Harry gained speed, pumping into her faster and faster until she finally gave in and came, her body contracting around his. “Willow,” he whispered, pausing to make sure she heard him. “You. Are. Mine.” He punctuated each of his words with another thrust of his hips, slamming his cock ever deeper and bringing waves of pleasure over her, until he finally came, pressing into her with a shudder. Spent, he bent forward and kissed her neck and shoulders before he pulled out. Willow sagged against the railing, totally unable to trust her legs to hold her weight.
“Maybe I should be a bad girl more often, if that’s how I get punished,” she said after she managed to pull her panties back up where they belonged.
Harry drew her close, wrapping her in the safety of his arms. “I meant what I said,” he murmured. “You are mine and I am yours and distance isn’t going to change that. I’ve never felt this way about another person, and I’ll be damned if I let you slip through my fingers just because we don’t live in the same place.”
Willow smiled up at him. She didn’t have any words, at least none that wouldn’t make her cry all over again, and between the tears and Harry smearing her lipstick across her face, she was pretty damn sure her makeup was already a disaster.
After giving herself a minute to overcome the lump of emotion in her throat, Willow finally spoke. “I should probably stop in the bathroom and get cleaned up before I show myself in there.”
“You look pretty fucking hot to me,” he said. “With your lipstick on my hand and all.”
“I mean, if you want to upstage your brother’s wedding party with a Willow and Harry Have Been Fucking on the Deck announcement, be my guest. I just thought now wasn’t the time to make it so obvious.”
Harry chuckled. “I guess you’re right. Today probably isn’t the day to let everyone know how I feel about you.” He kissed Willow again, deeply. “Just needed one more before you get yourself put back together.” He kissed her again. “And one more.” Another kiss. “Maybe just one more.”
Willow laughed as he continued kissing her, happier than she remembered being in a long time.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Harry
December
Harry’s family grew by one. Juliet Lane officially became Juliet Moore. The ceremony was beautiful—at least those were the words on everyone’s lips when it was over.
He’d never dare say it aloud, but he didn’t notice one thing about the ceremony.
The only person on his mind that day was Willow.
How she looked in her bridesmaid dress.
How she tasted when they snuck into a closet at the reception and made love until her legs went weak. How she felt in his arms that night—the first full night she spent in his bed. And then, how his entire being ached as she waved goodbye before going through airport security, tears welling in her eyes.
And in his.
Harry had never been more attached to his phone than he was after Willow went home to New York. Between rehearsals, she messaged him or sent pics of herself dressed in her ballet get up—which was just fine with Harry, considering what little clothing dancers wore clung to the body like a second skin. But even better still were the pics of her wearing nothing at all. He saved those for when he was alone and could stroke himself to completion, her name on his lips, her face in his mind.
They had a standing video chat each night before she went to bed—usually while he ate a late dinner in his office at the restaurant. And while it was good, while she continued to grow her special place in his heart, he grew ever more aware of her absence. He wanted to touch her, to see her and smell her and run his hands through her long, blonde hair.
And he would.
Soon.
His bags were packed, his tickets laid out on the counter—he was leaving for New York the next morning. Harry was so excited to see her, there was no chance he’d sleep. Even when he managed to quiet his mind, his heart kept popping out hiccups of happiness.
They only had two days and one night together, but it was better than the zero days and zero nights they’d been living through for weeks. But, given the fact he’d fallen head-over-heels in love with her while she’d been in Bliss, he knew without a doubt how much could happen in a couple days.
There was no point denying it.
Harry was in love with Willow.
He knew it in the same way he knew he was destined to run a restaurant rather than just be a cook. He knew it the same way he knew his family had his back no matter what happened. In the same way he knew that the sun rose in the east and when it shined in Willow’s hair, it looked like a halo of spun gold.
What he didn’t know was how he was going to get Willow back in his life for good. Or how long to wait before discussing how they could live together. Or where they would live together. Basically, which one of them would have to sacrifice the life they’d built in order to be with the other.
Even worse, he really didn’t know for sure that she was interested in creating a life with him. Sure, he loved her, but did she love him? Was it silly to even wonder about such a thing when they had only spent a handful of days together?
When it came down to it, all those questions, all that fear, paled in the knowledge that in less than twenty-four hours, he would be with her.
The rest would work itself out.
Somehow, some way, the answer would make itself clear.
He wanted Willow Tamran at his side. Every
