Page 69 of His Gift
A sob. She's alive. Whatever happened, she's alive. And she must be what's blocking the door.
"Sweet girl, please move, I don't want to hurt you." Finally, the door gives and I see her curled on the floor. I pick her up, cradling her in my arms, patting her down to check for wounds. "Please tell me what's wrong. Please." But she doesn't answer. Just hides her face in my chest and lets out a heartbreaking sob. Whoever did this to her… is as good as dead.
"Harper, I swear I want to give you time, but I'm going crazy. Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?"
"No. I'm okay. Give me a sec."
Okay,my ass. She must have been on the floor crying for at least two hours. And all because I wanted to give her space. Fuck me. I bite my tongue, though. Wait. Cuddle her. Kiss her head. While my mind unravels a bit more.
"Conrad… I swear I'm okay. I had a panic attack. Nothing happened. I'm not hurt."
"And why did you panic then if nothing happened?"
"Can we go home? I don't want to talk here." It takes all I have to agree. To take her to my car, bundle her in the passenger seat, strap her down and then let her be until we're home. She wants to walk when we arrive, but it's not up for discussion. I pick her up, bring her inside, and lay her on our bed, lying beside her, keeping her close. Sleep. That's what she needs. And I need a name. A fucking name for whoever did this. While we were coming here, though, I'd had time to think, and I have a pretty good idea of who's going to be seeing me very soon.
"Conrad… If I talk, you must listen. Understood? Look at me. Tell me you understand." I don't need her to talk. What she's implying confirms my suspicions. She feels sympathy for this client. I did too. Until tonight. "Conrad… please. Listen to me. Are you willing to go backward? To lose my trust?"
"Fuck, Harper. Tell me what happened and let's end this. I know who did it. So I just need the facts."
"You're not listening. I'm going to marry you. I trust you. I love you. Tell me I wasn't wrong."
Her words pierce my fury, my dread at losing her. There are many ways I can lose her. Not listening now is one of them.
"Okay. I'm listening. I promise."
She comes closer and kisses me, cupping my cheek. And another layer of anger and dread peels away.
"My last client, Marcus. I had to deliver very bad news. He lost it for a second, raising his voice. Just raising his voice. He apologized immediately after, but all I could do was put an end to our meeting; poorly. Too soon. He's been dealt a shitty hand. I would've yelled too if I were him. He didn't know what it would trigger for me."
"Are you okay now? For real?"
"Yes. I wanted to call you but I couldn't get up. I'm sorry I scared you. I love you. Promise me you'll do nothing. I can handle this. It's my job. I'm happy with it even though there are cases like Marcus's where I feel so impotent. Did I tell you I love you?"
"I love you too." If I didn't, I'd be out the door, delivering punishment. But I've never had what I have now. I've never woken up happy every damn morning and gone to sleep even happier every night. I've never felt fear like this either, but I've got to accept it's the price to pay for making the woman I love—the woman who loves me, the only one I want—happy. "I've calmed down. Sorry. And thank you for talking me off the ledge. I'll do better. I just… worry so fucking much every time I don't have you in sight… It's not on you, though. It's on me. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of everything you're doing." I'm proud of her publishing her stories too—under a pen name, pretending not to gloat at how well they're doing. I'll keep it to myself. It's still a contentious point between us and not one I want to touch tonight.
"Are you hungry, my gift? I didn't prepare anything, but I can whip up something."
"No, not tonight. I need a shower and then I need you. Wrapped around me. Fucking me slowly." I squeeze my eyes shut. Shower. She needs a shower first. Fuck, I'd rip her clothes apart right about now.
"Okay. Go. Call if you need me." I nudge her and then look at her disappear inside the bathroom. Hoping she's feeling better. Planning on making her feel even better.
"I prepared hot chocolate, if you feel like it." I had to do something. Her shower went on forever and I was about to join her. I'm learning. It's fucking difficult.
"Thank you, it's a good idea." She comes closer, just a towel separating me from what I want, and picks up the cup, sipping it slowly, watching me under her lashes.
"I will do nothing you wouldn't approve of. I reserve the right only if you're in danger. Only then. And it's the biggest 'I love you' I can ever tell you."
"I know." Again she sips and gazes, sips and gazes, and I smile. Perfect fit. It doesn't matter that I didn't know why back then. She's my perfect, cute,hot, bratty, strong, courageous, smart, gorgeous gift. And she knows I'm going to ruin her tonight. Oh so slowly.
fifty-four
Epilogue
Conrad
I'm... bored? Annoyed? I can't quite pinpoint it, but I know I'm done with this place. New York's packed streets are becoming increasingly inhospitable, and she's still nowhere to be found. Maybe she doesn't even exist. And yet... those two, they found each other somehow.
I spin on my heels, headingfor my company. I'll tie up a few loose ends that need my attention, then I'm gone until next month. My home calls to me: peace, quiet, silence. No one around.
