t seem that scary telling my family or anything. I’m mostly scared to tell Meg. She’s not going to take it well.” Her hands go to massage her temples.

“She’ll be happy for you. I already know it. I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t ask me to stay.” Her brow is arch and her lips purse.

“Well, I’ll never let you leave now. Outside of when we go to get your stuff and tell yourparents.”

“We?”

“Yeah, I’m not going to let you go alone. I’m the reason you’re staying. So, I’ll go meet your family.”

She must love that idea because she pushes Cleo aside and straddles me.

“You’ll get to meet Maria.” She kisses me.

“I will.”

“You’ll get to see my place.” Another kiss.

“Yes.”

“You’ll sleep in my bed.” A longer one.

“That won’t be the only thing I do in it.”

Harlow’s deep laugh fills my room, and we give ourselves to each other like before, but this time there is no pain mixed with pleasure. The apprehension is gone, and what has taken its place is excitement.

It’s the promise of more, and we both got it when we least expected it.

Epilogue

Harlow

Our flight was bumpy with constant turbulence, and Harrison was squeezing my hand like a vise the whole time. Apparently, he’s not a fan of flying. He doesn’t like to travel without any control. It’s cute because I see that when he lets me drive.

We stopped at my house to shower, change clothes, and get ready for dinner. I told my mom to plan for dinner for our family plus one. They already know that my plus one isn’t Heath, and that was a whole mini West War Two.

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