LUKE
The moment my lips touch hers, I claim her.
Weeks. Weeks of watching her, wanting her, holding back because she was a cop, I was a problem, and the timing was all wrong. But there’s no timing anymore. There’s just Harper, soft and fierce and finally—finally—saying yes.
I kiss her like I’ve been starving for it, like her mouth is the only thing keeping me tethered to earth. She smells like strawberries and tastes like want, and I’m drowning in it. My hand tightens in her hair, angling her head the way I need it, and she makes this small sound that goes straight to my cock.
Her body melts against mine, and I can feel every curve of her pressed against me. The softness of her breasts, the curve of her waist, the way her hips fit against mine like she was made for this—for me. My other hand grips her ass, pulling her up so she can feel exactly how hard I am, exactly what she does to me.
The kiss deepens. My tongue slides against hers, demanding, possessive, claiming. She whimpers and grips my shoulders like I’m the only solid thing in her world.
God, I love that. I love that she needs me like this.
When I finally pull back, we’re both breathing hard, and I rest my forehead against hers. Her eyes are closed, her lips swollen from my mouth, and she looks absolutely wrecked.
“We’re not done.” It’s a promise and a threat all at once. “Not even close.”
36
HARPER
Ifollow Luke’s taillights down the dark county road toward Blackthorn Ranch, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles ache.
My heart won’t stop racing. Every nerve ending in my body is alive, hyperaware, buzzing with anticipation and something that feels dangerously close to panic. Not the bad kind—the kind that comes from standing at the edge of something you can’t take back.
What am I doing?
Fuck—I know what I’m doing. I’m going to let Luke bang me all the way to heaven.
The thing is I promised I’d be his, and it sounded like a forever thing.
I bite my lip. Luke Bennett, mine forever? Last week I’d have dry-heaved at the thought. Now? It feels inevitable—as long as I can keep from strangling him.
Seriously, though, I want him. I want himso badly. Fighting it like I have been seems stupid now that he’s had his hands in my pants. Now that I’ve heard the depth ofhiswanting me. Because it’s deep—deeper than I thought anyone would ever want me.
Luke’s truck turns off the main road onto Blackthorn’s long driveway. I follow, my headlights cutting through the darkness. The main house is mostly dark—just a few lights on upstairs. Luke doesn’t pull up to the front. Instead, he drives around to the back of the house, parking near a side entrance I’ve never noticed before. Private. Secluded.
I park beside him and kill the engine, and for a second I just sit there, breathing hard, trying to steady myself.
Then Luke’s at my door, opening it, his hand extended.
I take it.
His fingers close around mine, warm and sure, and he pulls me out of my squad SUV and into his arms. His mouth finds mine again—brief, claiming, a reminder of what’s coming.
Then he pulls back and leads me toward the entrance. “This way.”
The door opens into a small hallway, dimly lit. Luke closes it behind us, and suddenly the world narrows to just the two of us—his hand in mine and the sound of our breathing.
He leads me past the entryway into what looks like a living room. It’s not the main one in the front of the house. It’s a bit smaller and cozier, but just as nicely appointed. The furniture looks comfy and plush. There’s an enormous screen on one wall, and another wall of windows that probably looks out onto the ridgeline.
Past the room, there’s another through a set of double doors. The bedroom. It’s masculine in color, with heavy wooden furniture. It’s very tidy. I don’t see any clothing tossed around, no shoes lying haphazardly.
The bed is enormous.
That’s where this is going to happen.
Luke closes the door behind us and locks it. The sound of the bolt sliding into place makes my pulse spike.