“Wes was just telling me he grew up in Canada,” Harper says.
If he keeps looking at Harper the way he is, I’m going to buy him a one-way ticket back. “Yeah, Nova Scotia. I know.”
“I’ve always wanted to visit Nova Scotia,” Harper says. “It sounds so pretty.”
“My family has a farm there. A big old farmhouse with lots of rooms. You’re always welcome to visit.”
A growl I have no control over rumbles in my throat and Harper turns to me. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I think it’s time we get out of here.”
She arches a brow. “Are you ready for your birthday surprise?”
“I don’t need any more surprises tonight, Harper.” I put my hand around her neck and pull her mouth to mine. I drop a possessive kiss onto her mouth, and from my periphery, I spot Wes walking away. I break the kiss and we’re both breathless. “I only need you.”
“I think you can have both.”
Tell her, Liam. Tell her you want it all…
16
Harper
My little car chugs along, holding its own as I drive through Mount Rainer National Park. My insides are full of love and happiness as I take a quick glance at my rugged hockey player, and find him grinning at me.
“Are we going for a hike?” he asks. He hasn’t shut up since we left the party, quizzing me on where I’m taking him.
“It’s dark, and there are wild animals in this park. Do you think that’s my jam, Liam?” I ask.
He laughs out loud. “I wouldn’t put anything by you. You’re full of surprises, and I love that about you.”
Love?
Did he just use the word love? My heart beats a little faster as I stare straight ahead, carefully negotiating the road. I chew on that for a moment, toss it around in my brain and I’m about to overthink it when Liam’s hand lands on my lap.
“Look.”
He points up ahead, and in my lights, I catch a flash of white as a deer crosses the road. “So pretty,” I say. “I once saw a black bear in the park. Gavin and I came here, camping with Violet, Jason, and Holden. It was a few years ago.”
“Ah, so we’re going camping then.”
“I only sleep on the ground when I have to. I prefer a cozy bed, thank you very much.”
He leans toward me, and I swear I’m about to pull over and jump on his lap right here when his scent curls around me, tickles between my legs. “I don’t care where I sleep. As long as you’re beside me.”
“You didn’t mind my small bed?”
“Didn’t even notice.” My body tingles all over, loving the warmth in his voice, the softness, and the way he didn’t mind hanging out at my small house, when his is so much more elaborate. He might be financially stable now, but he grew up in a middle-class family and seems very grounded. I really love that about him. There is that ‘L’ word again. But I’m far past denying that’s what I feel for him.
I pick up my phone, and check the directions, and he falls silent beside me, staring out the window. He breaks the quiet and says, “I’ve never been chauffeured around before.”
“I’m sure you have.”
“Okay, well a time or two, but never by a beautiful woman who I can’t wait to get my mouth on.”
I chuckle and when the cabins come into view, I slow my vehicle and take the road to the main lobby. Liam sits up a bit straighter. “What are you up to, Harper?”
I put my car into park, kill the ignition and turn to him. “I thought a private birthday party for two was more your style.”
He nods and smiles at me. “You’re right about that.” I’m about to head inside the lodge to get our keys when his frown stops me.
“What?”
“This place…” He closes his mouth and frowns like he’s not sure how to put it.
Panic surges inside me. Shit, did I make a mistake. It’s not a huge, fancy-ass hotel in town, but I know this man, and he’s not about that at all. “You don’t like it.”
“I love it, Harper. It’s pretty much the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, but…”
I stare at him and that’s when understanding hits like a puck to the face. “It’s covered,” I say. “I’ve been saving.”
“I thought you were saving for your own business.”
“I am, and if it has to wait a little longer, so be it.” I lean into him and put my lips on his. His hand automatically slides around my neck, and he holds me to him as he kisses me softly. We break apart, and I glance around. “Instead of giving the animals a show, how about we go check out our cabin.”
He stares at me in the dark car, the light coming from the lodge spilling over us. His gaze moves over my face and my body warms all over at the way this man looks at me. “I’ll just be a sec, okay?”
“I can—”
I put my fingers to his lips. “This is your birthday party. Tonight, it’s all about you.”
“As long as I can put my mouth on you, I’m happy.”
Smiling at that, I grab my purse and leave him in the car as I duck inside the main lodge, which is a great big beautiful log cabin, a fire burning in the gigantic hearth. I quickly sign us in and get our room keys. A few minutes later, I pull up to our secluded log cabin, and park in the driveway.
“What a view,” Liam says.
I glance around. “Gorgeous.”
“Yeah, gorgeous.”
I turn back and find him looking at me, and fall just a little more for him, which is a huge surprise, because I’m not even sure that’s possible. “Let’s go check it
