Morning sunlight streamed through the Carson family's kitchen windows, casting warm patterns across the worn oak table. Mara nursed her second cup of coffee, watching her father's face as she shared the latest developments.
"She stayed at his hotel last night," Mara said, fingers tracing the rim of her mug. "The Peninsula, Dad. Can you imagine? Not just any suite either - the kind with a harbor view that costs more than my semester's tuition."
James Carson's weathered hands wrapped around his own coffee cup, his expression a mixture of concern and cautious hope. "And this Jeremy... you've met him properly now?"
"He's nothing like I expected," Mara admitted, surprising herself with the honesty in her voice. "The way he looks at Harmony... it's like she's the center of his universe. And Dad, he knows about her leg. He's been so understanding about everything."
Her father nodded slowly, years of protective instinct visible in the slight furrow of his brow. "Your sister's been through enough. After the accident..."
"I know," Mara said softly. "But I think... I think he might be exactly what she needs. Maybe what we all need - to see her truly happy again."
Her phone buzzed – Alex's name lighting up the screen. Her heart did a little flip she wasn't quite ready to examine.
"I should take this," she said, rising from the table. Her father's knowing smile followed her out of the kitchen.
On the porch, surrounded by the gentle morning breeze, Mara took a deep breath before answering. "Hey, stranger."
"Mara," Alex's voice was warm through the phone. "I wasn't sure you'd answer."
"Why wouldn't I?" she settled onto the porch swing, letting herself relax into the conversation.
"It's early. Thought you might be sleeping in."
"Not with all the excitement around here," she laughed softly. "Hey, I was thinking... would you maybe want to grab dinner sometime? There's this Italian place I've been wanting to try..."
The slight pause on the other end made her heart skip. "I'd like that," Alex finally said, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
"Great," Mara found herself grinning. "I'll text you the details?"
"Looking forward to it."
As evening descended over Boston, the Peninsula Hotel suite transformed into an intimate haven. Candlelight danced across crystal glasses and fine china, casting warm shadows on the private dining room walls. Harmony sat across from Jeremy, watching the way the flickering light caught the silver at his temples, how it softened the sharp lines of his face into something almost ethereal.
"You're staring," Jeremy's voice was teasing as he reached across the table to take her hand.
"Can you blame me?" Harmony entwined her fingers with his, marveling at how natural it felt. "This whole evening feels like a dream."
"Very real," he brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Though I must admit, you in that dress has been testing my concentration all through dinner."
Heat bloomed across her cheeks, spreading down her neck. The black dress had been a last-minute choice - elegant but daring, with a slit that showed just enough leg to make her feel both nervous and brave.
"Jeremy..." her voice wavered as his thumb traced patterns on her palm.
"Come here," he said softly, pushing back from the table. When she hesitated, he smiled. "Just to dance. I've been wanting to hold you all evening."
Harmony stood, letting him draw her into his arms. There was no music playing, but they didn't need any - their hearts seemed to find their own rhythm as they swayed together in the candlelight.
"You're trembling," Jeremy murmured against her hair.
"Good trembling," she assured him, pressing closer. His cologne wrapped around her, familiar and intoxicating - something uniquely him that made her head spin.
His hands skimmed down her sides, leaving trails of warmth through the thin fabric of her dress. When he spoke again, his voice was lower, rougher. "Tell me what you're thinking."
"That I've never felt like this before," she admitted, tilting her face up to his. "Like I'm falling and flying at the same time."
Jeremy's eyes darkened as they met hers. Slowly, giving her time to pull away, he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss started gentle - a whisper of contact that still managed to send electricity down her spine. But when she gasped softly against his mouth, something shifted. The kiss deepened, years of longing and months of waiting pouring into this one moment.
His hands tangled in her hair as she pressed closer, heart racing against his chest. The taste of wine lingered on his tongue, mixing with something sweeter - desire and trust and promise all wrapped together.
"Harmony," he breathed her name like a prayer when they finally parted. "My beautiful, brave girl."
She swayed slightly in his arms, dizzy with want and nervousness. "Take me to bed?"
Jeremy studied her face carefully. "Are you sure?"
Instead of answering, she took his hand and led him toward the bedroom. The suite's lights were dimmed, casting everything in soft, forgiving shadows. Standing before the full-length mirror, Harmony watched their reflections merge as Jeremy stepped behind her.
His hands settled on her shoulders, warm and steady. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the curve of her neck. "Just let me hold you."
She turned in his arms, finding his lips again. This kiss was different - deeper, hungrier. His hands slid down her back, pulling her closer until every breath was shared between them.
"I want to see you," he breathed against her lips. "All of you."
Fear fluttered in her chest, warring with desire. "I'm scared," she admitted.
"Don't be," his fingers traced her jawline with infinite tenderness. "You're perfect to me. Every part of you."
Slowly, giving her time to stop him, Jeremy reached for the zipper of her dress. The silk whispered as it fell, pooling at her feet. His sharp intake of breath made her want to cover herself, but his eyes held such reverence she remained still.
"Perfect," he repeated, fingers skimming her collarbone, tracing the lace edge of her bra. Each touch sent shivers through her body, building a warmth low in her belly.
When his hand brushed her prosthetic leg, she flinched instinctively. Jeremy immediately stilled, bringing both hands to cup her face.
"Look at me," he waited until she met his eyes. "I love you. All of you. There's nothing about you that could ever make me want you less."
Tears spilled down her cheeks. "I want to believe that."
"Then let me show you," he kissed away her tears. "Let me love you, Harmony. Every beautiful, imperfect, perfect part of you."
But when his hands moved lower again, she tensed. The vulnerability was too much, too soon. "I can't," she whispered. "Not yet."
Jeremy immediately drew back, though he kept her in the circle of his arms. "Then we wait," he said simply. "We have all the time in the world."
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't be," he pressed his forehead to hers. "Loving you means loving your pace, your boundaries. Nothing changes how I feel about you."
Harmony buried her face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. His heart beat steady and strong under her cheek, his arms solid around her.
She nodded against his chest. Jeremy reached for his shirt, helping her into it. The soft cotton carried his warmth, enveloping her in comfort and trust.
Later, as they lay tangled in the luxurious sheets, Harmony listened to Jeremy's breathing even out. His arm was draped protectively across her waist, his chest warm against her back. In the quiet darkness, she allowed herself to imagine a future where this feeling – this safety, this acceptance – was her everyday reality.
"I love you," she whispered into the night.
Jeremy's arm tightened slightly around her, and he pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. "I love you too," he murmured. "Thank you for trusting me."
Harmony smiled in the darkness, placing her hand over his where it rested on her waist. Despite her earlier fears, despite pulling back when things got too intense, she felt closer to him than ever.