Page 44 of Your Heart & Mine

"We should stop Wyck." After weeks of distance, part of her felt that this closeness was like coming home. Another part, however, told her to guard her heart.

"But, Angel, we're so good together. I know you feel it, too. You just admitted it." Wyck caressed the side of her neck, placing another tender kiss on her temple.

Harper took a step back. "You're right, but…"

Wyck took a step forward, closing the gap again. "Please, Baby, give us another chance. You deserve everything and I want to be the man to give it to you. Let me."

Her heart clenched at the tenderness in his voice. No one had ever cherished her this way. No one except Wyck. She blinked back tears.

Taking a deep breath, she remembered Mitzi's words about having courage. Harper was tired of letting fear hold her back. Now that everything was out in the open between them, she wanted to give this man her heart again.

But doubts still lingered. Did she trust Wyck enough not to hurt her again? Could she be brave enough to risk everything once more?

Sensing her hesitation, Wyck tipped her chin up gently. "What is it, Angel? Talk to me."

Harper gave a shaky smile. "Just overwhelmed thinking about where we go from here. I want to believe in this chance for us, but it's scary."

Wyck brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. "I know, and you have every reason to be wary. I've broken your trust in unforgivable ways. But Harper..." His voice grew hoarse with emotion. "I swear to you I will spend the rest of my days proving how much you mean to me. If you give me this gift of a second chance, I will cherish it forever."

Harper searched his eyes and saw the truth of his words. Taking a deep breath, she made a conscious decision to let go of her doubts.

"Okay," she whispered, staring intently into his soulful blue eyes. "I want to give us this chance, Wyck."

Joy broke across his face. He kissed her deeply, then rested his forehead against hers.

"Thank you for believing in me again. I won't let you down this time."

Harper finally allowed the happy tears to spill over. Here in this moment, choosing love felt like the bravest thing she could do.

In the weeks that followed, Harper and Wyck focused on rebuilding trust and understanding. They had long talks about the past, sharing hurts and disappointments they'd each carried alone over the long years apart. Slowly they began to heal as laughter and forgiveness replaced old wounds.

As spring turned to summer, Harper marveled at her hometown's renewal. The once-struggling downtown bloomed with new shops and markets. The town's pulse was strengthening along with her connection with Wyck. Her time with him brought happiness she hadn't known in years. The walls she had determinedly erected to protect her broken heart over the years was being slowly dismantled one brick at a time.

There was still a lot of work to do - for the town and between them. But Harper allowed herself to appreciate each new memory she was making with Wyck. And to believe they were finally on the right path, together.

One humid evening as they lay tangled together after making love, ceiling fan stirring the sultry air, Harper was trailing her fingers lazily across Wyck's broad chest when he spoke quietly.

"What would you think about going away together for a long weekend?" he murmured, playing with a strand of her hair. "Somewhere we can really relax? I could use a break from work, and I know you could, too."

Harper leaned up on her elbow, eyes dancing. "A whole weekend alone with you? I think I could be convinced."

Wyck grinned and pulled her in for a deep kiss. "Then it's a date, Angel."

"Where will we go?" Harper asked, her lips finding the sensitive skin of his jaw.

"I'm going to surprise you." Wyck's voice grew husky as her long fingers wrapped around his hardening length. His breath hitched.

"That means you have no idea," she teased, her hand sliding up and down.

"Enough talking," Wyck demanded, his mouth coming down to hers in a searing kiss.

Harper squealed as her flipped her onto his back, holding her hands next to her head. Her laugh transformed into a moan as he trailed his lips down her neck.

For a long while, they forgot all about work, or vacations, or anything else but each other.

Chapter thirty-five

Deep Blue Sea

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