Page 14 of Caramel Apple Cupcake

“I’ve been thinking,” Anders began, his tone strong and confident. “About us.”

Harper’s heart skipped a beat at his words. Her mind raced with possibilities of what he might say next. She held her breath, waiting for him to continue. Anders looked at her with a smile but continued walking down the street as if he owned it. The man did nothing half-assed.

“I know we haven’t been together for long, but I can’t shake this feeling that you’re someone special, Harper,” Anders started, his gaze landing on her face before he continued. “I’ve never felt like this before, and I don’t want to let this chance slip away.” They stopped walking and stood to the side while other people walked around them. Neither of them cared who saw them.

Harper’s heart swelled with emotion. Her own feelings were mirrored in his eyes. Especially after the decisions she made this morning. There was no doubt that what she felt was right. She reached out and cupped his cheek gently, grounding him in the moment with her touch.

“I feel the same way, Anders,” Harper whispered, a soft smile playing on her lips. “I never expected to find someone like you, but I’m glad I did. Who knew walking into your bar that night after a horrible dinner with my family would bring us together?”

Anders exhaled in relief, a weight lifted off his shoulders as he pulled Harper into a warm embrace. At that moment, amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded street, they knew they were ready for whatever came their way.

He was a fighter. Always had been. Even as he clawed and fought his way in the military. Even when no one believed he could turn Callahan’s into a success. He did it. On his own terms, even in the face of doubt. If people didn’t believe in him, his motto was they could go fuck themselves.

But now, he also had Harper. She was his, and there was no turning back. Harper belonged to him in every way that counted. She took a step back, and he frowned, confused by her action.

“I got a text this morning. My mother asked me to come to dinner next week. I’m going. Even though it’s under duress.” She laughed.

“Need me to join as cover?” It was no secret how she felt about her parents and how they treated her like a second-class citizen. Anders was not the type of man to stand back while his woman was made to feel less than. He would respect her parents if they respected her. But from what he knew about them, they were treading on thin ice.

Harper squeezed Anders’ hand gratefully, touched by his unwavering support. She knew how important family was to him, and his willingness to stand by her side meant everything.

“Thank you, but I’ll be okay,” Harper replied, her voice filled with a mix of apprehension and determination. “I need to do this on my own terms. Things need to change. This is my moment to show them I’m not the person they think I am.”

Anders nodded understandingly, with a glint of pride in his eyes at Harper’s resilience. He admired her strength and independence, just some of the qualities that drew him to her in the first place.

“I’ll be waiting for you afterward, no matter what happens,” Anders comforted her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to face them alone. And you also need to know, now that we’re together, no one fucks with what’s mine. You got that? I will protect you, Harper. Even when you can handle things yourself. It’s just how I am.”

Harper’s heart raced, a flurry of emotions swirling within her. Gratitude and doubt warred for dominance as she clutched Anders’ hand, seeking comfort in the warmth and stability it provided. But beneath the surface was a disturbing unease that refused to be quieted.

Harper felt like she was being pulled in two different directions. On one hand, she felt a deep loyalty towards her family and understood their expectations of her future. On the other hand, there was a fierce desire for independence. Herstomach churned with uncertainty about the cliff she was about to step out onto.

Would she be able to face the challenges without her parents’ guidance and support? Would Anders be enough? Was she trading one crutch for another?

As they turned around and began walking back to Callahan’s, Harper couldn’t shake the feeling of being torn between two worlds—one familiar and safe. The other unknown, but oh so exciting. And having Anders by her side to help her through it all was something she could definitely get behind.

Chapter 8

Later that night, Harper lay on her bed as she watched Anders undress in front of her. His muscles rippled under his shirt as he removed it. Filled with anticipation, she could practically feel her heart racing. She was completely naked and ready for him to give her what they both wanted.

When he arrived at her apartment and knocked on the door, she had only been wearing a robe. Underneath was all her—moisturized and looking fine as well. Thinking back to the look on his face when she opened the door made her laugh. His eyes widened. His jaw dropped. Yup, it was priceless.

Harper motioned with her arm. “Come on in. I was just getting out of the shower.” Of course, that was half a lie, but he didn’t need to know that. She turned and walked back toward the bedroom. From the look in his eyes and the bulge in his pants, she knew he would follow. She paused at the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”

“Stop teasing me, woman.” Anders was not in the mood for any bullshit tonight. She’d come to the door half naked. His mind shifted gears from food to fucking in less than a second.

But what if it hadn’t been him at the door? For that reason alone, he should spank her ass until it was red. When he thought about it more, he realized that wasn’t such a bad idea because then he’d be forced to kiss it better. A wicked smile came over his face at the vision in his head.

She flashed an alluring smile at him; her gaze shifting to his crotch for a moment before returning to meet his eyes. “Baby, I’m just asking if you want to eat anything,” she said, her tone suggestive. “I could whip up something delicious for us in the kitchen, or we could order takeout.” When he gave no response, she shrugged as if it made no difference to her.

Harper turned away, heading back to the bedroom. She knew exactly what he wanted because it was the same for her. He had been on her mind all day long. And if he felt one iota of what she did, it had been the same for him. How they could go from zero to sixty in a matter of days was still a surprise to her. But then again, maybe their relationship had been building towards this moment from day one. No one else compared to Anders, and that was before they slept together. No need to question what they were to each other. She just needed to accept it because she wasn’t going backward. How could she?

Anders couldn’t take his eyes off Harper, and his mouth watered at the thought of tasting her again. He couldn’t get enough of her and desired to have as much as she was willing to give, and then more.

In fact, he was so distracted by thoughts of her today that he almost left the bar in the middle of a busy afternoon. She had become his new obsession, replacing any cravings for sweets with the taste of her essence on his lips. Despite her coy words about cooking food, she was teasing him with her naked body, and they both knew it.

Just as Harper took a small step forward, she felt the sudden embrace of Anders’ strong arms around her waist. His warmth enveloped her body, pulling her back towards him with a possessive force. She could feel his hot breath on her ear, sending shivers down her spine as he whispered, “I don’t want any fucking food, Harper. I’m hungry for your sweet pussy.” A soft moan escaped her lips as he gently nibbled on her earlobe before commanding, “Feed me, baby.”

The air was thick with desire and anticipation, the scent of their bodies mixing in a heady aroma. Harper’s heart raced as she surrendered to his touch, knowing that this moment would be etched in her memory forever. She could no longer resist and happily yielded to her man. Their need for each other was sopalpable, she could feel the intensity of their passion building in the air.

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