Page 18 of Vineyard Dreams

Elle’s tongue brushed against Harper’s lower lip, a silent request for permission. Harper granted it willingly, parting her lips to allow Elle to deepen the kiss. A soft moan escaped her throat as their tongues met, a slow, sensual slide that sent a shiver through her.

Time seemed to stand still, the seconds stretching into minutes as they lost themselves in the kiss. Harper’s fingers tightened on Elle’s waist, pulling her closer, needing to feel the warmth of her body against her own.

When they finally parted, both breathless, Harper rested her forehead against Elle’s. Her heart was pounding, her skin tingling. She opened her eyes slowly, meeting Elle’s gaze as she pulled back.

In the depths of those hazel eyes, Harper saw a reflection of her own emotions - desire, uncertainty, and a vulnerability that made her heartache. She wanted to say something, to put intowords the feelings swirling inside her, but she couldn’t find the words.

Instead, she leaned in again, capturing Elle’s lips in another soft, lingering kiss, but it wasn’t long before Harper was deepening the kiss, her fingers sliding into Elle’s soft hair. A low moan escaped Elle’s lips, and that only urged her on.

Then, just as quickly as it began, Elle pulled away. Harper’s hands fell to her sides, a sense of disorientation washing over her.

“I’m so sorry,” Elle breathed, her voice thick with emotion. “I can’t… I just offered to get into a business arrangement with you. I can’t believe I just kissed you.” She ran a hand through her hair.

“Hey…” Harper reached out, her hand hovering hesitantly before settling on Elle’s arm. The warmth of Elle’s skin beneath her fingertips sent a small jolt through her. “It’s okay.”

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Awarm touch on her arm brought Elle back to the present. Harper’s fingers, hesitant at first, settled gently against her skin. The contact sent a pleasant through her.

“Hey...” Harper’s voice was gentle, laced with concern. “It’s okay,” she murmured.

Elle lifted her gaze, searching Harper’s warm brown eyes. She saw a flicker of the same desire in Harper’s eyes, and the realization sent a thrill through her, but it was quickly followed by a wave of panic.

This was unexpected, unplanned, and utterly intoxicating.

Elle took a shaky breath. The memory of Harper’s hands on her waist, the heat that pulsed through the thin fabric of her shirt, threatened to undo her.

How had this happened?

One minute they were talking and the next she was leaning in, her lips pressing against Harper’s. Elle swallowed the lump in her throat. It was hard to enjoy the way she’d just felt when she knew that she shouldn’t have acted so impulsively. She barely knew Harper, and more importantly, they were going to be entering into a business arrangement any day now.

This was crazy, reckless, and so unlike her.

“I should go,” Elle said, her voice barely a whisper. She pushed herself away from the couch, a nervous energy coursing through her veins. Before Harper could respond, Elle was already on her feet.

Harper reacted swiftly. Her hand shot out as she stood up, grasping Elle’s wrist before she was out of reach. The touch, light yet firm, sent a pulse of electricity up her arm. Elle exhaled, a slow, unsteady release of breath, and turned to face Harper.

“Elle,” Harper said. “Wait.” The intensity in Harper’s eyes held her captive, making it impossible to look away.

“This…” Elle started, then hesitated. “This complicates things.” The words hung in the air between them.

“Does it?” Harper asked, tilting her head slightly. A strand of dark hair fell across her cheek, and Elle resisted the urge to reach out and tuck it behind her ear. The close proximity, the electricity that crackled between them, made it hard to think clearly.

Elle pulled her hand away gently, stepping back. “We’re about to sign an agreement.”

“I know,” Harper said as she held Elle’s gaze. “But I felt something tonight, Elle. Something… real.”

Elle’s heart pounded in her chest. It had been so long since she’d felt this way, since she’d allowed herself to be vulnerable with someone.

A knot formed in her stomach, a sudden, sharp pang of guilt twisting inside her. It wasn’t rational. She knew that, but it didn’t make that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach go away.

Stephanie would have wanted her to be happy, to find love again. But the thought of moving on, of sharing that intimacy with someone else, felt like a betrayal, even though she wanted it more than she cared to admit.

“I…” Elle hesitated, unsure of what to say. She wanted to believe Harper, wanted to embrace the possibility of something new.

“Don’t say anything,” Harper said softly, reaching out and taking Elle’s hand in hers. “Just… think about it.”

Elle nodded slowly, her gaze locked on Harper’s. She brought her hand to Harper’s cheek, the soft skin warm beneath her fingertips. “I’m going to go.” She wanted to explain, to tell Harper that she might just be too broken, that she might have spent too many years alone for this to ever have a chance. But the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she let her hand fall away, the warmth of Harper’s skin lingering on her fingertips, and turned to leave.

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