Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 117510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Unable to deny that, Harper relented, “Okay. A little break would be nice. But I think Asher would prefer another trip to the island over some time on the yacht.”
Knox traced the brand on her throat was his fingertip. “You’re right, he’ll enjoy the beach. And he likes the nursery we had built for him in the hut.” At Harper’s specifications.
She sighed. “It’s not a hut. It’s a giant beach villa with a thatched roof.”
Knox’s mouth quirked. “Call it whatever you like. Can you be packed and ready to leave tomorrow morning?”
“So soon?”
“Like I said, we need the time and space away.”
“Tomorrow morning’s good with me. But since you’ll be taking some time off work for a vacation, you really don’t need to stay home today.”
“I know. I want to stay home.” Not only because they needed quality time together, but because he needed her to be in easy reach for a little while so that he could touch her whenever he liked. After what happened, Knox didn’t want her out of his sight. He wasn’t leaving her side until the fear that had struck him last night had completely faded. If that made him irrational, so be it.
They’d spent much of the night talking and fucking, enjoying some alone time. When Asher woke at six in the morning, they brought him into their room and let him play on their bed while they watched TV. It had been peaceful. Normal. They didn’t get much “normal” these days. Which was why Knox then said … “Later, you and I are going out for dinner.”
She lifted a brow. “Is that a fact?”
Mouth twitching at her haughty tone, Knox kissed her. “I’ll rephrase. I’d like to take you out to dinner later. Does that work for you?”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“I’ll hound you until you agree.”
Harper snorted. She didn’t doubt that he would. “Where do you want to go?”
“You choose.”
Harper leaned back a little to study him, narrowing her eyes. “You, a total control freak, want me to choose? I think the last time you did that was when I was pregnant. You’d messed up then too. Knox, I told you, you don’t need to do nice things for me—your apology has been accepted.”
“And I told you that I want to do things for you, so suck it up.” Before she could chew a chunk out of his ass for that remark, he kissed her. Took her mouth, pouring that consuming and overpowering emotion he felt for her right down her throat. Moaning, she melted against him, and something in him settled. Just as he pulled back, Larkin’s mind touched his.
Knox, we need to talk, the harpy told him. I’m in the living room when you’re ready.
We’ll be right down. Cupping Harper’s hips, Knox said, “Larkin’s here. She no doubt wants to check on you. I assured her that you were fine earlier this morning by telepathy, but she’ll naturally want to see that for herself.”
Knox hadn’t been surprised when Tanner and Levi turned up a few hours ago, wanting to check on Harper first thing. Keenan had actually stayed the night, worried for her. Knox was quite sure his little sphinx would be surprised by just how protective his sentinels were of her. It wasn’t about her being their Prime; it wasn’t about duty. They cared for and respected her. She had a way of winning people’s loyalty without even trying.
“I’m ready,” said Harper, straightening her sweater. “We can—” Hearing her cell chime, she walked out of the closet and over to the nightstand, where she grabbed the phone. The name flashing on the screen made her blink in surprise and caused her stomach to knot.
“Who is it?” asked Knox, who’d followed her into the bedroom. “Clarke?” He’d kill the fucker if it was.
“Not the one you’re thinking of. It’s Devon.” The other girls had called last night to check on Harper after Jolene—who’d lost her everloving mind when she heard about the café incident—passed on the news of what happened. It had hurt Harper that Devon hadn’t bothered to even send her a text. Noticing that Knox was lingering, arms folded, Harper said, “Can I have a little privacy while I take the call?”
“I’m staying until I’m sure she’s not calling to give you grief.” He held her gaze with his own, telling her without words that he wouldn’t budge.
Sighing, Harper swiped her thumb across the screen. “Hello?”
“Hey,” Devon greeted shyly. “I meant to call you last night but … well, I wasn’t sure if you’d want to hear from me, considering I’ve been such a bitch lately. Now I’ve decided I don’t care if you don’t want to talk to me, I need to know you’re okay. Khloë promised you were fine, but … ”
Shoulders losing their stiffness, Harper said, “I’m okay. And I’m glad you called.” She gave Knox an “it’s fine” look, but he still didn’t move. She rolled her eyes.