Harper. I told you already. You and me. You’re mine now.” His other hand slid around to rest between them. His thumb brushed over her lower stomach. “You’re both mine now.”
Tears burned her eyes. Emotions flooded through her and took her breath away.
She was teetering on the edge of falling in love with him. It wouldn't take anything at all to push her over that precipice. It was too fast and things that burned this hot typically snuffed out just as fast. If that happened…
He tugged her closer and brushed his lips over hers. They were still connected and that only heightened the emotion burning in her chest. His kiss was tender and combined with the way he was looking at her, it was almost too much.
And then he palmed her stomach, spread his fingers outward, his touch warm and possessive, and all she could do was hope like hell Ethan didn’t end up destroying her.
His parents place on Martha’s Vineyard was beyond words.
Harper tugged on the hem of her soft grey dress, one of many that Ethan bought her when he insisted they go shopping earlier. She tried to argue, but he didn’t listen because she said she had nothing to wear.
I take care of what’s mine Harper. Don’t argue with me. I’ll win every time.
He’d spent too much damned money on her but wouldn’t take no for an answer. Her wardrobe had doubled now along with the sexiest lingerie she’d ever owned, and which if she were honest, she couldn’t wait to wear for him.
Her stomach tightened, but not for the good reasons. Standing at the door, about to meet his parents, she thought she was going to be sick. If this was reversed and it was her father, he’d rip Ethan apart.
Except she hadn’t heard a single peep out of her family. They had to know. The news was everywhere now. Even the Globe had picked it up.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered. “They’re going to hate me.”
“If they hated you already, they wouldn’t have invited us to dinner. I’m not saying there aren’t motives, my father usually has them, but they know better than to fuck with you, okay? I promise I won’t let them make you uncomfortable.”
He pressed his lips to her temple and the tension inside her eased a little.
The door opened. She leaned against Ethan when he wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Good evening Mr. Matheson. Ms. Wentworth.” A grey haired man in a suit pulled the door opened and motioning them inside. “You’re parents are waiting in the back parlor, Mr. Matheson.”
“Thank you Charles.” Ethan clapped the man on the shoulder and guided her through the enormous entry.
The house, it was breathtaking. Right out of an Architectural Digest spread. Marble floors gleamed; ceilings rose and natural light bathed everything from a wall of windows to the left.
“It’s amazing,” she breathed out.
Ethan slid his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. “Been in the family for a lot of years. My mother recently redecorated though and all this is new. Used to look more like hunting lodge but she was tired of all the dark. Went in the opposite direction and now everything is fucking white.”
Not Everything. Pops of color came from drapes and flowers and side chairs. Harper grew up in a house about this size too, but this one felt warm, even though it should be stark. This was a home, not a showpiece for money.
Their families were so different.
Nerves gripped her tight and she swallowed against a lump in her throat. They were going to hate her, because her father was trying to ruin Ethan’s family—and now they would think the same of her.
“I don’t think I can do this,” she whispered. Voices came from a room just down a hall and Harper’s feet froze. She’d had to deal with so much dislike already, but she couldn’t handle seeing hate in his parent’s eyes.
Their child’s grandparents.
Oh god.
“Ethan…”
“There you are.” A woman swept from the room and stepped in front of Ethan. A subtle wash of perfume filled the air and the woman cupped his cheeks, pulled his face down and then placed a kiss there.
Ethan’s mother was stunning. Her dark hair was down and curled around her shoulders, framing a face that would rival the biggest Hollywood beauty. She had on a dark blue sweater and cream colored pants that made her tiny frame look even smaller. Ethan stood over a foot taller than her but somehow