CHAPTER 16
Harper pulled into the drive at just a quarter after noon, dusty, sweaty, and a mix of anxious and thrilled. Thrilled, because Audrey was going to be a fantastic addition to her barrel-racing team. And anxious, because Sterling’s car was still there, and she had no clue in hell what her brother had said to him.
She walked up to the house tentatively then paused as laughter sounded from inside. Confused, she opened the screen door and saw Sterling at the stove with Kessed and Jasper at the table, eating what looked like grilled cheese sandwiches. Figures.
“What did I miss, because I’m thinking it was a lot,” Harper said by way of a greeting.
“Your guy here can cook. Who knew?” Kessed lifted her sandwich in a salute to Sterling. “Seriously, though, I had no idea he could cook anything. Last I heard, Laken said he burned water.”
“Hey, that was once.” Sterling shook a spatula at Kessed while Jasper snickered.
“So, this is new. And I see no guns or blood, so I’m assuming we’re all good?” Harper asked, tossing her purse to a nearby chair.
“Yup. Chill, and grab a sandwich,” Sterling replied. “I kicked it up a notch with some hot sauce from the fridge. It’s not the same as the jalapeño bread, but it’s a definite improvement.”
“Count me in.” Harper took a seat at the table.
After Sterling served her, Harper tugged him aside while Kessed and Jasper fought teasingly over who was on dish duty. “So, what did my brother say?”
Sterling shrugged and popped the last bit of sandwich into his mouth. The definition in his face adjusted, highlighting his jawline. Her fingers itched to trace its line.
“It wasn’t a big deal. I was honest with him, like I was with you yesterday, and that’s pretty much all he wanted. No games. No breaking your heart. For the record, he didn’t give a shit if you broke mine.”
“Sounds about right.” Harper released the tension in her shoulders as she laughed softly.
“Thanks.” Sterling gave a wry grin. “Did you like the horse?”
“Yeah, I gave my verbal agreement to the deal. I’ll have Jasper look over it later and compare her stats.”
“Sounds good. Spartan is getting a girlfriend.” Sterling wagged his brows.
“Spartan is a gelding. So, Spartan is getting a friend, platonically speaking.”
“Ah, got it,” Sterling answered. “You ready to go?”
Harper gave him a dubious glance. “Like this? I smell like horse and sweat.”
Sterling leaned his head down, taking a deep breath along her ear.
The cool intake sent goose bumps prickling along her skin and caused a tickle up her spine. The world absolutely disappeared as Harper reveled in the sensation.
“You’re perfect to me, but if you want to shower and change, I think I can wait a few minutes.” Sterling patted her on the head, breaking the spell of sexual tension that he’d created.
Jasper cleared his throat.
Harper sent her brother a dirty look but turned back to Sterling. “Depends. What do you have planned today?”
“That’s for me to know, you to find out and to be amazed.” He flicked his fingers along her ribs.
Harper squealed as he tickled and swatted his hand away. “Five minutes.” She held up her hand.
“Have at it.”
Harper shrugged off her plaid shirt and tossed it into her room as she passed by then ducked into the bathroom. After taking what her brother called a “sea shower,” she quickly brushed her teeth and wrapped a towel around her body as she darted from the bathroom to her room. She didn’t miss the heated glance Sterling gave as she made the short walk, and with a wink, she closed her bedroom door.
She tossed the towel over a chair and quickly dressed, slipped her feet into some sneakers, and tightened her ponytail. Debating whether to add a swipe of mascara, she quickly grabbed her makeup bag and a few minutes later, decided she was ready.
Or not.
Mostly ready.
They’d been dancing around each other for more than a month. And in that time, she had learned a lot about Sterling’s personality, his strengths, and his weaknesses. It gave her a sense of being prepared, which allayed some of her fears.
Some.
She breathed slowly through her nose, steeling herself before she opened her bedroom door.
“I’m ready when you are.” She smiled at Sterling as she walked back into the kitchen.
His gaze swept over her, no doubt taking in all the details, probably ones even she would miss. His gray eyes were warm, heated, yet tempered with an appreciation that made her feel beautiful.
Damn, that felt good.
How long had it been since she had actually felt beautiful?
Hell, she would have been happy with feeling like she was enough. Feeling beautiful was almost too much. Like she had asked for one piece of chocolate and been given the whole factory.
“Jasper, thank you for your time this morning,” Sterling addressed her brother, offering his hand.
Jasper accepted it and gave him a curt nod, his expression a firm reminder of everything they had discussed, if she’d read it correctly. She’d received a silent reminder from her brother herself a time or two...or hundred.
Biting back a snicker, she walked over to Jasper and gave him a hug. “See you later.”
“You bet.” Then in a low whisper, he continued. “You have your knife, Mace...something?”
Harper released her brother and smacked his arm. “You have to ask?” She wagged her head at him.
“That’s my girl.”
“Do I want to know?” Sterling asked.
“Just making sure I have protection.” Harper shrugged, grinning widely at Sterling’s surprised and slightly awkward expression.
He’d misinterpreted the play on words, just as she’d intended.
“Harper!” Jasper scolded, groaning.
“You know, a knife, pepper spray, stuff like that,” she added, unable to hold back her laughter at making the situation utterly awkward for both her brother and Sterling.
“Thanks for clarifying, Harper,” Sterling replied with a hint of sarcasm.
“I got your back.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Sterling opened the door for her, and they walked out into the afternoon sun. Even if it wasn’t as warm as summer, the sun made up in intensity what it lacked in actual warmth.
“Driving, huh?” Harper asked as she followed him to the sedan.
“Yup. Afraid?”
“Slightly.”
Sterling rolled his eyes but walked around to the passenger side door and opened it for Harper.
“Thanks.”
As Sterling started the car, she asked again. “So, what’s happening today?”
Sterling gave a slight shrug as he drove with one arm out the open window, his other hand relaxed on the steering wheel. “I have a plan, but first we need to pick up food. One little grilled cheese sandwich wasn’t exactly enough.”
“Pick up, as in take it somewhere else?” Harper asked.
“Yup. Do me a favor and call ahead to Yellow Church Café. I have the phone number in my notes section. I have it on good authority you love a sandwich called Holy Moley?” Sterling gave her a quick smile before turning his attention back to the road.
“How did you know that?” Harper asked, taking his phone from the dash.
“My code is my birthdate, 07-19-89.”
Harper tapped the code into the screen. “Wow, I have your code... I feel like this is a huge step in our relationship.”
Sterling chuckled, the deep sound welcoming and sexy as hell. “I bled my heart all over you yesterday. Pretty sure that my phone code isn’t as large of step. But if information is important, my blood type is B positive, and I hate needles. My usual passwords are my first dog’s name, which was—”
“Okay, I get it.” Harper laughed. “Nothing to hide. I appreciate that. Now, what do you want to eat? They have a great burger.”
“That’s exactly what I want.”
“Perfect.”
Harper ordered their food, and when they pulled up to the bright yellow building, she waited in the car as Sterling promised to return shortly with their meal.
Sterling came back carrying two paper bags. Heavenly scents filled the air around them as he got into the car and handed the food to Harper. Soon they were driving away.
“So, where to now?”
“The petrified forest,” Sterling replied as he pulled out toward the canyon that led to the Columbia River.
“Ginkgo Petrified Forest? Huh, I’ve actually never been there,” Harper commented.
“Laken told me about it, and it sounded fun. You know, team building while you hold my hand to help me navigate the difficult trails. It’s probably a stupid move, and I might not be able to hike too far, but I’ve heard the view is worth it.” Sterling gave her a wolfish grin.
“Looking for excuses to hold my hand?”
“Yup.”
“Smooth, because you’re limping so badly these days.” Harper rolled her eyes.
“I have a good therapist,” Sterling added with a serious tone.
Harper shook her head. “Yeah, you do. The best.”
“Hotter than hell too.” Sterling gave a low whistle.
“I’ve heard she’s a hardass.”
“Just part of her charm,” Sterling replied.
The rest of the afternoon played out with the same kind of give and take, push and pull. They’d eaten their lunch in the petrified forest parking lot beside the huge dinosaur statue. They’d navigated the trails and crested the hills, offering a fantastic panoramic view of the Columbia River Gorge, and they’d only run into one rattlesnake.
During that time, Harper’s fears had melted away, and she realized that she often still struggled with being herself.
As if she wasn’t enough and needed to play a role.
But not with Sterling. It was natural to actually be real, to make the smartass remarks, flirt, tease—just enjoy life.
It was beautiful.
But most of all, it was healing.
And as the afternoon wound into evening, she was reluctant for it all to end.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I gotta check on a few things back at the ranch before I drop you off. If you’re wanting me to take you home first, I understand, though.”
Harper had her leg tucked under her knee as she lazily caressed Sterling’s hand that she held as they drove back toward Ellensburg.
“That’s fine. I’m in no hurry.” She released a breath of silent relief.
“Laken and Cyler are out of town for the next day, so I’m holding down the fort. I should check on Margaret, and I have to ride out to make sure the gates are all open. We haven’t had any more wind than usual.”
“Welcome to Ellensburg, where the trees grow sideways.” Harper cast him an amused glance.
“Yeah, learning that. It’s been relatively calm today, but I need to check on them regardless.”
“Cyler will make you a rancher yet.”
Sterling chuckled. “Not exactly, but I’m learning different skills, and that’s always a good thing. When he gets back, I think I’m going to see if he needs help on one of his construction crews. I don’t have much experience, but the idea of working with my hands is appealing.”
“I think that’s a good plan,” Harper replied as they turned onto the ranch’s dirt driveway.
“Do you?” Sterling questioned.
She quickly studied his expression. Was he questioning her because he didn’t believe her? Had she misspoken? Yet, as she regarded him, she realized he truly wanted her approval.
Huh.
It was empowering, and it softened her heart in a way she hadn’t anticipated. While she understood, that in many ways, Sterling was broken like she was, it had never occurred to her that he might be insecure as well.
He was confident, powerful, and one of the few people who could probably take her brother in a fight. None of those traits lined up with insecurity.
Yet, there it was.
And she responded to it, as if it echoed in her own soul.
“Sterling, I think you’re pretty much able to do whatever you put your mind to. But you need to find something that you love, that you can throw your energy into, that gives you purpose. You’re more like me than I realized.” She watched the scenery out the window as they pulled up to the house.
“Purpose is necessary,” he added with a grin.
“Exactly. You’re used to working with your hands, and you’re simply trading the M27 for a nail gun. Seems logical.” Harper shrugged, proud of her neat comparison.
“Nicely done.”
“Thank you.” She gave a little head bow as she opened the car door. She glanced to her phone on the dash and made the impulsive decision to leave it. “So, what’s first?”
“Margaret, always Margaret, and then let’s ride out along the pastures on the quads, sound good?”
“Lead away, Captain.”
Sterling paused, his shoulders slightly tense as he turned to her. “Harper, when you call me that, it...”
Harper’s heart seized. Damn, she hadn’t even thought of it, but it had to hurt, being reminded that he wasn’t enlisted any longer. “Sterling, I’m sorry—”
“No”—he held up a hand—“it’s not that. It’s just... Honey, it seriously undermines all the self-control I’m trying to have. Because all I can think of is how you’d sound calling me that when I have you in bed. And I don’t need any help with my imagination, Harper. So, give a guy a break.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and walked away, his shoulders still tight, stretching the fabric of his T-shirt, offering her a tempting view of the years of hard work to build those muscles.
Damn. Harper blew out a stuttering breath, her heart pounding, her body reacting to his words.
Wanting them to happen so badly it ached.
Down, girl.
She took a calming breath and followed Sterling, purposefully filing away the information for later.
Heaven only knew she’d love to explore that idea...but along with the arousal came a shiver of fear.
Sex equaled pain.
Not at first, but Brock had made their physical relationship one that undermined everything that she had dreamed sex to be.
Pleasure was traded for punishment—and not the kind that was erotic.
The time she should have gloried in her body, she’d been shamed.
When she would have given anything for control, all her dignity had been shredded.
But it will be different with Sterling...right?
She had to believe that, but it didn’t erase the fear.
Control. She had to be in control.
Maybe, if she initiated everything on her terms, her way...
She followed Sterling into the barn, her anxious mood fracturing into a million pieces as she watched Sterling’s careful movements around Margaret.
A laugh escaped her lips. It was so weird that Sterling was still somewhat afraid of horses.
Horses. She trusted them more than most people she’d encountered, yet he couldn’t even walk around one without keeping a wary eye on the poor thing.
“You know they can smell fear.”
Sterling gave her a mock glare. “So I’ve been told.” He disappeared below the fence and then popped back up holding a piece of blue twine from the alfalfa. “I didn’t realize this was still attached when I pitched the damn thing in,” he grumbled.
“You did the right thing, Sterling. I know Cyler appreciates your help.”
He gave her an irritated glance as he slid by her to the stall gate. The poor mare didn’t even seem to care that he was there. She was too interested in her dinner. But Sterling was acting like she was going to bolt and trample him.
She giggled.
He pulled the stall gate shut with a click and walked away, dusting his hands off. “Okay, fences?”
“Fences,” Harper affirmed, still grinning from her residual amusement.
“I know you’re laughing at me. I’m ignoring it,” Sterling grumbled as they closed the barn door and walked around back to where the quads were parked.
“I didn’t say a word.” Harper lifted a hand.
“You didn’t need to,” Sterling replied as he started up his ATV.
Soon, they were passing through the pastures, and Sterling double-checked everything. His whole demeanor was more confident than even two weeks ago. He wasn’t comfortable with horses, yet he got the job done. The guy didn’t really even like cows, but he took care of them well and had learned what he needed to know to do the job right. It was rare to find someone with that kind of dogged determination. It would have been easy for him to wallow in pity, yet he’d risen above it.
Again and again.
“All finished!” he called out, pointing back to the barn.
Harper followed, enjoying the cool breeze against her face as they passed the scrub brush and Russian olive trees with their heavy resin scent.
They pulled behind the barn and parked, then Sterling extended his hand in invitation.
Harper accepted, savoring the warmth, the security his touch represented. As they walked hand in hand toward the drive, the underground sprinklers came on over the yard. She noticed a rushing sound of water, then frowned at the sight of one sprinkler shooting a geyser into the sky.
“Damn it,” Sterling swore and released her hand. He jogged over to where the water shot upward.
Harper followed, pretty sure she knew what was happening. Damn sprinkler heads.
Just as Sterling was approaching the broken one, another one broke, shooting water into the air and raining down on him.
Harper bit back a laugh as Sterling startled then appeared to sigh as his shoulders rose and then fell.
“Where’s the control box?” Harper called out.
Sterling turned and walked out of the spray, wiping down his face. “Barn.”
“On it.” Harper whipped around and ran toward the barn. Scanning the walls, she found the sprinkler box then opened it and flipped the switch from automatic to off.
The sound of water slowed and stopped.
Running back to the yard, she watched as Sterling bent down and picked up two sprinkler heads.
“Broken, huh?” she asked, walking up to him.
“Yeah, I didn’t know they shot up like that.” He gave a small grin to Harper.
She shrugged. “Happens. Since it’s irrigation water, sometimes the filter misses something, and it jams in the sprinkler. Then the pressure builds up and...boom!” She made an explosive motion with her hands.
“Boom.” He plucked at his soaked T-shirt.
The fabric bounced back and clung to Sterling’s wet skin, giving her a perfect outline of his abs. Her mouth went dry.
“Up here, Harper.” He snapped his fingers twice, a wicked glint in his eye.
Harper’s cheeks heated, but she hitched a shoulder. “The view is better there.”
Sterling grinned, but he looked away to the house. “Well, I probably should change before I take you home. Laken will kill me if I soak her car.” He gave a half grin as he turned back to her.
Harper wondered at his quick shift in conversation topic, but assumed it was probably due to that self-control he was trying to maintain.
And the temptation to snap it was almost beyond her ability to withstand.
“I’ll help.” She walked toward him holding out her hand, waiting.
Sterling studied her with his powerful gray stare, as if trying to read her intention. He squeezed her hand, and they walked toward the house. The air was electric while he dug the keys from his wet pocket with his other hand and unlocked the door.
Harper took a deep breath as they entered, questioning her sanity as she followed Sterling down the hall. “So, Laken and Cyler are gone?”
Sterling paused, watching her. “Till tomorrow.” He regarded her cautiously, the same way she would approach skittish colt.
Only the skittish colt was her.
Her hand trembled as she released his grasp and slowly ran her palm up his wet shirt, the chill sending a shiver up her spine, her heart pounding adrenaline through her system. Fight or flight.
Only it was just love.
It was alarming how much they felt alike. Yet were so different.
At least they should be.
In a perfect world. Not the one where she existed.
“Harper.” Sterling whispered her name, caressing it with his rough tone, sending her nerve endings to crackling with understanding.
Her fingers bumped over the ridges in his abs, and she slowly gripped the wet fabric, her nails biting into it as she tugged upward, exposing just a hint of tan skin.
She breathed out slowly, her breath hitching as she kept her gaze low, not able to bring herself to meet his eyes.
Not yet.
As she lifted the fabric higher, a low groan rumbled through his chest, and instinctively, her gaze flickered up, meeting his scorching gray eyes. Her hands paused, and she got the sense that he wanted her to move faster, but she was paralyzed.
So rather than move, she waited.
Breathing in, breathing out, and then Sterling closed his eyes, breaking the trance.
Free, she found her courage and lifted his shirt up over his head, while he raised his arms to assist. His dog tags clinked as they landed back on his chest. The wet garment hit the floor, and she zeroed in on the metallic necklace that represented Sterling’s past life.
He sucked in a breath as her cold hands skipped across his skin, lifting the tags to study them. It was an intimate exchange to hold his past in one hand and his present in another as she laced her free hand through his. She studied the words.
Capt. Sterling Garlington
Her gaze froze as she read the first word again.
Captain.
She remembered his earlier words, his warning. Don’t call me that unless...
Tugging gently on the metal chain, she watched as he slowly lowered his head. Her lips hovered just above his as she rallied her bravery.
“Well, then, Captain...” She closed the distance between their mouths, his heat immediately flowing through her lips and igniting her entire body, burning away her hesitation.
Sterling’s hands snaked up her arms and pulled her in tightly against his body. His tongue teased her lower lip as his hand dipped under her shirt and trailed along her bare skin, leaving a fiery trail of need in his wake.
She tilted her head, the kiss spiraling out of control as Sterling’s chest pushed against hers, backing her until she was pinned against the wall. His hands moved to her hips, spanning them, then tugging her in tight. His length pressed against her, large and thick.
Reaching down, she traced along the ridge, a grin teasing her lips. She watched his reaction as she touched him through the wet denim. He was beautiful. Masculine. A living, breathing fantasy. Lips, swollen and wet, parted as he panted. Need and steely control flashed through his eyes as he thrust into her touch, closing his lids with pleasure.
“Harper.” Sterling groaned her name as his hands gripped her hips, before he released her abruptly.
A moment later, he grasped both of her hands in one of his and laced his fingers through hers above her head before gently pressing their foreheads together, his breathing erratic. He plastered his body to hers, meeting her lips with a hunger that left her breathless. He cupped her breast, and her hands jerked at the intense pleasure, but she couldn’t move them.
Panic seized Harper, and at her jerk, Sterling released her and stepped back just enough to give her room. His chest rose and fell with desire, yet confusion and caution seemed to war within him.
“It’s just...” she started, not quite knowing how to finish. Her head dropped forward as shame washed over her. “I needed to move...my hands.”
When Sterling didn’t answer, she gathered her courage and looked up. His stormy eyes had her trying to take a step back, but the wall prevented any further retreat.
“He hurt you.” Sterling spoke the words as a realization, not a question.
Harper absently rubbed her wrists, remembering the rope burns, remembering the pain.
But no scars.
At least not ones that were visible.
Sterling took a slow breath then extended his hand.
Fight or flight.
Her heart pounded, all earlier fearlessness gone as she stood on the knife’s edge of indecision.
Sterling made the choice for her. Closing the distance, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her in tight as he placed the softest kiss across her lips. After drawing back, he spoke gently. “We’re going to heal all those scars on your heart, honey. No pain here...not with me. Just pleasure. The kind that makes you forget every single memory of what sex was before. Because we’re not just going to have sex. We’re going to make love, Harper.”
Her tension slowly eased when he kissed her again searchingly, as if pulling her consent from her soul before it ever was voiced.
“But I need one thing from you,” Sterling murmured against her lips, pulling her gently away from the wall and reaching a hand up her back, lifting her shirt softly.
“Anything.” Harper was lost, certain she’d agree to anything at this point.
She raised her hands and watched his eyes map her curves.
“Harper, I need control.”
No, anything but that.
She took a deep breath, opened her mouth to speak, but Sterling shook his head. “You need to learn that sometimes you need to let go, and honey, you can’t do that unless someone else leads you. Let me take you there, because I can’t have control unless you give it.” He paused, lips parted, his abs tight, his shoulders broad and tense as he waited for her answer.
“Permission. You’re asking for permission?” Harper not only saw the difference, she felt the difference, deep inside her core.
Sometimes control wasn’t giving up.
Control was letting go.
In that moment, she realized how much she desperately wanted to let go, to stop holding herself together with raw tenacity.
To be held together by someone else. Have someone else’s arms around her, keeping the pieces in place, rather than constantly holding them herself.
Swallowing hard, she nodded, unable to speak. She felt the walls around her start to crumble, piece by piece.
Parts of her heart once again started to gain feeling after having been numb for so long.
Hope.
It was powerful.
It was dangerous.
And somehow, even though she’d been through hell and back—
It had survived.
Like her.
“Come with me.” Sterling tugged on her hand, guiding her toward a bedroom. Eyes on him, she followed wordlessly, knowing everything was about to change.
And being willing to embrace that change for the first time.
While Sterling led her toward the bed, she scanned the room. She smiled as she realized that it fit so well with what she knew about this amazing man. Sunset-filtered light illuminated the tidy rows of boots against the wall beside the closet. The room was neatly ordered, mirroring his military background. No discarded clothes lying around, no random towels, just organization at its finest.
“Making judgments, Harper?” Sterling asked.
She turned her attention back to him, noting his arched brow and amused grin, even as she was distracted by his full lips and shirtless body. “Maybe,” she replied with far too much breath in her tone to sound credible.
“I’ll remember that.” He nodded, yanking her hand and quickly moving her toward him.
“Oh?” she asked, making eye contact, trailing her fingers up his forearms and over the mountains of his biceps.
“Damn, your hands on my skin make me forget every thought in my mind, honey.”
Grinning, Harper tiptoed her fingers across his chest, playing.
“Ah, you reminded me.” Sterling gave a predatory grin and, with a quick shove, sent her gently flying onto the mattress. Before she could gasp or laugh at the playful gesture, Sterling was on top of her, pressing against her body, nipping at her neck, and sending shivers down to her toes.
“I’m going to teach you another thing, sweetheart,” he murmured against her neck as his hands reached behind her and unhooked her lacy black bra.
The sudden release of the tension in the straps gave her a moment’s pause, but Sterling’s lips on her neck scattered the thought a fraction of a second later.
So. Good.
“This, right here...” He rubbed his nose along her neck, tickling her gently till she giggled softly. “...is also fun.” He arched back, meeting her gaze with a wide grin.
Harper returned the smile, unable to help herself and not wanting to, desperately wanting to believe everything he’d said, needing it to be true.
Not just sex, making love and enjoying it!
“Fun, huh?” Harper asked then hitched her leg up above his waist and shoved at his shoulder.
Grinning, he gave in and rolled over onto his back.
“This is how cowgirls ride,” she dared as she bent down and playfully bit his lip before kissing him fully. His tongue darted in to meet hers, dancing, playing, loving.
He cupped her breasts, weighing and toying with them, causing her body to hum, her heart to pound, and her hips to roll in anticipation. Sterling’s mouth left hers, and he moved her a bit higher. He trailed kisses down her neck, traveling lower till he took her breast in his mouth.
She couldn’t suppress the gasp of pleasure as she damn near saw stars explode in her vision.
“You’re forgetting one thing,” Sterling mumbled as his lips traveled from one side to the other, his warm tongue doing wicked things.
Harper heard his words but couldn’t form a response.
“This is no rodeo, honey.” With quick movements, he flipped her over on her back, immediately branding her neck with his hot mouth.
Harper was powerless to offer any argument but simply bowed her neck more fully to give him unhindered access as she reached up and tugged on his blue jeans. She found the belt and blindly unlatched it.
“Say please,” Sterling whispered against her neck before returning to her lips. He bit her lip gently before pulling back and waiting.
Harper took a shallow breath. “Please,” she whispered, a prayer on her lips.
“Please, what?” he asked, nibbling down to her breast.
Gasping, she arched her back as his dog tags tickled her shoulder, reminding her of the word.
“Please, Captain.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sterling rose on his knees and slid from the bed.
Harper turned her head to watch, her heart still pounding a mad rhythm with her arousal.
Sterling stripped down to his plaid boxers, a small smile teasing his lips as he strained the stripes still covering him. Yet, as he kicked off his jeans, Harper’s focus lowered to his leg.
Angry and red, the scars that hashed across his calf from his knee to his ankle were still shiny and looked painful in appearance. Though he walked without a limp anymore, it was clear his injury wasn’t fully healed. In contrast to his other leg, he was missing a good portion of his calf muscle, and Harper’s heart seized at the pain she knew it still caused him.
“It’s not exactly pretty....” His hands were fisted as if he were waiting for her assessment of the damage.
“Sterling, people wear their scars differently. Some on the inside, some on the outside...but scars prove that we survived. And survival is beautiful, no matter how it ends up looking when we’re done.”
He took a deep breath, nodding once. “Scars outside.” He pointed to himself. “Scars inside.” He pointed to her heart, lingering there and placing his palm over the pounding. “Let’s start fixing yours.”
And with a soft kiss, he pressed into her, and Harper willingly stepped backward till her knees hit the bed then lay down, ready to let go.
Ready for her scars to show.
And for someone to finally find them beautiful.