Page 26 of Caramel Apple Cupcake

“How dare you talk to my daughter that way? You are not her husband. We are her parents. We will not allow you to boss our daughter around this way,” Athena spoke up. “Tell him, Rodney.”

But he didn’t. Her father was too busy shooting daggers at Anders as the two men faced off. Harper was done with all of them. “Screw this. I’m leaving on my own. But first, let me say this. Anders, you don’t ever get to speak to my parents the way you did tonight. Doesn’t matter what happened before, that is a non-starter. And if you don’t get your shit together, I’m going to Boston without you.”

“Boston?” her father yelled. “I told you not to go up there. Those people are thugs and hoodlums. Why would you surround yourself with those type of people? This is how I know you’re no daughter of mine.”

The words caused a ripple of shock to go through her body. Everything around her slowed down. Anders slowly turned to look at her. The secret she’d been holding inside was revealed in one careless sentence. Her mother’s gasp was loud in the silence, but maybe it was because she felt as if she were underwater. Everything was heightened. She needed to get out of here. This was too much.

“And there you have it. The truth. You no longer have to worry about what I’m doing or who I’m hanging around with.” Her mother was crying actual tears now. It was the first time Harper had seen her this way. “Mom. I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to hide this secret your entire life. I’m sorry you’re married to a man who will never let you move past something that happened so long ago. But most of all, I’m sorry you’re stuck with a man who can’t see beyond his own pride and love the little girl who only wanted his approval.”

She gave one last glance to the group, threw up the deuces, and made her way out of the back area. Before she turned the corner to exit the front door, she looked at Anders. “Don’t bother coming after me. I’m going home. Alone.”

Harper was fully capable of getting a car service home. All of them had pissed her off, and she really needed some time to herself.

Chapter 14

An hour later, Harper stood in her kitchen drinking a large glass of red wine. After she left the restaurant, she had time to calm down. She knew Anders was only trying to help the situation. He wanted to protect her. From the outside looking in, if the situation had been reversed, she probably would have done the same thing.

But it had all been so overwhelming.

The man she was falling in love with… No, there was no ‘falling’ involved. Harper was already there. She loved Anders. Wanted to be with him. Would love to build a life with him. Plus, the stroke game was out of this world. Anyway, the man she loved had turned into a certified badass right in front of her eyes. There was always something just underneath the surface with him. But when they were together, she was just focused on him. She was like a fucking addict for that man. Maybe things were getting a bit too serious, and she should think about pulling back a little.

She chuckled under her breath. She had already told herself, and him, she would not give him up. She sure as shit would not change her mind now. Harper wasn’t a fool. She knew he stepped in because her father’s words had been laced with cruelty. Frozen in shock, she stood there, her eyes wide and her mouth agape, like a lost child.

A deep exhale caused her chest to rise and fall. Wetness pooled in her eyes. The way her father spoke to her was something she would not easily forget. Even in a crowded room, he had to proclaim to anyone close enough to listen that she was a failure in his eyes. Well, Harper was done. And she was proud of herself for walking away tonight. Usually, she would standthere for his entire tirade, feeling sympathetic to her mother’s tears, while trying to make herself appear smaller.

Not tonight. A smile came over her lips as she remembered the scene.

Just then, she heard a knock on her door. There was no doubt who it was.

“Harper. Open this damn door.”

She rolled her eyes. The man had a damn key. Why wasn’t he using it? Anders seemed all nice and sweet, but he was stubborn as hell.

He knocked again. Louder this time. “You have five seconds before I use my key.”

She smacked her lips, then strolled over to the door and opened it. “What?”

He stood there in all his glory, looking sexy as hell. His brow was knitted with a frown. His arms were above him, braced against the doorsill. “Going to let me in, or are you going to walk away from me again?”

“No one told you to come here. Anders, you can’t speak to my parents that way. I know I’m going through some shit with them, but that’s my issue. Not yours.”

His head dropped for a second as he took a deep breath. When he lifted his gaze back to hers, his face had taken on a hard look. “I won’t apologize. Not for defending you. Not for standing up to your father. Not any of it. This is who I am, Harper. If you expect me to stand back and allow anyone—and I do mean anyone—to speak to you that way, this thing between us,” he used one hand to motion between them, “may as well end right now.”

A bit shocked by his words and tone, Harper took a step back. This was a side to Anders she had not expected. She kinda liked it.

“I meant what I said earlier tonight and every moment before. You’re it for me. You belong to me, and I belong to you. But this is the man I am. I will never be anything else. I will love you fiercely, give you anything within my power to give, and do everything I can to make you happy. But, know this, I will also lose my fucking mind over you. I will stand ten-toes down against anyone who comes at you. Including your parents. Or anyone else in your life who doesn’t understand that if you’re unhappy, then I’m unhappy. And trust me, no one wants that.”

“Anders,” she breathed. His words opened something in her, and her stomach turned over with butterflies. She fully stepped back and motioned for him to come in. “Next time, use your key. I gave it to you because I don’t want any barriers between us. Yes, I’m pissed, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you.”

The door closed behind him. “I needed to give you a choice. Either we were going to make this work, or we were going to make this work.”

She smiled. “Ah, so you mean we were going to make this work no matter what?”

“Damn right. Now, are you ready to tell me what that was all about tonight?”

“Not really.” At his raised eyebrow, she changed her tune. “But I will. Want something to drink?”

“After I take a shower and change. Give me a few minutes.” Anders’s voice was firm but not unkind as he spoke. “But first, I need to make something clear.” His tone sent shivers down her spine as he grabbed her waist and pulled her close, his lips finding hers in a deep kiss that left her breathless. His tongue danced with hers, teasing and tasting every part of her mouth, making their connection electric. When he dipped his tongue inside her mouth, the taste of the wine mixed with her uniqueflavor made his dick hard. He pulled back slightly, his head resting against hers. “Damn, you taste so fucking sweet.”

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