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

26. Harper

CHAPTER 26

Harper

I always knew Gage and I were from different worlds. His was corporate, filled with suits and ties and business functions. Mine was vastly different, working in the shop and the club. But eventually, as a business owner, I thought our worlds would align more closely. That I could feel like more of an equal.

But when we boarded his company jet, I knew our two worlds were galaxies apart and might never cross.

The level of intimidation I felt was worrisome. And it wasn’t just the jet. When we woke up the other morning to a knock at the door, the last thing I was expecting was a personal shopper to be dropping off clothes for Gage.

But Gage was the kind of person that had “people” to do things for him. A lot of people for a lot of things, apparently.

Yet, believe it or not, humble was a word I’d use to describe him. If I hadn’t pulled this runaway stint, I’m thinking I might never have known about this jet. He wasn’t flashy with his money or power, and he never made me feel like less.

And we didn’t need another hurdle to clear when we had just gotten through the first roadblock. I knew I was going to have to talk to him about how I was feeling.

We still had a lot to talk about, me apologizing for starters. And he didn’t want to do it any time I brought it up. I think we left it for now. While on this flight back home.

A captive audience for one another.

“Let me take your bag,” he offered as I looked around the spacious cabin.

There were a few traditional looking plane seats toward the front, I was assuming to use during takeoff and landing. But the rest of the space seemed to mimic that of a comfortable living room. There was a couch, table, and chairs along one side. They faced a wide-screen tv mounted on the wall that hung over a well-stocked bar.

Gage came up behind me, his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the seats up front.

“Let’s take a seat. They want to take off in a few minutes.”

I’d never even flown first class on a commercial flight, always economy for me. But as I sat on the buttery soft leather seat, sinking in to its comfort, I knew I was ruined.

How does one go back after this?

“Are you okay?” Gage asked as he buckled himself into the seat across from me.

His concerned eyes searched mine for any hint of a lingering problem. Or maybe it wasn’t concern, but his own fear of what the next three hours might hold for us.

Our time in Florida together turned into what seemed like us living out the pages of a romance novel. We spent a full night and day after his arrival either in bed “making up” or out and about as if nothing had happened. But we both knew we needed to address a few things with each other…about each other.

“Yeah,” I said. “This is just, uh, a lot to take in.”

His soft smile reminded me that he was still Gage.

“Well, I remember when I saw this plane for the first time, it overwhelmed me, too. I was probably about ten years old when my dad took Chase and me on a business trip with him. We were both little shits the entire flight, I’m pretty sure the crew refused to work again if we came back.”

We laughed together at his memory, but then I returned to being quiet. Leaning forward, he took my hand in his, rubbing the back of it the way he always did.

“Talk to me, Harper. We said that’s what we need to do.”

“We have three hours to talk, don’t we?” I offered.

Just then, an attendant appeared.

“Mr. Parker, three minutes. Once we’re up, I’ll be by with drinks.” She spoke directly to him but then turned my way. “Ms. Wilson, what can I get you?”

Another person waiting on him. And how did she know my name? I mean, I figured I needed to be logged in as a passenger, and there were only two of us.

Was I ready for this world?

“Um, I’ll have a diet soda, please.”

She smiled and moved back to where she came from, which was somewhere up front that hid her from us completely. My eyes fell back on Gage, who, it seemed, was amused by me.

“What?” I asked, my tone full of question and a splash of exasperation.

“Nothing, you’re just fucking adorable,” he said. “But, yeah, we have some time up here. And I agree we should talk. But I doubt that will take three hours.” He sat back against his seat and his hand went to his face. As he rubbed his jaw, his sultry eyes devoured me from head to toe. “You didn’t get the tour, but there’s a bedroom onboard.”

“Oh my God, I’m not having sex with her around to hear us!”

His look didn’t waver, but I refused to give in to his seduction.

“Then stop looking so cute…and fuckable.”

“Gage,” I countered.

But then his demeanor did change.

“I’m sorry,” he said, leaning forward as much as the buckle would allow. “But we do need to talk, and we should start with why you look so uncomfortable right now.”

Having a man in my life who was in tune with my emotions as much as Gage could be my ruin. Most would think it helps create the perfect man. Yet, I’d spent the last few years building a wall to keep me from letting my emotions interfere with any guy I’d met.

But he was slowly chipping away at the wall.

And my tendency to run and avoid, I now knew, was only going to scare him away.

“Yes, we should talk.” Trying to organize the jumble of thoughts in my head was taking me a minute. “Have you ever lived in a space where you can walk from one end to the other in three seconds flat?”

He sat against the back of his seat and his quizzical look told me he wasn’t expecting that.

“I don’t think you understand how it is for someone like me to be in a world like yours, Gage. When you gave me that five-thousand-dollar tip, do you even know how long it would have taken me to earn that on my own?”

The attention I was paying to my tone seemed to be working. He was still listening and didn’t seem offended.

“My dad died when I was only thirteen. And he was the center of both my and my mom’s world. Our lives crumbled. But smart with his money, he wasn’t. We struggled. And that was even harder. So, I decided to never depend on a man. Especially for money.”

Watching him closely for his reaction, I saw none. He was stoic. But listening, intently.

“Both my mom and I worked hard to get ourselves back on our feet, and we did it. Something I know I’m very proud of. Maybe too proud.”

My hands were twisting in my lap as I avoided looking at him. I knew what I had with Gage was special. And I was concerned how our talk might affect it in the end. But I had to be more concerned with how not talking would ruin us.

The rumble of the engines under our feet told me the plane was ready to hit the runway. My gaze drifted out the window, the sun low in the sky. By the time we got to New York, it would be dark and late.

We did need to resolve this now.

Before going back to our reality.

The plane raced down the tarmac, its speed increasing. Chancing a look at Gage, his eyes were glued to mine. It made my heart race almost as fast as the plane. But I had to look away, break the stare, to continue telling my story.

“It’s not just my dad,” I continued as I stared at my hands in my lap. “There’s an ex. And I didn’t go in with eyes wide open. I fell for him, hard, but he wasn’t in it for us. He was in it for appearances, for the idea of us. What I wanted wasn’t important to him. And he never understood that regardless of all the talking I tried to do.”

We were in the air, our altitude climbing as I watched the landscape of Florida disappear out the window. Gage shifted in his seat, drawing my attention to him.

“He was a bit controlling, and only wanted me to be an ‘image’ for him, nothing else. I couldn’t have my own thoughts. He never asked about anything I wanted to do with my future. I finally realized because he didn’t really want me to do anything for myself. It was all supposed to be for him.”

Gage leaned forward a bit, his elbows resting on his knees, concentration evident across his face.

“It’s hard to lose a parent, regardless of how it happens. I’m sorry to hear about your father. I didn’t know,” he said.

“I know, I really wasn’t ready to tell you,” I said. “As long ago as it was, it still hurts.”

He reached out and took my hand.

“And your ex, well, Harper, we all have a past.” He squeezed my hand. “It sounds like he was a tough one to deal with. But you’re a strong woman, and what we learn from our pasts is what counts, and you’re doing it all right in that department.”

His tight-lipped smile conveyed his appreciation for my openness.

“And let’s not talk about exes. I think I’ve got you topped in that department,” he said, then chuckled. “You know I was married. Well, she cheated, which is whatever. That happens to lots of people.”

The sadness of his words grabbed my attention.

But his demeanor told me there was more to their story, lots more.

“Rebecca and I met in college, and she wound up working in our company. May have been too much of a good thing, working and living together, who knows. But she was sent to London for work, and well, she met someone. Quickly.”

The pause in his story lingered. I wasn’t sure he was going to continue talking.

“How quickly?” I asked.

His eyes connected with mine at my question. “I don’t think I’ll ever know for sure, but I’m pretty sure she was living with the guy within her first month of being in London.”

I didn’t mean to audibly gasp, but it happened.

“Yeah, she turned out to be a real winner,” he continued. “But better it happened as early on as it did, right?”

I wanted to hug him, but we were still buckled in from takeoff. Our hands were entwined as we bent as close to one another as we could.

And, apparently, he was on a roll with sharing.

“And then there’s my father, who, unlike yours, was not the easiest to be around. He, uh …”

Gage released my hand, sat back against his seat, and stared out the window.

“He was tough. His expectations of me and Chase were high, probably bordering on the unattainable. But he was training us to ultimately take over his empire.” A low chuckle was his attempt to lighten the mood. “Let’s just say, he wasn’t coming to any football or soccer games.”

An announcement came over the speaker that we were free to move about the cabin. But this one was a little different, because it was addressed specifically to Mr. Parker. That doesn’t happen in economy.

And as if summoned, the attendant brought our drinks to us.

“Thank you, Emily,” Gage said as he took our drinks and placed them on our center consoles. Emily then promptly disappeared again.

Gage unbuckled, stood, and stretched. Reaching his hand to me, I took it, and we walked along the cabin.

“Let’s get more comfortable over here,” he said.

As we settled on the couch, he pulled me close and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I pulled my legs up and cuddled into his side, appreciating the close contact. A kiss pressed on the top of my head.

“Some parents aren’t meant to be parents. I’m glad you had ones that were,” he said, the sadness thick in his voice. “I thought my mom was. But when she left us, that changed my mind.”

My head snapped toward his, though he kept his gaze trained out toward the middle of the cabin.

“I’m so sorry, Gage.”

I watched him shake it off, though it was obvious it still affected him.

“It’s been long enough now. I was ten when she left. I haven’t seen her since. She, um…” He seemed so hesitant to continue. “She had another family by the time I was twelve, I think.”

Holy shit.

Who in their right mind could do that to their own children? That meant Chase was only eight years old when she left. No matter how bad her marriage was, there was no reason good enough to leave her children behind.

Tears filled my eyes as a choked sob got stuck in my throat, letting on my emotional state. Gage pulled me to a sitting position, looking at me.

“Hey,” he said, wiping under my eyes as the tears sprung free. “I’m okay. Us three guys did okay. We’re doing more than okay, if you ask me.”

His gentle laugh was his attempt at humor, trying to make light of his horrific story.

His sad, horrific story.

But he was right. He did seem to be doing alright.

“I’m sorry, Harper.” He took my face in his hands. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Shaking my head, I needed to deter his attention from me.

“I’m fine, really,” I told him. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself to continue hearing what else he might have to say.

Looking at this beautiful man in front of me, I could only imagine how adorable he must have been as a child. How could a mother walk away from such a kind heart and warm eyes?

As I looked into those eyes, my heart broke for the boy he was, and the man he is. He was not healed from the harm she instilled in him. Probably never would be.

And I ran from him…abandoned him…just like she did.

“Oh my God, Gage,” I said, with horror in my voice at the realization of my ways. I reached out for his face, holding it in my hands, gripping it tight. “I’m so sorry that I took off…”

Tears sprang from my eyes once again, fresh pain piercing my heart. He pulled me onto his lap, holding me close, our noses skimming. His fingers failed at their attempt to keep my cheeks dry.

“Gage,” I started, knowing that so much more of an apology was due him. “I am so sorry. I should not have run from our fight, from us. It was a totally immature response, and I can only imagine what I put you through while I was gone.” Rolling my hands together, the sweaty palms a dead giveaway of my nerves. “Jacob, my ex, was an ass, but as I’m telling you my story, it doesn’t seem nearly as dreadful as what you’ve been through in your life, with your mom and your ex. It makes me feel as though I really overreacted here.” A slow, rolling tear made its way down my cheek.

He shifted his position to align himself more with me. Our faces were directly across from one another, eyes connected.

“Harper,” he said as he peppered my mouth with tender kisses, my tears making them salty. “You would never have known; this isn’t a blame game. It’s why we’re talking, we have to get this out, let each other know.”

Letting my head fall against his chest, we stayed like that.

Quiet, breathing, thinking. As he held me.

And he was right, this all needed to be said. Our pasts were what made us who we were, infiltrating every decision we make. But they shouldn’t control us.

His fingers ran through my hair while his other hand rubbed my back. As we sat there, I felt myself calm down.

We’d done it. We talked about our pasts and our fight, and it seemed to bring us some closure on the past few days. The mood between us shifted. Things seemed…resolved.

“Your hair got so much lighter since you’ve been down there,” he said as he played with a few pieces along my back. “It looks more like blonde now.”

Sitting up, I slid the elastic from my wrist and pulled my hair to the top of my head into a messy bun. “I have what I call ‘summer hair’ and ‘winter hair.’ I’m light brown or dirty blonde until my hair sees the sun, then it bleaches out.” I pulled at some pieces to make the bun just right but noticed Gage staring at me with an odd look. “What?”

He reached up and pulled on a loose strand of hair next to my ear before his finger ran a path from my neck to my now-heaving chest. Insane how a small touch or a simple look from him had me full of desire.

“You have no idea what you do to me, do you?” His question remained rhetorical.

But my own question was plain on my face.

“I love when you put your hair up, have you ever realized that?” he asked. “Your neck is so fucking sexy. It turns me on. And your little messy knot thing on your head…” He pointed to my bun. “It makes it look like you’ve just gotten fucked.”

Both his thumbs rubbed across my shirt, my nipples reacting to his touch. But then his hands fell to his sides, and he looked at me, his eyes peering into mine.

“Harper, I will not fuck this up with you,” he said as his hands gripped my hips. “What we have is too perfect. You’re too perfect. I know I’ve said this already, but I will stay in my lane and let you live your life, as long as I can be by your side as you live it.” Looking at the ceiling, he paused. “I might still screw up every once in a while, but it won’t be intentional, I promise.” A small smile appeared. “Let’s make a pact to talk, not run away, okay?”

Taking both his hands in mine and interlocking our fingers, I pulled his arms around me, forcing him to pull me in for a hug.

“I promise I will never run from us again, Gage.”

My lips went to his, and it was a kiss with strong meaning. It held more than a promise—it held a vow we were making to one another.

“I’m not gonna lie,” he whispered against my mouth. “I want you right now.” His hands slid down my back to the top of my ass, dipping under the waistband of my jeans. “I want to take you into that bedroom back there and do things to you. But if all you want to do is lie here together, I’m good with that too.”

His fingers grabbed a hold of the top of my thong and gave a little tug.

And hit me in all the right places. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“Well, I think I should at least get the full tour of this plane while I’m on it, don’t you?” I asked, looking toward the door, which must be to the bedroom. “How much time until we land?”

He picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. This was his thing, holding me against him. He walked us to the room at the back of the plane and threw me on the bed.

“Enough time for me to make you come at least twice,” he said as he locked the door, “before I fuck you.”