The Straight Crimes (16 page)

FIFTEEN

I
t was the first night of autumn. Nik, feeling incredibly romantic, looked up at the twinkling stars in sheer wonderment. The skies were so pristine he could see each glimmering beacon lining the heavens.

As he led Harper into town, he noticed his breath in the crisp air. “Turn around for a minute.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

“Are you playin’ a trick on me?” she asked.

“No—just do it.”

“Okay…”

Nik handed her a blindfold. “All right, now put this on and close your eyes.”

"You're crazy as hell."

“Please?"

"Why?"

"It doesn't matter why."

"Sure it does. If you don't tell me, I ain’t gonna do it."

"Don't you trust me?"

"’Course I do."

"Then just put it on."

She frowned.

“You’re gonna ruin my surprise.”

“Fine.”

Nik covered her eyes. Then he gently kissed her.

“Was that the big surprise, or just your way of shuttin’ me up?"

“Maybe it was both…”

“You’re askin’ for it.”

“I’m kidding, babe. All right, walk backwards and hold my hands.”

“What if I trip?”

“Don’t worry, I've got you."

Harper unenthusiastically accommodated his request.

"Keep those eyes closed."

"Even if I opened them, I couldn’t see through this thing.” She ran her hands along Nik’s bulging biceps. “Ooh, so strong.”

“Stop.” He pulled his arms back.

“Does that tickle?”

“What do you think?”

“Sorry, I can’t help it. They’re so nice.”

Nik smiled. “C’mon, try to control yourself.”

“I can’t,” she teased, rubbing them again.

“All right, we’ll have to try something else.” Nik bent down and scooped Harper into his arms.

She nearly lost her breath from the excitement. There was no feeling more exhilarating than relinquishing control to Nik’s masculinity.

“You doing okay?” he asked.

“This is much better than makin’ me walk backwards.”

“You’re such a smartass.”

“Yeah, but you like it—”

Suddenly, Harper’s new phone rang.

“Who’s that?”

“Sorry...”

He groaned. “Let me guess, Traci?”

“That’d be the only person who ever calls me,” she said sarcastically.

“I hate that stupid thing.”

“Don’t get upset.”

“I’m sorry, but cell phones irritate me.”

“It’s mostly for emergencies.”

“Yeah, but every time we go anywhere, she calls to see where you’re at or what you’re doing. She needs to get a life.”

“Traci’s supposed to be out with some of her friends tonight.”

He frowned. “I bet she only gave you that thing to keep tabs on you.”

“She means well. Ever since Mama went missin’, Traci’s tried takin’ on her role.”

“But that’s just it—she’s not your mom.”

“It’s hard to say that ‘cause I’m livin’ with her and it feels like she is. She doesn’t really boss me around, but she hates that I’m gone all the time.”

“That’s too damn bad, you’re not her kid. She needs to start treating you like an adult.”

Harper thought about that statement for a moment, digesting its realness. “I’ll try talkin’ to her about it.”

“I don’t mean to get upset, but it’s irritating.”

“I know.”

Nik rifled through Harper’s purse and powered off the phone. “I’m not letting her ruin tonight.”

“Yes sir,” Harper teased, deciding she needed to cool the tension. “I like when you’re bossy.”

“You do, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s kinda sexy.”

He blushed while carrying Harper down the rustic boardwalk. “We’re almost there,” he assured her.

She heard the waves crashing against the docks and the boats swaying melodically against the current. “We’re at the marina, aren’t we?”

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see…”

“Nikolas Roberts, if you’re about to throw me in the water, I’m gonna kick your butt all the way back home.”

“Give me a little credit. C’mon now, would I do that to you?”

“I don’t know. You’ve never blindfolded me before. There’s a first time for everything.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do. I’m just makin’ sure we’re clear on things.”

“Uh huh.”

“Uh huh,” she mocked back.

Nik stood at the edge of the dock, admiring the majestic harbor. Dim lampposts illuminated the ancient boards, creating a breathtaking view of the tiny lake, the ships, and the inlet to powerful Lake Michigan. Its splendor competed with the millions of stars dangling above it like an ethereal crown. He couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night.

“Why’d we stop?” she asked.

“We’re here.”

“Great. Can I take this thing off?”

“No, not yet.” Nik gently set Harper down and turned away from the docked boats. “I need you to wait in this spot.”

“No way, you’re gonna leave me here.”

“I’m not going far. I’ll be back in a second.”

“Hurry, I’m freezin’.”

“You’re kinda demanding tonight. I think that mansion lifestyle is starting to get to your head.”

“That ain’t true.”

“You sure about that?” he asked.

“Knock it off. I’m still me.”

“Just making sure. Okay, give me a minute. I promise I’ll be quick.”

“I’m holdin’ you to that.”

Nik quickly raced across the dock and jumped onto the old boat. He reached down behind the chair on the port side, pulling out two oversized blankets. Then he struck a match, carefully lighting the candles he’d placed strategically across the bow and stern.

After everything was in place, he stood back, admiring his work.

“All right,” he called out, racing back to Harper.

“Are you ready now?”

He took her by the hands. “The question is, are 
you
 ready?”

“C’mon...”

Nik turned her around and carefully lifted the satin sash. “Okay, you can look now.”

Harper slowly opened her eyes. Under the shimmer of the full moon and stars, echoing off the lake, they were standing alone in front of a private boat. It was strung with twinkling white lights and several tea candles. The flames looked absolutely breathtaking, dancing in the gentle breeze. Within the illumination were two blankets, a picnic basket, and a single long-stemmed rose.

“You remembered,” Harper whispered. She put her hand to her mouth in. “That night at the carnival, I said I wanted to go stargazin’ on one of these boats.” Gentle tears swelled in her eyes and ran down her frozen face.

“With a couple big blankets too, right?”

“Exactly.”

“Is it just how you wanted it?”

“Oh my God, yes. It’s even better,” she breathlessly exhaled. “No one’s ever done somethin’ like this for me. It’s just so sweet. Look, you’ve got me cryin’ like a big baby.” She was taken aback by his consideration. “I’m speechless.”

“You’re speechless? That’s a first.” Nik wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the top of the head.

She punched his arm playfully. “I wasn’t expectin’ anything like this.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Harper placed her hands on Nik’s firm chest and looked up into his dreamy eyes. She kissed him, letting it linger with her sincere gratitude. “Thank you.”

“
Well, shall we?” Nik offered his hand, motioning for her to take the lead.

As she stepped onboard, Harper tripped and landed on her back, immediately erupting in laughter.

Nik tried to keep a straight face as he helped her up. “Smooth, babe. Are you okay?”

Harper couldn’t stop giggling. “I’m fine.” She held her stomach. “I’m sorry. Leave it to me to ruin a moment.”

“No, it was cute.” Nik sat down on the blanket and motioned for Harper to join him. “C’mon, get over here, Slick.”

“Funny.” Harper settled in between his legs.

He draped the second blanket around both of them.

“That’s perfect.”

“It’s nice, isn’t it?”

She nodded. “So how the hell did you pull this off without me findin’ out? Was this what
you were doin’ when you were ‘too busy’ this afternoon?”

“Possibly…”

Harper leaned back into Nik’s warmth and soaked in the view. “So did you rent the boat?”

“Nope.”

“Are we trespassin’?”

“Of course not. This is my parents’ boat.”

“Really? The way you talked about it before sounded like y’all sold it.”

“Nah, I don’t think my dad will ever be able to part with it.”

“Too many memories?”

“Yeah, mostly of him and my father. We haven’t been on this thing since before he left, but my dad won’t get rid of it—hoping he’ll come back some day.”

“You don’t think your father will?”

“Not for my dad. If I want to see my father, I’d have to go to him.”

“But you don’t even know where he is.”

“Actually, when Old Man Winston bailed me out of jail, he said he may have Father’s address. I guess they used to be friends.”

“Really? We lived across the street from Bill Winston until the fire. He’s nice and all, but keeps to himself most of the time. It’s kinda strange to hear that they were friends.”

“Tell me about it. I had no idea.”

“So where’s your father?”

“Up in Port Vista. It’s a little north of here.”

“Yeah, that’s where Traci’s artsy friend, Jaslene, lives. Remember?”

“I’d believe it. Port Vista’s a nice area with lots of money.”

“So if you know where he’s at, then why don’t you go?”

“I didn’t get the address from Pops yet.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. What if he doesn’t wanna see me?”

“But you told me how close y’all were. Besides, you know exactly what he was goin’ through, wantin’ to be with a woman. Maybe since y’all are in similar situations, it’d be a good time to reach out. I know how much you miss him, and I’m sure he misses you.”

“That’s pretty much what Pops said.”

“If you ask me, I think you should see him. It’d be nice being around an adult that actually accepted us for who we are.”

“It’s true. Then maybe we could go stay with them—that’s if I could tear you away from your palace lifestyle,” he teased.

“You’re not gonna drop it ‘til I admit that I’m a spoiled brat, are you?”

“Pretty much.”

“Well it ain’t gonna happen.”

“All right, I’ll give you a break,” Nik snickered. “Well, my little diva, I have another surprise for you.” He leaned over and pulled out two glass flutes and a bottle of champagne.

“Where’d you get that?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Nik handed the glasses to Harper. Then he popped the cork and poured the golden bubbly.

“You’re just full of surprises tonight.”

Nik lifted his glass in the air, “To a night full of surprises—and to spending it with the most beautiful surprise anyone could ever ask for.”

Harper’s face gleamed. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Nik’s heart was ablaze. He slowly sipped from his second glass, staring deep into Harper’s gentle eyes. There was an unspoken want that lingered on his breath, thick as the coolness in the air. It was the same burning passion that paralyzed him every time he saw her—which had only grown stronger over time.

There wasn’t a look Harper yearned for greater than his come-hither stare. Every time she saw his dark, enticing features, she felt an explosive spark ignite deep within her soul. It was a craving that most people spend their entire lives longing for, a true magnetism with which nothing could compete.

He took both of their glasses away and held her face in his hands. “Do you have any idea how crazy I am about you?”

Before she could speak, Nik lifted Harper onto his lap—his heart uncontrollably strumming in anticipation. With their mouths mere inches apart, Nik slowly closed his eyes and pulled her into his soft lips, sharing an uninhibited, passionate kiss.

Harper savored the strength of Nik’s exchange. The exhilaration infused her senses as she ran her fingernails through his thick hair, desperately wanting him.