Page 33 of A Home for Harmony (Blossoms #16)

SPEAKING THE TRUTH

“ S omehow that dinner turned into something I hadn’t expected,” Harmony said when they got into Micah’s house hours later. “I know my siblings are just as surprised.”

He wasn’t sure what to think of it.

It wasn’t what he expected. There were plenty of rude comments made, some in his direction, but maybe Harmony’s mother was trying.

“What are your thoughts on it?”

“I don’t know,” she said, shrugging. “I’m working at gathering them. I want to think my mother is really going to change. I saw it with Daisy once Theo cut off communication.”

“That’s good that you noticed a change,” he said.

“And she was better with Erica and Tucker too. She honestly expressed her hurt at being left out of wedding planning. I saw Erica soften then.”

“I guess kindness goes a long way.”

“I’ve said that for years,” she said.

“You’re one of the kindest people I know,” he said. “I mean that. You’re almost too good for everyone around you.”

“Don’t put me on that pedestal,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m just being me. I think if you hadn’t given me a bit of a pep talk before we got there about telling my mother how much she hurts me, I might not have. I did it when I was younger and she only made me feel worse.”

“How?”

“By telling me I was being a baby. That I was too soft and people would take advantage of me. Did it happen in my life? Sure, it did, and I learned, but then brushed it off. If it makes someone else feel better about themselves to knock a person down, that is on them. I can’t change it and there is no reason to let it work me up. ”

“Which is your mother’s personality, but you let her work you up,” he said.

She turned and frowned. “I never thought of it that way. I think it comes back to what you said. She’s my mother.

She should have been there for me. She should make me feel like I can always go to her, whether or not she agrees.

I’ve never felt that. I haven’t felt it with my father either. Not until recently.”

He moved over and put his arms around her. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I worried when I was younger. My parents and I didn’t always agree, but I knew I could go to them for anything.”

“It’s a nice feeling,” she said. “I know it now because I can call my father. I’ve always known Erica would be there for me. Theo would too, but he’s that much older and always had so much going on in his life. Maybe I’ve leaned on my sister more than I should have.”

“There is no such thing as leaning more than you should,” he said. “You needed it, but I’ve seen that she leans on you just as much. Can you not see that?”

It didn’t even have to be what Harmony had told him about how she’d helped her sister to decide to move here and start over. Helped with her work even though she was busy. They shared the household responsibilities.

People said more than once that Harmony had helped Erica become her former self over the past year.

He wasn’t sure what had happened, except that she was stressed and grouchy, but he didn’t see any signs of that today.

He never did with Erica.

“I see it,” she said. “I know what I bring to people. They see me and judge. They don’t think I’m smart, but I bring humor and happiness into their lives.”

“Don’t you dare knock yourself down,” he said.

“Everyone in the world has value. I don’t think you realize how great yours is.

Do you know how many people wake up each day and can barely get through the day?

Then maybe they see your video or words of encouragement and think you are talking to them and they listen.

Or you put a smile on their face over a simple thing they are taking for granted? That’s huge.”

Harmony blinked her eyes. “That might be one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me. I’ve always felt it and didn’t think I’d need the validation, but maybe I did. I know you don’t approve of my career.”

Micah didn’t think it was a matter of approving as much as it was not what he’d felt comfortable with personally.

She moved into his arms. “Everyone needs validation in life, Harmony.”

“I doubt you do,” she said, poking him in the side with her finger.

“You’d be wrong,” he whispered.

“Everyone looks at you and thinks you’ve got it all together,” she said. “I know I see that.”

“What do you see?” His eyes were moving over her face.

She ran her hand over his cheek. He loved when she did small, loving gestures like that. Actions that warmed something cold deep inside of him.

“I see a guy that is well respected. Someone loved by his daughter and even has a soft spot that only a few see. I’m lucky enough to be one of those people.

You’ve got your life together even when you worried you didn’t.

Maybe because there was a part of your life you didn’t have together so you make sure you do now.

You learn from whatever mistakes you’ve made. ”

“I do,” he said.

“See,” she said. “I’m smart.”

“And you’re getting your shit together,” he said. “At least it seems like you have it together for me. You’re bringing happiness into my life when I didn’t think anyone could. You’ve opened my mind too.”

“You’re going to make me cry with all the nice things you’re saying,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you too, but I’m only speaking the truth.”

She leaned up and kissed him. “Okay, I don’t want to cry. I really don’t. It’s been an up and down day. We haven’t spent a lot of time together and I get to spend the night. I know you don’t want me here when Scarlet is.”

“I’m sorry about that.” There was no reason to lie and say it wasn’t true.

“Don’t be,” she said. “I’m not sure how I’d feel sleeping with you if she’s in the other room. Maybe in time.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“And because I understand, there is something you can do for me,” she said, smiling.

“What’s that?”

“We can have porn sex tonight,” she said, wiggling around.

She always managed to stun him.

“Porn sex?” he asked. “Like filming ourselves? Because that is a hard no.”

“No,” she said, waving her hand. “I’d never do that. I’d be too terrified that someone would find it even if it was deleted. Hard no here too.”

He let out a breath. No way he would ever put himself in that kind of position.

“Then what are you talking about?”

“I know you’ve watched porn before,” she said, moving out of his arms and grabbing his hand to pull him to his room.

“A time or two,” he said drily.

“Yeah, we’ll say that,” she said, giggling.

“How often have you watched it?” he asked.

“A time or two,” she said, smirking at him.

“So what is it you want to do?” he asked. “I’m positive I can be in line with it.”

“Oh,” she said. “I know you will be.” They got to his room and she shut the door. “Porn sex is multiple positions and not coming for a long time. How long can you hold off?”

“Jesus.” Just the thought of that had him hard. “Are you serious?”

“Yep,” she said. “Let’s see who has the better control.”

“Now you’re just challenging me,” he said, pulling his shirt off.

“I am,” she said. “And it looks as if you’re up for it. How do you feel about no condoms? I got a nice little shot in the arm over a month ago, but if you don’t want to, I understand too. I’ve never not used condoms.”

“I’m okay with it.” Which was surprising, since the only person he hadn’t worn a condom with was Trinda. But he hadn’t been in what he’d considered a relationship since his divorce either.

“Perfect.” She pulled her sweater over her head, then undid her jeans and wiggled out of them.

They both were naked faster than normal.

“How do we start?” he asked. “No one kisses in porn.”

“Nope,” she said. “We are going to have fun. Be lucky I didn’t tell you to get in uniform and we could have role played.”

He rolled his eyes. “All you have to do is be here when I get out of work one day.”

Her jaw dropped. “Now that is a challenge I’m accepting.” She got on her back and spread her legs. “I’ve been thinking of this since the drive home and I’m nice and wet.” Her finger went between her lower lips, she ran it the length and then put it in her mouth.

“Fuck,” he said, climbing on the bed. He got on his knees and slammed into her quickly, his hands on the sides of her.

The two of them were bucking up and down into each other, and he knew he was going to lose it if she moved like this for much longer.

It didn’t even last a minute before he was pulling out of her.

“Hey,” she said. “Come back here.”

He rolled her so that she was on her stomach. She got the hint and got on her hands and knees and he entered her that way.

Big mistake because he had to hold on for a minute, but at least she couldn’t move much and he could control the pace.

“Touch yourself,” he said roughly.

His hands were on her hips and he was giving her short, jerky motions while she brought herself up enough to match him.

He wanted her to switch positions next time so it didn’t seem as if he had no control.

After a few minutes, she said, “I’ve got to stop touching myself or I’m going to come.”

“Switch,” he said.

She flopped on her back again, but so she couldn’t move as much, he hooked his arm under one of her knees and pushed it up, almost pinning her into the bed as he thrust into her deep, then pulled out and did it again.

She arched her back and moaned louder than before.

“We have to stay like this,” she said. “I mean it. Oh my God, this is the spot.”

“What?”

“I wanted to find the best spot and this is it.” She squealed loudly and he yanked out and slammed in again.

“Harmony, I’m almost tapped out. Give me the go.”

If she still wanted this to go on, he needed to pull out and take a break.

“Go,” she said. “Go, go, goooooooooo.”

She was coming around him as he pounded into her. Her slick muscles squeezing and pulsing and sending him over the edge.

He collapsed on her, out of breath, and then rolled so he wasn’t squishing her.

“Not bad for an old man, huh?” he asked.

“You’re perfect, Micah.”

“Hardly that,” he said, snorting.

“Perfect for me and that is all I care about.”