“I learned those things from you,” he said softly, remembering her never-ending patience. And loving her for it.
“Does it matter where or how or from whom you learned it? You made yourself into the man you are. That’s why I’ve always said you don’t need to wear that tattoo as some sort of reminder about your father and the life he forced you to be a part of. You’re your own man, not the least bit tainted by him in any way. And I’m so proud of you, honey.”
He could hear the tears in her voice. Susan rarely cried when she was upset. She cried when she was happy. “If you reveal who you are, I know she’ll love you as much as I do. How could she not?”
But unlike Susan and Bob and the rest of the Mavericks, Harper hadn’t lived not knowing where her next meal would come from and had no idea of the depths to which people could sink. She hadn’t known men like Will’s father. She’d never stolen or lied simply because someone ordered her to.
What if she didn’t understand that sometimes you became exactly like the very person you hated because that reflection in the mirror was the only thing you knew how to see?
“I can’t tell her, Susan.”
“Listen to me—I’m proud of you because I know what you went through. Because you rose above it. I’ve never known better men than any of my boys. And that most definitely includes you.”
Her words humbled him.
“Tell me something, Will. Do you think Harper is worthy of love? And happiness?”
“Of course she is. The biggest love. The most happiness.”
“Is she worthy of your trust?”
“Without a doubt. She’d never lie or cheat or steal.” Not like me.
“Neither would you. Not now. Not ever.”
Again, it was as though Susan was right there inside his head, hearing all the voices that had never gone away. The ones that said he didn’t deserve any of this. Not the success. Not the money. Definitely not love. And certainly not Harper.
But three days ago he hadn’t told Harper the whole story about the day he’d met the Mavericks. Despite the sun and the pool, he’d kept his T-shirt on to hide the Road Warrior tattoo. And he hadn’t told her the full truth about those bullies who had gone after Matt. Nor had he told her anything about that terrible day when he was sixteen...and he’d made the worst mistake of his life.
“If you truly trust her, then let her decide whether you’re worthy. Don’t choose for her.” Susan paused. “Trust her to realize that you’re a man of your word, not a product of your father.”
That was the question, the one he couldn’t see a straight answer for, not anymore. Was he his father’s son?
Or was he a man worthy of Harper’s love?
“She needs to know how you feel. Trust her with your secrets, Will.”
“And if she walks away?”
“Believe me, honey, if you refuse to let her in, she’ll leave anyway.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“You got tickets to Wicked?” Harper looked up with surprise into the face of the most beautiful man on the planet. A man who was giving her one of those slow, sexy smiles that always made her dizzy with desire.
“Friday night. Dinner in San Francisco. Then a private box for the show.”
It was a lovely Wednesday evening, the air cooling down after the heat of the day. Once Memorial Day was over, summer hit with temperatures that baked concrete. She and Will were taking a leisurely stroll through her modest Palo Alto neighborhood while Jeremy stayed home building a Lego kit. It wasn’t just putting blocks together anymore. There were complicated instructions, and Miss Richards felt the toy would stretch his capabilities.
When Will had brought Jeremy home after work that evening, he’d removed his suit jacket and thrown his tie over the back of the sofa, but he was still tempting in a striped dress shirt. His hand over hers felt divine. And yet, even though it felt as though they were a couple—a real one—Harper kept reminding herself to stay in the moment. It was enough just to appreciate being here with him now. Which meant she needed to stop thinking about more. Especially since he’d already given her more happiness—and pleasure—than she’d ever thought to have.
He slipped the tickets back into the breast pocket of his shirt. “After the show,” he said, “we’ll check to make sure that Jeremy is doing fine staying the night at my house with Mrs. Taylor. And then I’m going to take you to my flat in the city and have my way with you.” He dragged his gaze down her body until she was hot all over. “All night long.” He drew out the words.
All night long.
They’d never spent the whole night together. In fact, they’d never even been completely naked together. Everything was always fast and hot, ripping clothes off and devouring each other. Or getting her naked.
But now he wanted all night.
It suddenly felt hard to breathe, in both a bad and a good way. Because God, yes, she wanted a night with Will. In his bed. All night long. But at the same time, she was terrified that it would change everything for her—that it would make it even harder to stop wishing for more.
She’d vowed that night in his ’57 Chevy that she wouldn’t be scared anymore, that she’d just go with the flow and keep having fun. But the truth was that even though she was having the time of her life with Will, she didn’t know how to shelve her worries. How could she, when she was falling so hard and so fast for him? Falling deeper and deeper with every kiss, every caress, with every sweet word he said to her, every smile he gave to her brother. Falling even harder and deeper after the barbecue. After watching him with Noah and seeing what a great father he would be. Someone she would have been proud to introduce to her own parents.