Page 49 of Secret Baby With My Brother's Best Friend

I closed the blinds. "I'll ask Haley if she can make us some tea," I suggested and left the room. I returned a few minutes later and handed her a warm cup of tea.

I sat on the couch, crossed my legs, held my cup, and took a long sip from the mug. "Thanks," she muttered and sipped her tea. "I can't believe we will be here for another three days," she grumbled, setting the cup on the bedside table and tying her hair up.

"You say that like it's such a bad thing," I mumbled quietly, and Harper tilted her head in my direction.

Our eyes locked, the tension building between us the longer we stared. I sunk into her gaze. I couldn't take my eyes off her. In a blink of an eye, the lights went off, plunging us into utter darkness.

"No way! You've got to be kidding me," Harper groaned softly, and I could hear the panic in her voice.

I knew how much she hated the dark, and I guess she still had those fears even now. It was cute. I moved over to the bed, turned on the flashlight from my phone. "Relax," I told her, moving closer and putting my arm around her. "I'm here."

I saw a smile curl on her lips.

"I can't believe you're still afraid of the dark," I muttered.

"I'm not."

"Should I turn off the flashlight then?" I reached for my phone, and Harper grabbed it quickly.

"Leave it," she said, dropping it on the table behind her.

"Not scared, you say," I taunted.

"Well, at least I'm not scared of snakes," she made a comeback, and I laughed really hard.

"Sorry, I outgrew that fear a long time ago," I declared proudly.

"Oh! Did you?" she quizzed, thrusting her face forward, and our lips almost touched. Harper pulled away quickly.

Silence hung in the air, the awkwardness growing between us, and I tightened my grip around, feeling her warmth spread through me. The rain continued to pour outside, its rhythmic splatter against the window creating a haunting ambiance. Out of the blue and caught me completely off guard, Harper asked, "What are you thinking?"

I hesitated a bit before I answered with a question of my own, "Honestly?" I raised a brow, debating on whether to tell her the truth or a lie.

I heard her breath quicken, and she gave a firm nod. "Tell me," she whispered.

"You," I enunciated. "I'm thinking of you," I confessed, and we both faced each other.

Surprise etched across her face, Harper briefly turned away and then back to me. "You're joking, right?" she questioned, her tone filled with uncertainty.

"I'm not. You're always on my mind."

"You can't just say that."

"Why not?" I quizzed.

"Because...It’s not appropriate, and well.. I want to hate you."

I smiled. "Do you?...hate me??"

"I'm trying to," she admitted, sounding slightly shy.

"I hope you never can. It would hurt if you hated me," I confessed and glanced at her. She was staring. "You should get some rest," I added and began withdrawing my arm from her back.

Before I could move away, Harper grasped my arm tightly, stopping me from moving any further. Our eyes locked again, and I found myself drawn to her ghostly silhouette in the darkened room. "Kiss me," she whispered, sounding almost desperate.

I furrowed a brow, wondering if she meant it or if I even heard her right, but before she could take it back—I thought she might. I leaned in, trapping her lips in a gentle kiss. I kissed her slowly, grazing her lip with my teeth and giving it a light nibble.

My arms wrapped around her waist, and my body tensed as I pulled her closer, wanting to touch more than just her skin—but her soul. The lights came on, and Harper's eyes flickered open like clockwork, glowing with a hunger I had never seen in them before. I pulled her top above her head, breaking the contact between our lips and tossing her blouse to the ground.

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