Page 10 of Finding Home

I fight the grin I feel tugging at my mouth.

“I’ll take four for here, and two to go. Jace, how many do you want?”

“I’ll have the same.” Though, I’m eyeing the size of the tarts and wondering how the hell Harper consumes four in one setting.

As Jane packs our order, I step close, leaning into Harper and whisper, “Smooth,” so quietly only she can hear. She tosses me a quick wink then turns her attention back to the woman packing our bag.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Harper rub her hands together, shimmying her hips. Damn, she really does like these tarts. Maybe I’ll save one for Blake in case he strikes out with her assistant. Our tarts are handed to us, and I step up, handing my card to the lady behind the counter.

“Jace, no. I’m paying for my own glutinous habits.” Ignoring Harper, I smile brightly at the woman with my card still out. She takes it, but the smile she had before has been replaced with a scowl.

“Want to find a place to sit, or do you plan to chow down while standing?”

Arching her brow, Harper points to a small table situated under a large oak tree. “Excuse me, sir.” Well, fuck, that’s hot rolling off her lips. “I will scarf my tarts sitting at a table like a lady, thank you very much.” Her little perfunctory nod makes my lips twitch.

We get settled and I hand her four tarts, leaving the packaged ones in the extra seat at our table. She doesn’t wait for me, just takes a massive bite. “Yum.” Her breathy moan captures my full attention. I have to force my mind away from what else might draw that sound out of her. “Soooo good!”

My tart is paused halfway to my mouth with my gaze trained on her face. Eyes closed, totally blissed out, with the sexiest fucking moan on her lips. Lips that have little specks of pastry on them. Running my tongue over my lip, I imagine licking hers clean, then claiming that mouth with mine. She takes another big bite, dancing in her seat, before she catches me staring.

“Jace, I swear, you better start eating instead of watching me or I’m leaving.” I make a show of taking a massive bite. The flavors of summer burst onto my tongue.

“Now I get all the moaning,” I groan out, loving the flush that creeps over her cheeks and down her neck before disappearing under that black skintight top. We’re both on our third tart when I catch Mrs. Strawberry Tart staring at us.

“So, what’s her deal?” I nod in the stand’s direction. She follows my gaze, then lets out a very loud laugh, spraying me with crust bits.

“Fuck me in the ass! I am so sorry!” she groans. I’m too gobsmacked by her remark to react. Before I can blink, she’s taking a napkin and cleaning me up.

“Harper, don’t worry, Blake does it to me weekly.” I shoo her back to her seat while I discreetly adjust my hard cock, praying we stay seated long enough for it to go down before I need to stand. Seriously, I have no clue what my deal is. I’m like a teen in his first month of puberty with this girl.

“Gods above, surely I have hit my cap of embarrassing mishaps by this point.” Reaching for her hands that are now wringing themselves senseless, she freezes at my touch but doesn’t pull away. But the fuck me in the ass comment was too much for my very overactive imagination today, and I can no longer resist touching her, even if it’s just her hands.

“Stop, it’s fine, really. And just so you know, I think all of it is pretty damn cute.” She drops her face and that sexy blush returns.

“Any who, back to Ms. Gregory.” She rolls her eyes in a self-deprecating manner, quickly changing the subject. “She’s been trying to play matchmaker between me and her son, Thomas, for at least three years now. I guess she sees you as competition.” She chuckles to herself, staring at her fourth tart. I’m getting full after just three, but I’ll be damned if I let her out eat me. Relief washes over me when she announces she’s going to save the fourth one to take home as well.

“Are you interested in Thomas?” I prod, knowing I sound pathetic, but not caring.

She snorts, covering her mouth and rolling her eyes again. “Well, I guess that answers the embarrassing quota question. But no, I’m not interested in Thomas. He’s nice, and not unattractive. It’s just he’s…” her words trail off, and I find myself dying to know how that sentence ends.

“Just what?" I drag a knuckle over the back of her hand, loving the way her eyes jump to mine at the touch.

“He’s just so boring,” she groans then rushes to continue, “I know that’s mean, but he never laughs or goes out. He prefers to go to stuffy restaurants and wine tastings. Our one and only date was an unmitigated disaster. I was so bored I feigned a headache and left in the middle of dessert. Things must be dire if I miss dessert,” she deadpans.

The sun is setting rapidly, and all the booths are closing. Harper looks around at the commotion then turns to me. “That’s my cue to get going.” She sighs wistfully.

“Why?” At her questioning stare, I go on, “Why do you have to go? Aren’t rides and evening things about to start?” She looks off into the crowd, working that lip again. It’s a struggle to not tug it free and rub my thumb across her plump lip. When she turns back, her eyes are more guarded, and her posture is a bit too stiff.

“I just have somewhere to be.” Trying to hide the disappointment, I smile, handing her the bag of packaged tarts. “Enjoy the rest of your visit, Jace. It was nice meeting you.”

Harper leaves, stopping to say something to Wren before disappearing into the crowd. Blake waves as he heads into the rides area with Wren. I turn in the opposite direction toward the parking area. Suddenly, I’m not interested in the festival at all.

Since I’ll be in and out a lot over the next few months, I rented a cabin on the outskirts of town. It’s small, and simply furnished, but the deck that overlooks the river is what sold me on it. I grew up with land all around me. Most of my favorite childhood memories were from times spent at our old cabin with family. Even once I was an adult, there was always something about being in nature that has grounded me and given me peace that nothing else could.

Grabbing a beer, I step outside and inhale deeply, watching the water drift by. The sounds are so soothing, so familiar. As I sit on the deck and listen to the water flow below, I realize it’s the most peaceful I’ve felt in some time. If I’m being honest with myself, living in Portland is starting to feel claustrophobic, but this place is already releasing tension I’ve been carrying for far too long. My golden retriever, Tink, comes out onto the deck, making a beeline to me and sitting at my feet. Reaching down, I rub her head then scratch behind her ears. Tink leans into my touch, slowly melting, until she tips. Her face darts to mine, asking what happened, like she doesn’t tip over all the time, then wiggles on the ground a bit to get comfortable.

Leaning back, I let my mind wander as the day's events wash over me. No surprise, my thoughts keep circling back to Harper. She has bewitched me in a way I’ve never experienced.

I’ve dated but never found anyone that I could see myself settling down with. It was one day, and I know it’s crazy, but my brain is already ten years down the road, Harper at my side, smiling, and filling every room with her laughter.