Harper's POVTrue to my mum’s word, I’m discharged from the hospital and pampered by her every step of the way. Yet, I can’t shake the worry about why I can remember everyone except Josh.I glance at the ring still on my finger, wondering if I should take it off since the wedding is postponed indefinitely. My father has decided he won’t walk me down the aisle until I can recognize the man I’m supposed to marry. Coupled with his grief over Mum’s passing, it seems the wedding is on hold for now.I’ve been advised not to force my memory but to live each day as it comes. The bruises on my face are starting to fade, and I trace the scars on my face and arm, feeling their rough texture.Josh hasn’t come to check on me, though my heart often aches for his presence. I’ve been told he’s dealing with his grief and preparing for his mum’s burial.I give myself one last look in the mirror, adjusting my hair and smoothing down my black dress. Heading out of my room, I join the rest of the family d
Harper's POVGathering my thoughts, I take a deep breath and look up at him. “Josh, I want to be honest with you. I’m afraid of diving into something new while I’m still trying to understand what happened to me. I can’t promise you anything right now, but I need to take things slowly.”I notice his expression change, the hope in his eyes dimming slightly at my words. My heart tugs at the sight, but I know I need to focus on understanding myself first.“I get it, Harper. Take all the time you need. I’m here for you, and I’ll wait as long as it takes,” he says, a touch of self-reproach in his voice. "I know I was too forward in asking you out on a date. Gosh, what was I thinking?"I smile gently. "Oh no, Josh, don't beat yourself up over that," I say, reaching out to him. His eyes catch sight of the ring still on my hand, and a small smile crosses his face. "You still have this," he observes softly.I smile brightly. "Yes, I hope it will help me feel that connection with you again.""Ok
Josh's POVI feel a sense of relief now that the funeral is over. My mother has finally been laid to rest. She was in so much pain, and it broke my heart to see her suffer like that.I'm angry, though, because my parents didn't tell us how bad her liver condition had become. They kept insisting they didn't want to worry us, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept. I'm also upset with my dad for keeping such crucial information about my mom's health from me.I remember the first time my mom fell ill. I got the call that she had been rushed to the hospital. After seeing her there, the one person I wanted to talk to was Harper. When I called her, she comforted me, and that was the first time we kissed passionately."Shut up and kiss me." Those were her exact words, and the memory brings a smile to my lips.My mind is made up: I want to win Harper back. Now, I need to tie up the loose ends that drifted us apart in the first place. With the wedding on hold, it's time to address what
Harper's POVAs soon as I walk into the house from the funeral, I head straight to my room and slam the door behind me. I collapse onto my bed, overwhelmed by the confusing mix of emotions about Josh. They envelop me and weigh heavily on my mind.I’m too exhausted to take a shower. The lingering scent of Josh still clings to me, a reminder of his hug earlier. I close my eyes, hoping to drift into sleep, but thoughts of us together flood my senses.In my mind, I see him lying on top of me, panting heavily, his body slick with sweat as he takes me to the edge of ecstasy.I open my eyes, trying to push away the memory. Did we get so intimate with each other? I desperately want to remember every detail of how he made love to me, but the memories elude me. I roll onto my side, clutching my pillow tightly.I turn on my phone and start reading a story on an app. Each page seems to fuel wild imaginings of Josh and me in bed, so I eventually drop my phone in frustration.After tossing and turn
My heart skips a beat when I see Josh holding Xander. I can tell from his grip that he’s squeezing Xander’s hand, but I’m surprised Xander doesn’t back down and continues to struggle with Josh.Josh turns to me, pointing in my direction. “You’re coming with me right now.”“Leave me the fuck alone,” I snap, but he’s too angry to hear me. He grips my wrist tightly and drags me out of the bar. I wonder why he’s so upset—can’t I have my fun? After all, he kissed a woman in his office.“Leave her the fuck alone!” Xander yells over the music as he steps closer, trying to help me.Josh glares at Xander and says in a deadly calm voice, “You come any closer and you won’t like what I’ll do.”"Leave me the fuck alone!" I protested, trying to free myself from Josh's grip. His tight hold on my wrist was painful, but he seemed too angry to notice. He continued dragging me, ignoring my attempts to break free.As he pulled me towards his car, not mine, realization dawned on me. "What the fuck, Josh?
Harper's POVI want to pull back, but his kiss is a magnet, drawing me in with irresistible force. I should be angry at him for trying to control my independence, but I can’t help savoring the intensity of his touch.He pulls me closer, his hands gripping my hips with fierce determination, as if trying to imprint himself on me. We both gasp for air when we finally break apart, our chests heaving.Despite the intensity, our eyes lock. I crave more; his taste lingers, making me yearn for another kiss. I raise my hand to my lips, imagining the warmth of his mouth against mine.Seeing my reaction, he mutters a curse and crashes his lips against mine again. I respond eagerly, our mouths melding together as if perfectly matched.His fingers tangle in my hair, and a soft moan escapes my lips. He groans in response, pressing against me with evident desire. The intensity is overwhelming, yet I can’t get enough. I cling to him, my hands exploring the contours of his back, feeling his strength.
Harper's POVMy eyes blaze with anger as I see him stop in his tracks at the sound of my voice. His hands ball into fists as he slowly turns to face me. I climb the stairs with deliberate sultriness, feeling his gaze roam over my body. The bulge in his trousers is unmistakable, and his shirtless form exudes a raw, predatory intensity. Yet something seems to be holding him back.“What the hell is wrong with you, Josh?” I shout, my frustration palpable. I feel like a woman denied her release.“No, Harper, I’m sorry, I can’t continue,” he responds, his tone pained.“Really? You leave me hanging, and now you stand there telling me you can’t continue?” I seethe, pointing at him. My anger blinds me, and I am right in front of him, demanding answers. “Why did you start something only to stop abruptly? Tell me, Josh, what the hell happened?”“I just can’t, Harper,” he says. But before I can respond, he pulls me into a rough, urgent kiss. He pours all his frustration, lust, and desperate need
I drive home, park my car, and head to the front porch. As I reach it, Ava rushes out, her face lighting up with relief.“Oh my goodness, Harper, you scared us all!” she exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug.I’m taken aback by her sudden emotion. “Why?” I ask, pulling away to look at her.“Check your phone, Harper. We’ve left dozens of missed calls. We were terrified something bad had happened to you.”“Jeez, relax, Ava. I’m here, and that’s what matters,” I say, heading inside with her following closely.In the living room, my mum is seated. Her eyes widen with relief when she sees me. “Harper, what happened? I was so scared when you weren’t picking up.”“Why is everyone so worried?” I ask, pulling my phone from my bag. My eyes widen as I see it’s past one a.m.; I hadn’t realized how late it was.“I’m so sorry for keeping you all worried,” I say, regret heavy in my voice. “I completely lost track of time.” I open my call log and see thirty-three missed calls, most from Josh.Feeling
Josh’s POVI shut the door behind me, and the sound rang in my ears like a blow. I’m left standing in the hallway, my heart feels heavy with Harper’s words. I can barely breathe, the air thick with the realization that I’ve lost her—truly lost her this time. I lean against the wall, running a hand through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts. How did it get to this point? How did I let everything spiral so far out of control? All I wanted was to protect her, to make things right, but all I’ve done is push her further away. My mind races back to every moment, every decision that led us here. The anger, the jealousy, the lies. All of it is crashing down on me now. And Nolan… Damn it, Nolan. The thought of him with Harper, the betrayal—it makes my blood boil. But I can’t even blame him entirely. I’m as much at fault as he is.I’ve been a fool. I let my pride and fear dictate my actions, and now, I’m paying the price. I thought I could control everything, but I was wrong. I couldn’t c
Josh’s POV Greg's face pops into the room, and my blood boils instantly. What the hell does he want now? My anger surges, as I seethe, “Can you fucking leave? I’m having time with my fiancée.”Greg opens his mouth to protest, but one look at the fury in my eyes makes him hesitate. He glances at Harper, then back at me, before finally taking a step back, and retreating into the hallway.I can feel Harper’s eyes on me, questioning, unsure of what to make of the situation. The unease between us deepens, and I can feel that something is about to break, something that might be beyond repair.I turned to Harper, my eyes searching hers, desperate to find some sense of hope.“I feel something strong for you, Harper. Please, let's start all over again, I promise to be the man of your dreams, the man who wakes up every morning just to see your face.”Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I could feel the mucus in my nose threatening to spill over. This level of vulnerability was something I had n
I hurried to the doctor as the door opened, my heart racing with hope. “How is she?” I asked, desperate for good news.Amelia and Axel stood close behind me, their expressions tense as they awaited the doctor’s update.The doctor took a deep breath before speaking. “She is stable for now. We’ve run some tests and carried out x-rays on her brain, considering her condition and the memory loss. It seems like she’s beginning to recall bits and pieces. It’s a positive sign, but we need to be cautious. Memory recovery can be unpredictable, and it’s crucial to provide her with a supportive environment.”I nod, taking in the information. “So, there’s hope she might regain more of her memories?”“Yes,” the doctor confirms. “There’s potential for her to remember more as she recovers. The process can be slow, and we’ll monitor her progress closely.”I held my breath, waiting for more information.“The tests show no severe damage,” the doctor continued. “Her brain activity is normal, and there ar
Josh's POV Seeing Harper with Greg ignites a surge of fury in me. It’s like déjà vu of what happened between Harper and Adams. The sight of her arm linked with Greg’s is unbearable.I almost stormed over to them, ready to yank her away from Greg, but Axel grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I had intentionally cut our Atlanta trip short after overhearing Greg's plans to take Harper to a club. Harper, I trust, but I don’t trust Greg at all. He’s involved in shady dealings with women. There are rumors about him drugging them and then using his father’s wealth to cover it up, making it look like the women were at fault. I can’t let Harper become another victim.As I struggle to control my anger, I watch helplessly as Greg, with Harper in his arms, heads for the ground floor. The panic in Axel’s voice only adds to my frustration. I know Harper’s health is the priority right now, but the sight of her with Greg makes it hard to think clearly.Axel’s firm grip on my arm is the only thing keep
After a warm bath, I collapse into bed, finally feeling the exhaustion. The weekend is a welcome break, and I spend it relaxing and doing nothing in particular.Amelia visits and excitedly talks about her relationship with Axel. I'm happy for her; it seems like she’s finally found love.But as Monday approaches, I dread seeing Josh. His silence over the weekend has only made me more anxious, reminding me of how he acted before our trip to Atlanta. No matter how much I try to think about something else, his face keeps popping into my mind, along with the unsettling dream I had about him.I can’t seem to shake these thoughts, and it’s clear that Josh still has a big impact on my life, even when he’s not around.Monday arrives, and I drag myself out of bed, feeling the weight of the day ahead. I get dressed quickly and head to the kitchen for a brief breakfast, trying to brace myself for what's to come.At work, I bury myself in tasks, especially preparing the report on everything that h
I find a space and settle in, pulling out my headphones and plugging them in. As the music starts, it helps calm my racing heart a bit.I wonder if things will be awkward between Josh and me now. His new behavior is confusing, especially when my whole body is still craving his touch.Relaxing back into my seat, I glance at him frequently, but he never turns to look at me. It feels like this is going to be a hell of a ride.I try to focus on the music, letting the rhythm fill the silence between us, but it’s hard to ignore the tension. My eyes keep drifting back to Josh, hoping for any sign that he might look my way. But he stays engrossed in his tablet, completely detached.I take a deep breath, forcing myself to look away and focus on the window. The clouds outside blur as we ascend, and I try to clear my mind, but it’s no use. This is going to be a long, torturous ride, I think to myself, trying to shake off the ache in my chest.I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I
I open the door and find Mia standing there. I sigh in relief when I see it’s her. “Oh, you made it,” I say, still breathless.“Are you okay?” she asks as I step aside to let her in.“I’m fine, Mai. I just woke up,” I reply.“Girl, you didn’t tell me you just woke up! You look all flustered like someone was giving it to you from behind,” she teases."Oh my God," I groan, collapsing onto the bed, realizing I've got another Amelia in Mai.She gives me a skeptical look. “Harper, don’t tell me you just had a sex dream.”I sit up quickly, eyes wide. “Is it that obvious?” I ask.“Oh my goodness, Harper, don’t tell me my theory is right!” she exclaims.My cheeks burn at Mai’s words, her knowing grin only making it worse. I try to laugh it off, but the sound comes out strangled. How did she guess so easily? I haven’t even processed the dream myself, yet here she is, already connecting the dots.I drop my gaze, fiddling with the edge of my robe. The images from the dream flash behind my eyes v
Harper's POV I nod and say, "Hi Greg. Yes, I know him. He is my..." I trail off, unsure of what to call Josh.I can feel Josh's eyes on me, waiting to hear how I’ll address him. We're not engaged anymore; I need time to process the emotional rollercoaster he’s putting me through. "Yes, he’s my boss," I finally say.I glance at Josh and notice he's visibly angry, his frustration almost palpable.I make my way back to my room, feeling drained after the exhausting five-hour meeting. I drop my bag on the table and quickly change out of my work clothes, wanting nothing to disturb my sleep. It's a relief that I’ve checked out of Josh’s room.In just my panties and bra, I collapse onto the bed. As I settle in, Josh’s presence lingers in my mind, but fatigue overtakes me, and soon I drift off to sleep.I hear a knock on my door and groan loudly. Hastily, I throw on a bathrobe, tie it firmly, and make my way to the door. Unlocking it, I grasp the doorknob and open it. “Josh,” I whisper his n
“Oh, don’t worry, Axel. When we meet in Seattle, I’ll fill you in,” I say, laughing. I know he’s eager to hear what I’m talking about.“Don’t you dare, Josh? Why would you say something like that and then leave me hanging?” he responds in his tone, a mix of playful and frustrated.I laugh loudly, feeling a rare moment of relief. It’s a welcome distraction from everything I’m dealing with regarding Harper.“Okay, okay,” I say between laughs. “I know you can’t wait.”“Spill it, man. What’s the news?” Axel presses.“Trisha’s son isn’t mine,” I say, watching as he falls silent. “Say something, man,” I urge, wondering if he knows something I don’t.“That’s a relief, Josh. I’m happy for you, man,” Axel finally responds.“That’s all you’ve got?” I ask, knowing Axel usually has more to say.He gives a nervous laugh. “What do you want me to say? It’s a relief, isn’t it?”“But there’s something about that child’s appearance,” I continue. “He looks like someone I know but I can’t place it. His e