Chapter 9: Deepening Devotion

Harper traced the intricate swirls of ink on Wilder’s arm, the rough texture a familiar comfort against her fingertips. The late afternoon sun, a molten gold, streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse, painting the opulent room in warm hues. It was a stark contrast to the storm that often raged within their lives, a storm they seemed to thrive in, or at least, that’s what Harper told herself.

“You’re quiet today,” Wilder murmured, his voice a low rumble against her ear as he pulled her closer, his arms encircling her waist. His breath ghosted her skin, sending a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the air conditioning.

Harper leaned back into his embrace, her head resting against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heart. It was a sound she’d come to crave, a constant in her otherwise turbulent existence. “Just… thinking.”