attention with the same intensity as Harper.
Traci’s mind spun in frantic circles while she contemplated her next move and suppressed the uncontrollable fantasies.
She realized Harper would be a challenge, especially since she was attracted to men—specifically Nik Roberts. It meant that she needed to move fast.
Traci Galva was the kind of woman who always got everything she wanted, and in no uncertain terms, she wanted the sweet, Southern girl.
Harper ran through the downpour into the corner drug store to get an umbrella. As she compared the vibrant colors amongst one another, she felt relieved to be faced with far less pressing issues than her sexuality.
While waiting for the cashier, she saw a headline on the chronicle that read: 'Local Teen Found Dead.’ She thought her eyes had been playing a vicious trick on her when she saw the victim’s name, Ricky Wiley.
Harper couldn’t breathe. It felt as if someone was choking the last breath of air from her lungs.
While standing under the flickering fluorescent light of the store sign, she read how his lifeless body had been found earlier that day in the Dark Woods, just as Brielle predicted. It sent chills down her spine.
She stepped onto the soaked beach, walking towards the water. Ricky's death made her think deeper about Brielle’s predictions. The woman professed to know many things, but what stuck in Harper’s mind was how insistent she was that Harper needed Nik.
That’s when it hit her. Ricky was really gone. He’d never be able to hurt them or say another vile thing about their relationship. It didn’t completely diminish the possibility for other hate crimes, but it provided relief.
However, it also gave Harper more to consider—so she headed somewhere to clear her mind. She ran for the lighthouse.
Through the heavy rain, she looked up and saw its beacon as if it were reaching for her. As comforting as it was, she wished she’d see the soft, promising glow of candlelight in the watch room, signifying Nik’s presence. However, the tower was dark and empty, much like the way she felt standing in the middle the desolate beach.
The soft rumble of thunder grew stronger. The waves were uncompromising, crashing against the shore as she raced to her safe haven. Harper held the umbrella out to shield her face against the wind and spitting rain.
After taking a few minutes to catch her breath, she mustered the strength to tug open the heavy old door and let herself inside. She swiftly struck a match, lighting the wick to one of the lanterns.
Cautiously ascending the winding stairs, she held it out as she moved through the darkness. Flashes of lightning illuminated the tower through the small windows along the way.
Harper pushed the watch room door open and set the lantern on the ground while searching for blankets she and Nik had left behind.
Suddenly, it was as if time stood still. Harper was immediately overcome with emotion. While she made her way across the darkness, she suspected the shadows were playing tricks on her. She squinted, believing she’d gone mad. However, her suspicions were confirmed as the lantern illuminated the beautiful truth before her eyes. Asleep on the floor, as if he were hiding in the shadows, was Nik.
He appeared to be in a deep slumber. His hair and clothes were soaked. The sleeves on his white button up shirt were rolled to his elbows and his fitted khaki slacks hugged his muscular thighs. The man looked serene and gorgeous.
There was a certainty moving through her body that she’d never felt before as she examined his flawless face. All her doubt dissipated, leaving only burning desire for him. It was as if nothing changed.
Harper nestled beside Nik and sunk her freckled nose into his chest, taking a deep breath of his alluring, familiar scent. Even being pressed against him, she felt entirely too far away.
Nik abruptly turned over and flinched.
“Harper?” he asked.
She was
Traci’s mind spun in frantic circles while she contemplated her next move and suppressed the uncontrollable fantasies.
She realized Harper would be a challenge, especially since she was attracted to men—specifically Nik Roberts. It meant that she needed to move fast.
Traci Galva was the kind of woman who always got everything she wanted, and in no uncertain terms, she wanted the sweet, Southern girl.
Harper ran through the downpour into the corner drug store to get an umbrella. As she compared the vibrant colors amongst one another, she felt relieved to be faced with far less pressing issues than her sexuality.
While waiting for the cashier, she saw a headline on the chronicle that read: 'Local Teen Found Dead.’ She thought her eyes had been playing a vicious trick on her when she saw the victim’s name, Ricky Wiley.
Harper couldn’t breathe. It felt as if someone was choking the last breath of air from her lungs.
While standing under the flickering fluorescent light of the store sign, she read how his lifeless body had been found earlier that day in the Dark Woods, just as Brielle predicted. It sent chills down her spine.
She stepped onto the soaked beach, walking towards the water. Ricky's death made her think deeper about Brielle’s predictions. The woman professed to know many things, but what stuck in Harper’s mind was how insistent she was that Harper needed Nik.
That’s when it hit her. Ricky was really gone. He’d never be able to hurt them or say another vile thing about their relationship. It didn’t completely diminish the possibility for other hate crimes, but it provided relief.
However, it also gave Harper more to consider—so she headed somewhere to clear her mind. She ran for the lighthouse.
Through the heavy rain, she looked up and saw its beacon as if it were reaching for her. As comforting as it was, she wished she’d see the soft, promising glow of candlelight in the watch room, signifying Nik’s presence. However, the tower was dark and empty, much like the way she felt standing in the middle the desolate beach.
The soft rumble of thunder grew stronger. The waves were uncompromising, crashing against the shore as she raced to her safe haven. Harper held the umbrella out to shield her face against the wind and spitting rain.
After taking a few minutes to catch her breath, she mustered the strength to tug open the heavy old door and let herself inside. She swiftly struck a match, lighting the wick to one of the lanterns.
Cautiously ascending the winding stairs, she held it out as she moved through the darkness. Flashes of lightning illuminated the tower through the small windows along the way.
Harper pushed the watch room door open and set the lantern on the ground while searching for blankets she and Nik had left behind.
Suddenly, it was as if time stood still. Harper was immediately overcome with emotion. While she made her way across the darkness, she suspected the shadows were playing tricks on her. She squinted, believing she’d gone mad. However, her suspicions were confirmed as the lantern illuminated the beautiful truth before her eyes. Asleep on the floor, as if he were hiding in the shadows, was Nik.
He appeared to be in a deep slumber. His hair and clothes were soaked. The sleeves on his white button up shirt were rolled to his elbows and his fitted khaki slacks hugged his muscular thighs. The man looked serene and gorgeous.
There was a certainty moving through her body that she’d never felt before as she examined his flawless face. All her doubt dissipated, leaving only burning desire for him. It was as if nothing changed.
Harper nestled beside Nik and sunk her freckled nose into his chest, taking a deep breath of his alluring, familiar scent. Even being pressed against him, she felt entirely too far away.
Nik abruptly turned over and flinched.
“Harper?” he asked.
She was
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