Page 107 of Frozen Flames

“You drew me,” I whisper against his lips, my breathing affected by his kisses.

“I noticed you early on, Claire.”

I kiss him again, and I take it all in, every magical aspect of this. When he says things like that, it makes me believe he might feel as strongly about me as I do him.

I savour our kiss as if it’s the last kiss I’ll ever experience. I cherish the feelings and emotions that Harvey awakens in me. He makes me feel more feminine than I’ve ever felt in my life.

I let out a soft moan when he grabs me by the neck before his lips meet mine again. I sigh as he gently bites my earlobe and breathes in my ear while I look up, feeling as if the universe is aligning perfectly today.

“Harvey…” I soak in his kisses on my neck. “You mean so much to me.” I grab his face with my hands, wanting him to listen to me because I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

“Claire…I…” He clears his throat.

I trace his lips, then I shut him up with my lips instead. Because he shouldn’t admit to anything until he’s ready.

When we pull apart, knowing we shouldn’t move too fast, he stares at me in awe. “I don’t get how you can be so understanding of everything. If the roles were reversed and you had another man in your life, I wouldn’t handle it well.”

“We’re in a complicated situation. You two were together when we met, and I feel like I ruined that.”

“It’s not your fault, Claire, not at all.” He places a kiss on my forehead, and it settles my qualms.

“Let’s finish cleaning.” I get off his lap, releasing his hand last.

“Sure,” he agrees before thanking me.

I clean every wall and border of his room. We donate his old clothes, and I wish I could deny that I smelled and enjoyed the scent of his clothing, so soft and manly all at once, that I picked up from his drawers and closet.

By the end, his room smells as fresh as lemons. It’s airy and spotless, and I can tell by the smile on his face that he’s glad we tackled this.

“I have a question.” I swallow. “I’m assuming that you have drawings of Gemma as well?” I know the answer the second I ask. It’s clear as day in his eyes, worry darting across his expression.

“I have a few, just a few. Mostly they’re drawings of you from the time we met.”

“I see.”

Stupid me, wishing he only had eyes for me.

“Gemma saw them, and we got into a fight over it. I guess it was clear to everyone how infatuated I was with you from the start.”

“Yes, perhaps,” I whisper. “In historical romance novels, infatuation is key in relationships. But in reality, it dissipates rather rapidly.”

“Hmm.” He ponders my words. “Or maybe it grows into something more powerful and worthy.” Then he wheels closer to me, taking my hands. “What we have is more than infatuation.”

“I know.” I force a small smile.

“I promise, Claire.”

I love you.

I really do, and I know I shouldn’t, but he’s ingrained in my whole being, and I’m not willing to let him go.

I hope I never have to.

I hope I’m not being foolish and that I’m not making the same mistakes my mom did.

I hope with us it’ll be different.

Harvey

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