Page 198 of Almost Ours
She was flushed, her cheeks tinged pink–whether from the warmth of the house or my sudden appearance, I wasn’t sure.
She parted her lips, trying to form a sentence. “Wh-what are you–”
I didn’t let her finish.
“Hi,” I murmured, reaching for her, my hands sliding to her waist as I pulled her to me.
She gasped softly, but it was swallowed by my lips as I kissed her, pouring five months’ worth of longing into it. Five monthsof waiting, five months of aching, five months of missing the hell out of her.
And she melted against me, her arms looping around my neck, her fingers threading into my hair.
The open door behind her didn’t even register. My world has narrowed down to this–the warmth of her, the way she fit against me, the way she clung to me like she never wanted to let go.
I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding down to grab her hips. With one quick motion, I lifted her, and her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively.
And then–
Someone cleared their throat. Loudly.
Harper stiffened, her body going rigid. I pulled back just enough to glance past her, still slightly dazed from the way she had just wrecked me.
And there, sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming mug in hand, was Nina.
One brow raised. Smirking. Entirely too entertained.
“Well,” Nina said, taking a slow sip of coffee, “this is better than reality TV.”
Harper scrambled down from my arms so fast I barely had time to steady her. Her face was on fire, hands flying to cover it.
I rubbed the back of my neck, grinning sheepishly. “Good to see you, Nina.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” Nina quipped, shaking her head. “Don’t stop on my account. But if you’re gonna keep this up, maybe close the door? There’s a draft.”
Harper groaned, dragging her hands down her face in mortification, while I just laughed, slipping an arm around her waist.
Nina took another slow slip of her coffee, eyes twinkling. “Now, can I finish my drink, or do I need to leave so you two can reenactThe Notebookout here?”
I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of Harper’s head. “We’ll behave. For now.”
Harper muttered something under her breath, probably about killing Nina later, but I didn’t miss the way her lips curved into a smile.
The three of us sat around the kitchen table, laughing and chatting, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Nina had her usual sharp wit in full force, teasing both Harper and me relentlessly–making Harper blush and me grin like a fool. It felt like old times, like the kind of easy warmth I’d been missing for months. All that was missing was Shane. I’d have to call him later today, let him know I showed up a couple of days earlier than planned. He’d probably have something to say about that–mostly how predictable I was when it came to Harper.
As the minutes ticked by, I caught Nina giving me a look. A knowing look. A smirk that widened every time she gleaned between Harper and me. I barely had time to brace myself before she stretched her arms dramatically and pushed back her chair. “Well, I’d better get going,” she announced, standing up and grabbing her coffee mug. “You two obviously have some…catching upto do before Connor gets home.”
Harper’s face turned bright red. “Nina!” she hissed, glaring daggers at her best friend.
“What?” Nina said innocently, all wide eyes and fake innocence. “I’m just trying to help you make the most of your day. Don’t waste it, kids.” She winked at me, before strutting toward the door, barely holding in her laughter. The second it clicked shut behind her, Harper turned back to me, shaking her head.
“I swear, that woman has no filter.”
I grinned, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah, well, she’s not wrong.”
Harper huffed. “What are you even doing here? You’re not supposed to be back for three more days!”
I pushed my chair back and stood, closing the distance between us in two steps. My fingers brushed her waist before trailing up to the back of her neck, my thumb tracing the soft skin there.
“Harper,” I said, my voice dropping lower, “I know I haven’t been the best communicator in the past, but trust me when I say I’ll fill you in.” I tilted my head, my lips just inches from hers. “Right now, though, I can’t wait another second.”
