“I love you, Fallon.”
His soft confession is like music to my ears. It makes me want to sing, to get up and dance, to kiss him until he can’t breathe.
“I love you so much that is scares me. That I feel like it should scare other people.”
I shake my head. “I’m not scared. I love you too.”
Peace, like nothing I’ve even known before, settles in my chest. This is what I needed. This is what makes me whole.
And it’s enough.
Section Four: Settling Up
Chapter Seventeen
I pace back and forth, too jittery to sit down. It’s been almost a month since Bora Bora but I still have a hard time keeping my hands from shaking when I think about it. That’s one of the reasons I’ve made an appointment to meet with Giulia.
She watches me move back and forth, her keen eyes seeing more than I want her to, but I can’t help it. I’m still not feeling completely stable.
I huff out an agitated breath. “It pisses me off that there aren’t any charges being filed. Who gets away with things like this?”
Giulia’s soft voice only adds to my frustration. “The rich and powerful do. You know this.”
“That doesn’t make it right. I was attacked. There are witnesses who just won’t come forward.”
“Can you blame them? If the powers that be can get away with attacking someone as in the public eye as you are, what could they do to said witnesses?”
I swear out loud, something I make every attempt not to do one a regular basis. The entire situation has me tied up in knots. Even with my power and prestige, there are still doors being slammed in my face. Injustices are still being laid at my feet.
“But they know the difference between right and wrong. If we all stand up and tell the truth, there won’t be any negative repercussions.”
Giulia tilts her head to the side. “This isn’t your first unfair brush with the law, though.”
The reminder makes me want to cry. She’s right. I’m starting to think that the legal system is just as screwed up as the media world. Nothing seems to be just and fair anymore. My hands plow through my hair and stop at my ponytail. I flinch. “What am I doing? Look at me, I’m wearing sweats. My hair is in a ponytail.”
Giulia smiles for the first time since I entered her office almost twenty minutes ago. “You’re allowed to relax every once in a while, Fallon. I think now is the perfect time to focus more on being comfortable than looking good.”
I throw myself into the plush chair I had been in and out of and sigh. “How can you even say that? Every time I let my guard down, something horrible happens.”
“That’s not true. Didn’t you tell me last session that you had opened up with Harper? You said that was going well.”
Harper. Just hearing his name takes the edge off of my rawest nerves. I run my hands through my hair, wincing as they catch in my ponytail. The worst of my memories dull when I think about him. The way he held me after the police had left made my heart break. He touched me as if I were more precious than gold.
“‘Going well’ doesn’t begin to describe it. He’s perfect.”
I wave a hand in the air when Giulia raises an eyebrow. “Don’t jump to any conclusions. I know that no one is perfect. I didn’t mean that he’s without fault; I just meant that for me…he’s everything I could ever want.”
Giulia nods. “I wasn’t going to get all shrink-y on you. I know what you mean. Anyone could see that you guys were meant for one another.”
Other people have said so too but for some reason, hearing those words out of Giulia’s mouth really touches me. I smile, letting her know that I appreciate it. “There’s a lot more to him than you can see. Not only is he handsome, he’s smart and funny…warm.”
I don’t mention the darkness I’ve seen in him. I know she won’t understand. I fully believe that Harper would kill for me. Would find the people who hurt me and turn them into paste if I hadn’t made him promise not to. There is an intensity and honesty to his love that excites me in the best possible ways.
He was right. Most people would be afraid of the way he loves me. They would run away from the way he looks at me, the way he trembles when he touches me.
But all I see if the potential behind his actions. The intensity in his gaze promises the best sex of my life. It promises the kind of thing people only dream of but are too afraid to ask for. I close my eyes for a second and I can practically feel his hands on me again. That’s how strong our connection is.
His hands, rough but never too rough. Pushing, pulling, dragging me down and lifting me up. I shiver as I picture his teeth on me.
“…Fallon!”
I jerk out of my daydream and give Giulia a sheepish laugh. “Sorry, I got distracted. What were you saying?”
She looks at me suspiciously. “Your face is flushed and you’re breathing kind of hard. What were you thinking about?”
I blush even harder, shaking my head from side to side. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. What were you saying again?”
Giulia grins knowingly before shrugging. “I was talking about your relationship with Harper. I think you should focus on that. You went through a horrible ordeal. No one can ever know the depths of your pain on that. Even if they tried, they might not be able to understand how shaken you are. So don’t let them try.”
“You think I should just let this go, don’t you?”
“No. Hell no. Those bitches deserve the worst kind of punishment.”
Her vehement respond takes me by surprise. “Are you supposed to say things like that?”
She clears her throat. “Probably not but it’s the honest truth. I may be a therapist but I’m still human and what they did was deplorable.”
It feels good to have someone else on my side. I fold my hands in my lap, realizing they’re steadier than they have been in a month. “Thanks.”
She clears her throat, seemingly a little embarrassed by her passion. “You’re welcome. Now tell me about something else that’s happening in your life. Where are your plans taking you?”
I shrug a little, giving her the rundown of my latest business plans. Not only have I acquired several additional companies, I have international traders begging for my attention. It feels as if I could conquer the entire world from behind a desk at this point. However, I’m not sure if that is what I really want.
I am spreading like wildfire, across different industries and barriers. I can do anything I want with these companies. They know that I know how to appoint the right people and implement the right strategies to turn a profit. I take pride in the fact that I am making more money with my brain than I could ever make with my face.
That kind of power can’t be taken away by anyone or anything.
“Harper is even talking about getting me into the art business. Maybe if I breach their world, I can see some actual change happen.”
“You sound like a politician.”
I open my mouth to deny it but her statement strikes me like lightning. I’ve never considered it as a possibility before but most politicians start their careers in either law or business. Why not me?
If I were one of the people helping to put laws in place, I could protect people from the evil mainstream media. I could defend the private lives of celebrities from vulture “reporters” who only thought to spread gossip and lies.
That is a fight worth taking up.
A slow smile curls over my mouth and grows until I am laughing. I laugh even harder when I catch the confused look on Giulia’s face. The thought of me in politics isn’t funny. I know that I will throw myself into everything I do. I never do anything halfway and if I take up this venture, it will be my whole life. I will do anything and everything to help the people I take under my wing.
“Why are you laughing?” Giulia’s curiosity gets the better of her and she taps her finger against her chin.
“Can…you just…imaging the looks…” I gasp between breath
s, trying to get my mirth under control. “Can you imagine the looks on their faces if I make an announcement about running for some political position?”
I hiccup as Giulia starts to giggle, understanding why I’m so amused. It would definitely turn the something another world on its axis.
Maybe that’s what I am good at.
At this point, I don’t even know if I’m serious but the possibility is definitely there. It is always something to reach for. And I am made for reaching new heights.
Chapter Eighteen
“Do you think that I can do it?”
Harper raises an eyebrow, wrapping one arm around me. Fat snowflakes fall on his cheek as he looks at me and I resist the urge to lean up and lick away the trail of water it leaves behind as it melts.
“Why would you even doubt yourself? With your connections, you could do anything. This wouldn’t even be a sweat to you.”
Some of the knots of nerves that have been forming in my stomach release themselves. His confidence warms me even in this chilly New York night. I take a deep breath, enjoying the way the crisp air fills up my lungs. The smells of clean horses and leaves are all around me and I love every second of it. Harper wraps an arm around my shoulders, drawing me in closer.
“Are you too cold?” he asks after a few minutes of perfect silence. I jerk a little, not realizing I had started to drift off to sleep. Not out of boredom. I am completely relaxed. Even though we are moving through the crowded park roads, I feel at ease. If anyone recognizes us, it won’t matter. Harper won’t let anyone disturb us. He has hired a few covert bodyguards for the night. They don’t intrude on the date but I know they are there if we need them.
I shake my head, snuggling closer against him. Tonight has been magical. He took me to my favorite restaurant and we watched the sun set through the colored glass at the top of the tower. The food was amazing and the champagne was even better.
One year.
Today, I have been with Harper for an entire year. “No, this is perfect.”
I look through the ears of one of the two pure-white horses pulling our carriage. The fine velvet against my back strokes what little skin I have exposed and I lay my head against Harper’s shoulder, basking in the serenity of the moment. I feel like I’m in a dream. Like I’m a fairytale princess being courted by the perfect prince.
“Good, I’m glad. You should have more days filled with relaxation and peace.”
Peace. I like the way that sounds. I sigh again, sucking in the smell and taste of him. I hold it in my lungs, trying to capture more than just a memory of the moment. He is right. I need more days that are all about just being me.
“We’re here.”
The carriage comes to a smooth stop and I sit up. Harper has been secretive about this entire date. He’s promised me a surprise that will blow the top of my head off but I’ll admit that my curiosity is getting the better of me. He climbs out of the carriage and makes his way around to my side. “Come on, my opal. I’ve got one more trick up my sleeve for tonight.”
I giggle as I let him help me down. One of the horses gives a huff as if he will miss us when Harper leads me away from the road and into a grassy field.
“Where are we going, Harper? I’ve never been to this section of the park.”
Harper grins over his shoulder and tightens his hold on my hand. “That’s because this section is usually reserved for city business and weddings. It’s part of an conservation effort and houses several endangered flora.”
I raise my eyebrow, once again impressed by the information he has trapped in his skull. I realize that with his help I could really do anything. Go anywhere. I am popular and wealthy but he has the right kind of connections in the places that matter. He will open more doors for me than I have ever realized. I open my mouth to tell him so but he speaks first.
“This is what I wanted you to see.”
We stop moving and I force my attention back to our surroundings. We are standing before a medium-sized bush covered with slender red flowers. I step to the Harper’s side, focusing my gaze on each lovely petal.
Harper sends me dozens of flowers all of the time. Red roses, purple orchids, and white lilacs decorate every corner of my office. I like the expensive, yet delicate look of them. They smell like the finest perfumes and look like art come alive. In the year we’ve been dating I’ve seen hundreds of different types of flowers but I’ve never seen this one. “What is it?”
“It’s the Fallon Lily.”
I jerk my head in his direction and gasp.
Harper is on one knee in the grass, his head bowed. In his outstretched hand is a red velvet box. My heart leaps out of my chest. It can’t be…
“I bought the exclusive rights to that flower. In fact, one of my companies had it engineered, just for you. There is no other in the world like it.” His eyes lift and his gaze meets mine. My own knees turn to mush under the weight of that gaze. He looks like he’s going to cry or laugh. Maybe both at the same time.
“You are a unique and wonderful creature, my opal. You are sensual in a way that defies logic and you are elegant in ways you have no idea. Watching you walk is like seeing poetry in motion. Every word that leaves your lips is graceful and eloquent. You’re strong and dependable but still as delicate as the rarest of flowers.”
He opens the box, and my eyes fill with tears. The box holds an engagement ring like none other. It embodies every word he used to describe me. It’s a set of the most delicate chocolate diamonds, all wrapped around a single ruby. The cut is unique and shaped a little bit like the flower behind us.
“You are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I want to be the person you come home to after a long day. I want to hold you up like you seem to hold up the rest of the world. I want to help ease some of the weight on our shoulders.”
I press my free hand to my mouth when he takes one of my hands and pulls off my glove. “Harper…”
He shakes his head. “I’m not done. You are gorgeous, Fallon. You are the kind of woman every man hopes to have in his life—and his bed.” He adds the last bit with a chuckle but I see the heat in his eyes. It makes me gulp because it’s full of all kinds of wicked promises.
“But you’re more than that. You’re witty, smart, and kind. You have the biggest heart and I want to be the man you give that to.”
I can’t stay quiet any longer. A sob of pure joy leaves my lips and I launch myself at him. He grunts as I slam into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Yes, Harper. Yes, yes!”
He laughs and I delight in the way he trembles against me. As if he were worried I would say no. Who could say no to him? He pulls away and slides the ring onto my finger. “So typical, Fallon. You didn’t even let me ask the question.”
I laugh along with him and he kisses my mouth. The fire behind that kiss makes my toes curl and my pussy wet. I resist the urge to rub against him but the strength in his body presses against mine, rubbing against my sensitive nipples. A puff of air leaves my chest and he kisses me again. For once he doesn’t pull away. He pushes his tongue into my mouth, sweeping me off my feet and into his arms. He twirls me in the air and I laugh against his mouth.
When he puts me back on the ground I’m panting and shaking. If we weren’t in public I would beg him to fuck me. It occurs to me that with this step, he has put a due date on our first time. Just the thought of him pushing inside me and dragging his hands over my naked skin…I lick my lips, using my free hand to wipe away the tears of joy sparkling in my eyes.
I look down into the hypnotic ruby and gasp. “Is this…that gem that went missing a few months ago?”
Harper nods and my head spins. Almost four months ago there were rumors that a local mob boss had lost one of his greatest treasures. It wasn’t something that was commonly known, of course, but with my connections to the underground, the information had landed on my desk. The fact that Harper had it made my head spin. Every time I think I understand what kind of man h
e is, he surprises me. “You’ve been planning this for four months?”
Harper shrugs, picking me up again. This time he cradles me in his arms and I lay my head against his chest. He takes a step closer to the bushes and I take in a deep breath. The flower smells like…me. I can’t quite explain it but it’s spicy and sweet at the same time. Not overpowering but definitely something you take notice of.
“Fallon…I’ve been planning this since the moment I met you.”
Stunned, I look up into his face. What I find there is absolute truth. He means every word he says and with every bit of intensity that goes with it.
“Well…then I’m glad.”
The relief that spreads across his face is enough to make me want to kiss his face. This is my Harper. This intensity and vulnerability wrapped in one.
He has stolen from a mob boss for me. Not only that but it isn’t as if he can hide what he’s done once the engagement is publicized. Everyone will be interested in the stone in my ring and eventually the truth will come out. But he doesn’t care. He is completely unconcerned about what might or might not happen.
And he has done it all for me.
His heart thumps against my cheek and I close my eyes, listening to the sweet sound. “I love you, Harper.”
“And I love you, my opal. Thank you for agreeing to be with me for the rest of our lives.”
The moment is almost too serious. I crack a grin. “Well, only as long as you treat me the way I deserve. I might have to upgrade if I think you’re slacking off.”
He chuckles, dispelling some of the heavy atmosphere. “Then I guess I will have to make sure that you are always satisfied.”
The way he says it makes me blush. I started out wanting to tease him but suddenly I am very much aware of the way his big hands are holding me. He is a slight man. The trim of his body belies the strength hidden in his muscles. I want to touch him but I settle for snuggling tighter against him.
“Do you promise?”
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