Page 82

HARPER
Rain drums steadily against the cabin windows, a soothing rhythm, blending with the warmth radiating from the fire. Brody stretches across the rug, the flames casting warm shadows along his face. His presence fills the room, as it always does, and I feel safe.
I tuck my legs beneath me, wrapped snugly in a thick wool blanket, as I steal another glance at him. The memory of our kiss in the pouring rain lingers—the quiet intensity in his eyes, the way he cradled my face like I was fragile and precious. My heart flutters because I feel like I’m living in one of my fantasies—well, almost.
He looks up, catching me watching him, and a faint smile tugs at his lips. “Want to watch TV? It’ll probably rain for the rest of the night.”
“No,” I tell him.
“Cards?” he asks, resting his arm on the couch. “If I recall, you used to be really good at rummy.”
I arch an eyebrow, shocked that he remembers that. It was one of my mother’s favorite games, and when she was going through her chemo treatments, that was how we’d pass the time.
“I don’t think you can handle losing.”
He laughs, pushing himself upright and stretching toward a wooden cabinet under the bookshelves beside the fireplace. He digs around and turns back with a well-worn deck of cards.
“You’re going down, Alexander. There’s just enough luck involved, so you can’t accuse me of cheating when youlose.”
“Oh, you think you’re that good?” I tease, scooting down to the floor with him.
Brody leans toward me, shuffling the cards like a pro, his eyes glinting with amusement. “You have no idea.”
“Fine then, let’s make it interesting,” I challenge, my heart racing as I meet his gaze. “Each hand you lose, one item of clothing disappears.”
He stops shuffling the deck, his eyes locked on mine, momentarily surprised before a slow, heated smile curves his lips. “You’re feeling bold tonight.”
Heat pools in my stomach. “I have nothing to lose.”
“Other than your clothes,” he says, his gaze darkening slightly as he hands me my cards. “Careful, Harp. You’re playing with fire.”
“Good. I crave the burn,” I state, arranging my cards as my pulse quickens.
He shifts to sit closer to me. “You’re trouble.”
“And you spell that H-A-R-P-E-R.”
He chuckles as the sounds of the crackling wood fill the comfortable silence that randomly falls between us. Each time our eyes meet across the cards, butterflies flutter. Each playful glance holds a whispered promise of forever. My strategy is half-hearted; my attention is too consumed by the stubble along his chiseled jaw and the mesmerizing way the light of the flames dances across his high cheekbones. He’s beautiful.
Brody slides a card from his hand and glances at it before looking at me. “Based on the cards you’ve picked up, I think you need this one.”
I shrug. “Lay it down, and let’s see.”
Brody discards a queen, giving me the exact card I need.
I clap my hands together and let out a, “Woohoo.”
“Ugh.”
“You’re making this too easy,” I tease, placing my meld on the floor and winning the hand.
“I knew it.” He shakes his head with mock regret.
“Rules are rules,” I tell him, my eyes not leaving his as he slowly tugs his long-sleeved thermal shirt over his head.
He reveals tattooed muscles and strong shoulders. My breath catches, and of course, he notices. He notices everything.
“Don’t get too distracted,” he warns. “Or you’ll be naked within the hour.”