Harbour (Runaway Home #1)

by Penelope Louleas

  "Both."

  "Would you like a drink? I have champagne or wine . . ."

  "Just water please. I need to . . . keep a clear head." He pulls a bottle of Evian from the bar fridge and pours it into a glass.

  "Dinner will be here shortly. Did you want to change?"

  "I didn't bring any clothes with me." His grin widens, then quickly diminishes.

  "Why was that? Are you not planning to stay?"

  "No. I mean yes. I was planning on staying. I was hoping to borrow one of your T-shirts and some trackies. I didn't realize I had forgotten my overnight bag until I was in the lift coming up."

  His shoulders relax and he smiles at me as he comes over to hand me my water.

  "No problem. I'll just go change and I'll leave something on the bed for you." He kisses my cheek before he goes. We haven't kissed since he's been back. I've wanted to and he has tried, but I just didn't feel I was ready. God, I'm so ready now.

  After the time we've spent together this week, I've realized that yes, he made a mistake, but he almost instantly tried to fix it. He had called me on the Monday but I didn't answer. He was calling to tell me about the lawyer he'd seen to arrange the custody forms. Then when he called back, Pierce had told him to leave me be. He may have walked out on me but I never fought for him either. I let him leave. He deserved more from me.

  I decide that I want to tell him about our baby tomorrow, before dinner with my parents. I'm putting a lot of faith in tonight going well.

  He returns in a pair of track pants and a T-shirt. I go into the room and change into similar clothes.

  I love the smell that lingers on them; it’s Lincoln's own scent. I kept one of his T-shirts when I left, and I’ve been wearing it when I can't sleep. I never told anyone; they'd think it was weird and frankly, it kinda is.

  We eat a delicious dinner, which thankfully is made of all safe for pregnancy foods. After dessert, we huddle on the couch together and talk. We've covered everything. Well, almost . . .

  "Do you want to go to bed?" His nervous tone makes me smile. I just nod.

  We walk to bed, hand in hand, and stop next to it. We're acting like a nervous pair of virgins. I remove my pants and before I climb onto the one thousand thread-count sheets, I decide to take charge of the situation. I turn to him, rise on my tiptoes and kiss him softly on the mouth. He exhales sharply and pulls me to him. His tongue traces the seam of my lips and I open them for him. As our kiss deepens, we both sigh.

  "I've missed you so much, Harbour. Every fucking day I dreamt about being with you. There wasn't a moment I didn't think of you." He kisses me again and this time, I pull back, just enough to remove my top.

  "Are you sure? I'm happy to wait however long you need, sweetheart."

  I undo my bra and let it fall to the floor. My breasts have grown slightly in the last few months, for most people one of the many perks of being pregnant, but for me, they're just uncomfortable. His eyes widen and he licks his lips seductively. He quickly undresses, grabs me and lowers me into the bed. He takes my breasts in his hands and looks almost confused. Oh God, don't give my secret up just yet, boobs!

  He kisses me and continues to hold my breasts. "God I've missed these! It's been so long that they feel bigger." I hold in my giggle and just moan as he licks my nipple. He finally begins to move down my body, trailing his mouth as he goes. I'm buzzing with anticipation of what comes next. I've missed his mouth on me.

  He kneels between my legs and spreads them wide. "This pussy of yours is addictive, Harbour. I've spent every night wishing I could taste it again. I even jacked off in the shower like a teenager wishing I could be between these sexy thighs." Oh. Fuck! I'm going to come purely from his naughty words. The image of Lincoln masturbating while in the shower is so erotic.

  "Lick it please, Lincoln." I use my fingers to spread my pussy and his eyes almost glaze over. As if in a trance, he leans forward and begins to fuck me with his mouth. He alternates between long, slow licks to quick flicks of my clit. He inserts two fingers into me and I instantly erupt with an intense orgasm. I pull at his hair to get his attention and when he looks up, I tell him exactly what I want. “Fuck me Lincoln."

  He wastes no time plunging his rock hard cock into me. He stills and leans forward to kiss my lips. "How is it tighter? It's like a magical, tightening pussy." I giggle as he tries to control himself. "Just fuck it. Hard," I whisper in his ear.

  He begins to move and increases the tempo, pushing harder with each thrust. "So fucking sexy," he practically growls out each word.

  "Harder, Lincoln."

  He pulls out suddenly and flips me over onto my hands and knees. Yes!

  He thrusts back into me and grabs both my arms, pulling them towards him. He fixes his grip on my elbows and is holding me up while he fucks me hard from behind. I'm completely at his mercy. If he releases me I'll face-plant into the mattress but I don't care; I'm loving every second of it. I scream as a second orgasm approaches and I feel Lincoln’s cock harden further and slightly swell. "I'm coming!" he calls out and I join him in a blissful orgasm.

  He gently releases my arms and I collapse into a satisfied heap. He lies next to me and sweeps my hair off my face.

  "I wasn't expecting that, but God damn, Harbour, I won't lie. I fucking prayed for it." We both laugh and enjoy the moment before falling into a deep sleep.

  During the night, Lincoln wakes me twice, once with his tongue and once already inside me. There's nothing hotter than being woken up like that.

  We wake up at around noon, thanks to the black-out curtains. We sit in bed and eat, and I prepare to tell Lincoln our big news.

  His phone rings, stopping me from saying anything. He moves to the other room to take the call and from what I can hear, he sounds angry. Not this shit again. I know I shouldn't overreact but my emotions are high, and if he doesn't explain the call to me I'll be walking out of here. He returns, frustrated. "I have to go. There's been a . . . situation. I'll be back in an hour, I promise." No. Don't do this again.

  "I'll be back in an hour; don't leave. Wait here." I frown.

  "Who was that? What going on?" I need answers.

  "I’ll tell you everything when I get back, I promise." He kisses me quickly and changes in the walk-in.

  "One hour," he repeats as he leaves. No. I won't wait around like some little kid. I deserve to know what was so damn important he had to leave me so suddenly. And after the night we just shared, it pisses me off.

  I quickly dress and leave him a note on the fancy hotel stationery.

  Lincoln,

  I asked you not to lie to me. Not telling me what's going on is the same damn thing. I'm not a child. I deserve to know what's going on in your life. I want to help you when something upsets you, even if you don't

  think I can. I'd at least like the chance to try.

  I won't wait around for you anymore. Last night was amazing, but I think it's best we end this now.

  Goodbye.

  I cry as I place the note on the unmade bed and leave the suite. I have to be strong. I can't let him treat me like an outsider anymore.

  As I make my way down to the lobby, I attempt to clean my face and not look like the shattered, sad woman I feel. As the lift hits the ground floor and the doors slide open, I cover my mouth in shock. Derek Knight.

  "Fancy seeing you here. What's wrong? Boyfriend break your heart again?"

  I attempt to move around him but he clamps his hand with a cloth over my mouth, and presses a button for a floor. I don't see what number it is because my vision blurs and I begin to pass out. . . No . . . What?

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Lincoln

  My phone rings, interrupting Harbour. It's Pierce.

  "Lincoln, Derek called. He wants to meet us. He said he'd be at Federation Square in ten minutes. He wanted somewhere public and he made a good choice. That place will be swarming with people." I leave the room and growl with frustration. "He's obviously not as stupid as we thin
k. He knows I want to kill him after reading those notes."

  "I know mate, me too, but at least this way we can find out what the fuck he wants with Har."

  I run my hands through my hair and head back, angry that he chose today of all days to do this. After the night Harbour and I had, I wanted to spend the day discussing her returning home with me. "Fine. Where will I meet you?"

  "I'm downstairs in the valet parking lot."

  I hang up and go back into the room. Harbour looks worried. I tell her I'll be back soon and after dressing, I make my way down to Pierce. I know she's upset I didn't tell her, but I knew she'd try to stop me. I need to meet this asshole and find out exactly what he wants with my girl.

  Pierce and I arrive at Fed Square and there are thousands of people everywhere. He tries calling Derek, but gets no response.

  For the next hour, we walk around aimlessly looking for him. He's sent us on a wild goose chase.

  "He's not fucking here." I'm suddenly filled with panic and my stomach twists. "Harbour!" I yell to Pierce. "He's gone after Harbour."

  We run back to the car, and I call her cell; no answer. I call reception and ask them if they saw her leave, but they can't recall. We enter the hotel and I race to the lift. Once inside the suite, I call out to her but I know she's not here. I find the note on my bed. "Fuck! She fucking left."

  Pierce takes the note and reads it. "Jesus, Harbour. We need to go to security and check the cameras."

  We head back down to the lobby, and after telling him which room I was staying in, and offering him five hundred dollars, the head of security takes us into the surveillance room. There are at least fifty screens all with different views.

  "Check the lift at around twelve thirty today," I tell him. They quickly bring it up and we find the footage of me leaving. "Go forward a bit."

  "Wait!" Pierce calls out. "That's him; he is fucking here." He points at the screen to a slightly overweight man. I remember seeing that fucker; he even smirked at me as I exited the lift.

  "Go forward a bit. I want to see if she came out of the room."

  Tim, the security guy, brings up the camera from the foyer of the presidential suite. It clearly shows Harbour leaving the room and entering the lift. It's like a bad dream unfolding before my eyes. Tim brings up the inside view of the elevator and as it stops, Derek approaches her, and places his hand over her mouth. She passes out and he lifts her up. He changes the camera view and Derek is now carrying her to a room. I'm physically shaking, and the need to throw up is very real. Yes, he's here with her, but they've been in that room for more than an hour.

  "Call the police. I'm going up," I inform them.

  "Sir, we can't allow you to do that. He could be armed."

  "My fiancée is up there with a fucking psycho! We're wasting time. Call the police! I'm going up. What’s the room number?"

  I get the number and Pierce follows me. As we exit, I hear Tim making the call to the police. This is my fault. I should've told her where I was going. Maybe she would've stayed in the room. My heart is beating rapidly and I'm running as fast as my legs will allow. I head for the stairs, but the elevator arrives as we're passing so we take that instead.

  The ride up feels like an eternity. I'm pressing the floor button repeatedly with my shaky hand in the hope it will make the lift rise faster. When the doors finally open, I rush out and look for room number 232.

  "Here it is!" Pierce says as he stops suddenly and points to the door. I can hear Harbour sobbing. I'm going to kill this son of a bitch! I feel some relief in knowing she's alive, but fear nearly blinds me as I think of what he's done to her.

  I try the handle and the door clicks open. He knew I was coming.

  "Stay here," I tell Pierce sternly. He begins to argue, but I just open the door and walk in, closing it behind me.

  The sight before me almost brings me to my knees.

  Harbour is kneeling on the floor, her mouth gagged, arms and ankles tied behind her back. She's in only her bra and panties. Derek is standing over her, wielding a handgun.

  "Took you long enough." He smirks again, and I feel my face heat with rage. I stand there, not wanting to spook him. He's the one with the gun, after all.

  "Let her go. We can discuss whatever you want. Money? I have plenty; you can have it all. Just let her the fuck go."

  Harbour’s eyes are wild, her entire body is shaking.

  "I don't want your money, asshole. You took my girl. She's mine! She's leaving here with me, or I'll kill you both. Actually, I’ll kill all three of you."

  I look behind me to see if Pierce has entered the room, but he hasn't. Who are the three people? He doesn't even know Pierce is here.

  "I found the pictures. Did you both think you could run off and start your happy family and leave me behind with nothing?"

  Oh my God. Harbour’s pregnant?

  He pulls the gag from her mouth and pulls her hair forcefully so she's looking up at him.

  "So, Harbour went and got herself knocked up by the man who left her. Well done, you stupid whore. I won't raise his fucking baby. When we leave here, we’re taking care of it." I'm stunned, silent. Why hadn't she told me?

  I can't stand here any longer. I have to do something. I slowly edge towards them but he looks up and points the gun in my direction.

  "Don't do this. She's pregnant, and you're hurting her. Let her go."

  He lets out a sadistic laugh. He's a mad man.

  "It's not his!" Harbour calls out from the floor. "It's not his baby, he has nothing to do with this. Let him leave. I'll come with you, just let him leave. Please, Derek."

  Derek smiles like he's won. Fucking idiot. She's not going anywhere with him. I ignore the comments about the baby not being mine; I know that's not true. If Harbour is pregnant, she's carrying my child.

  "You can leave, Lincoln; the lady's made her choice." He unties Harbour’s feet and hands and pulls her up. I use the opportunity to run over to him. He quickly pulls up his gun, but I tackle him to the floor.

  "Run, Harbour! Get out of here, now!" She runs to the door, screaming for help while I try to disarm Derek. We wrestle on the carpet, but he doesn't let go of the gun. He uses a good amount of force to turn it onto me, even though I have his wrists in my hands.

  I do the only thing I can and head-butt him, causing him to drop the weapon. Disorientated, he attempts to get out from under me but he gives up just as the police officers fill the room. They take the gun and arrest him.

  I stand and look for Harbour; she's huddled in the corner with Pierce holding her. I walk over, picking up a blanket from the sofa. She jumps from Pierce’s arms into mine.

  "I'm so sorry I left. I love you so much, Lincoln."

  I wrap her in the blanket and carry her to the door. "When you need the statement you can come and see us in the penthouse. I'm taking her to the hospital."

  Pierce chooses to stay back and speak with the officers. As we leave, we hear a cracking punch land on Derek's face. Thanks, Pierce. I smile as we enter the ambulance. "Do you need to tell me something, sweetheart?"

  She bites her lip and nods. "Let's wait until we get the all-clear first. He was pretty rough with me." I close my eyes and silently pray that the baby is fine while the EMT checks her vitals.

  Once in the hospital, we are taken directly to the ultrasound department for an emergency scan.

  "I'll have a gown for you once we’re done here, just lie down on the bed and let's check how the little one is going." The nurse is a younger woman, and she's already been brought up to speed with the situation. She places the gel on Harbour’s stomach and moves the wand around. She smiles as she looks at the screen.

  She turns up the volume and the room is filled by the most amazing sound: our baby's heartbeat.

  "Lincoln, you're going to be a daddy. For real, this time," Harbour says through her tears.

  I lean down and kiss her. "That's the best news I've ever heard. I love you, Harbour."

  Epi
logue

  Six months later...

  "Push, sweetheart! You're doing amazing, Harbour."

  God! No one ever told me how painful labor was. Saying, "You feel like you're dying from the pain," wasn't even a close enough description. Why did I refuse the drugs?

  I focus on my pushing and finally the room is filled with the screams of our son. He's here.

  "Oh my God, Harbour, he's perfect." Lincoln is crying. It's a beautiful sight to see a man so overcome by emotion. He kisses my forehead and goes over to cut the cord.

  Our son, York Lincoln Whitmore, is handed to me. I admire his perfect face. "He looks like you, Daddy," I whisper to Lincoln as he hovers over us.

  "He's amazing and you, sweetheart, you're a goddess." Lincoln kisses me and gently pats York's head.

  After an hour, I feel well enough to take a shower. I want father and son to bond so I ask Lincoln remove his shirt, much to the pleasure of the attending nurses, and I place York in his arms. I take a picture with my phone of the perfection that is Lincoln Whitmore holding his newborn son.

  We are moved to a private room and one by one, our family and friends visit.

  Both our parents are ecstatic. They take it in turns to hold York and congratulate us. Mitchell flew my family to New York last week. We've all been staying together at the Whitmore estate. It's been amazing. I hadn't seen my family since our wedding on New Year's Eve. Yes, I officially became Mrs. Harbour Whitmore, as planned, on New Year's Eve. It was a private ceremony with only our close friends and family in attendance. I wore a Vera Wang gown that had room for my growing tummy and a pair of gorgeous shoes that looked as though they were made of glass. Quite fitting, actually. We danced, everyone else drank, and we saw in the New Year as husband and wife. It was perfect.

  The doors open and a huge display of balloons are pushed into the room. Behind them are Pierce, Melody and Art. I wave for them to come in. "Come over here and meet your new nephew. Guys, this is York."

  York is handed around for about an hour. Ben wins the awkward award, and Jackie laughs at him when he panics for someone to take York before he "breaks him."