i love (w)hory hehe

don't forget to comment and vote!! <3

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069. PRESENT // PART 002

"Rory, baby," Harry's voice drifted through her subconscious. "It's time to wake up."

Rory slowly opened her eyes as a hand touched her shoulder and gently rocked her body. With her mind in a sleepy haze, she tried to remember where they were. She was in a car – that at least she knew. The dashboard in front and seatbelt strapping her to the car seat was a clear giveaway. Her eyelids were heavy as she looked out the car window, attempting to take in the scenery.

"How long have I been asleep for?" she tiredly murmured.

"Majority of the drive."

"Oh, sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'm glad you slept."

Rubbing her eyes, the girl released a yawn as she focused on the view. "Where are we?"

"Let's get out of the car, and I'll show you."

Rory only managed to undo her seatbelt by the time Harry had gotten out of the car and rounded to her side of the vehicle. With the passenger side door now opened and an extended hand waiting for her to take, she placed her feet on the ground, slowly pulled herself up using his hand, and got out of her seat. A quick glance in front indicated the same scenery of endless hills she first noticed upon waking up from her nap.

But there was something different about taking the scenery this time compared to a few minutes ago.

Suddenly, Rory noticed everything. The grass was a vibrant shade of green, and large trees surrounded the property. She wondered how far the hills went – it felt perfectly secluded in all the best ways. Off to the left, she spotted a short picket gate between whimsically overgrown greenery bushes. And just past the gate, down the hill, she could see a small pond. The body of water didn't scare her – she found it quite beautiful. And the small family of ducks swimming around erupted a warmth throughout her chest.

It wasn't just the scenic nature Rory appreciated, but the air's freshness. Maybe it was her exhaustion, but every breath filled her lungs in a way she had never felt. No longer was there an underlying tightness in her chest – she felt free. And no longer did exhaustion take over her body from head to toe – Rory felt alive.

Maybe the air is better here... wherever here is.

Regardless of how Rory loved the picturesque storybook view, she couldn't stop herself from teasingly asking,

"You didn't bring me here to kill me, right?"

Harry released a short laugh over the sudden remark. "No, Bambi. It still amazes me where that mind of yours goes."

"Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful view, Harry." With her head cocked to the side, the corner of her mouth tugged into a smirk. "However, I can't help but think it's the perfect place to hide a dead body."

To anyone else, their conversation would have sounded insane. On the other hand, Harry couldn't help but become massively turned on. Maybe it was the words alone that took over his instincts, knowing they'd finally get a night all to themselves, or the return of Rory's teasing nature coming alive again for the first time in days. Or, possibly, it was a combination of it all.

Whatever it was didn't stop the hungry groan slipping out from his mouth. His head dipped forward, lips finding their way to hers for a needy kiss. Although the action took her by surprise, Rory melted against his touch. Securing her arms around his neck, her backside was pressed against the car. As every kiss muffled a chorus of moans, she couldn't help but wonder how loud she could get away with being.

Rory whimpered for more as Harry pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. Her chest was rising and falling at a rapid rate. Licking her lips, she attempted to catch her breath, and the way her action entranced his eyes left Rory wanting to risk her need for oxygen.

With a hand grasping her chin, she felt the pad of his thumb on her bottom lip. The touch was subtle, gently grazing the skin – but Rory felt her entire body become set aflame by the action. However, nothing could have prepared her for the moment his touch and words combined into an intoxicating cocktail as he said,

"I am crazy about you, Rory Young."

Crazy.

She liked the idea of crazy – she thrived on chaos.

Rory wanted to be crazy with Harry. She wanted their lives to be peaceful but for them to still be crazy - because what would life be without a bit of chaos? Not a life either of them would ever know, or want to know, for that matter. Leaning forward, wanting to indulge in that havoc further, Harry stopped her.

"We have all night to indulge in each other, Bambi... but we must control ourselves for now."

Rory pouted her bottom lip. "Control ourselves? Why?"

"Because you haven't even seen why we're here." He patted the side of her hip. "Turn around."

With a furrowed brow and the childish pout still prominent, Rory turned around, unsure of what was so essential to control themselves and see. The second her eyes fell upon the sight, she knew. A curved pavement road led the way to a small, white stone, English-style cottage. A baby-blue painted door matched the painted shutters of the windows along the first and second floors, and the slanted roof had not one but two chimneys. It was perfect – the type of house she pictured in her dreams, leaving Rory wondering how she stood before such a structure.

"Who's house is that?"

"For the night, it's ours."

"Ours?" she repeated. "You mean we're staying here tonight?"

"Do you not like it?"

Brushing off his concern, Rory instantly replied, "I love it! But why? And how?"

"I wanted us to spend a night away from everything," he explained, taking her hand. "Tonight, it's just you and me. Nothing else."

"Are you sure that's possible?"

Harry nodded. "I made sure of it." Gesturing to the house, he added, "Now, come on. Our love shack for the night awaits."

A giddy spring was evident in her step as they walked to the house. Rory was amazed by everything her eyes saw—the wooden gates, the pathway, the greenery and flowers that guided their way. The short walk took triple the time from her constant stopping to observe. But Harry didn't mind. In fact, he was happy to see her so entranced by it all. A smile curved his lips and stayed the entire time as he watched the excitement she possessed.

Standing at the front of the house, Harry did everything he could to focus on unlocking the door and not stare at the bundle of joy bouncing beside him.

"Here we are," he announced upon getting the key to turn in the lock and pushing open the door. "After you."

Passing through the front entryway, Rory stood in amazement, unsure where to set her sights first. Thankfully, Harry noticed her hesitation and led the way into the living room. And as she stepped into the space, an audible gasp slipped past her lips.

There was a plush olive couch with colourful, vibrant pillows and a matching knitted blanket resting over the armrest. Against the far wall was a red brick fireplace between built-in shelves on either side. Stuffed into every crevice of the shelves were books, picture frames, and knick-knacks – her favourite being the cow figurine.

By the windows that overlooked the front of the house was a large armchair, which Rory concluded would be a perfect spot for reading, day or night.

Harry pointed out the sunroom (a space with only a bench and a few potted plants that Rory loved nonetheless) before taking her into the kitchen. He couldn't help but smile as there was another gasp, and this time, a hand squeeze of excitement, over the space.

"Oh my god," Rory whispered, running her fingers against the baby pink and blue tiled backsplash. "This kitchen is amazing!"

For someone that hated cooking as greatly as she did, Rory's statement held significant weight on just how perfect it was. It wasn't an ample space, but every inch dazzled with a whimsical personality that, in addition to the large bay windows that looked out onto the backyard, made the room feel larger than life.

The cabinets were made from a light shade of wood, a perfect constant to the colour scattered across everything else. A brick archway hung over the stove, with pots and pants hanging from above. A small breakfast table was tucked against the wall, perfect for them to share their meals.

"I think this kitchen would even make me want to cook."

"Well, let's get you upstairs before you start cooking up a storm, my little chef."

Rory scanned eyes around the room one final time, taking a mental picture of everything as if it were the last look she got. With their hands still intertwined, Harry led the way out of the kitchen, back through the living room and to the staircase by the entryway. The wooden floorboards creaked under her feet with each step – a charming sound.

And just like with every inch of downstairs, Rory fell in love with the bedroom. A comforter with a floral design covered the bed, and the abundance of large, decorative pillows matched a similar design. There was a brick fireplace that matched the one from the living room. However, instead of two bookcases on their side, large windows filled the room with light and a large standing mirror tucked into the corner, facing the bed.

The bathroom was nothing short of spectacular. With wallpaper designed with beautifully painted flowers, a clawfoot tub big enough to easily fit the two of them plus another, and cabinets painted baby blue - it did not disappoint with following the design of the rest of the house.

Rory loved this house. From top to bottom, in every room and corner of this house, she was in love.

It wasn't just the look of the space that made her fall in love - it was the feeling of warmth it provided. It was inviting and welcoming, a place someone could tell the homeowners cherished and wanted their guests to feel the same way. And Rory certainly felt that way.

"This house is amazing."

"There's one more thing to see." Harry stepped toward was Rory assumed was a window. But when he pulled back the linen curtain, she quickly learned it was, in fact, a door. "You're going to love this view."

And love, she certainly did.

Standing on the balcony, taking in the beautiful view in front of her, Rory couldn't help but wonder what she loved more - the view or the fact that Harry knew how perfect this house would be for her. A few homes were scattered off in the distance – not too close where they'd run into each other without trying, but not too far away where the house was completely secluded. In fact, if someone from the nearest home stepped out onto their balcony, they could notice one another.

"Is that a barn?" Rory asked, pointing at the wooden structure.

"Mhm," he replied from beside her, resting his arm around her waist, "This used to be a farm."

"So, that barn is on this property?" Receiving a nod, she returned her gaze to the view. "Who in their right mind would give up the chance to have a farm?"

Harry grinned. "Is my little Bambi saying she wants to have a farm?"

"I think I'd like that... but it might drive you insane."

"How so?"

"Do you think you could handle an entire moo-moo farm? You get jealous over Pebbles, and he's stuffed!"

Although he heard the teasing in her tone, Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I'm not jealous of Pebbles," he said, almost too defensively.

"Oh, so convincing, Harry." Before he could utter another remark, Rory leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. "So, how did you manage to find this place?"

"The Romano's have an interesting circle of people. From criminals... to private investigators... to people who own farmhouses up in the countryside."

"Wow. It's lucky they have so many connections we can exploit," she teased, "Like staying at this beautiful house."

"It truly is. Now we get an entire house all to ourselves with no one to bother us," he said, grinning from ear to ear over the thought, "Are you sure you won't get bored of me within the next twenty-four hours?"

"Not at all. It's not scientifically possible for that to happen."

"Is that so?"

Rory nodded. "I've run the numbers."

"Mm, my smart girl," he hummed. "I'm glad you like this place... I liked it too from the photos."

"I don't just like it. I love it," she said, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For thinking about this. It's only been, what, thirty minutes? And I feel more alive than I have the past few days combined."

Harry nudged his nose against hers. "You don't have to thank me. I'd do anything for you."

"I hope you know I'd do anything for you too."

The remark caused his dimple to poke through, which still caused her heart to flutter whenever she saw it. She loved that his seeing his dimple still felt like a reward. And she loved that her words were the reason for its appearance.

"You and me," he whispered, "Yeah?"

"Yeah," she said, mirroring his whisper. "Forever and always. Yeah?"

Her cheeky reply caused the dimple to remain prominently on display.

"Yeah," he barely managed to get out before pulling her in for another kiss. "Keep talking like that, and we'll never make it off the balcony."

"Would that be so bad? Do we have plans today or something?"

"Actually, we do have plans," he said, pecking her lips with a quick kiss. "I'd like to take you into town..." he kissed her jaw, "we can walk around a bit..." his lips moved to her neck, "and I heard there's a great bookstore there."

"Oh," her voice sounded far hornier than she intended, which she instantly blamed on Harry's current action of attacking the weak spot on her neck. "I-I like the sound of that."

Lips travelling up to her ear, he whispered, "I thought you might." His teeth nipped, earning a delightful whimper. "Then we'll need to pop into the grocery store to get food for dinner and breakfast. And then, I thought we could come back here and enjoy the scenery... plus, I'm sure you'll want to dive your nose into your new books for a bit."

"You know me so well."

"After that, I'll make us dinner..." his lips travelled back down her neck, "and we can watch the sunset..." Kissing a trail to the center of her throat, he whispered, "and then finish the night off with some..." his lips met hers again, "dessert."

"Mm, you're such a romantic boy, aren't you?"

"Just for you." With a final kiss to her lips, Harry pulled his head back. "I'll go get our things from the car."

Rory suddenly reached out her hand, gripping his forearm as her eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't pack anything!"

"I took care of it."

"You did?"

"I had Mia grab some clothing for you while she was at the house."

"Oh. You really do think of everything, don't you?"

"I try," he casually replied, kissing her forehead. "I'll be right back."

As Harry disappeared back into the house, Rory remained on the balcony. She leaned against the railing, taking in the sight around. The smile that tugged on her lips became impossible to hide. It felt pure and easy to feel that sense of genuine happiness while looking around at the beauty of nature in a home so far removed from all the chaos of their lives. She wondered what it would be like if this could be the normal future she envisioned. The idea of a farm seemed charming, and with the barn out in the field in front of her, Rory could picture it perfectly.

And the more she focused, the more real it all became in her mind.

Rory could see the future version of herself walking through the fields early in the morning, passing the new gate they would build to keep all their animals contained. She watched as future Rory fed the cows, chickens and all the other animals she'd convinced Harry to let them have.

Future Rory turned her head as a giggle floated throughout the air, her smile widening as she crouched down, spreading her arms wide. Rory watched as future her welcomed a running child into her embrace, picking her up and spinning around, causing an echo of laughter.

The two weren't alone for long – soon enough, they were joined by the future version of Harry. Future Harry greeted future Rory with a kiss. He looked the same, just as she did, still sporting the usual white cotton t-shirt with the addition of a few more tattoos on his arm – names of some sort.

And that's when she noticed future Harry had another little bundle of joy in his arms. They had two kids.

Some people would have called her crazy, but Rory knew it in her heart to be true. That was their future.

"Alright," Harry's voice announced his entrance, "I've got your extra large overnight bag right here!"

Rory kept her attention on the view for another moment. It seemed like future Rory and Harry also heard his voice as they and their two little children looked up at the house and waved.

Her cheeks ached from smiling. That's definitely our future.

"Rory?"

With great force, she pulled her attention from the happy family and turned her head. If it weren't for knowing that was their future, the ability to look away would have been nearly impossible.

"Is everything okay?"

Meeting his glance, she did everything to contain the tears begging to escape – not ones out of sadness, but from pure joy. She knew letting one slip would set him off into a spiral of worry, regardless of how many times she would say it wasn't anything bad. That's the kind of person he was, someone she learned more about each and every day.

And looking her future directly in the eye, Rory replied, "Everything is perfect."

After expressing the desire to freshen up before heading out into town, Rory was left alone in the bedroom, sorting through her generously packed overnight bag. She was thankful Mia had taken the time to collect everything she needed, but the amount of clothing options neared the point of being overwhelming. It was enough to last her a few weeks away from home rather than a night. However, she did find the abundance of lingerie options humorous and a section she would spend more time deciding on later.

Rory hung up and folded the few clothing items she decided would be the best options for the next twenty-four hours. Although the idea of unpacking seemed silly for only a night's trip, she didn't want to feel like she was living out of a suitcase. Rory wanted to at least pretend it was their home while getting the honour of staying as a guest.

Running a brush through her hair, she pinned back the top section with a clip and looked over her appearance for a final check in the mirror. The light blue dress she picked had thin straps and flowed out just above the knee—a perfect piece not just for the warm weather but because the colour reminded her of the house's front door and matching painted window shutters. Finishing off the look with a pair of sandals, Rory exited the bedroom and headed down the stairs.

Waiting for her at the bottom of the steps, Harry wore a smile. "I swear you get more beautiful every time I look at you."

"Oh, stop it." Waving off the remark, Rory looked down, attempting to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks. "You have to say stuff like that."

"Says who?"

"I don't know... the boyfriend rulebook."

"Well, I know a lot of boyfriends who need to buy a copy of that then." Tucking two fingers under her chin to lift her head, his dimple appeared as their eyes met. "I say it because it's true." His touch fell from her chin, taking her hand in his. "Now, come on, my beautiful girl. We have lots to see in town."

Giddy with excitement, Rory followed his lead out of the house. The possibilities were endless for what the town could offer. Truthfully, even if there were nothing to do or see, Rory would still find something to love. A single abandoned building, an empty field, or a small pile of dirt – she would find the beauty it had to offer.

Locking the front door, Harry turned and said, "Hold on. Just stay right here for a moment, yeah?"

Rory nodded, watching Harry make his way to the back of the car and open the trunk. Gathering what he was looking for, Harry slammed the trunk shut and returned to Rory. However, he stood in front of her this time, remaining a few feet away.

"Smile!"

The girl blinked. "What?"

"Smile!" Harry repeated, gesturing to the camera. "I want to take a photo of you in front of the house. You know, as a memory of our first trip together."

Rory's reddened cheeks flushed even more over the man standing with his camera. Fiddling with her hair, she stood in her spot, trying to stop her hands from fumbling around awkwardly. "Okay, ready," she announced, silently praying she wouldn't look sunburnt in the photo.

Harry, proud grin and all, raised the camera and said, "Three... two... one...." Click. He waited excitedly as the camera worked its magic and pushed out the film from the bottom. "Beautiful."

"The photo hasn't even developed yet!" Rory said, walking over to his side and eyeing the undeveloped Polaroid in his hand. "What if I look like a stupid tomato?"

His brow furrowed. "Why would you look like a... stupid tomato?"

"Because you have me blushing like mad over your compliments and cute ideas!"

Harry found her bratty attitude and pout hard to take seriously with her red cheeks – a thought he kept to himself, not wanting to make the Bambi more embarrassed (and sassy) than she already was.

Taking the camera from his hand, she gestured to the door and said, "Go."

"You know," Harry took slow steps backwards as he spoke, moving into position, "it's hard to be a stunning model when my photographer is bossy."

Rory wanted to keep up her tough act, but she couldn't keep the giggles contained the second Harry got into his spot. Harry stood with a goofy smile painting across his lips, pointing to the house with one hand while holding a thumbs-up with the other. Click. Before the film was halfway out, Harry was already setting up a third photo to take – the two of them kissing in front of the house. He held up the camera at an angle to capture both them and the house in the background. Click.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Rory looked at the three Polaroid pictures in her lap. Who would have thought this would be their life? Going on cute trips and taking photos – all thought of and planned out as a surprise by the man in the driver's seat.

"Thank you."

Pulling the car out of the driveway, Harry quickly looked to the side. "For what?"

"Everything."

Harry reached for her hand and pressed a kiss to the skin. "Thank you for giving me a reason to do everything."

They both fell into silence for the rest of the drive, with the only sounds coming from the radio playing music from the local station. Rory kept her focus out the window. She wanted to see all the sights she missed on her drive up, taking in every tree, patch of grass and every passing structure. She would have been just as happy if Harry only drove them around. But as the car pulled onto the town's main street, Rory's eyes widened in amazement.

It was just as she would have pictured. Cobbled-stone roads and stores built from various shades of brick and with colourful awnings over the windows. A scent of freshly baked bread and flowers wafted through the air. Patrons greeted each other and stopped for a conversation on the street.

"I think we'll start here," Harry said, pulling into a parking spot, "Because it's right next to what I assume will be your favourite store, which means I need to be near the car. Then we can look around, go to the other said... And then finish there," he explained, pointing across the street to the grocery store.

With the plan for the town visit agreed on, the two got out of the car and made the journey into the first shop: a bookstore. The bell on the front food chimed as they walked in and were greeted by an older woman sitting behind the checkout desk.

"Please let me know if you need anything," the woman said with a smile.

Harry stood silently with a hand on her back as Rory asked the grey-haired woman about the store. If there was one thing she loved about a bookstore, it was learning its history. How long they had owned the space. What the store was before. Their favourite stories to read and what was the most popular sold. Rory took an interest in it all.

Soon enough, she was left to scour the shelves for her next favourite read. In Rory's world, that didn't just stop at one book. And as Harry's arms were full after venturing down only one row, he carefully walked the stack of books over to the desk.

"Ready to check out?"

"Not quite," Harry huffed, placing the extensive collection on the counter. "She's only just started looking around the other side of the store. Give her a few more minutes, and I'll have another stack as tall as this one."

"How long are you in town for?"

Harry smiled. "Is it that obvious we're only visitors?"

"It's a small town. So, either you're new or just passing through."

"Unfortunately, for now, we're just passing through. But depending on how long she takes going through the shelves, we might be spending the night here."

The woman replied with a short laugh as she began to organize the pile of books on the counter. "Well, I don't mind. And I'm sure your wife wouldn't either."

"Harry!" Rory appeared from behind a shelf on the opposite end of the store from where they parted ways. "Could you help me reach a book, please?"

Called for duty, Harry bid the woman a quick goodbye and hurried to help with his pending task. As he followed Rory around the store (and made a few more trips to the front desk to deposit more stacks of books), he stealthily took a few more pictures. Rory could hear the camera clicking and spotted the flash from the corner of her eye but was far too engrossed by the stunning space around her to pay it much mind.

It wasn't long before she forced herself not to pick up another book, and they made their way to the checkout counter. Rory insisted she didn't need them all and that she'd cut back on a few copies. However, Harry brushed off the suggestion, knowing they would purchase every item she picked.

"Are you sure?"

"If it makes you happy, I'm buying it."

Rory blushed and talked with the store owner as Harry made a few trips to carry the newly purchased book collection into their vehicle.

"Your husband is a keeper," the woman told her.

"I know," she said, twisting the band around her ring finger, "He really is."

Following the visit to the bookstore, the two walked down the street, venturing into all the other shops. Rory was thankful she was with someone that didn't mind as she took her time looking at everything and anything. Not for a single moment did she ever look over at Harry and catch him in a state of boredom or disinterestedness. In fact, he appeared just as interested as she did. But while Rory's eyes were on everything surrounding them, Harry's eyes were on her. Watching her excitement and joy sparked indescribable happiness. He was more than happy to stand silently and watch her become absorbed by it all – plus, he liked getting the chance to take her picture without being noticed.

They stopped at a cafe for lunch before heading to the grocery store to get their necessities for dinner. Rory let Harry take the lead, following him around with the cart. Unless it involved a box mix of baking goods, Rory was useless in the kitchen. She knew how to make the basics to keep herself alive, but when it came to preparing a meal, Harry was the chef in charge.

"You know, I was thinking..." Rory said as they stood in front of the counter, "How about you handle dinner... and I'll take care of dessert?"

"That sounds delightful. What were you planning on making?"

"Making?" she repeated, "No, I was thinking I could...." Her voice dropped to a whisper, uttering a sinfully devious plan.

The clerk standing on the other side of the counter went red in the face as he handed over the wrapped food with a shaky hand. Harry understood his reaction from overhearing her remarks. He was struggling to stay upright himself over it.

"Thank you!" Rory said cheerfully, taking the item from the clerk's hand and placing it in the cart. "Come on, honey. We still need a few more things."

Running a hand through his hair, he caught up to the vixen pushing the shopping cart. "God damn, Bambi," Harry said, releasing a very breath. "I think you almost gave that guy a heart attack over what you said."

The vixen in question abruptly stopped. "What did I say?"

"You know."

"Hm," tilting her head to the side, she pouted her bottom lip and pretended to think it over, "No, sorry, I don't. Maybe you should refresh my memory."

"You're trouble."

Rory leaned closer, a smirk tugging on her lips. "And you're adorable when you blush."

"I need to get you out of here before you try to make the person stocking the shelves pass out."

Turning back around, Rory continued leading the way down the aisle, pushing the cart. "Don't worry, I'll be a good girl," she said, "At least... until it's time for dessert."

Rory kept her promise about being good for the rest of the day. Or, at least, as good as she could be. In her defence, it was hard to ignore the rush over seeing him blush. And wanting to push her luck to see if she could make him turn red again was pressing against her mind like a great force. However, she decided to keep all her tricks to herself. Dessert would definitely be a treat.

Once all the grocery bags were successfully loaded into the car, Rory pointed at the last store hidden in the corner and announced, "Can we look in there quickly?"

Unable to ever say no to her and not planning on starting now, Harry instantly agreed. Taking her hand in his, they crossed the street and ventured to the final shopping destination. Rory pushed open the red door, smiling as another bell chimed to announce their entrance to a vintage store with various knick-knacks. Wide-eyed with excitement and ready to explore all of its offerings, she turned to Harry and said,

"We should see if there are any gifts to bring home to the boys!"

Her words were a perfect reminder of one of the many reasons Harry loved her.

Rory always thought of others.

Harry first learned about that when he received the Dolly Parton record from her. And it wasn't just the gift he received, but the lesson behind it. Harry learned how to possess such a fantastic quality from her. He wanted to ensure she always had items given by him that brought her joy, whether that be books, snowglobes, or even her favourite snacks.

Rory taught Harry that it wasn't the gift but the thought behind it.

With her bag of gifts purchased, they returned to the car. Rory bounced in her chair with a giddy smile as she showed Harry the items.

"I got a few comic books for Kip with his favourite superheroes," Rory explained, "A pocket knife for Dallas, and..." Holding up the last item, she tried to contain her giggle, "A necklace with a silver pendant in the shape of a block of cheese for Cheese."

"He's going to love that."

Rory smirked, putting the necklace back into its box. "I hope he at least humours me and tries it on."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure he does."

Returning to the house following their shopping trip, they unloaded everything from the car – which took far more trips than Harry expected. But with every gruelling journey from the car to the house and back, the pure joy painted across Rory's expression as she put everything away forced his trivial annoyance over heavy bags to disappear.

Their afternoon was free, and Harry wanted Rory to have the opportunity to decide what they did next. She mentioned wanting to sit outside in the field and read one of her new purchases, but was quick to brush off the idea, assuming Harry would rather do something else.

Before she could finish her sentence, Harry stood by the back door with a blanket in hand. "Well, come on then! Grab your book!"

The two spent the early afternoon in the field, lying on a blanket while Rory read out loud to Harry. At first, she thought Harry was joking when he told her to read the book to him and assumed he would fall asleep while she did so. To her surprise, Harry remained engaged the entire time. It warmed her heart to see him take such an interest – honestly, she wouldn't have blamed him if he had fallen asleep while listening to the story. It wasn't exactly table-gripping content.

Rory could no longer read another sentence and decided they had enough of her book for one day. The two lay side by side, looking at the perfectly blue sky. When Harry wasn't busy pointings out clouds and the shapes he was reminded of, he spent his time sneaking pictures with his camera.

"How many pictures do you need of the side of my face?"

"I'm an artist, Bambi." Up on his knees, he hovered over her body with the camera. "Don't question my artistic process." Click. "It's not my fault you're the perfect muse."

Rolling her eyes, she sat up on her elbows and reached for his camera. "Let me have a turn at taking photos of you. I think it's only fair for you to be the muse now."

"Alright, where do you want me?"

"Sit down." Patting the spot next to her on the blanket, Rory waited until he was in position and settled before maneuvering into his lap and straddling his waist. "Smile," she said, snapping a quick picture.

As the camera came to life and printed the Polaroid film, Rory's eyes scanned the muse before her. She reached her hand forward and tucked a strand of his long hair behind his ear. Her touch lingered, moving to cup his cheek, thumb gently grazing his skin. Soaking in his silence, she leaned forward, noticing how his eyes flickered from hers down to her mouth and back.

Rory didn't waste any time and removed the little distance between them. Her lips capture his in a gentle kiss – the kind that overwhelmed one's body with a rush while simultaneously making them crave more.

Harry placed one hand on her thigh, the other on the back of her neck, wanting to keep her close. But just as he thought the feeling from that one kiss would remain, Rory pulled back. Although there was a feeling of loss over the broken kiss, Harry couldn't help but smile.

Click.

The sound of the camera came to life, printing another Polaroid film. They sat in silence as Rory waited patiently for it to develop. Harry, on the other hand, was still distracted by the kiss from moments ago.

Holding her two photos side by side, Rory observed and studied her artwork closely. Her intention was to capture his reaction before and after a kiss. However, to her surprise, Harry appeared almost identical in both images. The smile was the same, sporting the famous dimple. His eyes intently held her gaze and still had the power to spread warmth through her chest even when captured on film. The only slight difference she noted was his pupils were more dilated in the second picture.

Placing the photos in between pages of her book to keep them safe, Rory came to a conclusion for her experiment that she never intended to run.

Harry looked at her the same before and after a kiss. And even after minutes had passed from taking the photo, Harry still had the same look. She didn't know what that meant, but the realization reddened her cheeks.

As her attention was no longer busy with taking photos, Harry took the opportunity for another kiss. He gently guided her body closer with his hand still positioned on the back of her neck. Rory placed her hands on his shoulders to stabilize and keep herself from completely melting against his touch. But the moment their lips touched, she could feel her body wanting to tempt her strength.

Another test of the poor Bambi's strength came when Harry deepened the kiss. Hearing a whimper of pleasure, he took the opportunity to slip in his tongue, entangling it with hers. Sounds of pleasure expressed her approval over the action as her hips slowly rocked.

Expressing his own approval, Harry groaned, bruising his lips with hers. His hand ran up her thigh, pushing the material of her dress to bunch at her waist. As his fingers dug into her skin, he guided her rocking hips with more significant pressure.

Pleasure rushing through her body left her dizzy and needing to breathe in the air she simultaneously wanted to risk suffocating over for his continued touch. Rory broke the kiss – but she barely found a second of rest before her body jolted with another spark of pleasure. Feeling his length hardening against her core, her eyes fluttered close, getting lost in the rush as her hips continued to rock. 

The sun's heat did little to cool her inflamed skin that burned for his touch on every inch of her body. Her pleasure-filled gaze slowly opened and met Harry's glance. Even a look from his emerald eyes sent her into a spiral. Rory equally loved and hated the power the long-haired Devil had on her. She always swore never to let another person have that type of effect on her. And yet, the poor Bambi found herself thankful for the desire for his touch like a craving she couldn't control.

Sitting in comfortable silence with birds chipping off in the distance, Rory studied the man holding her gaze. Harry's eyes remained fixated on her. A haze of pleasure washed over his expression, exposing the trance his vixen had put him under, leaving her even wetter than she already was. Moving his hand from the back of her neck to cup her cheek, Harry pressed the pad of his thumb against her swollen bottom lip.

Harry didn't speak with words – his actions said it all. Moving his touch down to her grasp her chin, he guided their lips back together. A needy whimper escaped Rory from the passionate touch. The feeling of his tongue around hers left her wanting Harry to rip her dress off and lick every inch of her skin.

As if Harry could hear her internal screams for more, his lips moved to her neck. The mixture of kissing, nipping, and sucking the sensitive flesh, with hands gripping her waist and guiding her hips to rock back and forth, was far too much for her to bear. Rory needed a release of any kind – she would welcome anything with open arms.

Feeling him mark her skin with his teeth, Rory released a cry of pleasure and wondered how much longer she would last before needing to rip her dress off on her own. She spotted what she assumed was the figure of one of their neighbours far off in the distance, tending to their fields. As the sounds of her moans and cries of desire increased, Rory couldn't help but wonder what would happen if someone spotted them.

"I think we're about to put on a show for the neighbours," she managed through heavy breaths.

"So?" Harry trailed his tongue around the fresh marks indented against her skin. Kissing toward the middle of her neck, teeth scraped across her pulse as he continued, "What's the worst they'd see? A happy couple in love?"

Rory froze as the four-letter word slipped so easily from his lips. But Harry didn't give any signs that he realized – or maybe the word didn't cause anywhere near a similar reaction.

Love. That four-letter word had always been terrifyingly daunting. Love. It was something she had seen in movies and read about in books – a term she never thought she would feel, let alone understand. She wasn't scared of falling in love. In fact, Rory wasn't scared of anything.

Love, she repeated in her head. We're a happy couple in love. We're in love.

She knew it in her heart to be true. It's how she felt whenever they said you and me. But to hear it out loud – to hear him say it so effortlessly – sparked something she couldn't describe... at least, not with words.

Rory loved everything about Harry – there was nothing she would change about him.

There was a darkness he couldn't control and one he naturally possessed. It didn't scare Rory. It made her feel seen. She always knew her brain was wired differently - a fact she willingly admitted to the man all that time ago. They were two sides of a very different coin; Rory couldn't ignore that. But it made her feel safe to admit her thoughts and act like herself without being judged. She never felt the need to change her personality, how she acted, or the way she dressed. Harry let her be who she was and loved her for, never despite, it.

Accepting his darkness also allowed her to see the light Harry possessed. He was caring and soft, and desired to shower the ones he loved with attention and thoughtful gestures – ones that didn't only include killing. Although, she couldn't help but admit the thought of Harry killing someone for her caused an abundance of butterflies to flutter throughout her body.

Rory loved learning his love language; how important he found physical touch. She loved seeing his dimple when he smiled and the sound of his laughter. Rare actions and sounds that seemed never ending when the two were alone.

She appreciated that Harry was understanding and listened – that he stood by her side no matter what but still called her out on her bratty behaviour when necessary. She loved how comfortable she felt expressing when something bothered or hurt her feelings. And even when it took her a couple of tries to verbalize it, Harry remained calm and patient and never rushed her.

Rory loved everything about Harry: the good, bad, darkness, and light.

"Harry..." Her voice said his name with a needy whimper, a sound that erupted a groan of pleasure in response from the man that marked her skin with his lips.

"What is it, hm?" Harry taunted, "Tell me what you want..." earning another whimper of pleasure, he added, "Depeserate for it, aren't you, Bambi?"

Holy fuck, she internally cried. I love this man.

Her eyes widened.

It wasn't the right time to say it. Not now, not like this. This wasn't supposed to be their moment. But Rory's heart was far too overwhelmed to listen to her mind. Was there even a perfect time? Maybe overthinking was her downfall – she could just say it and get it over with. Rory loved Harry. There was no shame in telling him or needing to be fearful of his response.

Rory could say it.

She could tell him.

"I..." she thickly swallowed.

Just as Rory went to utter the words she fought to contain on the tip of her tongue, a sudden drop of water landing on her forehead stole the attention, and both turned their heads up to the sky.

A smile crossed her lips as drops of rain fell from the perfectly blue sky.

A blessing in disguise, she told herself.

Rory loved Harry – she could comfortably admit that to herself. And Harry deserved to know he was loved – she knew that for a fact. Harry deserved to be told he was loved in the right way. Not during some horny makeout session in a field.

While Rory saw the joy in the moment, Harry saw panic.

Maneuvering Rory off his lap, Harry quickly collected the items, not wanting the camera, photos, or her new book to get ruined by the sudden change in weather. "I'm going to take this back to the house," he called out, knowing it would fall on deaf ears due to Rory's love of rain overpowering her attention span. He wanted to stand there and marvel at her, feed off the pure joy of something so simple as nature. But he forced his eyes away and ran off to the house, knowing if he didn't run their things inside now, he would never make it.

Rory was happy with the rain now... but Harry didn't want to risk what would happen if she realized it ruined a perfect, new book.

With the items now safely in the house, the camera remained in hand as he stood under the covered porch. Harry smiled and watched the love of his life spin around in the rain.

Harry took a few pictures, wanting to capture her joy on film – a photo memory for them to keep forever, along with all the others taken throughout the day. Looking down at the image, he smiled, unable to not absorb the pure joy she exuded, even in a photograph.

Holy fuck, he thought, smile widening. I love this woman.

Placing the camera and photographs inside, Harry went out into the rain, joining his partner to enjoy the pleasures that spinning around in the rain brought.

Rory's elation radiated off her body, creating a glow under the sun-kissed sky. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked with her gaze on the pond, watching the raindrops dance across the water.

"It is."

"Harry," her words were already muffled by nervous giggles, "I swear if you're not looking-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Rory's head turned, guided by a touch on her chin, and her lips silenced through her favourite way – a kiss. Harry brought both hands to cup her cheeks, brushing back the strands of wet hair that clung to her skin. The rain soaked his entire body leaving his hair, skin, and clothes drenched within minutes. But he didn't care. The only thing on his mind was the pure soul standing in front of him. A person he was thankful he had in his life. Someone he had the honour of falling and being in love with.

The short vacation at this house didn't only provide an escape from the reality of their current world. It showed Harry a glimpse into their future. He thought about it constantly and knew he would do anything to give them that life. But this felt far more real and attainable than he ever imagined.

And as Harry lifted her off the ground to spin Rory around, the chorus of laughter that escaped left him craving the day when they should share that pure happiness forever.

It wouldn't be long.

Harry would ensure their future together would start as soon as possible.

They danced together in the rain until their feet and cold bodies could no longer take another step. Heading inside, they each stripped from their soaked clothes. Rory shooed Harry off to take the first shower, knowing he would be fast and wanting as much time to enjoy her time without being rushed. As he hurried off, she wrapped a towel around her bare frame.

There was a clothesline outside, positioned under the covered porch. And as the rain shower had slowly stopped, she decided to hang their clothes to dry. There was a beautiful, musky, fresh smell that permeated the air. Rory sat down on the bench and looked out at the view. A smile toyed on her lips as she took in the peaceful sight, tucking her knees up to her chest as she wrapped the towel securely around her frame.

Her heart felt good here.

"There you are," the familiar voice said from behind. Harry leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "What are you doing out here, Bambi?"

"Just enjoying the moment." Rory tilted her head back to accept another kiss. "It's so peaceful here."

"It is," he agreed. "The shower's all ready for you when you are. I'll get dinner started while you're up there."

Rising from her seat and moving to stand in front of him, her eyes quickly scanned over his outfit. "You look handsome," she said, complimenting his off–white canvas pants and muted yellow long-sleeve button-down that he left undone, exposing the white tank underneath and a silver cross pendant hanging around his neck. Her smile grew, noticing his hair was pulled back with the pink scrunchie she had given him during the self-care routine from the other night. "I like your outfit."

"Yeah? Is this Rory approved?"

"Very approved." She leaned forward for a quick peck. "I'll see you after my shower."

Lips brushing against hers, he murmured, "Mm, I'll be counting down the seconds until you come back," he murmured, lips brushing against hers.

"Careful now, Harry," she teased, "You almost sound like you like me."

"Trust me. It's far more than like."

Not knowing how to form a response without sounding like a love-struck idiot, Rory replied with a kiss and a promise to be quick before hurrying up the stairs. Standing under the warm water, she tried not to think about the words Harry said.

Trust me. It's far more than like.

Rory knew Harry felt a similar way – his actions proved it over and over again. However, thinking of them saying it, actually admitting that four-letter word was something her fatty brain couldn't comprehend. It was still hard for her to imagine someone could be genuinely in love with her. Not the idea or the fantasy of her. Just her.

"Calm down, Ro," she whispered, lathering her hair with shampoo. "Don't freak yourself out over this. Don't ruin it for yourself."

Talking herself off the ledge was the best choice she could have made. She pushed the overthinking about that four-letter word to the back of her mind, not giving it any power to ruin her night by spiralling over it.

With the shower completed and her thoughts controlled, Rory focused on getting herself reading for the night. Wrapping a towel around her frame, she stood before the mirror hanging on the wall above the sink and wiped the fog off the glass with her hand. Her eyes scanned her appearance, taking in every inch of her features.

For the first time in far too long, she looked rested. It surprised her, given she had spent so many days feeling exhausted. But Rory liked what she saw in the reflection – her spark had returned.

Rory strolled into the bedroom to look for something to wear for dinner. She wanted to find the perfect outfit – not something fancy (besides, she hadn't spotted a ball gown in the overnight bag anyway) but just special.

And just like magic, there it was.

Not only did she happen upon a perfect dress, but she found matching lingerie to compliment it. Mia had done an excellent job packing her clothing – Rory made a mental note to thank her when they returned home.

Turning to face the mirror, Rory released a shaky breath and let the towel drop to the floor. The relationship between her body and mind was complex, to say the least. Some days she loved every inch of her skin; sometimes, she loathed it. Where others found beauty, she found imperfections. When complications were made about her appearance, she questioned the devious intentions behind their words. For as long as she could remember, Rory didn't allow herself to believe or trust what anyone said – and sometimes, that included her mind.

Standing naked, scanning every inch of herself in the mirror, Rory was happy to love what she saw. It had nothing to do with the appearance of her body – it had everything to do with that spark. An aura of confidence radiated in the reflection, leaving her feeling nothing but sexy and beautiful. X scar on her forearm and all; Rory loved what she saw.

Doubt still took over her brain from time to time, forcing its way to the forefront of her mind – whether it was about her appearance or how someone viewed their feelings for her. Sometimes, she worried it would cause her to self-sabotage and lose something before she allowed herself the chance to have it.

What if Harry didn't love her? What if she made everything up in her mind? What if his actions didn't mean he cared? What if?

But hearing the gentle singing off in the distance reminded her of how pure and good-hearted the man downstairs was. He told her not to think in what-if's all that time ago. And Rory had to stick to her agreement now. Harry loved her – she knew it to be true. Even without words, he proved it every day. She was confident about that, and nothing, not even the doubt from the voice in her own head, could make her think otherwise.

And as she slipped the light pink lace lingerie on, her confidence heightened. Deciding to stick with just the bra and matching thong for dinner, she laid out the matching garter belt and robe to add on for dessert. The dress she chose was a short number with sleeves stopping just above her elbows and a plunging v-neckline. It was fitted around her bust and waist like a second skin before the material flowed out slightly below the hips. Pale creme colour with a floral print, the pinks in the flowers matched the colour of the items she wore underneath. And due to the sheer material, the garments were evident when the light hit the dress at just the right angle—a fun surprise for Harry.

With her outfit perfected, Rory quickly dried her hair and tied the top section back with a ribbon. Rummaging through her makeup bag to find her supplies, she decided to keep her makeup as simple as possible, keeping the heat in and outside the house in mind. Concealing a few spots and redness, she applied a coat of chapstick to her lips and finished everything off with a light spritz of her favourite perfume.

Glancing over her appearance one final time, she twisted the band around her ring finger. Confidence was the only thing she saw in the mirror; it was beautiful.

And with that in mind, Rory happily ventured out of the bedroom and down the stairs to enjoy the night with the love of her life.

Strolling toward the kitchen, she suddenly halted her steps. Not wanting to interrupt the scene before her, she silently observed from the entryway. Harry stood on the opposite side of the kitchen, facing the stove, showing her his backside. He hadn't heard her arrival – too engrossed by his various pots and pants running on the stovetop and the music playing, which he hummed along to.

A smile tugged on her lips noticing her pink scrunchie remained in his hair, pulling his long strands back into a bun. The button-down shirt was now discarded, hanging over the chair by the table, leaving him in just his tank top.

Rory didn't mean to stand there unannounced and lurk off to the side to stare at him. But in her defence, it was hard not to stare at the muscles in his back flex under the thin white tank top. She watched as his well-defined, tattooed-covered arms stirred around the items in the pan. Watching him toss a hand towel to rest over his shoulder caused her teeth to sink into her bottom lip.

Grabbing the camera off the table, she approached quietly and snapped a quick photo of his back, angling it to get a small glimpse of the items on the stove. The flash from behind caught Harry's attention, and he looked over his shoulder.

"There's my beautiful-" Harry's jaw fell slack, catching sight of the woman standing only a few feet away. "Holy shit," he uttered in a breathless whisper.

Turning away from various pots on the burning stovetop, Harry stepped toward where she stood, catching a hint of a smirk Rory proudly wore. The material played a trick on his mind – he felt wrong for staring so intently, but he just couldn't help himself. It fit her like a second skin, and in fact, it looked like it was her skin.

But as he observed closer, it wasn't just the dress that took his breath away. It was the look in her eyes – a familiar spark that hadn't surfaced (understandably) in the last few days. That spark warmed his heart because it signalled that his Rory had fully returned.

"My beautiful girl," was all Harry said in a husky whisper before removing the distance between them.

Rory melted against his touch – even more so when she heard an evident whimper slip past his lips as he kissed her over and over again. Her hands roamed his chest and shoulders, feeling every curve of his well-defined muscles. There was a thin layer of sweat from his work in front of the stove. She was glad her mouth was occupied by his; otherwise, she would have run her tongue along every inch of his skin.

With both hands placed on her hips, Harry's fingers pressed against her skin as he deepened the kiss. Rory was seconds away from telling him to lay her out on the dining room table and enjoy the spread of her legs for dinner instead. But the smell of something equally delicious wafted through the air, halting the request from leaving her mouth.

Pressing a hand to his chest and creating distance between them, Rory said, "Let's save the rest for dessert."

"God," Harry groaned as his hand left her waist to cup her cheek. "You're fucking trouble, Bambi," he teased, kissing her forehead before regretfully pulling away. "Almost burned this delicious dinner I made because of how beautiful you are."

The desire to engage in a playful argument danced on the tip of her tongue. But watching Harry return to the stove and finish preparing their meal left her silent. If she was a distraction, so was he. It was hard to control herself as he dipped a spoon into the pan, collecting a small amount of sauce onto the utensil and raising it to his mouth for a taste. She watched his brows furrow, studying the flavours before nodding to himself, approving his creation.

Rory returned to taking pictures and teasing her adorable chef. There was a sense of pride in making his cheeks blush from her compliments over his cooking skills and her desire to photograph every step of the dinner-making process. She giggled as Harry shooed her outside with their drinks for dinner, telling her to sit at the table and patiently wait as he returned to the house to plate the food in peace.

If it weren't for the beautiful setup on the table outside taking her breath away, Rory would have bounced impatiently in her chair for dinner. Two spots were set – one at the head of the table and one directly to the side, both positioned to look out at the view of the hills and the sun that was less than half an hour away from setting.

Rory took photos of everything – the table, the view of the fields, the lollipop centrepiece instead of flowers, and the place card with an R written in the same font as his tattoo. As Rory sat, she understood why Harry insisted on taking so many photos. Once she started, it felt impossible to stop. She wanted to capture it all to keep the memory of every inch of effort he put into their night.

"Alright, here we are," Harry announced, stepping outside. He placed both plates down and pointed to the items as he explained, "Tonight, we are having wild rice, roasted vegetables, and orange glazed salmon."

"Orange?"

"Try it first, and if you don't like it, I have a frozen mac and cheese in the freezer."

"No, it's not that," she quickly replied, putting the napkin on her lap, "I'm sure I'll love it. It just sounds so fancy... I can't believe you went to all this trouble."

"It's no trouble at all," he said, shrugging off her remark as he sat down.

Raising her glass to cheers, Rory smiled. "Well, I appreciate it... and I appreciate you and everything else you've done to make this day so special."

"I didn't make it special... you did." Before Rory could protest, Harry stole a kiss and announced, "Let's eat."

Without needing another invitation, Rory dug into her food. A moan of approval slipped past her lips immediately upon the first bite. Fruit glazed salmon is fucking amazing, she thought, articulating a much better sentence when she sang her praises to the chef.

They exchanged light-hearted conversation as they ate – from discussions about how lovely the house was to their visit to the town and even what the three boys were up to without them. Harry feared Dallas had wrecked the house by now, while Rory only hoped he hadn't consumed all of Kip's cereal.

"I just hope they're taking care of Kip," Harry sighed. "At least Colson is around... he puts a quick stop to Dallas's so-called teasing."

Rory smiled, noticing his fatherly nature shine through. "Everything will be fine," she assured, reaching her hand across the table and placing it on top of his.

"I know... and I know I shouldn't baby him, and I don't mean to make it seem like he's incapable of taking care of himself because he is capable–very capable," he said. "But it's hard not to be overprotective of him."

"Sometimes I forget he's close to my age."

"Kip isn't like us... any of us. He has a brilliant mind and can hack into any system and do things with a few clicks on his keyboard that I couldn't even imagine...." He paused, pushing around the food on the plate with his fork. "But part of him will always be stuck as that little kid that showed up at the facility... and part of me will always have this unexplainable desire to protect him just like I did from the first day we met."

"He's your little brother, Harry. Being protective of him isn't a bad thing... and let's be honest, anyone standing next to you, Dallas and even Colson will appear far more innocent." Rory squeezed his hand. "Kip is capable of taking care of himself, just like you said. And his little brother traits probably shine through a lot more when his big, older brothers are teasing him... that's normal. But you wanting to protect and care for him isn't a bad thing... it's quite beautiful. It just proves how pure and kind your heart is."

"I'd do anything for my family – Kip, Dallas, Colson, you."

You, she repeated. Me. I'm a part of Harry's family.

As the blush danced across her cheeks, Rory looked back to her plate and finished the remaining bites of food. Some part of her already assumed they were a little family – she had joked plenty of times that the three boys were like their children and snuck in calling Harry 'Daddy' whenever she could. But hearing him admit it out loud, to say it so effortlessly, caused a warmth to spread from her chest and ignite every inch of her body.

With another gentle squeeze on his hand, she whispered, "Thank you."

Harry reached for his drink and raised it to his mouth. "For what?" he asked against the brim of the glass before taking a sip.

"Everything. Just..." a smile tugged across her lips, "just everything, Harry...." Her voice trailed off as she looked off at the sunset, gathering her thoughts as she watched the picturesque colours paint the sky. Turning her attention back to the long-haired man sitting next to her, she released a breath. "I can't remember the last time I felt this happy. It's been a while since I felt this way, you know, truly happy... and I'm just," tears brimmed her bottom lash line, "thankful that I get to be here with you and look forward to our future."

"Thank you too, Rory... for so many fucking things, but mainly, for giving me a chance." Bringing his hand to her cheek, he brushed away the single fallen tear with the knuckle of his index finger. "I'm sorry I couldn't have been the man you deserved from the beginning."

Rory released a heavy breath, taking a moment to collect herself before confidently answering, "I'm not. In fact, I'm glad you weren't. We both needed to grow separately so we could learn how to grow together." She took a sip from her glass. "Besides, I think you forget that we didn't just meet at a bar, and you ended up being an arrogant asshole for the first few months of knowing each other. We met because I stole from you."

"I should have handled certain situations better."

"Ditto. But maybe if either of us had, we wouldn't be here right now... watching the beautiful sunset," she gestured out to the view, "spending a night alone from our three annoying kids," she teased, "And enjoying the peace and quiet... so, I'm sticking to your advice and not thinking about the what-ifs. Because I'm more than happy with how everything turned out for us."

"Come here." Harry motioned her over with two fingers and patted his thigh. A hint of a grin tugged on his lips, watching how eager she was to get out of her seat and climb into his lap. "From the first moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were going to be trouble for me."

"Mm, got all that from one look, did you?"

"I did – you command the room, and you knew that. You knew how to play every finance douche in that bar to get exactly what you wanted from them."

Her bottom lip pouted. "Not you... you didn't buy the expensive drink I suggested."

"Well, I couldn't just fall prey to your antics like everyone else, could I?" Harry grinned. "Then you asked me to join you outside for your break, and I could tell trouble was starting... because I couldn't keep myself away the second you say...."

"You want to kiss me, don't you?"

You want to kiss me, don't you?

The words rang true from the moment he laid eyes on her, even if there were ulterior motives behind their first meeting. Harry always assumed she asked the question with a slight arrogance – an attitude that only intrigued him further. It was hard not to think she was full of herself when asking such a thing because it seemed obvious.

Rory possessed a powerful aura and knew how to expertly capture her prey. Sinful words falling from her lips, paired with innocent doe-eyes, intoxicated her target. Her beauty and brains were a lethal combination. She could weaken the strongest person in the knees without barely lifting a finger. Make everything fall into her lap without so much as uttering a word.

And so, when Harry first heard her ask that question, he assumed the answer was obvious.

Who wouldn't want to kiss her?

At that very moment, Harry finally saw her question in a different light.

It wasn't just a sentence she used to throw men off their game. She gathered everything she needed to know based on their response. It was evident in their mannerisms: whether their skin would flush red with nerves or embarrassment, if their mouths would curve with a nervous smile or tug into a knowing smirk, or if their shoulders would hunch. She would pick up on their tone of voice: if they would stutter, suddenly become quiet, or deepen their way of speaking to sound dominant.

Rory didn't ask such a thing to be arrogant – she asked the question to know the truth.

She already had her answer with Harry. She knew his truth.

But whether she asked now to calm something in her head or because it was her famous line that she liked to tease him with didn't matter to Harry.

Tucking two fingers under her chin, he held her gaze. "I always want to kiss you, Rory."

"Good," she whispered, "Because you're going to be stuck kissing me forever, Harry."

"I like the sound of that."

"Yeah?" Rory leaned forward. "Even when we're old and grey?"

"Even then. We'll have matching rocking chairs and everything."

Unable to hold back a second longer, Rory leaned forward and pressed her lips to his for a needy kiss. It wasn't just his looks that turned her on. It was everything–how he cared, treated, thought of, loved, and cherished (and killed for) her... how he spoke about their future with such certainty. That's what turned her on – made her happy, warm and feel loved.

"Hope you saved room for dessert," she teased against his lips, rocking her hips forward as she stole another kiss. Except with this kiss, Rory didn't pull back lightly. She sank her teeth into his bottom lip and pulled, earning a delicious groan from the long-haired Devil before slowly releasing. "There's a lot more where that came from."

Harry grinned. "Fucking trouble." Tapping her bare thigh with his hand, he added, "Let me clean up, and then I'm all yours."

"Shouldn't I be the one to clean since you cooked?"

"I'll do it. You get dessert prepared."

As they went to their respective stations, a giddy spring was in both their steps. Harry, as he headed over to the sink to rinse the dishes, and Rory, as she hurried up the stairs to the bedroom. She quickly discarded her dress, pleased with the reminder of pink lingerie appearing underneath. Fixing her hair into the way Harry liked it, she hurried to the mirror to check over her appearance. The reddened, slightly swollen look of her lips from his kisses made her wet with excitement.

With haste, Rory finished setting up the room, thanks to the supplies packed in her overnight bag. Clearly, her stylist had prepared for all parts of the night – and Rory was undoubtedly grateful for the help.

Hearing the water downstairs turn off and the sounds of the dishwasher closing, Rory hurried over to the banister.

"Harry?" she called down to him. "Are you done with the dishes?"

"Just finished!"

"Could you come upstairs and help me?"

"Be right there!" he called back, wiping his hands with a dish towel and tossing it onto the counter before heading out of the kitchen.

"Oh, and Harry?"

"Yeah?"

Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Harry looked up to see her leaning over the railing from the floor above. A devious smirk painted his vixen's lips as she said,

"Don't forget the camera."

hehehehehehehhehe