“Can you say it like before?” he asked. “Please?”
I swallowed. I would never guess Harper could be shy about very many things. But he was always so hesitant to take comfort from me. To take any comfort at all. And though he was quick to give support and encouragement, he seemed hesitant to receive it.Hesitant to ask for anything that wasn’t in benefit of me, in fear that I’d… I don’t know. Say no? Run away?Something.
Which is why I had no problem giving him what he tentatively asked for. That and probably because it was closer to truth than simple comfort.
Turning my hand over so that he could place his palm against mine, I corrected my earlier statement. “No te preocupes, amor.”
He sucked in a short breath then sunk back into the seat. “Okay, if you say it’s alright, then I trust you.”
Incredible responsibility came with those words. I just hoped I could break through his bad mood with that trust he was putting in me.
Sea spray misted us as soon as we stepped foot out the car. It was freezing but familiar as we looked out onto the little seaside prairie, the ground turned stiff and white with the season. Parking close to the water was about the only option on this small stretch of land. It only got smaller as the patch of frozen grass ran straight into a soft grainy shore before it began to narrow into the rocky, sediment heavy sand bar leading straight out toward our destination.
“Uh, Boss?” Harper looked around as I rounded the trunk and gathered the two chairs, blankets and warm drinks I’d packed up for the trip. “Please tell me this is not where you murder me.”
I smirked, appearing by his side. “This is not where I murder you… Unless you keep asking ridiculous questions.”
Almost unconsciously, he relieved me of all the items I was carrying and I began leading the way. The apprehension in his voice only grew as we started down the dirt colored path. Water and foam licked each side of the narrow walk, the waves pushing up and back around the spit’s edge, crashing into the large rocks and spraying us more and more the further out we traveled.
“For once, I think I’m grateful you have no regard for rhetorical questions,” he said. “But I still don’t think I’m satisfied with the answer. Baby, what the hell are we doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Not even a little.”
I laughed. “We’re going up there.”
His eyes traveled ahead of us. Walking up the rest of the way and straight under the large white lighthouse built upon the very edge of the rocks. It was built of brick and stone, like the original architect couldn’t decide on which material to go with and the very top of it was a vibrant red. So bright I could see it even when we’d first turned onto the land.
It was beautiful. Harper seemed less impressed as his eyes wandered back to meet mine. “This is some murder shit if I’ve ever seen it.”
“Just walk, Augustus.”
“Yes ma’am,” he mumbled.
He followed me up the path, his hand slipping onto my hip when the rocks began to protrude into the walkway and staying there as we climbed up the slightly elevated stones toward the gate.
The first thing I did when I got to the barrier was jiggle it. Sometimes they left it unlocked, which made it a whole lot easier on me and my conscience when visiting. This was not one of those times.
“Looks closed, Boss.”
“Shush up and follow me.” I was already scurrying around the side of the circular base to a more secluded entrance that I knew would be accessible.
Harper stopped, a huge grin spreading over his face before he jogged to catch up. “Alta Fernandez, are we breaking and entering?”
I rolled my eyes.
We were, in fact, breaking and entering, though. The way I brought my elbow down on the weak lock of the second gate, the old latch popping right open as it always seemed to, was proof. Theiron creaked as I pulled it open wide for him, the cold biting into my palm as I did.
Harper’s eyes stayed on me even as he passed through the gate and stepped onto the staircase it was protecting. He looked awestruck. “That was kind of hot.”
I felt a smirk pull my lips, my eyebrow pulling up with it. “You’re going up, Harp,” I said, pointing up the stairs
“Hell yeah I am!” he said, wiggling his eyebrows and looking pointedly down at himself.
“Harper,” I tried to sound annoyed, but I couldn’t through my giggle. “Go.”
He shrugged and started his way up the stairs, but not before I glimpsed the small, satisfied smile he let take control of his lips.
