Page 47 of Your Heart & Mine

"Okay, stop! I can't breathe!" Harper wheezed, trying to rein in her mirth. She couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so hard. And over something so silly.

Her gaze took him in as he took deep breaths to get himself under control. This weekend had let her really get to know the man Wyck had become. He'd always had a haunted look behind his cheerful demeanor when they were younger, but now, she no longer saw that fear or anger in his eyes. This Wyck was open, confident, and even playful. Her chest swelled with hope over the future they might have after all. If she could trust it to last.

"I hope you saved room for dessert." Wyck motioned to the unobtrusive waiter who hovered in the kitchen on the other side of the sliding glass doors.

"Oh, goodness, Wyck, I don't know." Harper rubbed her belly. "I'm so full already."

Wyck grinned at her as the waiter set down a crystal dish of a lovely deep pink scoop of sorbet with gold on the top. "It's beautiful, Wyck. What is it?"

"Champagne-infused raspberry sorbet with edible gold."

Harper picked up her spoon and dipped in. "Mmmmm, this is delicious."

"I'm glad you like it. Finish it all up," Wyck said with an enigmatic look on his face.

Harper tipped her head to the side watching him. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing. I'm just glad you like it."

Raising an eyebrow in question, she dipped back in, enjoying the sweet treat. She continued to eye Wyck, however, noticing that he'd barely touched his own dessert and was starting to sweat. It was warm but the sea breeze made everything comfortable. Harper was just about to ask him what he was up to again when her spoon made a clinking sound. Redirecting her gaze, she stared at the bottom of her bowl.

Harper forced the sorbet in her mouth down her throat which was suddenly tight. Slowly, she reached a finger into the dark pink liquid and pulled out the huge diamond solitaire. She stared at it with wide eyes, her brain misfiring. As she tried to process exactly what she held, movement in her peripheral vision caught her eye. Wyck was suddenly next to her. On one knee.

"Harper Elizabeth Carrington, I have loved you since we were too young to even know what that means. These last few months with you have been the best of my life. My only regret is that I stayed away so long. I want to spend every day for the rest of my life making you happy. Please say you'll make me the luckiest man alive and be my wife."

Her gut clenched as she looked into Wyck's clear, grey eyes. The hope and love in them were like a punch to her chest. Cupping his cheek, tears welled in her eyes. "Wyck, I'm sorry. No."

Wyck's head snapped back as if she'd slapped him. "No?"

"No. I'm not ready, Baby. It's too soon. I just can't. I…" Her words stuttered out, nothing more coming.

Harper witnessed the pain in his eyes before he dropped his head. She saw his jaw muscles pop under the light scruff before he finally stood and looked out to the ocean. His knuckles whitened against the railing of the deck.

Quickly placing the exquisite ring on the table and wiping the sticky sorbet off her hands, Harper pushed back her chair and rose as well. Harper leaned her forehead against the taut muscles of his back before slowly slipping her arms around his waist. He stiffened but then dropped his hands to rest on hers.

"I'm sorry," she whispered into his back and tightened her hold around him. "I don't mean never, just not right now."

Wyck's chest expanded as he took in a deep breath. She really wished she could see his face in that moment. Did she completely wreck everything because she still couldn't let herself completely trust what they had?

Finally, he turned and pulled her into his chest. His voice was strained when he finally spoke. "I love you, Harper. I'll always love you. So, if you need more time, I'll give you more time."

Sighing deeply she placed a tender kiss on the sliver of skin that was available between the collar of his shirt. Wyck kissed the top of her head and they stood for long moments holding each other and staring out as the waves made their inexorable way up the shore.

Harper soaked in his warmth wondering what was wrong with her. Why couldn't she give him what he wanted and deserved?

Chapter thirty-seven

Openings & Closings

Harperrestedherforeheadagainst Wyck's after kissing him again. She sighed heavily. "I hate you're going to miss the Artisan Market opening."

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Wyck drew back and met her sad hazel eyes. "I know, Angel. Believe me, I'd much rather be here." He pressed another fervent kiss to her lips. "But Davis says the board is demanding an in-person meeting in Richmond to review expansion plans."

Wyck's jaw tightened with frustration as he explained the urgent summons that would pull him away for several days. The board of directors of his development company had been pushing aggressive ideas to take Ward Development national. But since starting the Carrington Ridge project, Wyck was committed to thoughtful growth focused on improving communities, not just chasing profits.

"Davis thinks they may try forcing a vote while I'm gone, so I can't risk brushing this off," he told her. "I know timing couldn't be worse with the market launch. I tried to delay but they insisted."

Her arms tightened around his chest, filled with sympathy over the difficult position he was in. She knew Wyck wanted to leave his ruthless past behind, though power plays still forced his hand.

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