Chapter 97 TYLER
It felt like my chest was going to explode with all the relief and longing I’d been bottling up as Harper didn’t pull away. Her lips pressed against mine, slow and soft at first, like she was letting all the words she’d never said pour into the kiss. My hand slid down to her waist, pulling her closer, needing to feel her, to hold her in a way I’d imagined every day for weeks.
Every nerve in my body was on fire. I wanted to merge with her, wanted to memorize the curve of her back, the warmth of her body against mine, the feel of her lips on me. I’d waited so long for this moment, and now that it was here, I didn’t want it to end.
Then her pace changed, frantic, searching, like she couldn’t get close enough. My chest ached from holding my breath, from needing to catch her up in my arm, needing to savor this moment, afraid not to ruin it. The world outside the room ceased to exist. Snow falling lightly outside the window, the cold air from the vents, everything disappeared. Only Harper existed. Only the taste of her, the softness, the heat of her skin.
She finally pulled back slightly, breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. Her chest rose and fell against mine, and I realized I’d been holding my own breath for too long. She whispered, words tumbling out before I could say mine.
“I love you, Tyler,” she admitted, eyes shining with tears. “I know I shouldn’t, but I do. I really do. And I’ve felt it for a very long time.”
My heart slammed in my chest. I couldn’t even speak at first, just stared at her, the raw honesty of her confession sinking in. Then the words spilled out of me before I could filter them.
“I didn’t know when it happened, Harper,” I said, pure honesty in my voice. “I just… I’ve been obsessed with you for so long. Every time I saw you, or even heard your name, I felt it. I tried to fight it, I tried to push it down, but I couldn’t. And seeing you with Mark, seeing him touch you… I hated it. Every moment of it. I was jealous every damn time, even if I pretended I wasn’t.”
Her eyes widened, and her hands trembled as they rested on my chest. “Tyler… I—”
“I know you dated Mark to try to forget me,” I cut in, voice softening. “I know why. But you didn’t, did you? You didn’t forget. And I can’t stop thinking about you, about us. I can’t stop imagining holding you, being here with you.”
Tears glimmered in her eyes, but her voice was calm, still tinged with guilt. “Tyler…” She shook her head suddenly, like she’d just remembered something. “No. No, this is wrong. I’m with Mark, even if I didn’t date him for the right reasons, what we’re doing… it’s still not right.”
I cupped her face, pulling her back against me so her forehead rested against mine. “I know it’s complicated. I know it’s not clean. But I’m terrified of losing you now that we’re finally here. I’m not saying it makes it okay. I’m just saying… I can’t let you walk away from this. Not now. Not after this long.”
Before I could stop her, she pulled away from me, racing for the door. My heart dropped. I lunged, going after her, catching her arm just as her hand reached the knob. She froze, and I spun her around, pressing her back against the door. My hands framed her face, holding her gently but firmly enough to keep her in place.
“Harper, please,” I begged, voice low, desperate. “Don’t leave. Don’t walk out that door. I’ll behave. I won’t kiss you again, I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. I just… just stay. Please. Don’t shut me out. Not now.”
Her breath hitched, chest rising and falling rapidly. She pressed her hands against my chest for a second before letting them drop. “Tyler…we can't.”
I leaned down and pressed my forehead to hers again. “I’m begging you. Please. Don’t go. I’ll follow your rules. I’ll be patient. I’ll wait. I don’t care if it kills me inside. Just… stay here with me. Please.”
For a heartbeat, the room was silent except for our ragged breaths. Then, slowly, she leaned into me, her lips brushing mine again, soft and testing, like she was weighing whether it was safe to trust me. And then she kissed me properly, deeper, pulling at my jacket, her hands tangling in the fabric.
I laughed softly against her lips, surprised by her boldness, and locked the door behind us. My hand slid down to her waist again, holding her close as she pressed herself to me. She sighed into the kiss, tugging gently at my hoodie, her warmth seeping into me in a way I didn’t want to let go of.
A sudden, loud knock at the door made us both jump.
“Hey, would you guys mind some company?”
“Ugh, Jacob,” I hissed, pressing my hand over her mouth before she could gasp. “Don’t say anything. Just stay quiet. He’ll go away if we ignore him.”
Her eyes widened, a mix of shock and mischief, but she nodded, letting me guide her toward the bed. I kissed her neck gently, teasing, releasing my hand and letting it fall to her waist, claiming her, slow, careful, like we were the only two people in the world. She pushed me back as we got to the bed, playful and urgent, laughing softly as she straddled me, her breath hot against my lips. I whispered little, teasing comments, making her chuckle softly.
The knock came again, and I rolled my eyes, holding her still. “Ignore it,” I murmured, voice low and intimate. “He’ll get bored and leave.
Trust me.”
“Or should we just get the door?” she whispered, glancing worriedly behind her. “What if he goes to tell your mom?”
“He won't,” I assured her, claiming her lips as I assisted her with my one useful hand in taking her shirt off.
A faint moan escaped her when my lips closed around her breast, tracing the curve, teasing her nipples. Every moment felt electric, every touch and brush of my lips on her skin earned me a quiet, soft moan. It made my pants tighten.
She laughed against my mouth, and I realized she could probably feel me straining against the fabric. In one swift movement, I flipped us and she was the one now underneath me, while I stayed on top.
“Who's laughing now, hmm?” I teased.
Her hands wrapped around my neck instantly, pulling me down hungrily. I obliged, my fingers cupping her breast as my mouth returned to hers. I grinded myself gently against her, knowing it was too early to cross some boundaries. My bulge pushed even harder, pressing gently against the wetness seeping through her panties.
Harper giggled happily, lifting her legs up to give me more access, as her hips began matching my movement. If the knock hadn't come again we probably would have lost all restraint.
“I know what you're up to in there,” Jacob shouted, banging on the door, clearly frustrated. “I’m telling mom.”
And that was all it took to send us jumping out of bed to get our shit together.