Page 31 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

Chapter Eighteen

Xavier

I have to adjust myself as I make my way out of the room.

The mere mention of being on my knees made my cock painfully hard, and I don’t think she realizes just how willing I’d be to be on my knees, worshipping her.

My control snapped when I pushed my lips onto hers.

I’ve been thinking about her mouth since the first time my lips pressed against hers on Thanksgiving.

It took every ounce of control not to deepen our kiss, nipping and pulling her plush lips into my mouth.

But I couldn’t do that, especially not in front of my family. Besides, this is our agreement. We’d agreed to display affection so the plan is more believable, but this is something more.

Why did I find myself kissing her when no one was around? Was it the way she felt as I was carrying her? How she stared up at me, joy shining in her eyes? A wave of possessiveness rolled over me when I saw her out in the snow with no shoes on. The only thought in my head was getting her feet warm.

Skipping steps, I make my way up to my room. Once I’m there, I go to her bags that are…empty. She must have put her clothes away already. I look through the dresser drawers before I find what I’m looking for. Once I grab the thickest pair I can find, I make my way back downstairs.

Reaching the kitchen, Harper is exactly where I left her. Something in my chest tightens at the fact that she listened to me so well. She seems to be off in her head, her eyes fixated on something. As I close the distance between us, her eyes shoot to me, and a small smile forms on her mouth .

“How are your feet feeling?”

“They’re good.”

“Good. Feet out.” I pass her a towel to dry them off, handing her the new socks as I empty the basin, putting it back under the sink where I got it.

I turn back toward her, and she’s standing rubbing her hands over her thighs before she throws her thumb over her shoulder.

“Should we head over to dinner? We’re definitely late now. ” A nervous chuckle leaves her lips.

“It’s fine, I told my mom that we were going to be late. She pushed dinner to five thirty. So,” I grab her hand and head to the next room over. “We’re actually just on time,” I whisper in her ear.

We enter the dining room to find only my parents seated. My dad is whispering something in my moms ear as she leans into him. There’s a soft smile on her face before she laughs, lightly smacking his chest with her hand. When she looks over and sees we walked in, her face shines.

“Come! Sit, sit!” She encourages us to join them.

Leading Harper, I have her sit in a seat across from my mom, and I sit beside her.

When I look up, I see my mom staring at me with affection that I haven’t seen from her in a long time.

Unsure how to take that, I readjust in my seat, putting my arm around Harper’s chair.

My mom and Harper begin talking about Christmas traditions.

As their conversation deepens, I excuse myself to mix us a drink.

My dad slides up beside me and begins to refill his own.

“You seem different, son. Lighter.” He comments before turning and resting his elbows on the bar, looking over at the table where the girls are deep in conversation. I smile as Harper talks animatedly, hands flying everywhere as she speaks.

I mimic the position my father is in as I take in the scene.

“I mean, I am different. A lot of good has happened lately.” There’s a brief silence before I continue.

“I was doing well with just focusing on the clinic. The new addition was going to be my main focus for the foreseeable future. But then, Harper came in with her dog, and she fell into my life – literally. She went to introduce herself and fell into me.” Chuckling, I take a sip of my drink before releasing a sigh.

“We ran into each other later that night.” I shrug.

“We talked, and I just decided to take a chance.”

“Well, it looks good on you. I’m happy you decided to let someone into your life since –”

“Don’t, Dad. Please.”

He puts his hands up in surrender and doesn’t say anything more. He pats me firmly on my shoulder before he returns to his seat beside his wife.

Returning to my own seat, I pass Harper her drink.

She smiles at me in thanks. I throw my arm back around her shoulder, and she sinks into me with ease as she takes a sip.

We sit there for a couple minutes before I check the time.

We should have started dinner already but my sister has yet to make her presence.

“Are we going to start supper?”

Just on cue, Chloe comes barging into the room, face in her phone as she plops down in the chair dramatically. She’s typing away furiously, and the silence is pungent as Mom looks past Chloe, presumably waiting for Deke to come through the door next.

“Chloe, dear. Where’s Dalton?”

Her eyes leave her phone as she huffs. “He’s on some work call.

Something stupid.” Her response is short, eager to be back furiously typing on her phone.

The silence stretches on for a couple minutes before the doors open, and the kitchen staff come in with dinner.

We start with a spring salad topped with slices of fruits, feta cheese, and a raspberry vinaigrette, paired with fresh dinner rolls.

A warm puff of steam escapes the roll when I tear it open.

The table is relatively silent as we eat.

Chloe hasn’t spoken much, but she’s also still glued to her phone, despite the multiple attempts my parents have tried to engage with her.

When the salad is cleared, the main course of roasted pork loin, flame-roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes is placed in the center of the table.

My mouth begins to water at the smell of it all mingling together .

We all work on filling our plates, and I didn’t realize how starved I was until the main dishes were placed down.

Peering at Harper, I see that she has barely put anything on her plate.

She’s looking down at her food as she takes small bites.

I begin to eat my own meal, but I can’t stop watching her, seeing what she’s doing.

I don’t want to interject because she might not be a big dinner eater, but her stiff posture says otherwise.

“ So. ” Chloe starts, her phone placed beside her plate, her eyes zeroed in on Harper. I sit up straight as I wait for what’s going to come out of her mouth. “I’m just curious Harper– where you got the nerve to try and butt yourself into my life and my family.”

My mom begins to choke on her drink. “ Chloe! ” she scolds. “What is wrong with you? This is not how we speak to our guests!”

“Oh please Mom. I still don’t believe these two just randomly met and got together. When she was so desperate to get Dalton back when he ended things.”

Harper laughs, full of sarcasm. Shaking her head, she wipes her mouth with her napkin before tossing it on her plate.

“Desperate to get Dalton back? What exactly did he tell you because that’s not the version that I lived through.

I do not want him back. He burned that bridge the moment he decided to sleep with you while we were still together .

” I snap my teeth together on the t’s, and she flinches.

There is a tense silence as the news that was just disclosed sinks in.

My moms eyes are the size of saucers as they bounce between Harper and Chloe.

My dad’s face has turned a shade of red that only arises when he’s pissed.

Chloe, of course, is just pissed that she was called out for taking someone's boyfriend. Harper pushes her chair back and stands up. “If you’ll excuse me. I’ve lost my appetite.

I’m so sorry” Before I can get her attention she’s out of the room.

“Do you always have to be such a bitch Chloe?” I snap at her, pushing my plate away from me. Appetite gone. Standing abruptly, quickly glancing at my parents, “Mom, Dad I’m sorry.”

My moms mouth opens and closes a couple times.

She looks like she’s still trying to comprehend everything that just happened.

It’s my dad who responds. “No need to apologize. Clearly, we need to have a chat with our daughter.” His eyes whip to Chloe who is finally starting to look a little ashamed of her actions.

At least, I hope that’s what the look on her face is.

“I’m going to go check on Harper.” My Dad nods as he turns his attention to Chloe, yelling at her before I even get out of the room.

“How embarrassing! To find out that my own daughter ruined a relationship! Not to mention, you worked under him ! I went out on a line to get you that job, Chloe! And this is how you act?—” The conversation turns muffled as the door closes behind me, but I could care less as I race toward our room.

Entering the room, I see that the bathroom door is closed.

Pacing the room, I start to think of what I can do to make this better.

The overwhelming feeling to go to her wins out as I stride toward the door.

I knock and wait for a response, but there’s nothing.

I take my chance and try the knob. It’s unlocked.

“Harper?” I open the door just enough to allow my voice to travel, but also giving her a chance to tell me not to come in if she really doesn’t want me there.

“Yeah,” she grumbles.

“Can I come in?”

There is a garbled noise that sounds like a yes, so I don’t hesitate and walk in. She’s there, sitting on the edge of the tub, her elbows on her knees and head in her hands. I make my way over, leaning on the vanity as I take her in. There is definitely something going on.

“What’s going on? Talk to me .”