Chapter 137: The Morning After

Harper’s POV

I woke up to the heavenly, irresistible smell of warm food drifting through the air.

For a few quiet seconds, I didn’t open my eyes. I was cocooned in thick sheets, warm, completely comfortable, and thoroughly unwilling to leave the bed. Every inch of my skin felt sensitive, a sweet, lingering hum settled deep in my muscles.

Then something warm and soft brushed against my cheek.

"Harper."

I let out a low groan, blindly grabbing the blanket and pulling it all the way over my head.

"Harper."

"No," I mumbled into the pillow.

A quiet, husky laugh vibrated from the mattress beside me. "That’s not an answer, sweetheart."

"It is."

Justin laughed again—that deep, rich sound that made my chest tighten—before his fingers hooked into the edge of the blanket and pulled it cleanly down.

"Good morning."

I cracked one eye open. He was sitting beside me holding a heavily loaded tray of food, looking far too handsome and completely pleased with himself.

"What time is it?" I mumbled, squinting at the bright sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains.

"Almost one."

My eyes snapped wide open. "One in the afternoon?"

He nodded, a smirk tugging at his lips. "We slept until one."

I stared at him for a moment before attempting to sit up. The second I shifted my weight, a sharp, deep ache flared through my lower back and inner thighs. I immediately squirmed with a gasp and dropped right back onto the pillows.

Justin’s playful smile vanished, replaced by sudden concern. "Are you okay?"

I glared up at him with all the fire I could muster. "Don’t you dare ask me that."

His lips twitched, fighting back a grin. "Sorry."

"This is entirely your fault."

"I know."

"You’re not even denying it!"

"Would you like me to?"

I grabbed the nearest pillow and hurled it at his chest. He caught it effortlessly with one hand, his deep laugh echoing through the room.

"You’re lucky you’re cute," I muttered, sinking back down.

"I’ve been told."

"By me?"

"Mostly by you."

I rolled my eyes, though the heat in my cheeks betrayed me. Justin placed the tray carefully onto the bed between us.

"I ordered breakfast," he said smoothly. "Well, technically lunch now."

I looked down at the spread of pastries, fresh fruit, bacon, and coffee. "You ordered all this?"

"Of course." He reached over, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his thumb lingering against my cheek. "Now, go brush your teeth and freshen up. Then come eat."

I stared at him, raising an eyebrow. "You’re giving me instructions now?"

"Yes."

"Who made you king?"

"You did," he murmured, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. "Go away."

He grinned, nudging my shoulder. "Brush your teeth, woman."

I slowly swung my legs over the edge of the bed, immediately regretting every wild, reckless position we had explored the night before. Justin watched my tiny wince, his expression instantly softening into pure tenderness.

"Sorry, baby."

I pointed a stern finger at him. "You keep saying sorry like that is going to magically fix my hips."

"I can carry you," he offered, leaning forward.

"No."

"I really can."

"Justin."

"Okay, okay."

I shuffled toward the bathroom, wincing with every step while his quiet chuckles followed me.

"You’re enjoying my misery way too much!" I called out.

"Not at all."

"Liar."

By the time I finished inside, he had set up the food neatly on the duvet. I climbed back onto the bed, sliding next to him so our shoulders brushed.

"This actually looks amazing."

"You’re very welcome."

I took a bite of a warm pastry and hummed in absolute bliss. "Okay. You can stay."

Justin placed a broad hand over his heart in dramatic relief. "Thank you. I was genuinely worried I’d been fired."

I laughed, the lighthearted banter filling the sunny room. After we finished eating, Justin stretched his long arms, his muscles flexing under his shirt.

"Come on," he said, pulling back the sheets.

"Where?"

"Let’s walk around."

I looked toward the balcony window. "Around the island?"

"Yeah. We have two days here. We might as well explore."

I let out a loud, dramatic sigh. "Fine."

I changed into a soft, comfortable summer dress and slides. A few minutes later, we stepped out into the crisp sea breeze. The little coastal community was beautiful—quiet paved roads, colorful beach houses, small artisan shops, and the rhythmic sound of the ocean keeping us company.

We drifted into one souvenir shop after another. My arms quickly filled up. A silk scarf for Mom, a hand-carved trinket for Emma, matching bracelets for Eva and Mia, and a little wooden lighthouse for Justin’s grandparents.

Then I spotted a heavy, classic silver wrist-cuff that practically screamed Justin.

He watched me pile the items onto the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. "You’re buying all of that?"

"Yes."

"With whose money?"

"Mine."

He gave me a flat, unimpressed look. I immediately pulled my purse closer to my chest. "Don’t even start."

"Give me your card, Harper."

"No."

"Harper."

"No!"

Before I could dodge him, his long arm reached around my waist, pulling me gently against his side while his free hand neatly slid my card right out of my fingers.

"Justin!" I gasped.

He handed his own card to the cashier with a smooth smile. I stared at him in utter disbelief. "You cannot just pull a maneuver like that!"

"I just did."

"You are so insufferable."

"I know, sweetheart."

I folded my arms tightly over my chest. "I wanted to pay for my own family’s gifts."

"And you will. Another time."

"I have my own money, Justin."

"So do I."

"That is not the point!"

The cashier packed everything into brown paper bags, handing them over. Justin picked them all up in one hand.

I stomped my foot on the wooden floorboards.

Justin stopped in his tracks. He looked down at my foot. Then up at my face. Then back down at my foot.

"Are you throwing a actual tantrum right now?" he asked, an amused twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"No."

"You literally just stomped your foot."

"I did not."

He raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes brimming with laughter. I crossed my arms even tighter, turning my chin away.

He shook his head, letting out a low breath as he reached for my hands, gently pulling them away from my chest until I had no choice but to step into his space.

"Stop pouting," he murmured, his voice dropping into that warm, intimate tone.

"I am not pouting."

"You’re definitely pouting."

I refused to answer, biting the inside of my cheek. He chuckled under his breath, carried all the shopping bags out to the truck, and loaded them into the back. When he turned back around, he extended his bare palm toward me.

"Come."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Is this another surprise?"

His lips curved into a soft, breathtaking smile. "Maybe."

I let out a small breath, looking at his open hand, and slid my fingers into his. He squeezed tightly, pulling me close to his side as we began to walk down the sunlit path.