Pretend You're Mine: A Small Town Love Story

by Score, Lucy

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  Home. Luke had thought of this house and what it held more times than he could count in the last six months. The bones were the same, but the passing of time was evident in the small details.

  A lot had happened in six months. And he wasn’t sure how he felt about some of it. He wasn’t sure how a lot of people felt about it. Harper had been unusually quiet during the ride home. He didn’t know how Joni had come into the picture, but he did know what it meant. Harper knew about Karen.

  The tickle of panic he felt when he saw Joni and Harper together hadn’t subsided yet. His worlds had collided, and he wasn’t sure what the ramifications would be. Seeing Joni at breakfast with his family, with Harper, had knocked him back. He never expected that relationship to resurface. Being around her was like being catapulted into the past. The words she’d said at Karen’s funeral still cut at him. Her words were his thoughts. And now an apology? Joni owed him nothing. He was the one who owed the apology — to Joni and to Harper.

  He had been an ass, thinking he could keep his past separate. Didn’t Harper deserve to know why he could never offer her more? It had been selfish and stupid to think that he could keep her in the dark. And now there was a distance between them.

  He had tried to set up his apology on the drive home. “So. Joni?”

  But Harper wasn’t biting. “Yeah,” she nodded. And that was it.

  At least home was still intact.

  The flowerbeds were neatly trimmed and hidden under a fresh layer of mulch for the winter. Harper had dotted colorful annuals among the greenery this summer, sending him a picture a week of her efforts. The pumpkins and mums that she put out for Halloween still flanked the front door. The new front door, Luke noticed, clenching his jaw.

  It was a near perfect replica of the original. Frank had done a good job of finding the right one. But it was a reminder to Luke of the danger he hadn’t been able to protect Harper from.

  Harper turned her key in the lock and glanced over her shoulder. “I can’t wait to see this reunion,” she grinned.

  He tugged her blonde tail, bringing her back to face him. “Kiss me first.”

  She took her time, stepping into him and winding her arms around his neck.

  His grip on her hair tightened, tilting her head back. His mouth found hers already parting. His lips fused to hers, binding them together with breath and taste until he couldn’t tell where he stopped and she started. He invaded her mouth, taking what he wanted most — her surrender. He would never get enough of her flavor — sweet, with a belt that knocked him back every time.

  The second his mouth closed over hers, he felt the current course through them. Need matched need and he knew, no matter what, their bodies still craved each other. There was no hiding it. No denying it.

  He needed Harper Wilde like he needed his next breath.

  “God, I missed you.” His lips moved over hers.

  She was silent, but her fingers dug into his collar and held.

  He tasted again and when he felt her tremble against him, he forced himself to pull back before he shredded her pants there on the front porch. He groaned. “Inside, baby.”

  She sighed and nodded. “Dogs first. Then upstairs.” She turned back to the door. “Are you ready for a slobbery reunion?”

  Harper was smiling, but there was a coolness back in her eyes.

  It was a challenge. He would take down that wall brick by damn brick until there was nothing separating them.

  Maybe he couldn’t love her the way she deserved, but he could give her everything else.

  Harper opened the door to seven legs of chaos. The second Lola realized he was there, her excited woofs turned to whimpers and wriggles. Her tail whipped so hard Luke was afraid it would strip the wainscoting from the wall. He dropped to his knees and Lola jumped, putting her front paws on his shoulders so she could nibble his nose.

  Max pawed at his back, yips shaking his tiny body. Luke grabbed the little dog and held him to his chest. He thumped Lola in the chest. “I heard you saved Mommy’s life, pretty girl.”

  Lola dissolved into shivers of joy. She launched herself at his shoulders again, bowling him over onto his back.

  “I think they missed you,” Harper said, laughing softly.

  “I missed them. Almost as much as I missed you.” He climbed out from under the pile of dogs. “I need a shower after that welcome.”

  He pulled her to him. “Will you go to bed with me?”

  She cuddled into him. “Of course.”

  ***

  Luke let the water wash away six months of desert, worry, and exhaustion.

  He was home and it was time to start living life again. At the diner, he couldn’t touch Harper the way he needed to. Not with Joni there.

  The guilt tugged at him. How could he be with Harper after Karen? He pushed it aside. No one could take Karen’s place. He wouldn’t let that happen. But he was still here, still living. Didn’t that count for something?

  He shut off the faucet and reached for a towel. It was new, too. The giant fluffy kind that could dry a car, not just the human body.

  He wrapped it around his waist and headed into the bedroom.

  He was rock hard in the half second it took to register that Harper was waiting for him on the bed. She had discarded her running clothes and was wearing a dark, sheer corset with satin and lace panels that barely covered her full breasts.

  “Come here,” she said, rising to her knees. His body obeyed as if under a spell. He stripped off the towel and crawled across the mattress to her.

  “You are so fucking beautiful, Harper,” he whispered as his mouth met hers. “This is new.” He trailed fingers over the lacey edge.

  “I bought a few things for when you came home.”

  He couldn’t give her the words she wanted to hear the most, but he could give her all the others she deserved to hear. “I thought of you every second, baby. I couldn’t get home fast enough.” His mouth moved over her lips, her jaw, down to her neck.

  “I missed you so much.”

  Harper trembled. Her fingers dug into his shoulders. “I love you, Luke.”

  “Baby, don’t cry.” His thumbs brushed away the tears that trailed down her smooth cheeks.

  She blinked them back.

  “Do you still want me?”

  His hands stilled on her skin. “Harper,” he breathed her name. “There is nothing I want more.”

  She pushed him backwards until he landed against the pillows at the head of the bed.

  Harper slid her body over his, the silky barrier teasing his skin. She started at his jaw, running her soft lips down to his throat. She kissed, nibbled, and licked her way down his chest, across his abdomen. And then lower.

  The first brush of her lips across the head of his cock nearly brought him off the bed. His hips flexed into her as her sweet mouth closed over him.

  She pulled him into the back of her throat and he groaned. “God, baby.”

  Harper gripped the base of his thick shaft and worked his length with her hand as her mouth slicked over him again and again.

  She moaned and the vibration nearly sent him over the edge.

  Luke fisted his hand in her hair. “Baby, I need this to last. I need to be inside you.”

  Harper let him drag her up his body until she found his mouth. He made a move to roll with her, but she braced her hands on his shoulders. “Stay,” she whispered, straddling him.

  She reached between their bodies and positioned the broad head of his erection against her wet center. His hands found her hips and guided her down his length. Inch by glorious inch she took him into her core until he was fully sheathed in her.

  Luke fought the urge to take over the rhythm and hammer himself home.

  “Make it last, baby,” he whispered. She cupped a hand to his face. Harper rose up, her golden waves framing her face. Her eyes closed tight as she set a slow, sensual pace. Her body was leaner, stronger than before.
She looked like a goddess riding into battle.

  “Open your eyes, Harper.”

  Those lust-glazed gray eyes opened almost lazily. She smiled as he flexed into her. He let her ride him, losing herself in the rhythm. Time stood still as the magic of what she made him feel bled through him.

  He reared up and yanked the fabric from her breasts. Her nipples were already pebbled and straining for him. He took one into his mouth, drawing on it with long, deep pulls.

  Her sharp inhale went straight to his dick. He sucked again, harder this time, and felt her tighten around him. His own need for release churned deep in his balls.

  “Luke.”

  “Let it happen, baby.” He gripped her hips harder and yanked her down on his cock, thrusting deep. Her thighs tightened around him as he felt the first flutter of her release around his shaft. Her hungry squeezes wrenched his own orgasm from him and he came deep within her, branding her from within.

  Trembling, Harper collapsed on top of him. No matter what words did or didn’t pass between them, this connection was undeniable.

  She loved him body and broken soul.

  “We should talk,” he murmured against her shoulder.

  “Sleep first. Talk later.”

  He stroked her back while her silent tears fell on his neck and shoulder.

  ***

  When Harper woke a few hours later, she was still sprawled over Luke. He was still inside her. And hard. She squeezed him reflexively as she tried to ease off of him. But the movement woke him.

  Without pulling out, he rolled them over. He kept his face buried in her neck as he partially withdrew and then thrust into her.

  Instantly wet, Harper bent her knees to take more of him.

  He clutched a hand to her bare breast, kneading, as his thrusts came faster and harder. Luke set a frantic pace, a race for release.

  “Squeeze me, baby,” Luke groaned.

  Harper flexed around him as he slammed into her. He grunted with every thrust and Harper could feel her orgasm building violently.

  Luke thrust into her to the hilt and she felt the first jet of his release. It tore her over the edge, sending her spiraling after him. Her orgasm milked every drop from him.

  “Mine,” he whispered against her neck. “Mine.”

  ***

  It took her another hour to extricate herself from the bed and Luke’s arms. He reached for her in his sleep and she pressed a kiss to his forehead before tugging the quilt over him. She patted the bed, giving Lola and Max the all-clear signal. Lola curled into Luke’s side while Max settled on his chest.

  Harper padded into the bathroom and turned on the water in the shower. She peeled off the midnight corset and stepped under the stream.

  Her body was sore from unexpected use and it made her smile.

  Luke was home. It was a new beginning.

  Back in the bedroom, Harper quietly opened drawers and grabbed comfy clothes before tiptoeing downstairs. The house was chilly, but rather than bumping the heat up, she turned on the gas fireplace in the living room. While the room warmed, she headed into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.

  It was a little early for dinner, but since they had missed lunch, Harper reached for the Dawson’s menu and called in an order.

  When Luke woke, they would eat and they would talk.

  ***

  The doorbell woke him. Luke trudged downstairs in pajama pants and a t-shirt. He followed the scent of pizza into the kitchen.

  Harper, in leggings covered by thigh-high wool socks, shot him her golden grin. Her soft sweater, the color of ripe blueberries, hung off of one shoulder. Her blonde hair was tied up in a knot on top of her head, leaving the graceful curve of her neck exposed.

  “Hey there, handsome. Want some coffee?”

  “Like I want my next breath.”

  She reached for a mug, and he stepped in to nuzzle that delicate skin behind her ear.

  “Are you hungry?” her voice was breathy.

  He nibbled on her neck. “Yes.”

  “Lucas Garrison, if you give me a hickey —”

  He pulled back and smacked her on the ass. Her very firm ass.

  “Jesus, baby. You got ripped while I was gone.”

  Harper laughed and handed him the mug. “I joined a gym. Had to do something besides think about you all day.”

  “Aldo says you’re a beast on the trails.”

  She smiled. “I learned from the beastiest,” she said, pulling plates out of the cabinet.

  “How’s he doing?”

  She handed the plates over and pointed to the pizza box on the island. “He’s doing great. I was a little worried when he came home. He seemed like he was in a pretty dark place. But you know Aldo, the bigger the challenge, the harder he’s gonna knock it out of the park.”

  Harper poured herself a cup of coffee and topped it with creamer.

  Luke opened the pizza box and breathed in the smell of sausage and green pepper. “I had dreams about this pizza,” he sighed. He tossed two slices on each plate.

  She grabbed the coffees and led the way into the living room.

  “Is this new?” Luke asked, dropping the plates on the surface of the glossy low table angled in front of the fireplace he had never used.

  Harper sat cross-legged on a floor pillow and reached for her plate. “Found it at a yard sale. Twenty bucks.”

  “Nice.” Luke glanced around the living room. Again, the bones were the same, but now there were colorful throw pillows and books on shelves. A few pillar candles dotted flat surfaces around the room.

  It was the first time in a long time that he came home to “different.” Usually the only difference in the house was the thick layer of dust over everything that took him the better part of a week to exorcise.

  It was going to take a lot longer than a week for him to discover all the subtle differences this time.

  He sipped his coffee and dragged a slice of pizza from his plate.

  “So, Joni.” Harper left his motherin-law’s name hanging in the air between them.

  “I feel like I owe you an apology so big I’m not sure where to start,” he sighed. Guilt and that too-familiar pain made the pizza clog his throat like cardboard.

  “Let’s start with how you felt seeing her this morning.”

  “Panicked,” Luke shook his head. “She’s the last person I ever expected to see having breakfast with my family. I didn’t know what it meant. To me. To you. To her. I still don’t know.”

  “I didn’t mean to spring her on you like that. I was so surprised to have you home, I forgot everything else.”

  He shook his head. “It’s my fault for keeping all of this from you.”

  “Why did you?”

  Luke stared into the fire. How could he ever put it into words? Why he had to keep it all in. How just her name could still tear him apart.

  “I was doing everything right. Married my high school sweetheart. Joined the military. Started my own business. I had a plan. I knew where I was going.

  “We were talking about buying a house. Starting a family.” He swallowed hard on the word. The baby he never got to meet.

  “When she died … the way she died …”

  Harper laid a hand on his arm. Her eyes welled.

  “I lost everything that day. My past, my future. My plan.” He cleared his throat hoping to dislodge the lump.

  “I didn’t know how I’d get through a day without her, let alone years. So I just focused on getting through the day. Work hard. Keep it locked down. Get through another day.”

  “Why don’t you talk about her?” Harper’s pizza sat forgotten in front of her.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know how to do that without feeling this incredible hole. I shouldn’t be here. I was the one who was prepared to die. You don’t deploy without making peace with that possibility. I wasn’t prepared to lose my wife.”

  He paused. It felt wrong that he was talking about his wife to his girlfriend. He c
ouldn’t reconcile his past and his present.

  Harper crawled into his lap, straddling him. She pressed her face into his neck.

  “I’m so sorry, Luke.”

  His hands slid under her shirt to stroke her back. If he was touching her, if she was in his arms, the darkness wasn’t so dark.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I wish I could give you more. You deserve everything, but I just can’t …”

  Harper wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held tight. “I don’t want more. I want this. I want you.”

  “Baby. I’m so fucking selfish. You deserve someone who’s going to fall head over heels in love with you. Marry you and spend the rest of his life giving you everything you’ve ever wanted. I can’t love you. I can’t love anyone again. But I want you. I want you so bad that it feels like any moment without you is empty.”

  She sighed against his neck. “I love you, Luke. What’s this means for us?”

  “If you’re up for it, we take it one day at a time.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Harper decided not to let the fact that Luke hadn’t opened up her about the baby bother her. Joni had been a big enough surprise to ambush him with, and that had sparked their first and only conversation about Karen. She considered that a great deal of progress, and there was no need to rush him if he wasn’t ready to tell the entire story.

  He was quiet at times, especially around Joni. Harper noticed he kept a distance between them when Joni was around. But she hoped he would be able to move past it.

  She started to relax as they worked to establish a new normal. Some of the old routines remained. Luke still ran with Lola in the mornings, and Harper’s pulse rate continued to ratchet up every time she saw Luke in any state of undress … or dress.

  But with a new sense of permanency came new circumstances.

  Harper kept her Friday shift at Remo’s, and Luke became a regular. The weekly Garrison diner breakfast continued, now with all family members in the same time zone.

  During the days, they worked as a team at the office. And at night, they made love with an urgency that never seemed to lessen.

  She had given him the grand tour of the life he was returning to. He admired the drywall work she and Frank had done in the walk-in closet. But the bunk beds in the spare room gave him pause.