CHAPTER 12

Harmony woke up as Oliver pulled up to the mansion. The drive wasn't that far from the foundry, but the short nap had her feeling refreshed. Once the car was in park, Harmony unbuckled herself and opened her door, but before she could step out, Oliver grabbed her hand and signaled for her to wait. He stepped out of the car, shut his door and strode around the car to Harmony's side.

Extending a hand to her, Oliver helped Harmony out of the car. Her legs gave under her and Oliver quickly placed an around her waste to steady her.

"I figured your legs might do that after the work out we just did. You shouldn't be like this after a few workouts though. You will build strength."

Harmony looked up into Oliver's face as he smiled down at her.

"I didn't realize how hard a work out that was."

Oliver chuckled and pulled her upright. Harmony tried taking a few steps but her legs gave out on her again.

"Looks like you will be carried to your room tonight." Oliver grinned at her and laughed.

He then swooped down and scooped his arm under her legs and picked her up. He kicked the car door shut and headed off into the mansion. As he walked he could feel the way Harmony was pressed against him. Flashes of her climbing the salmon ladder, the muscles that he saw working, the way she moved, all went through his mind. She was not anything he expected her to be, and he was glad of that.

As Oliver approached Harmony's room, he slowed his stride until he stopped in front of her door. He set her down on her feet, keeping his hands at her waste until he was sure she could stand on her own. It was only when Harmony stepped back that Oliver fully released his grip on her.

"Thank you." Harmony didn't really know what else to say.

"For what? For carrying you?" Oliver chuckled. "That wasn't a big deal. At least you are lighter than Digg. I just left him when that happened to him. Luckily we were in the foundry and had no need to go anywhere else."

Harmony burst into giggles at the thought of Oliver carrying Digg in his arms that way he had just carried her.

"Well not just for that. Thank you for tonight. I have wandered around for years in fear of my stepfather and brother and what they could do to me. Tonight was the first night that I felt like I was actually moving forward. Like I was actually living instead of just surviving. I haven't felt like this in a very long time."

She paused, trying to find a way to express how much he had given her and how much she owed him for that. Without him she would be dead.

"I just… I wouldn't be here without you. I truly owe you."

She began to step forward to give Oliver a kiss, but he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

"You do not owe me. And even if you did, I would never ask you to pay me back like this."

His voice was hard as if he was reigning in himself with all the control he had.

"I didn't…"

Harmony stammered. She hadn't meant for him to think that she was trying to kiss him as payment; but that it was the only way she could properly express her gratitude.

"I do not ever want you to kiss me or touch me if you feel like you owe it to me. I will not have you become a whore for me."

His words were steely but at the same time gentle. He truly didn't want her to be what her stepfather had tried to make her.

"You should only kiss or touch me if you want to. You should have control over that."

Oliver's words brought tears to Harmony's eyes. Although she didn't intend for her kiss to be whoring herself out, Oliver was right; it was. But he had told her that essentially that he would never touch her without her wanting it. She could see the sincerity behind his eyes.

Oliver, seeing her tears streaming down her face, reached out and stroked her cheek. He could see how much his words had meant to her. She was ultimately in control, something that she hadn't ever really had.

Stepping forward, Oliver pulled Harmony in for a tight hug. She cried into his neck and curled her fists into his shirt. Oliver rubbed his left hand up and down her back while his right was tight around her shoulders. Harmony's body shook with relief at the idea that she really had a choice and that Oliver would respect her no matter what.

Once her tears had subsided, she pulled back from Oliver, but only enough to see his face; not breaking the embrace.

"Thank you, again," was all she said.

She stared into his face trying to convey her deep gratitude with her eyes. He was giving her so much and wasn't asking for anything in return. She could see the truth. This was love. Oliver might not see it that way, but this was what love was; giving to someone without asking for anything in return, do what was best for someone, even to your own detriment. She only hoped that she could return that love to him.

Oliver looked down into Harmony's grateful eyes and could see how much what he did meant for her. He could ask for anything more than to see her safe and happy.

After a long moment, both Oliver and Harmony became extremely aware of how many parts of their bodies were touching.

The feel of Oliver's strong arms around Harmony caused her temperature to rise and her heart to pound. He smelled of sweat and clean linen. It drover her wild, but the way he was looking at her caused heat to surge downward and gather between her legs.

Oliver's mind went back to what had happened in the foundry earlier that night and couldn't help be want to try and continue where they had left off. The way her legs brushed the front of his, the way her breast pressed against his chest and the way her mouth was parted slightly caused Oliver to become more aroused than he thought possible.

But before Oliver could make a move, Harmony pushed up onto her toes and pressed her lips against his. And that was all it took for Oliver. He immediately picked Harmony up and wrapped her legs around him, then pressed her back against the door. The door shuddered at the impact. Harmony's arms were suddenly wrapped around Oliver's neck and her hands were in his short hair. Oliver's hands were running up and down her sides caressing and teasing her.

Then one of his hands slipped up to cup her face and the other slid to her breast. While their tongues batted each other for dominance, Oliver began to tweak her nipple causing her to moan deep in her throat. Harmony pulled at his hair and received a deep growl in return.

Oliver reached down and slid his hand up under Harmony's shirt to massage her breasts more fully. Eventually Harmony was irritated with the layers between them and started pulling at her shirt. Oliver quickly got the point and helped her dispose of her shirt and sports bra.

He reveled at the sight of Harmony's naked breasts. They were full and beautifully shaped. Oliver couldn't resist kissing her breasts and pulling her nipple into his mouth. He was rewarded with a deep groan from her.

Harmony couldn't think. The way Oliver was touching her caused her mind to go blank and her body to take over. She reached down and tugged at his shirt. He stopped only long enough to rip his shirt off over his head before returning to his work with her breast.

She began running her hands over Oliver's back, tracing down his sides, feeling his scars under her fingers. The feeling of her hands on him sent Oliver into over drive. He ground his hips into her and Harmony could see how turned on Oliver was. He was rock hard against her. It caused her to shiver in anticipation.

Although Oliver was crazed with lust for Harmony, he wanted to give to her. So he moved his mouth back up to hers and slip his hand down to the top of her shorts. He traced his hands over the fabric between her legs and could feel the moisture that had seeped through.

Oliver couldn't handle it anymore. He needed to really feel her. He slid his hand up to her waste band, then under and down to find her dripping for him.

Harmony gasped in surprised. His fingers were nimble and talented. It only took him a second find the right spot to driver her wild. She began to shake as Oliver pushed his fingers inside of her. Her only thought was his name.

As Oliver continued to thrust his fingers into Harmony, he rubbed her clit with his thumb. This is what ultimately sent Harmony over the edge. The world shattered around her and she cried out his name.

"OLIVER!"

After a few minutes, Harmony's heart calmed and she came to herself. She saw Oliver looking at her, trying to make sure she was okay.

"That was amazing." She smiled at him.

"Not too much too soon?"

"No."

Oliver finally smiled and leaned his forehead against hers and sighed.

"I'm glad," was all he said.

Then Oliver slid away from the wall and Harmony allowed her legs to slip from his waste. They stood there for a moment before Harmony began to drop to her knees.

Oliver immediately froze.

"No." He pulled her up off the floor.

"But… why? You got me off, I thought…"

"I did that because I wanted to, but this isn't happening."

Confusion crossed her face and Oliver realized that he had to explain himself.

"We have to take it one step at a time. You aren't ready for that and neither am I. I think waiting until the wedding would be a good idea."

Harmony was shocked, but she knew he was right. It would be too much too soon if she tried to get him off as well.

Oliver stepped back and grabbed their shirts and her bra off of the hallway floor. He pulled his on over his head while she did the same, leaving the bra off and hanging over her arm.

Oliver turned back to her and smiled. She looked so happy. He hoped he could help keep her that way.

"I think we should say goodnight before we get into more trouble."

Harmony laughed. "Yeah… you are right. I'll get some rest and see you tomorrow okay?"

Oliver nodded and leaned in to place a light kiss on her lips.

Harmony savored every last second of his lips on hers before hugging him and turning to go into her room.

Once inside her room, she closed the door and leaned against it. Sighing she thought, No way in hell I'm actually gonna sleep tonight.

Oliver watched her door close behind her. He turned and headed down the hall to his own room.

There was no way he was going to be able to sleep tonight as aroused as he was.

I guess a cold shower is in order for me. I might need a lot of these between now and the wedding if this keeps up.