Falling for Mr. Wrong(12)
That was all it took. Noah counted up the money he’d been saving over the years, bought a backpack and some hiking boots, secured the cheapest overseas plane ticket he could find, threw his passport in his back pocket, and that was the start of his big adventure. In total, two glorious years roaming the world, picking up occasional odd jobs along the way to help keep afloat financially, bartering his time for room and board whenever possible. He’d traveled to six continents before returning to the States to attend the law school he’d deferred acceptance to. Until his mother got sick and he realized he hated law school and was only doing it because he felt as if he needed to do something legitimate in the world. So he returned to Verity Beach, held his mother’s hand as she fought the cancer that ravaged her body, and tearfully bid her a heartbroken farewell.
Now he found himself picking up the pieces of her financially mismanaged life, after having promised her that he’d ensure her quaint beachfront inn would not fall into the hands of creditors. That meant long hours poring through her books and tax returns trying to make sense of the fiscal mess she’d left behind, followed by late nights of driving Uber, because he needed a reliable source of income at least for the time being. And the income had been fantastic throughout the busy summer season and well into the autumn wedding season. Even now as cold weather was setting in, there were plenty of locals who relied on Uber for their social lives—it sure beat worrying about alcohol consumption while out at dinner or a party.
He’d been back for several months, biding his time before attempting to reach out to Harper. For one thing, he’d been tied up with his mother’s illness until recently. In addition, he expected he’d get a frosty reception at best, and who knew how bad at worst? Hell hath no fury and all that. He wanted to be prepared for every eventuality.
Besides, he still hadn’t figured out how to explain to Harper why he did what he did. Especially since there was no good reason. At least to her way of seeing things; he understood that. So instead he’d been spinning his wheels, waiting for the ideal moment. Who’d have known fate would drop her in his lap like that.
But now he had to focus on the best way to win back the woman he now realized had always been the love of his life. And what just happened between the two of them merely cemented the deal.
Operation Woo Harper Landry was on.
*
Harper lay in the dark, revisiting what had happened over and over in her mind. That Noah showed up out of nowhere blew her away to begin with. But then, she didn’t even confront him and instead answered the siren call of what were clearly overactive hormones on her part? After all she’d been through? Hell, it had taken her two years to finally let go of him. Two years with no calls, no messages. Not even a damned postcard.
She’d heard through the rumor mills that he was off wandering the world, or sowing his wild oats, or whatever it was that stupid males did when they disappeared. She tried to avoid any information or updates on Noah. Each time she’d heard of his escapades, it picked open the sore and caused more pain. Eventually people understood that Noah was a subject not to be raised. So perhaps even if people had heard, she’d never know.
Her best friend, Allie Ledbetter, would have been on the phone with her no matter if it was the middle of the night had she gotten wind of Noah’s presence. But Allie had been out of the country for months, living in Italy, so she didn’t hear of these things quickly enough. Shame, as this time, Harper would have loved some advance warning about Noah’s return. That way she could have at least locked down her damned chastity belt a little tighter. Instead she’d practically oiled up the lock and handed the man the damned key!
She’d seen the hint of a tear in his eyes when she couldn’t pull her gaze away from his while he was buried deep inside her. It almost made her feel sorry for him. Almost. But then it sucker punched her back to reality. Those were crocodile tears, as far as she was concerned. He did this to himself—not to mention to her—and he wasn’t entitled to cry. Even if it did make him seem vulnerable and loving.
Luckily she recovered quickly and let him know in no uncertain terms that what had transpired was merely sex. Nothing else. And the only reason she allowed him down her pants—or up her dress, more accurately—was that she had an itch that needed some serious scratching. And God, was he good at that sort of scratching.
She closed her eyes and pictured him. Perhaps it was for the better that she hadn’t even seen all of him naked. It was more than enough to look into those eyes of his and remember, despite his actions, the intense love she’d felt for him for so many years. The cocky smile he had, one side of his mouth a little more upturned than the other, with those irresistible dimples sealed the deal. He wasn’t a boy anymore—he’d filled out and become all man. Even his face, with that scruffy beard… the last time she’d pressed her face to his, he was only shaving every couple of days.
She could barely admit it to herself, but she wanted him again. Already. Despite everything. She’d gotten a taste of what she’d once had, and while it made her all the more angry that he’d taken it away from her, she couldn’t help fixating on some way—any way—she might have another chance to feel his body pressed to hers. As long as she made sure that this time her heart was not going to be in jeopardy. So maybe she’d give him a taste of his own medicine, reel him in while having her needs met a little bit. Servicing Harper was the least he could do after everything he’d done to her.