Page 55 of The Assistant
“You love her?” Xander asks, more surprised than anything. “Dawson, if you love her, you’re stupid to let her go. It’s not every day you find someone you want to share your life with. Do you know how much different my life would be right now if it weren’t for Ella?”
I think about it for a moment and realize there’s truth to what he’s saying. Before he met Ella, his life was fine. He had money and power, everything he thought he would have wanted. But since being with her, he’s transformed. Their relationship has made him a better person all around.
I could have had that too.
“You’re right,” I say as I stand up and grab my briefcase to leave the office. “I’m not going to give it up. I’ll talk to her.”
We hang up the phone, and I immediately text my driver to get the limo ready as I rush from the office to the parking garage. I have to find Harper, and I have to tell her the truth. I don’t wantto live in a world where she and I aren’t together. Harper belongs at my side, just like I belong at hers.
Of course, I want her to be happy. But I know that she’ll be happiest when she’s with me. I’ve got to get her back, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
The limo is ready by the time I reach the garage, and I climb in, telling the driver the address. Throughout the entire duration of the drive, I nervously tap my finger on my knee and think about all the different ways this could go. Harper could tell me she hates me and never wants to see me again, slamming the door in my face. Or maybe she confesses to also loving me and wanting to get back together.
All I can do is hope for the best. I let that hope carry me from the car to her dorm room as I arrive. I stand outside the door for a moment before knocking. It only takes a few seconds for me to hear footsteps on the other side and the door to open. When Harper sees me, her eyes go wide, and she backs up slightly from the shock.
“Dawson? What are you doing here?” Harper asks in a low voice.
“I’m here because I love you,” I blurt out before I can think any better of this. It could very well be a mistake, but I’ll forever kick myself for not trying. I know that I’m meant to be with her, and I have to at least tell her that. “You’re the only woman that I ever want to be with. I want to start over with you. No contracts, no lies. Just you and I going on a simple date and getting to know each other for real.”
Harper just stares at me with surprise on her face as she listens to my proposal. She might be skeptical, and I understand that, but I just hope I can do something to ease her worries.
“I’ll do whatever you want, Harper. You’re all I think about. Everywhere I go, I’m reminded of you, and I can’t take it anymore.” I pause and take a step forward, hoping she’ll back away and let me in her room so we can talk about this. “What do you say? Can we give it a try?”
Harper only blinks and stares at me. My heart sinks to my stomach as I worry she’s going to say no.
Chapter 30
Harper
I can’t believethis is happening. Dawson is here, and he’s asking me for a second chance. A week ago, I would have said hell no and slammed the door in his face. The two of us have a very difficult past, and I didn’t think it was something I would be able to get through. But now things have changed.
As horrible as it sounds, him killing Dave has really shown me that he’s willing to do anything to make sure I’m safe and happy. Maybe I have something wrong with me for thinking that’s admirable—everybody who’s ever caused me pain has been taken care of by Dawson. In a way, I should trust him more than I do anyone else.
But the lies he’s told me were so vast that I don’t know how I’m ever going to repair that trust. I don’t want to be in a relationship where I have to question somebody’s motives every day. Will I constantly be worrying that Dawson is withholding something big from me? I know he’s involved in all kinds of criminal workings now, and that’s a dangerous life. That’s a lot to willingly involve yourself in.
When I don’t answer him right away, I see the disappointment on his face. He looks defeated, and it breaks my heart. I don’t want him to think I don’t want to be with him. I want to be with him more than anything in the world right now. Being with Dawson was complicated initially, but the two of us fell into a rhythm with each other that I found comforting.
Dawson always did his best to make sure I was safe. Even when it came to something as simple as having nightmares, he comforted me. He held me in his arms while I fell asleep. I would give anything to have that back now.
I feel like I need to pull out the whiteboard and make a pros and cons list of all things Dawson. I don’t have that kind of time, though. Dawson is here right now asking me for a response, and I’m torn about what to say.
“Just one chance,” Dawson says as he sees the turmoil I’m going through internally.
How bad could one chance really be?
I don’t give myself time to think about the answer before I take a step forward and stand on my tiptoes to press my lips against his. The kiss takes Dawson by surprise, but after a brief moment of hesitation he relaxes into it and wraps his arms around me.
Being this close to him again feels right. It feels like this is exactly where I belong. I’ve been here before, and I don’t ever want to leave again.
Our kiss deepens, and he picks me up, letting me wrap my legs around his waist. Other students walking to and from their dorm rooms spot the two of us, some of them clapping and tossing irreverent cheers in our direction. I can’t help but smile andlaugh as Dawson carries me into my dorm room and drops me on the bed.
“You’re not going to regret this,” Dawson says when he finally pulls away from me. I hope he’s right. I don’t want to be eating my words a year from now when the two of us are in over our heads once again.
“No more lying,” I say, staring at him with my growing desire fighting every ounce of common sense I have. The two of us should probably have a conversation about what this second chance means, but we can’t fight this feeling.
“No more,” Dawson agrees, climbing on top of me and kissing me passionately once again. He swallows my moans as his hands roam my body, feeling every curve beneath his fingertips for the first time in weeks. “I’ve been craving you, Harper...”
His mouth falls to my neck, and he kisses it gently, tracing his tongue along with the curves as he works his way down my body. My skin shivers as he lifts my shirt over my head, and I take it off to toss it aside. My bra is next, and he admires my breasts as he sits on top of me.
