She looks away. “I don’t remember much after the pool. Did he?—”
“No.” I tighten my grip on her hand. “He didn’t. But he tried. And if I hadn’t gotten there?—”
Her breath hitches, and then she’s crying. Real, broken sobs that wrack her body. My instinct is to gather her up, but I stop myself. She’s been touched enough without consent tonight, and I will not be another man who takes without asking.
But then she whispers, “Will you hold me?”
The four softest words in the world.
I’m on the bed in a second, on top of the covers, wrapping myself around her like I can physically shield her from every bad thing that’s ever happened to her. She folds into me and completely unravels, sobbing into my shirt until I feel damp heat through the cotton.
“You’re safe now,” I murmur, one hand stroking her hair back from her damp cheeks. “It’s over. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
She clings to me like I’m the last thing keeping her tethered to the earth, and I press my mouth to the crown of her head. “I’ll always find you,” I promise again, voice low but fierce. “No matter where you are, no matter what’s happened—no one willeverhurt you like that again. I swear it.”
She nods against me, and I feel something settle between us. This isn’t step-sibling territory anymore. This is bone-deep. Irrevocable.
“I was so scared,” she whispers.
“I know, sweetheart.” The endearment slips out, unplanned, but she doesn’t flinch. She curls closer.
Silence stretches, warm and dangerous. Then she says, “I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“Of this. Of caring about you too much.” Her fingers knot in my shirt. “Everyone I’ve ever cared about has left.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I kiss the top of her head, breathing her in. “I’m not your father. I’m not leaving you.”
She’s quiet so long I think she’s asleep, but then?—
“I think I might be falling for you,” she whispers.
Lightning. Straight through my chest. “Harper…”
“I know it’s wrong and impossible, and Caleb. I’m still leaving. Ihaveto go save Z, and that means marrying him. I’ve been trying to fight this thing with you, but tonight, when you found me? It was like you were sent to save me.”
“You saved yourself,” I tell her. “You survived. You’re here. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known.”
“I don’tfeelstrong.”
“You are. You’re the strongest, most beautiful, most incredible person I’ve ever met.” I cup her face in both hands. “And I’m falling for you, too.”
I say it because I’m too cowardly to tell the truth: I’m afraid I've already fallen.
The air between us goes molten, heavy with everything we can’t say.
“We can’t—” She shakes her head, but her eyes… God, her eyes are begging me not to take it back. “It doesn’t change anything.”
“I know. But it also doesn’t change how I feel.” I lean my forehead to hers. “It doesn’t change that you’re mine to take care of now.”
“Yours?” she whispers, wet eyes searching mine. I’ve never seen her shields so stripped down like this. “I’ve never been anybody’s.”
“Well, now you’remine,” I echo. “And I’m yours, too. Whatever happens, wherever this goes? I’m yours.”
She nods, no more words needed. It’s there in the space between heartbeats: we’re bothin,even if it has to be a secret. Even if she leaves me in two days.
“Sleep,” I murmur, pulling the blanket over us both, cocooning her in warmth.