Page 197 of Almost Ours
“You’re welcome,” I replied, my voice dropping. “But I’m not sure you get just how much I mean that.”
She shook her head, laughing lightly. “You’re sweet. I can’t wait to see you.”
I leaned back, grinning. “Three days feels like forever.”
“It really does,” she agreed, her tone matching mine.
I hesitated before lowering my voice, letting a playful edge creep in. “Do you want to know what I’m going to do the second I see you?”
Her eyes widened slightly, curiosity and something else sparking within them. “What’s that?”
I leaned closer to the screen as if sharing a secret. “I’m going to walk straight up to you, pull you into my arms, and kiss you like I’ve been dying to for months. Then I’m going to take you upstairs, Harper, and remind you exactly how good we are together.”
Her breath hitched, colour deepening in her cheeks. “Oh?”
“Oh,” I echoed, my grin turning wicked. “And once we’re upstairs, I’m going to lay you out on that bed of yours, take my time exploring every inch of you, and make you come so many times you won’t even remember what it’s like to be apart from me.”
“Ryan,” she whispered, her voice breathy.
“I mean it,” I said, heat threading through my tone. “I’ve missed you, Harper. I’ve missed everything about you–your laugh, your touch, the way you taste.”
She exhaled shakily, her pupils blown wide. “Connor should spend the night with Mrs. Knox,” she murmured, a sly smile forming.
I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “I think that’s a great idea.”
We held each other's gaze, the connection between us crackling through the screen.
After a beat, she sight, her lips curling. “I’ll call Mrs. Knox tomorrow.”
“Good,” I said, my voice softer now. “Because I need you, Harper. All of you.”
She nodded, her expression warm and full of anticipation. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” The words left me effortlessly, my chest swelling with emotion.
We stayed on the call for a little while longer, our conversation softening into something tender, something that settled deep in my bones. By the time we finally said goodnight, I was buzzing all over again–counting down the hours until I could be with her.
After we hung up, I stared at my phone, heart pounding, brain racing. Three days? No way in hell I could wait that long. I tossed my practice notes onto the coffee table and scrubbed a hand over my face. Every second since I’d left Harper and Connor felt like a year.
And then there was my plan.
Talking to Shane the other day had only made me itchier to bring it up to Jeff, but I needed the right moment to lay everything out. Screw waiting. I grabbed my phone and fired off a text.
Ryan: Hey, any chance we can talk tonight?
His reply came in almost instantly.
Jeff: Sure. Usual spot in 30?
Perfect. I grabbed my jacket, locked up, and headed out.
The next morning,I was up before the sun, too wired to sit still. The storm that had lingered for days had finally passed, leaving behind a sky so crisp and cloudless it looked almostpainted. A cool breeze rippled through the air, carrying the scent of wet leaves and fresh-cut fields.
The drive out of town was stunning. September had transformed the landscape into a masterpiece, bold strokes of gold and crimson stretching as far as I could see. The trees on either side of the road stood ablaze with colour, their leaves fluttering like flames in the wind. Cornfields sprawled across the countryside like golden carpets, stalks swaying gently in the breeze. The low-hanging sun cast everything in a soft, golden glow, making the world look like it had been kissed by fire.
And then finally, the familiar gravel driveway came into view. My chest tightened with anticipation. I barely threw my truck in park before I was out, bounding up the porch steps, taking them two at a time. I knocked on the door, rocking on my heels as I waited, my heart hammering against my ribs.
The door creaked open, and there she was. Harper. She stood in the doorway, eyes wide with shock. Her dark jeans hugged her curves just right, and she was wrapped in a soft cream-coloured sweater that looked as cozy as it was beautiful on her. The loose knit slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing a delicate collarbone and just a hint of skin that made my pulse quicken. Her hair was down, wild waves tumbling over her shoulders, catching the light like strands of gold.
