Page 93 of In Darkness We Claim

Harper’s smile grows as wide as her eyes, which sparkle as if she’s just unearthed a big secret. “You’ve seen Pretty Woman? Is that where this ridiculous idea came from?”

I try to keep my face as expressionless as I can, not knowing how to respond, and that only makes her laugh more.

“It fucking is, isn’t it? You saw it on Pretty Woman and applied it to you.”

I reach out and grab her throat, pressing her into the tree behind her once more as I tighten my hold, cutting off her laughter. “Whatever my reasons, they are valid. Kissing is intimate, and if I don’t care enough about the girl to learn her name, I’m sure as fuck not going to kiss her.”

Although her voice is strained, given the way I’m pressing on her throat, Harper is able to croak out, “But you know my name.”

There’s a vulnerability in her beautiful blue eyes that cracks the walls around my cold, black heart, and I release my grip on her neck, watching as she pulls in air whilst lifting her hand to rub over the areas where I pressed too hard.

I let out a long sigh as I pick up the Obsidian robe and hand it to Harper, since she’s completely naked, and I destroyed all of her clothes. She wraps it around her tiny body, curling her arms around herself as she looks down at the floor, refusing to meet my gaze.

Without saying a word, I pick up my knife and put it back into my jeans pocket, before pulling on my own robe. I then scoop Harper into my arms. She doesn’t even yelp with surprise when I lift her; she just wraps her arms around my neck and allows me to carry her out of the forest.

We find Bram’s car easily, and I place her in the passenger seat, putting her seatbelt on before sliding into the driver’s side. We drive home in silence, neither of us knowing how to break this awkwardness that seems to be hanging in the air between us.

Harper isn’t even looking at me; she keeps her eyes on the floor as her arms remain wrapped around her small body, and my stomach sinks. I don’t even know why I’m so determined to stick to a stupid fucking rule that I’m desperate to break for her.

After parking the car, I gently scoop her into my arms, the familiar weight settling against me as I carry her inside. As we step into Crowhurst House, the faint scent of old wood and stale beer tickles my nose. I steal a glance at Harper, her breathing is a soft, rhythmic sigh against the quiet hum of the old building. Even in sleep, a shadow seems to linger on her features, a quiet sadness etched there.

Once we reach my room, I softly place her on my bed. Her eyelids flutter open, and there’s a sliver of awareness, just enough for her fingers to brush against the Obsidian robe as she helps me slip it off. She remains silent as her eyes, wide and unfocused, drift toward the shadows pooling in the corners of the room, anywhere except my face.

“Do you want a shower?” I asked, the words a soft rumble in the quiet.

She nods, a silent acknowledgment that does little to soothe the sharp, twisting ache in my gut, like a cold knife turning. My fingers close around her hand, and I pull her into the bathroom. The rush of water fills the air as I twist the knob, the showerhead hissing with a promise of the warmth to come.

As I peel off my sticky, blood-soaked clothes, the bathroom light glints off the mirror, revealing a gruesome sight. Dried blood cakes my skin, matting my hair. Harper’s gaze skims over me, unseeing, as she waits for my command.

Once the water temperature has reached perfection, I step into the shower, my hand finding hers as I pull her in. A soft, collective moan escapes us as the luxurious warmth cascades over our skin, fighting the lingering chill of our outdoor adventure.

I gently lather her skin, my touch deliberate and featherlight, tracing her perfect curves. Despite the undeniable thrum of desire and my throbbing cock, I hold back, focusing only on the soft sensation of her beneath my palms. And it only gets worse when she silently takes the soap and sponge from me, wordlessly scrubbing every inch of my skin.

Her touch is a slow, soft caress as she gently wipes off every speck of our enemies blood, the water turning a murky pink as it drains away beneath us.

Once the water flows clear, I begin to shampoo her hair, and the vanilla and strawberry scent that reminds me of Harper fills the room. I’m confident mimicking the precise, soothing motions I’ve watched her use on herself countless times, despite this being my first time washing anyone else’s hair.

I make sure to massage her scalp the way she likes, her soft sighs making my cock twitch with excitement, even as I remind myself this isn’t about sex. I’m not entirely sure what the hell this is, but the sad expression Harper was wearing has washed away alongside the blood, and that’s all I wanted.

I hate that I’m the person who made her sad, and I never want to see anything but happiness or pleasure on her beautiful face ever again.

As the last suds of conditioner rinse from Harper’s hair, she pivots, her small frame melting against mine. Water droplets glisten on her skin, and through wet lashes she offers me a shy smile. Her eyes then drift downwards, locking onto my mouth, as she nervously drags her lower lip between her teeth.

I reach out and free it from between her teeth, stroking my thumb over her plump lips as they part for me slightly. I lean in closer, and Harper’s breath hitches.

My lips hover just above hers, and her chest rises and falls, as her heart no doubt beats as rapidly as mine. My voice is deep and gravelly when I’m finally able to get the words out. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you, Harper, and that fucking terrifies me. I’m frightened of wanting you this much, knowing I’ll never be able to keep you.”

She sucks in a sharp breath, her voice just as shaky as she says, “What if I want you to keep me? I’m yours, but are you mine?”

As soon as the words register in my head, my body moves on instinct alone, and I slam my lips against hers. I kiss her with as much passion as I can, desperate to show her just how much I am hers. She may have gifted herself to me, but somewhere along the way, she claimed all of me for herself too.

Harper is startled at first, clearly not expecting me to kiss her, but when it finally registers, she melts into the kiss, wrapping her arms around my neck to pull me closer, or maybe to stop me from pulling away—not that I fucking could.

The taste of her lips on my tongue is like a fucking drug, and I know I’ll never get enough. I’ll never be able to stop claiming her in every way I can.

Her tongue battles mine as she also tries to take as much as I’m willing to give, but she quickly learns she can have all of me, and we settle into a passionate kiss where we both devour each other.

When we finally part, the shower water starting to run cold, the smile on Harper’s face is fucking blinding, and my heart skips a beat. My stomach flutters in the strangest way as she glances up at me with her bright-blue eyes, looking like I just gave her the fucking moon.