Page 80 of Irreplaceable
With the door closed, the room was surprisingly dark. Almost pitch black, in fact. And after the sunlit hallway, I couldn’t see anything. With the flick of a light switch, a bulb illuminated the small closet, casting everything in a reddish glow. I saw some empty tubs as well as a line with clothespins, but I was more focused on her.
“This is really cool.”
“Thanks.” She smiled.
I brushed her hair over her shoulder and leaned down to kiss her neck. I sucked on her skin, pulling it gently into my mouth.
“What…” She let out a shaky breath. “What are you doing?”
“Picking up where we left off last night,” I said, kissing her shoulder.
“Last night?” I could hear the confusion in her voice. “What are you talking about?”
I met her eyes. “Surely you didn’t forget the way I made you come.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait.” She swallowed. “That was real? It wasn’t a dream?”
“Do you dream of me often?” I teased, but when her cheeks darkened to an even deeper shade of red that I knew wasn’t due to the light bulb, I felt an immense amount of pride. She could fight this—us—all she wanted, but she’d cave eventually. If last night was any indication, it would be sooner rather than later.
“No,” she snapped.
“It’s okay to admit it. I know you want me.” I licked up the side of her neck, and she shuddered in response. “I want you too.”
“Ungh.” She sagged in my arms.
I sensed she was close to giving in when the door swung open. Bright light poured in, and I squinted against it.
“Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry, you two.” Linda promptly shut the door once more. “Carry on,” she said from the hall, and Harper covered her face with her hands. “Just, uh, Harper, can you run into town when you’re finished in there?”
“Kill me now,” Harper groaned. I wanted to laugh, but I knew better.
“What’s that, sweetheart?” Linda asked from the other side of the door.
“I’ll be right there.”
Linda’s footsteps faded down the hall, and then I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I laughed.
“This is so not funny.” Harper gave my chest a playful shove.
“No?” I asked.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” I shrugged. “You’re carrying my baby, and it’s fucking hot.”
She laughed. “You have a thing for pregnant women?”
“No. I have a thing for you. You’re sexy.” She laughed, but I was serious. “I mean it, Harper.” I placed my hands on her hips. “You’re sexy.”
“It’s the bigger boobs, right?” she joked, and I wondered if she was uncomfortable with the changes in her body.
“It’s everything about you.”
She glared at me, but it lacked fire. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an errand to run.”
“I’ll go with you,” I said, opening the door as she switched off the light.
“You will?”
“Of course. But, Harper?”