The rest of the day is spent discussing the company and the changes we plan to implement in Atlanta. I'm grateful for the distraction; it helps calm my racing heart, which has been in overdrive since we arrived in the room.I can't stop wondering how I'm going to manage sharing a room with Josh. After our meeting and business discussions, I step outside. The sultry receptionist gives me a look as if I’ve stolen her man.With a flip of my hair, I raise my hand, showing off my engagement ring, and walk past her confidently.Our company has truly outdone itself by lodging us in this luxurious hotel. I decided to make the most of my time here by exploring the city when I'm not working. So, now I'm at the beach, getting familiar with the surroundings, so I'll know my way around next time I visit.Walking along the beach, the cool sand beneath my feet and the sound of waves crashing against the shore offer a welcome escape from the day's events. The scene is peaceful, a stark contrast to th
I try to ignore the heat radiating from Josh’s body, but it's impossible. Every slight shift, every breath he takes, feels magnified against my skin. I pull the blankets tightly around myself, hoping they’ll act as a barrier to the intense tension lingering in the room.Minutes stretch into what feels like hours, and sleep remains elusive. I toss and turn, my mind racing with thoughts of Josh and our earlier interactions. His teasing voice echoes in my ears, and the memory of his touch makes it difficult to focus on anything else.I’m so overwhelmed with desire that I don't know what to do. I lie there, listening to the rhythm of our breathing. Why isn’t he reaching for me? I sense, through the stillness in the room, that he’s holding back, fighting the urge to close the distance between us.I shift restlessly, the urge to turn toward Josh growing stronger. Every creak of the bed and every rustle of the blankets seems amplified in the quiet. I wonder if he feels the same pull if he’s
Josh’s POVI wake up early, staring down at Harper as she sleeps peacefully in my arms. She nestles closer, clinging to me like a lifeline. I smile, imagining the incredulous look on someone's face if they knew she had insisted on sleeping on the couch.My phone rings, jolting me from my thoughts. I carefully move Harper aside and discreetly answer the call."Hello," I say softly, keeping my eyes glued to Harper, watching her like a hawk to see if she stirs. I sigh in relief when I realize she is still deeply asleep."Hello, Josh. I have the DNA results," the voice on the other end says."Oh, good. Thank you so much. Can you please send them to my email?" I replied."Sure, I'll do that," the voice responds.The idea of appearing at Trisha's door has crossed my mind often. I need closure, to resolve things between us. I feel nothing for Trisha, but I want to be certain if the child she claims is mine truly is.As I hang up the phone, I glance back at Harper, still sleeping soundly. The
Harper's POVAll I want is to stay far away from him. I hate how he makes me crave his presence, yet I simultaneously want to distance myself. He's nothing but a hypocrite, claiming he loves me while hiding secrets I uncovered this morning.How could he keep such a significant secret from me, knowing it could either make or break our relationship? He insisted I go to the beach with him, but I'd rather keep my distance there than be near him."You know you'll have to talk to me about what's wrong eventually, right?" he says, staring at me with that infuriating smirk I desperately want to erase.The fury inside me finally erupts. I whirl around, my eyes blazing. "You know, I'd love it if you'd stay the hell away from me, you hypocrite," I snapped, and walked away immediately.I don't hear any movement behind me, but I'm sure he's stopped in his tracks, wondering about the reason for my outburst. I continue walking toward the beach, feeling the need to distance myself from him.As I stor
"You've ruined your chance of getting close to me," I say, feeling a cold shiver run through my body as his eyes roam over me."Ruin my chance? What do you mean? Are you sure?" he asks, his voice dripping with seduction. He reaches out, pulling me closer. His hand snakes around my waist, moving upward to cup one of my breasts, giving it a light squeeze. A moan escapes my lips, and I arch my back in response.My lips part instinctively, anticipating the taste of his mouth on mine. He brushes his fingers softly over my lips, his eyes locked onto mine. I'm a jumble of emotions, reeling in the ecstasy he’s igniting. Suddenly, he crashes his lips onto mine in a savage kiss, and I kiss him back forcefully, matching his wild passion.The intensity of the kiss overwhelms me, each touch and movement sending electric currents through my body. His hands explore my skin with a familiarity that both excites and frustrates me. As our kiss deepens, I find myself losing control, swept away by the she
I wake up feeling tired despite a full night's sleep. I wouldn’t say I slept well; my mind was in a jumble, consumed with thoughts of Josh and the possibility of him having a child.As I sit on the edge of the bed, I notice Josh stirring in his sleep. His hands reach out, searching for me even though his eyes remain closed. When he realizes I’m not there, he sits up in a panic, looking around. But before he can fully awaken, he bangs his head against the headboard."That's the aftermath of drinking too much, Josh," I say, from across the large bed. I hand him an Advil and a bottle of water. “Thank you,” he mutters, his eyes fixed on me. He takes Advil and water, I watch him as he swallows the pills and takes a sip of water. He seems to gather himself, his gaze never leaving me."Harper," he starts, his voice hoarse. "I know I owe you an explanation. Last night was... not my finest moment. I'm sorry, Harper. I know I should have told you," Josh says, regret evident in his voice as he
Josh's POV“Make love to me,” Harper says, and the words hit me like a shock. I jerk back, instinctively putting distance between us.“What the hell is wrong with you, Josh?” she snaps, her gaze darting around for something to cover herself. Confusion and hurt flood her eyes, and it tears me apart.If only she knew how desperately I wanted to make love to her. She haunts my thoughts and dreams, a constant presence that leaves me restless. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve woken up drenched in sweat, yearning for her. The desire is almost unbearable.It takes every ounce of self-control not to confront Greg and demand he stay away from my fiancée. Yesterday at the beach, I saw them laughing together, her grumpy state from before now seemingly forgotten. It tears me apart to watch her enjoy herself with him while she gives me the cold shoulder. I know she needs space, and I’m trying to respect that, but the sight of them together is nearly unbearable.But how do I protect her from
Harper's POVI say the words before I realize what I've said. I don't regret it because it reveals that he's hiding something from me, something he doesn't want me to know. How can I remember anything when my mind has completely shut down when it comes to Josh?As I step out of the room, I cover my mouth, stifling a cry that threatens to escape. I can’t let anyone see me like this. With that thought, I hurry down the hallway to the reception desk. I need to sort out what I should have done earlier—get a room since he hadn’t booked one for me.Reaching the desk, I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. The receptionist looks up with a polite smile.“Hi, good morning,” I say, glancing at her name tag. “Lisa.”“Good morning, ma'am. How may I assist you?” she responds brightly.“I need a room for the night,” I tell her.She nods. “Okay, just give me a moment,” she says, checking her computer for an available room.“Here you go,” she says, handing me a key card. “It’s on the first f