HARPER*My foster mom, Sarah, shakes her head with a sigh escaping her throat. “I wish you would stay here and let us pay for your tuition fees.” She sighs again as she sits on my bed and continues to rant in displeasure at me going so far away on the road alone. There are no funds available for my foster parents to cover my tuition fees. They would go into debt to help me. I could not allow that to happen. I’m an adult now, and need to devise a plan to attend college and cover the cost on my own.“Explore the option of getting an apartment nearby. That way, if anything happens, we could be there to help you as soon as possible.”Tears slip from her eyes as she watches me pack up the last of my belongings. Sarah is the only mother-figure I have ever known. My birth mother died during childbirth. Father raised me alone until a fatal hunting accident occurred. He survived the initial attack from being mauled by a bear, but died a few days after. I will always remember the last moments
LAYKEN If only it were Friday - that way I could take a break. I'm so swamped with work that I would end up working from my home office if I were to leave. There wouldn't be any relaxation going on. I'm glad I don't have to answer to anyone or have anyone breathing down my neck when I get home.Who am I trying to fool? It would bring me immense pleasure to get married and have children of my own someday. But given that I'm the CEO and sole proprietor of a billion-dollar law firm, that will never be an option for me. I had almost no time for sleep, let alone enough energy for a relationship. To experience such a passionate love that it hurts would be incredible, though. Being in love with someone is not something I have had the pleasure of experiencing. I've never felt such a powerful connection with a female. Oh, but I have lusted after women, but everything's going stale. Sex doesn't seem to fulfill my needs anymore. I need something genuine. One woman, to devote myself to and make
LAYKENA knock sounded on my office door, making me cringe. “What is it, Jillian?”She opened the door and peered inside. “I’m sorry, sir, but your mom just called and wanted me to remind you of the gala tomorrow night. I mentioned it two days ago, but I thought I would bring it up again since you have been so busy this week.”The pounding headache returned with a vengeance. There was no way I could secure such a last-minute date. My parents would chastise me for showing up without a companion. I needed to see a barber stat, and my tuxedo was at the cleaners. I glanced at my Rolex to see I was now due in court in twenty minutes. Fuck me!“My apologies in advance, Jillian. But I need your help. If it’s not too much trouble, would you be able to swing by the cleaners and pick up my tuxedo? There’s no way I’ll have the time to make it by there in time before they close.”I removed my wallet from the desk and displayed the cards I had from the cleaners and barbershop. Then headed towards
LAYKENIt took all the self control I could muster to leave Harper in that booth alone. More than anything I could ever want, I wished I could to stay with her.During the late hours of the night, I laid in bed tossing and turning last night. No matter what I did, sleep wouldn’t come to me. Her dire situation, along with the profound connection I had, firmly planted itself within my subconscious and I couldn’t shake it.Nothing changed once I got to my office earlier this morning, either. I thought being with Jillian could help, but I feel worse than ever. As if I had been unfaithful to Harper somehow. It’s a ridiculous notion to have since we aren’t involved in a relationship. I’ve only just met her and haven’t known her for over twenty-four hours. Maybe I needed to speak to a psychologist. I’m obviously losing my sanity.I’ve never felt this way for any woman. Not proud of my actions, but I have had my fair share of women through the last twelve years of my life. There’s never been
LAYKENI drove around the city for over an hour, scouting out various hotels. Hoping that she was in one of them, safe and sound. When I found her in one, I would gladly go home and leave her alone. She would never have to know I was out looking for her. All I wanted was to have the reassurance that she was safe. But we don’t always get what we hope for. Which was what was happening to me right now after going to one of the last hotels I could think of.I pulled into some covered parking to get a rest from the pounding rain. If I was a homeless person living out of my car, where would I be? I thought repeatedly, then prayed to God to help me out, even if it was just a little. Then it came to me. She had to be at the parks. Or near the lake, and if that were the case, she was indeed in serious trouble.I sent out another plea for God to send me to where she was. Because if he didn’t lead me, I could easily drive around for another hour before I found her. Then it could be too late to r
LAYKENHarper’s eyes pierce into my soul, and I know what is going through her mind. She wants me to kiss her. But if I do, I don’t think I’ll be able to hold myself back from doing more. My whole body aches to hold her, kiss her, taste her, and consume her. I can’t keep myself from picturing her screaming out my name as I bury myself deep inside her. My need for her is comparable to that of needing air to breathe. But dammit, I have got to change my way of doing things. She is an angel. An angel that the likes of me should not corrupt. I’m determined to do what is right by her. Her beauty is beyond anything I had encountered in my life. And I’ve been with countless women. My college days were wild. There’s no doubt in my mind that I have found the love of my life. I always assumed people who talked about love at first sight were full of shit. But Harper has had me reeling from the first moment I saw her. I love her and I hardly know her. She’s a stranger, but it seems as if I’ve kno
HARPERLayken quickly approached me in the kitchen doorway, placing his hand on the small of my back. He then guided me towards his massive dining room table, which made me wonder if his family visited often. I gazed up at him in awe as he pulled out a chair for me and offered his hand to assist me in sitting down. With a gentle gesture, he scooted the chair in for me. My heart skipped a beat as I admired his considerate actions. He’s perfect.With a seemingly telepathic ability, he chuckles, as if he could read my mind, before walking away. “I have a large family, and they often come to visit,” he explains. “I suspect they come to take advantage of the luxurious indoor pool and hot tub I have downstairs. Or maybe they just want to ensure that I haven’t disappeared off the face of the earth. Most likely, they want to make sure I’m still alive.” He shakes his head, chuckling once more, and flips the sandwiches to toast the other sides. “My parents, being doctors, have more free time on
LAYKEN“Could you please give me a few days to think about it, Layken? If it’s alright with Tenley, I would be grateful to crash on her couch for a little while. Honestly, anything is better than spending another night in my car, which I’ve been doing for the past month. Well, I don't have a car to sleep in now, so…”I am attempting to maintain a neutral expression, but I don't understand why Harper is refusing the help I am offering her. This deepens my feelings for her even more. Most women would take advantage of the situation and demand more than necessary. That’s all they seemed to see in me: money and sex. However, this woman standing before me, despite her youth, possesses wisdom and independence that I adore. Harper recognizes her need for my help, and I believe eventually she will accept what I am offering. Of course, I had to be cautious not to overwhelm her with my generosity and potentially scare her off. Losing her and never seeing her again was not an option. I had to en
HARPERA warm smile spreads across Mom’s face as she reaches out, her hand enveloping mine. “Your dad and I left work early today to search for an apartment for us to move into. Since you and Layken are going to be getting married and starting a family. We feel like we should grant you two some privacy.”With a frown etched deep into my forehead, I grip her hand, my fingers tightening around hers, and protest. “Don’t be ridiculous. Layken and I enjoy having you both here. Don’t go, not for the time being, anyway. The whole point of you staying here was so you could accumulate funds and get on your feet.”To emphasize my feelings, I shook my head, a frustrated sigh escaping my lips. Their departure feels way too soon for my liking. I wish I could hold on to these moments a little longer. They could stay forever if they wanted to. I need my parents nearby, their presence a comforting anchor. Perhaps it’s the agonizing fear of losing someone precious, the thought bringing a suffocating w
HARPER*While we’re eating, Layken constantly fiddles with his phone, his fingers drumming a restless rhythm against the screen between bites. I have no clue what he’s up to, but I bet he’s sending Tambre a flurry of texts, judging by the constant glow of his phone screen. He’s determined to launch the search for my family immediately, and my excitement is palpable. After we’ve thrown our empty food boxes into the trash and cleaned up the kitchen, I go in search of my laptop and box of journals that I haven’t unboxed yet. While Layken goes to his study to email his private investigator friend.I found the box hidden deep within the cluttered recesses of our expansive walk-in closet. I bent, hands reaching for the box, only to find it far heavier than expected. My muscles tensed against the stubborn weight of the damn thing. “Darn it!” I yell, grunting as I give up on lifting it. Layken and Tambre, not to mention my mom, would all kick my butt if I lifted this thing.Not wanting to bo
LAYKENHarper moans in my ear as I trail kisses down her neck. Then grips my hair in her hands, pulling the strands as I nip at the delicate flesh of her swollen breast. We had just made love for the second time after arriving home from seeing Tambre. Harper and I had so much to be thankful for, and the excitement of Tambre’s words had us both in overdrive. One time was not enough, so we dove right into a second round. Every time we have sex, it seems as if it were the first time. She never ceases to amaze me. I now know what I have been missing all these years, and I will never let her go. I assumed I would remain alone until the end of my days, but I am never to be lonely again.“I love you so much, Harper,” I whisper, pulling myself out of her slick heat.Once I’ve reached her belly button, I splay my hands over her belly and press my forehead to where I believe our baby is located. “I can’t wait to hold you in my arms, little one. I’ll do all I can to ensure your safety and your m
LAYKENAs I open the passenger side door of my truck, I pick Harper up, place her inside, and pull the seat belt around her. She grins up at me, sighing contentedly as I kiss her forehead. After slamming the door shut, I rush to the driver’s side, pull the door open, and hop inside. “Let’s get you home, love,” I say, twisting the key into the hole, and my truck roars to life.Sarah and Juan met us at the door once we arrived and helped us bring in boxes. “Let us help you with those sweet-heart.” Sarah says, as she takes Harper’s box she’s holding, shaking her head in disapproval. “You shouldn’t be carrying anything heavy.”“But it’s not heavy, momma,” Harper says, as she tries to take the box back from Sarah. Sarah shakes her head, spinning and walking towards our room, not allowing Harper to take the box from her.Juan claps me on the back, smirking as he takes one of the boxes I’m carrying and follows me to our room. “I’m glad you brought Harper home, where she belongs. Especially n
LAYKEN“My sister will take good care of Harper, don’t worry. Harper and the baby both are in expert hands,” I said, meaning every word. Harper and her parents nod their heads, smiling, and Harper tightens her grip. “I know. This is going to be a major adjustment, though. Give me some time to grasp everything. I’m still in shock. I’ll feel better when we see Tambre next week. Not gonna lie. I’m gonna be a mess until I get some answers. But I have complete faith in Tambre,” Harper says, the corners of her lips tipping up some.Tambre is the most prestigious OBGYN in the country. I’m not saying that just because she’s my sister. Her stats prove the truth of my statement and she’s only Twenty-Nine years old. Tambre and Tenley both are absolute geniuses.Sarah and Juan sit down and start shoveling food into their plates as they observe us grinning from ear to ear. So far, their reactions to us being a couple have been surprising. Their continued support means the world to me.Letting go
LAYKENHarper looks at me with those sparkling gray eyes of hers, and my heart flutters in a weird way that I can’t describe. She’s given me everything I have ever wanted; I’ve found my soulmate, my muse, my everything. In a month and a half, I’ll be getting married and I’m going to be a father. Every soul in my body knows that she and this baby are going to be just fine; God wouldn’t provide me with these blessings just to take them away from me. Harper has made me a better man, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure her health and happiness. She squeals, wrapping her arms around my neck as I pick her up from the bed and wrap her legs around my waist. “Layken!”“I’m just so fucking excited about you being home with me now. You have no clue how insane I have been feeling.”“Well, if your insanity is as strong as mine, then yes. I know exactly what you’re feeling right now,” Harper said as she kissed my cheek. “I’ve missed having you there to hold me at night,” she said, nuzzlin
HARPERTaking a nervous breath, I went to my ensuite bathroom and turned on the tap. I twisted off the bottle cap, popped a Phenergan in my mouth, and swallowed it with a swig of water. What started as an amazing day ended with a phenomenal, unexpected turn, forever changing Layken’s and my lives; the scent of possibility hung heavy in the air.Glancing in the mirror, I see that my mascara and foundation are runny and splotched down my face. “Oh, my God…” I whisper, shrieking as I turn the hot water on so I can clean my face. “Of all the days to wear more makeup than I normally would! Shit!”I hardly ever wear foundation, because I’ve got an amazing bronzed tan and my cheeks always have the perfect shade of pink to accentuate my cheekbones and freckles. The most I normally wear is a touch of mascara and lip gloss. But today, I had gone all out. Putting on foundation, mascara, a touch of eyeliner, eyeshadow and blush. In short, I’m an utter mess.Searching frantically through my bathro
LAYKENWe’ve been back in Georgetown for two weeks, and during this time, I’ve spent each night with my brothers, brother-in-law, and Juan. All the women have been staying over at Tenley’s place. However, not seeing Harper in two days is driving me literally insane. I’ve never seen this much action from my brothers- and brother-in-law Jax before. In the past, even on weekends when they would show up before I met Harper, they would only come on Saturday afternoon and leave Sunday morning. While it’s been nice catching up with everyone, I can’t help but miss Harper, and I’m going insane.Two long weeks have passed since Harper’s comforting presence greeted my mornings, and the absence has left an aching void. Waking up to her one-of-a-kind Harper scent used to be the highlight of my mornings. Her unique scent is like a shot of espresso—a bold, invigorating aroma that fills my senses and jumpstart my mornings. I’ve been sluggish and unmotivated since she’s been gone.If me and the guys a
HARPERI could have easily strolled back to the apartment, as our building was conveniently located just down the block. However, the longer I stand here, the more my discomfort intensifies. Time crawls by for ten minutes as I await Tenley’s arrival, but she doesn’t arrive. Seeking solace from the stifling heat and suffocating humidity of South Texas in July, I retreat inside the building. As I step through the entrance, a wave of relief washes over me as the icy blast from the air conditioner caresses my face.“Are you alright, Harper?” Leanne asks as I stride towards a seat and sit down.“I’m not sure, to be honest. Maybe it’s the heat. I just felt like I might pass out.” I glance down at my phone when it vibrates and see that Tenley has texted me back, saying that she’d be here to pick me up in a moment. “Tenley’s on her way to pick me up. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I probably just need to get hydrated.”“Wait there and I’ll fetch you a bottle of water from the back,” Leanne says as s