The Strongest Steel (39 page)
Read The Strongest Steel Online
Authors: Scarlett Cole
“You should go home and get some sleep,” Harper said drowsily, letting the pain medication help take her under.
Trent stood up, lowered the head of the gurney, and lifted Harper’s head to fluff the pillow before gently lowering her back down.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Harper said, refusing to acknowledge the fear she suddenly felt at being left alone. The light went off in the room and Harper’s heart started to race. She needed the light on.
The mattress sagged as Trent sat down on the side of the bed. She felt him lean forward and heard him kick off his shoes. He pulled his legs up onto the single gurney and lay down on his side, carefully putting his arm around her. The warmth of his breath behind her ear, the sweetness of his lips against her skin eased the pressure she’d felt building inside.
“Yeah, you will, darlin’. I’ll be right here.”
Three months later
Harper stood on the deck of their perfect hut above the turquoise-blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean. Green mountains surrounded the bay of their hotel, a lush backdrop for the vacation they had started the previous evening. The sun was slowly rousing itself from sleep, and not a single soul could be seen anywhere around the resort.
For the first time in four years, she’d traveled as Taylor Kennedy. It felt strange to be called Taylor. The name belonged to a person and a life that was no longer hers. She was going to legally change her name to Harper. Harper Andrews, to be precise, when Trent made good on his promise to make her his wife.
She looked down at the spectacular engagement ring that Trent had put on her finger yesterday just before they’d left their apartment for their flight. The beautiful round stone was surrounded by twelve smaller diamonds that threw off rainbow-colored stars when it caught the sun. He’d designed the ring just for her, the twelve stones matching the XII on his arm.
Rolling her shoulders back, Harper gave silent thanks that no permanent damage had been done. The wound in her shoulder had long since healed, and the scar was small. Harper had embraced the whole experience as one giant closure on the last four years. Nathan was back in prison awaiting his new trial date, his bail request denied. This time she would have the courage to face him unflinchingly in court, her new husband by her side.
Husband. Just the word made her smile. When they got back, she’d have a wedding to plan. And an engagement party to attend. Both Drea and Cujo had wanted to organize the party for them—and had even agreed to work together to make it happen. What Harper wouldn’t give to be a fly on that wall. She gave it five minutes before they started to kill each other.
Their idyllic, ten-day vacation was the perfect respite in the middle of Trent’s filming schedule storm. The producers were really excited about the reception the show was receiving from test audiences. He had completed filming in four cities across the Midwestern and Northeastern states. He’d even had dinner with her parents when they’d recorded in Chicago, sending her a photo of him, Dred, and her mom, outside her favorite pizzeria.
Hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. “Morning, darlin’,” came Trent’s voice, gravelly and deep from sleep as he rubbed his nose behind her ear before kissing the side of her neck.
“Hey.” She smiled as he nipped her softly.
“What’s got you out of bed so early? I didn’t fly halfway around the world in a metal bucket to wake up alone in paradise.” He reached for her hair and tugged it gently to the side, causing her to shiver.
“It’s so beautiful and quiet. I didn’t want to miss a minute.”
They stood together, his arms around her middle, her arms over the top of his, as they watched the ripples sparkle in the water as far as the eye could see.
“I have a really good idea,” Trent whispered huskily. His hands went to the front of the short, black silk robe she had thrown on and started to untie the sash holding it together.
“Mmm,” she murmured as he pulled the two lengths of silk apart. “And what would your great idea be?”
Trent slid his hands inside the robe and pulled her back tightly against him. Harper laughed in appreciation as she felt his erection press against her lower back.
Sliding his hands up to cup her breasts, he stopped. “What are you wearing, Harper?” Now he sounded awake. Harper grinned.
He turned her around and pushed the robe off her shoulders.
His jaw slackened and his eyes darkened as he took in the tiny black-and-white polka-dot bikini.
“Jesus Christ, woman.” His eyes dropped down and back up.
Bending forward, he picked her up in a fireman’s lift and dropped her over his shoulder.
“You have great taste,” Harper giggled as he carried her back to their bed.
Sometimes you can’t fight love.
Don’t miss Drea and Cujo’s story
January 2016
@ItsScarlettCole
Born in England,
SCARLETT COLE
traveled the world for business and pleasure, living in the United States before settling in Canada where she met her own personal hero. Now a proud Canadian and British citizen, home is wherever her husband and two children are. When she isn’t writing, Scarlett can be found working out to offset a legendary candy habit, searching for the perfect pair of shoes, and promising her family that she will get around to cooking dinner in a minute. You can sign up for email updates
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Contents
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE STRONGEST STEEL. Copyright © 2015 by Scarlett Cole.
All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
Author photo © Lemon Fresh Designs Photography
Cover design by Crystal Ben
Cover photograph ©Peopleimages.com/Getty Images
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eISBN 9781466886674
First eBook Edition: July 2015