Chapter 71

HARPER

M y eyes were heavy and dry. My head pounded like a symphony at Carnegie Hall. I threw my arm over my face to block the intense sunlight that crept in from behind the curtains, letting out a groan I threw my pillow over my head.

I knew I should have stopped at two glasses last night. Jasper is right, I can't handle my alcohol, but in my defense, I'm new to the public drinking scene. I never allowed myself to relax enough to feel comfortable doing it, until Jasper. So, it was his fault. I giggled to myself at my childish accusations.

"What's so funny, Doll?" a husky voice boomed through the room and made me jump at the sudden interruption of my thoughts. I was quickly wrapped in the armor of Jasper's strong, tattooed arms. I rolled straight into his brick wall of a chest and breathed in the masculine earthy scent seeping from his pores.

Could he be more perfect?

I let out a deep sigh as I snuggled in closer. Jasper cleared his throat like a man of authority commanding a room. I looked up at him through my lashes to see one brow cocked, and his lips thinned.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing, it was stupid."

"Nothing you have up here," he pressed the smallest, most intimate kiss to my temple, "could ever be stupid."

I felt heat in my cheeks. The sweetest smile raised his lips as he pushed a stray hair behind my ear. He told me a million times how much he likes it when I blush, but I can't stand it. Wearing my emotions on my face is so traitorous. I could never be a seductive vixen, because no matter how hard I tried to act confident, my face would tell on me, immediately.

The idea of wearing some sexy little number, and trying to seduce the big bad lawyer in his office, rushed through my mind, then went to all the lingerie I was forced to buy at the boutique.

"Now, please tell me what's going on in that beautiful mind, to make your cheeks turn that lovely shade of red, that I enjoy so much." I buried my face into his chest and shook my head. I soon found out that was the wrong answer when his hands were wrapped around my waist, and with one swift move, I was turned on my belly. He kissed my neck when a shiver went down my spine causing me to wiggle and laugh.

"Oh, you're ticklish. yes, I forgot." I could feel his devilish grin against my collarbone where he peppered kisses to distract me from the torture that was about to commence. His hands were at my sides, and I was done for. I laughed until tears were streaming down my face, and not the cute little girly laughs, oh no, I could never be that lucky. Sounds were coming out of me, that even I didn't recognize.

I laughed so hard until no sounds were escaping me, and he let up.

"Are you going to be a good gir l, and tell me?" he teased into my ear.

My breath was suddenly stolen from my lungs, as I was projected back eight years prior. I was trapped underneath a man who smelled of old cigarettes and whiskey as he whispered into my ear "Are you going to be a good girl and scream for me?" biting my earlobe to draw blood, just before he did unspeakable things, that no sixteen-year-old girl should ever fathom.

"Harper, Harper baby. I'm so sorry." Jasper cried, breaking me of the horrific flashback I was momentarily trapped in. I thought those were long gone. It had been months since my last one. Aster is the only one to have witnessed them before now.

"I'm so stupid, I should have known better than to…"

"No, you shouldn't have." I just lost it. Right then, I wasn't sure what to feel, but feeling embarrassed seemed to be where my head was. I was ashamed that the man I love and trust with my heart was sitting there with a guilt-ridden look of terror on his face for harmlessly teasing me. I hate feeling so broken. I hate how he was looking at me like that's what I am. Broken .

"Jasper, stop looking at me like that," I yelled, as I snatched my wrist from his hand.

"I just don't know…" He started, but I was so angry for allowing that to happen in front of him, I lashed out.

"You don't have to know, Jasper. look how you are staring at me."

"I'm just concerned is all." he sighed.

"Don't be, Jasper. I'm broken. I know I am. This is what being with a broken girl looks like." I said through sobs.

I grew even more angry when warmth spilled down my cheeks. I swore I would never again let them have my tears, but there I was, crying in front of the one person I never wanted to see me like this. The one person I always wanted to be strong for, because that is exactly what he is for me. My strength.

"Harper, sit down." he gritted. "Don't you ever apologize for showing me your heart. When I said I love you, I meant all of you. especially this," he pulled the inside of my hand to his lips, and kissed it, then put it over my heart. His hand covered mine.

"How could you be so sure Jasper? What if my hurt, hurts you?" I questioned in a raspy whisper, fighting the tears from falling again.

"The only thing that could ever hurt me, is living a life without you in it." I looked into his deep blue eyes, searching for any sign of uncertainty, but I couldn't find one. Jasper really loves me, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I love him too.

He placed his finger under my chin and brought my face level with his.

"Promise me something?"

I nodded, afraid my words would betray me.

"Promise me, that you will never again let what they did to you make you feel unworthy of my love because if anyone is unworthy it's me. Promise me!"

Two words. Two words were all that was needed.

"I promise."