Saving Us (The Billionaire Brothers of NY Duology #1)

18. Harper

CHAPTER 18

Harper

T he past two days, I felt as though I’d been floating with every step I took. Tuesday night and into the morning couldn’t have gone any better with Gage. And him asking me to spend the night…plus add his sweet text messages since.

Gage - I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you

Me - I know, last night was amazing

Gage - Thursday night can’t come soon enough

Gage - Morning beautiful

Me - Good morning

Gage - I have a meeting that won’t be over until after 6 I’ll come by as soon as it’s over

Me - Sounds good

I hadn’t stopped smiling.

The alarm blaring its sunshine-y music in my ear couldn’t even bring me down today. And that was saying a lot, considering I took a shift at the club last night, so I’d be working on about four hours of sleep.

The club was an exhausting job, but since it paid so well, I didn’t have to work more than three nights a week to make good money there. And my seniority gave me the best nights, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But Gage had a meeting Wednesday night this week and begged me to try to rearrange my schedule. Turns out, Victoria had exams on Thursday and needed to study Wednesday night, so us switching worked for her as well. So, my rare Thursday night off was going to be spent on a double date with his friends Jared and Delia, which I was excited about.

Inside scoop from friends was important.

Hopping out of bed, I walked into the kitchen and noticed the pink rose in its bud vase, officially on its way to being dead. But I wasn’t throwing it out. No, that would be hung to dry.

It had to be preserved. Like the memory, it would always be in my mind.

Dumping the water into my kitchen sink, I carefully hung the stem from the pendant light by my window. Looking up, I noticed the time on the wall clock and realized I had to get going if I was stopping for food.

Finally making it out of my apartment, I raced to the bodega and pushed the door open, expecting to see both Rex and Maria.

But it was only Rex again.

“Hey, Rex, can I have my usual?”

He nodded while I went for my yogurt parfait. As I approached the counter, I knew something was off. His normal smile was missing, and he wasn’t even looking at me. Torn between how to proceed, I chose to ask about Maria.

“So where is your better half, Rex?”

When he lifted his head, there were tears in his eyes.

“Oh my God, Rex, what’s wrong?” My heart went to my throat as my pulse shot up.

“Oh, mija, she got some bad news,” he said as he grabbed a napkin for his eyes and nose. “She’s got some cancer.” And then his chin fell to his chest. The cries were soft at first, but his shoulders started shaking as the sobs began.

“Rex, oh man,” I said, moving around the counter to go to his side. “I’m so sorry, how are the kids doing?” I wrapped my arms around him, and his head fell to my shoulder. But then he sat back on his stool, a big sigh coming from him.

“We haven’t told them yet, but they’ll figure something out soon. She’s so tired and not really eating. And…” He paused.

And I waited.

“We don’t have insurance,” he said. And his tears started falling again.

Of course they didn’t, he owned this place and was self-employed. I was sure they barely made it by with the amount of business his store did. But I knew from when my dad was sick that there were programs out there for situations just like this.

“Rex, have you looked into any hospitals or doctors that might still treat Maria even though you’re not insured?”

He shook his head. But he didn’t need me giving him false hope, either. I decided I would do some research, look for myself and find out what I could for them.

“I’m so sorry, Rex, please let me know if I can do anything.”

I slapped a twenty on the counter, grabbed my breakfast, and walked out the door.

I would look into this for them. Cancer was not always a death sentence and maybe I could make a difference.

For them, anyway.

Fiona was already at the shop when I got there. We had a big wedding to get ready for on Saturday and would be very busy these next two days.

Weddings were probably my favorite floral designs to create. Aside from the brides usually being very creative, I loved knowing where they were headed once we made them. And this one was a barn theme, my absolute favorite. All the bouquets and table pieces were wildflowers.

“Fiona, I’m here,” I screamed to the back. “I’m going to set up in the front and get started on the tablescapes.”

There were some noises from the back, but no response from her. I went to the refrigerators and started pulling the stems I needed to make the arrangements when I heard her struggling with something. Looking up, I saw her carrying a huge basket of what looked like some kind of fruit. I ran and grabbed it from her arms, placing it on the table.

“What on earth is this?” I asked her.

“You tell me, it came just a few minutes ago, for you.” She handed me a card with my name on it. “Well, open it. I’m dying to know who it’s from.”

Of course, I most likely knew. And I wasn’t sure I wanted her to know we had seen each other again. But it didn’t seem I had a choice.

Harper,

What to send the most beautiful girl who works in a flower shop? Can’t send her real flowers, so I sent you ‘fruit-flowers.’ I hope you enjoy them. I’m sure they’re not as pretty as what you create. And maybe save some of the strawberries, I can think of something fun we can do with those…

Gage

The heat went from my cheeks to my chest. There was no way I was reading this out loud to her.

“I’m guessing you’re still seeing our Mr. Parker?”

I was conflicted about answering her, but she would know if I was lying.

“Are you okay with it if I am?”

She stopped shuffling the papers she was organizing and stared at me.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.

Plopping on a stool, I popped a piece of the pineapple from one of the flowers in front of me. It was perfectly soft and sweet. “Eat some. This will go bad before I can finish it all.”

She sat next to me, and we continued snacking on the fruit flowers in an uncomfortable silence.

“He’s a client, I didn’t know if you’d be upset with me for seeing him. I mean, it’s so new, we’ve only seen each other…a few times.”

“Sweetie,” she said. “First of all, you’re both adults. Regardless of what happens, I think he’s mature enough to handle things here appropriately. Second, Christ, he’s a sex god, you deserve this and I’m happy for you, Harper.” Standing, she grabbed my cheeks in her hands, giving them a squeeze. “You two must make quite the couple when together.”

I spent my lunch hour on the computer doing research about hospitals in New York City that treat cancer for people without insurance. It turned out that there were several options—New York Presbyterian even had a program. I printed out the contact information for Rex and Maria and made a mental note to drop it off on my way home.

And as expected, the day flew by with how busy we were. In addition to the wedding prep we had, there were ten walk-in orders as well as a corporate account to get started on. Fiona was going to have to think about hiring more help. We weren’t going to be able to keep up with these orders if any more work came in with us and the couple of afternoon high school kids.

And I’d like to start training someone for her so when I leave, she’s not left in a lurch.

“Fiona, I’m taking off. I have a date tonight!” I yelled to the back room. We were closed, but she would be there for hours.

“Have fun, girl! Make sure to have sex more than once each time you’re with him, that’s my tip. Because it won’t happen when you get older.” She started cackling to herself and then the music turned up louder.

Huh, more than once each time.

We would have to get on that.

Fiona liked for me to lock the front door on my way out since she was working in the back. Once I did, I grabbed my bag from the ground and spun on my heels to start my walk home. I needed to hurry to have enough time to freshen up.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I knew that voice. It did things to my insides. Turned them to mush.

Looking around, I found it coming from a rolled-down window of a limousine. He was opening the door as I walked toward the car.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? I’m picking up my girl for our date. Meeting got cancelled so I thought I’d swing by and get you home quicker so you could get changed. And we could use the car to go to the restaurant then, too.”

I don’t know about a car being quicker in the city, but he already had me in his arms, his caramel speckled brown eyes staring into mine. His perfectly manicured beard was begging for me to drag my nails through it. So, no complaints.

Plus, the driver of the limo was now holding the door for us.

“Thank you, Thomas,” Gage said as he led me to the backseat.

Settling in and looking around, I realized this was my first time in a limo. From the sound of it, however, it was not Gage’s.

“Thomas, this is Harper.”

The driver smiled in his rearview mirror as I waved through the opening separating front to back.

“Is this your limo?” I whispered.

He grabbed my hand, rubbing small circles on the back of it with his thumb.

“Mmhmm,” he said. “Thanks for agreeing to go out with Jared and his girlfriend tonight, he’s been on my case to do it since meeting you at the bar. He said he wanted to be able to ‘officially’ get to know you since he was put on babysitting duties that night.”

I felt shitty about that. It wasn’t fair that he was left with that responsibility simply because Victoria and I were drunk. An apology was in order.

“Oh, Thomas! I’m sorry, can you stop here real quick? I need to drop something off.” We were right in front of Rex’s, stopped in traffic anyway. Hopping out of the car, I ran to the door, but it was locked. Very unusual for this time of night. I decided to slide the papers I printed for him under the door in case I didn’t get in to see him in the morning. They were in a folder with a note on top.

When I got back in the car, Gage’s look was full of questions.

“Rex, you remember him, our yogurt fiasco? Well, his wife is sick, and they don’t have insurance. I researched some doctors and hospitals in the city they could contact.”

Leaning into me, he placed a gentle kiss on my temple. His hand came to my face, cradling my cheek, our heads touching. My insides were melting with every touch of his.

“Of course you did. I knew you were special,” he said.

My confusion must have shown as my head shook slightly at his comment.

“And you’re even more special that you don’t even realize why,” he whispered against my lips. “Let’s get to your place and both get changed. I want to get to dinner and show you off.”

Most NYC apartments were tiny, mine was no exception. And I was not embarrassed by it one bit. I worked hard for every dollar I used to pay its rent.

But as Gage and I ran up the stairs together, I wondered if he’d ever been in one so small. After seeing his home, this could only be described as insignificant.

Opening the door, I did a quick scan and was happy the only issue was I didn’t make my bed. There were no dishes in the sink, no dirty clothes on the floor. Odd for me, but a lucky day.

But that was the thing.

I could see all of that from my front door.

“Welcome,” I said. “This is literally the epitome of a humble abode.”

He looked around the space, walking up the table of pictures, looking at them all. Then he found the corner filled with my plants and flowers.

“Those are interesting,” he said.

“Those are my plant babies.”

“Plant babies?” he asked as he looked at each one. “Why are they planted in all these different containers?”

Walking over, I looked at each one with admiration. I couldn’t wait to go thrifting for my next container.

“Well, I like to rehome discarded things and use them as planters. I like to think I have a vision for it. Take this teapot, for example. The hole on the side is the perfect spot for a new stem for a flower to grow through.”

“They’re cool,” he replied.

He continued his cordial survey of my studio, but I decided to cut him some slack. He didn’t have to truly appreciate my love of quirky plantings just because I did.

“I’m assuming you’re changing too?” I pointed to the bag he brought upstairs with us.

“It’s a bar-type place, no need for the suit.”

“Okay, well, you can use the bathroom if you want,” I told him.

He threw his bag on my couch and stalked toward me as he removed his jacket. “Are you telling me you’ve become shy now, after what we’ve already done?” His chuckle was downright seductive. “Harper, there’s no way I was waiting in the car while I knew you were up here, taking off your clothes without me. That’s why I’m here, to witness the beauty of Harper Wilson again.”

He reached out to the hem of my sweatshirt, pulling it up and over my head. Problem was, I wasn’t expecting him to see me like this, under my clothes. My hands went to cover myself up.

“What are you doing?” he asked, pulling my hands from my chest.

“I wasn’t really prepared for this. I’m in a sports bra, Gage, not very sexy.”

Taking me by the hands and spreading out my arms, he stepped back and looked me up and down.

“Harper, anything you wear you’re sexy in,” he said, moving closer. His finger went to the curve of my breast at the top of the cotton material. “This right here, how your breast is peeking out the top, that’s fucking sexy. And your neck,” he said with a growl. His mouth was on me in his next breath, sucking and licking behind my ear.

Within seconds, we both had the rest of our clothes off, shirts and pants flying across the room. As he stalked toward me, I watched him roll the condom over the top of his rock-hard dick.

As I watched him, I realized how much I loved that we were just doing this. Out of nowhere. With his driver waiting for us downstairs.

His hands went under my ass, and he lifted me against him as I wrapped my legs around his waist. Finding the closest wall, he slammed me up against it as his mouth devoured mine. His one hand slid between my legs, finding my entrance, pushing inside.

“I love how wet you get for me,” he said, moaning into my mouth.

“Only for you, Gage.”

“Fuck, Harper,” he said as he reached below and gripped his rock-hard cock. Using the wall and one arm to support me, he guided himself into me, slowly.

The stretch was painfully perfect.

Neither of us cared what I was wearing.

No one paid any attention to the unmade bed.

Nothing was said about the fact that my living room and bedroom were in the same space.

None of that mattered.

Only we mattered.

Walking into the bar, I was happy to see it was as casual as Gage said it would be. Comfortable now in my jeans, I relaxed into his hold as he guided me through the place. Eventually, I saw the guy I knew to be Jared and a beautiful blonde sitting with him. He stood up when we got to the table.

“Gage, Harper, you guys finally made it,” he scoffed.

Gage and I shared a silly, conspiratorial grin, his hand on my ass giving it a firm squeeze. Was the look on my face a dead giveaway that I had just orgasmed all over his dick? I hoped not.

Jared came around the table, engulfing me in a hug.

“Harper,” he said as he pulled back. “This is my better half, Delia.”

His gaze fell upon the tall beauty who was coming out of Gage’s hug. She turned to me with open arms and pulled me in, holding on with a ferocity that surprised me.

“I’ve heard a lot about you already,” she said, almost in a whisper as we pulled apart. “Come, sit next to me, we have to be able to talk without shouting across the table.”

The dinner conversation was light and simple. We drank and ate and drank some more. I learned that Jared and Delia met once he moved to New York, that she was also a lawyer, and that they’d lived together for almost a year now.

Learning that the guys met in college was a treat, because Jared was more than willing to share lots of stories about Gage from their days at Blue Ridge University together. Frat parties, old girlfriends, spring breaks gone awry. The stories were endless.

“Where did you go to school, Harper?” Delia asked.

“I went to a small state school in New Jersey, got my business degree there.”

I didn’t want to get the same questions I always got: Why do you work in a flower shop? Why do you serve in a club? You have a college degree, when are you going to use it? So, my standard reply, a rehearsed speech by this point, started coming out.

“My dream is to own and open my own flower shop one day,” I said. “I worked at one during high school, and college, part-time for money. And I got hooked. I learned a lot from the floral designer I worked with in high school. And now with Fiona, well, I couldn’t have a better teacher. But I wanted the business degree, so I’d know what I’m doing when I finally have the money to do that.”

“That’s awesome, Harper,” Delia said. “I want to come by the shop you’re working at now and see some of what you do.”

Delia and I fell into a conversation about a few things privately while Gage and Jared talked about sports or something. But I caught Gage looking at me while they were talking, a pensive look on his face.

Eventually, it was late enough to call it a night. Standing up from the table, we said our goodbyes.

As Jared came to give me a hug, I offered my apology.

“Hey, Delia is great. And I wanted to apologize for leaving you with Victoria last week. I don’t usually drink that much, neither does she.”

“Listen, I see something in you, in you and Gage. If me taking her home gave you guys a chance to do whatever the hell you did, all good. My pleasure, Harper.”

Nodding and smiling, I made my way to Gage. Jared and Delia started walking after we said our final goodbyes on the street, and then, like magic, Thomas and the limo showed up.

“It’s not a night we can usually spend together, but do you want to come over? You can spend the whole day at my place tomorrow if you want. Maybe use the hot tub, and I can come home for lunch.”

I loved that he knew my schedules, for both my jobs. Sometimes I couldn’t even keep track, but he knew my days on and off by heart already.

A quick thought of us moving too fast flickered in my brain, but I forced it away. I was the one that moved us along. We were adults. Not even that young anymore. I was allowed to do what I wanted to do.

“I’d like that.”

We climbed in the car, and he pulled my legs onto his lap, taking my shoes off.

The foot rubs started early with him. As soon as he learned how much my feet hurt from being on my feet all day and night, he spoiled me.

“Ahh,” I said, leaning into the corner of the long bench seat. My eyes closed and I felt as though I could fall asleep. “I like your friends, Gage. They seem like good people.”

He clucked in approval. “They are. Jared and I are like brothers. And Delia is great. She’s perfect for him. I think they’ll make it.”

It was nice to see a healthy couple in the flesh. They did seem to be the type that could last. “I got Delia’s number, too. She seems really cool. If we can find some time, her and I might get together.”

He sat quiet against the seat as he continued to rub my feet.

“So, I didn’t know you wanted to open your own shop,” he said. “That’s ambitious. I can, uh, help you with your business model if you need it.”

My eyes opened, but I didn’t move because I didn’t want to run the risk of his hands stopping the divine work they were doing.

“I’d love some advice from you. Anything to help me get there. It seems like it’s never going to happen.” The lament in my voice was a bit dramatic, but by twenty-seven years old, I thought I’d already be doing what I had planned for myself.

I’d be a fool to turn down help from a billionaire business mogul.