Thread: The Manor (Mr. Quixotic & Malicious Lullaby)

Her gaze lifted from the beads of condensation that dripped from her very chilled glass of peach iced tea to see Steve walking towards her. Even if he was all vanilla and probably wouldnt give her what she wanted in the bedroom, even if he could give her everything else she had always longed for a partner, he was a mighty fine man and the sight of him alone was enough to make her loins burn for him. That or she was so erotically charged for Hawthorne that any man would if she couldnt have the enigmatic one himself. No, even Harper wasnt that cruel. She was still very much attracted to Steve but the incident left so many questions in her mind. Could they get past it? Would he be willing to compromise to what she wanted? Would she be able to compromise to what he wanted? So many more questions and she wasnt sure at all of the answers. His kiss to her cheek left a searing heat that radiated through her body, tingles racing up her spine and the invisible hairs on the back of her neck standing up. Okay, he could still affect her and it wasnt just because she was craving something so dirty. She was legitimately attracted to him but her attraction to him was very different in comparison to her attraction toward Hawthorne Tisch. With Steve, she could see a future. With Hawthorne, she saw herself sowing every wild oat she wanted to before settling down with someone like Steve. It was all bad timing. A small smile came over her face and she opened her mouth to answer his general formality question but before she could, he got right to the point. Her mouth snapped shut and she bit down on her lower lip. Harper scanned his face, reading for any kind of forced emotion or lack of genuine warmth lacing his words. There was none. He wasnt forcing himself to apologize from what she could gather and he did feel remorse for everything. It made whatever resolve or defense she had put up crumble and she let out a small sigh. Im sorry too, Steve. I wasI was way out of line, flipping out on you like that. I didnt like that you yelled and I didnt like being made to feel ashamed for something that I am so confused about. Im still learning things of what I like and what I dont like, things I want to experience and understand and it wasnt fair of me to take it out on you. Were still learning things about each other and it just takes time to find some common ground or safe ground among each other. She found herself reaching out for his hand and when he accepted, she laced her fingers with his. Still such a sweet warmth and she felt herself privy to it and him. There were all the makings of something serious with Steve. Hawthorne Tisch would be an experience, a dalliance and something that could never be more than perhaps completely life-changing. With Steve, there was a chance for something more, everything she had ever wanted in a life partner and husband. But shed hurt him if she agreed to get back together instantly and still go to Hawthornes tonight. Regardless of whether she and Stever made up and resumed their relationship or not, Harper was still going to the Manor tonight and nothing would change that. We are good together. I just dont know if thats in stereotypical image of what we both should want from a relationship or if its actually true. She lifted her gaze from their hands to his eyes and the look on her face said she was being sincere and honest about it, but there was also a niggling of hope. But, I do think there are still things we can find out about each other that can mend us. She said softly. Jumping back into a relationship would be a foolish idea. We cant just pick things back up so easily and you know that too. But I do want to explore this, with you and me. One step at a time. She couldnt believe she wasnt ending things. She had come here today to make sure things were ended so she would be free to explore something entirely different with Hawthorne but even she knew it wouldnt be permanent. She wanted something permanent in the end of everything and with Steve, she would have that. It wasnt just because she wanted stability. She genuinely cared for him and in time, she could fall in love with him. But she wouldnt be able to do that if she didnt explore and become experienced in things she had always closed herself off to. If you dont mind starting again, taking things slow, I think we can really go somewhere with each other. I can see you in my future and Id like to fix our present to secure that future. But I dont want to rush into anything and have a repeat of last time because we dont know each other more. If youre willing and if you can stay open minded about things, I will do the same and surely we can reach some common ground about things. That way there would be no surprises and nothing she did or say from now on would shock him so much. She just hoped it wouldnt send him off running into the hills. Then she could also have her cake and eat it too. Out of the palm of Hawthorne's magnificent hands...