Page 45 of My Favorite Secret
I suppose the rule is that we sleep like this too. I smile, having no complaints.
As I lie exhausted in Felix’s arms, I think of my parents and how they’ve always instilled the values within me that my body is sacred and how I should save it for the man I marry. If my mother knew what I just did with Felix, she wouldn’t be pleased. My father would be appalled. He can’t find out. He’d send Felix away, for sure.
I can sneak back into my room before sunrise to avoid my father discovering where I’ve spent the night. If Tyler asks where I’ve been…
Shit. I don’t know how I’m supposed to explain any of this to Tyler. I haven’t chosen Felix over him. I just needed this connection tonight because the pain inside my heart is so fucking debilitating.
I don’t know how I’m supposed to explain any of this to Felix either because the truth is… he’s not the only Blackwood brother I want naked in this bed with me.
CHAPTER TWENTY
FELIX
It’s impossible to sleep when I have Harper naked in my arms. Every moment of this surreal night needs to be savored. Unable to help myself, I place kisses on Harper’s shoulder and stroke her hair, relieved to see her at peace.
The scarlet tone of her curls always has and will forever be my favorite color. It’s so vibrant, contrasting with her pale complexion. My fingers trail along her soft skin, admiring every curve and contour of her body. She’s small and delicate in my arms. I’m leaking pre-cum all over her ass. Her body is perfection and it’s all mine, at least for the night.
I need to find a way to tell Tyler about me and Harper. I don’t know how he’ll take the news, but that’s a dilemma I’ll face another day. I won’t let anything ruin this night.
When morning arrives and Harper wakes, I’m sitting against the headboard watching her. She rolls toward me with a nervous look in her eyes. Perhaps she regrets what happened between us last night. Or she’s wondering ifI’mthe one who regrets it.
Before she can get any wrong ideas, I pull her onto mylap, positioning her legs to either side of me. Her eyes widen a little, shy over her naked body on full display. I’m not wearing any clothes either and my cock is hard between her legs.
Harper’s hair hangs forward, concealing her chest. I push it behind her shoulders, growing harder at the sight of her peaked nipples covered in my dry cum.
“You’re shy right now. Don’t be. Your body is so goddamn beautiful. Your tits are perfection.” I cup them in my hands, lightly pinching the pebbled flesh. She flinches with a little gasp, smiling. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.” Her gaze roams my shoulders. My arms. It takes me a few seconds to realize she’s looking at my ink. “Since the moment you got these tattoos, I’ve wanted to study every inch of your skin. Tell me what each of them symbolizes.”
My hands slide down the curves of her body, resting at her hips. “Most of them are just aesthetic. Skulls. Snakes. Money. Poker chips. A deck of cards.”
Her fingers skim over my left shoulder, down my arm, taking a closer look. The light touch spreads chills through me, all the way to my dick. I lean back and watch this beautiful creature on top of me. I’ve had girls look at my tattoos before, but this feels more intimate. Even erotic. There’s so much fascination in Harper’s innocent blue eyes as she learns about my body.
Her fingers stop at the deck of cards on my forearm. “We used to play cards a lot as kids. You always beat me. I hear you’re good at poker now.” There’s sadness in her voice as she speaks those last words. “I don’t want to learn things about you from other people. I’m supposed to learn them for myself. I’m supposed to be the first to learn them.”
“You willbe, from here on out.”
Harper smiles at my answer and switches her attention to my other arm, pausing on a quote. “I’d rather be lucky than good. You said this to my mom recently. What does it mean?”
“It means even if you’re not the most skilled or strategic person, sometimes getting the right breaks is enough for you to win. The quote is a reminder to live life on the edge. Embrace risk and danger and enjoy the ride. I’m not chasing safety or simplicity in this lifetime. I want to live fast, play dirty, and drown in decadence.”
She frowns. “You can’t always be lucky. How about staying out of danger instead?”
“Where’s the fun in that, Red?”
She sighs, laughing, then continues exploring my arm. A moment later, her gaze narrows with confusion. I’m too busy watching her pretty face to know which tattoo she’s puzzled by.
“Snake eyes.” As soon as she says it, I realize she’s referring to the dice that have landed on a pair of ones. “Isn’t this considered bad luck?”
“Yes.” I smirk, amused that out of all my tattoos, this is one she chooses to focus on.
“Why would you want bad luck tattooed onto your body?”
“Snake eyes represents bad luck for some people. Not for me.”
“Okay. Explain.”
“I’d rather not.”
