Page 27 of Your Heart & Mine

"I'm glad," Wyck answered sincerely. "They deserve it for all the good work they do for the people here."

"They do," Harper agreed. She studied him closely. "But why, Wyck? Why are you doing it? Don't you have a business to get back to in Richmond?"

Chapter twenty-three

Cold Touch

He'dswallowedhardwhenhe saw her walking toward him, her red coat unbuttoned and flapping in the wind behind her like a sail. When he saw her grab at it and try to wrap it around herself, he suppressed a smile.

It had been all Wyck could do not to jump up and go to her when he'd noticed her in front of the building down the block, even with the British twat at her elbow. Instead, he casually raised a hand in greeting. Like he was so cool and unaffected. Sure.

A distant part of his brain made polite conversation as they sat next to each other on the bench, but most of him studied her. Her cheeks were pink with the cold, and her hair was a riot around her face having mostly escaped the confines of the clip she had tried to tame it with. He clenched his fists to avoid the need to push it behind her ear as he longed to do. His gut clenched a little when he saw the wariness in her eyes. If he could only see that desire and openness in them again.

His attention snapped back to her words when she asked him the very question he could not answer completely honestly. Not yet. "But why, Wyck? Why are you doing it?"

He pulled off his woolen beanie and ran his fingers through his hair. How did he answer? He rested his elbows on his knees. "I don't know if Mitzi told you, but I started volunteering at the Church a few weeks ago. I admire what everyone is doing there. I saw how cramped they were and heard about everything Mitzi and the other ladies would do if they had the space so…" He paused and shrugged. "It's what I do. I build things. I have the funds to help, so I am."

It was all the truth. It just wasn't the whole truth. He breathed out before daring to look into her eyes. What he saw there shocked him. Her beautiful hazel eyes glistened with unshed tears, the moisture making them appear even richer in color. A sweet, tremulous smile turned up the corners of her full, pink lips, making his heart lurch in his chest.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, her slender hand, encased in a soft black glove, reached out across the space separating them. Gently, she laid her hand atop his, which was resting casually on his knee. Through the fine leather, he could feel the warmth of her skin, and the delicate tremble in her fingers. Her touch was light, as if she was afraid he would pull away. But he simply turned his palm upwards in invitation, allowing her gloved hand to settle more firmly into his grasp. He stilled, awaiting her response.

She sniffed then huffed out a little laugh before she spoke. "That's exactly the kind of thing I'd expect you to do. You always did have a tender heart."

Wyck felt his face flush and hoped she would think it was because of the cold wind. He hesitantly squeezed her hand in his "It's no problem at all, Harper, I want you to know…"

"Boss!" A loud male voice slashed through the tender moment like a sword.

Wyck's head swung toward the deep bass of his foreman. He sighed and watched the large man in a hardhat and neon yellow vest crossing the street towards them. Squeezing her hand quickly, he gave her a chagrined smile and stood. "Don't go anywhere. I'm sure this will only take a second," he implored her.

After what felt like an eternity, he had worked out the problem with Brad and turned his attention back to Harper. Wyck cursed under his breath as his eyes fell on her, still huddled on the bench. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, shoulders hunched against the bitter cold as she waited for him.

A pang of guilt lanced through him - he had been so preoccupied with sorting things out with Brad that he'd lost track of time, leaving her out here alone far longer than he'd intended. Seeing her shivering in the frigid air, looking so vulnerable, brought out every one of his protective instincts.

Wyck hurried over and sat down on the bench beside Harper, close enough that their sides were pressed together. The afternoon sun shone weakly down on them, imparting little warmth to the cold winter air. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, gathering her in against his broad chest to block the breeze. Gently, he began to rub his hand up and down her arm trying to stimulate some warmth through the friction. With each pass, he felt her body inch closer, seeking shelter from the cold.

Underneath the vivid red coat, he felt her delicate curves that seemed to fit perfectly against him. The floral scent of her perfume mingled with the woodsy notes of his aftershave as she rested her head on his shoulder. A few strands of her honeyed hair brushed feather-light against his jaw. "I'm sorry, Harp. It's too freaking cold out here. You're freezing."

Feeling her curve further into his warmth, he let himself savor the connection for a few moments before he let her go. Wrapping his arm more firmly around her shoulders, Wyck rose slowly from the bench, gently urging her up with him. As she unfolded her long legs, he kept his grip secure. Standing close, her hair tickled his nose.

One hand lingered at her back, reluctant to relinquish all contact as the warmth of her curvy form still lingered pleasantly against his side. Though she had stopped shivering, he could see the rosy flush the cold had left on her cheeks. With a soft smile, he allowed himself to tuck an errant lock of her silky hair back behind her ear before letting his arm fall away.

His eyes captured hers in an intense gaze that belied his casual words. "Why don't you go finish whatever you were doing with your sisters. How about I pick you up for dinner and you can tell me about your plans?"

He could see her about to balk at the suggestion, so he cut off her refusal. "It's the least I can do for keeping you out here freezing. And, I'd like to spend some time with you. I feel like we have more to say to each other."

She bit her lip but then nodded. He felt his tensed muscles relax. "Yeah, I think we do."

"Six-thirty good?" he asked, barely believing she had agreed to see him again after the fiasco the last time they'd been alone together. The fiasco after the best night of his life.

A smile flirted with the corners of her mouth. "Six-thirty would be great. See you then."

He watched her tall form walk away afraid she would disappear into a puff of smoke if he took his eyes off of her. He was still watching when she knocked on the door to the building and looked back in his direction. He thought he saw a smile on her lips as the door was opened and she disappeared inside.

Suddenly realizing he was standing in the middle of the sidewalk with a goofy grin on his face, he looked around quickly to see if he'd been caught before shoving his beanie back on his head and marching toward the construction site. Maybe hammering some stuff would distract him until it was time to go home and get ready for his dinner with his angel.

Chapter twenty-four

New Beginnings

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