The Straight Crimes

by Matt Juhl

  After taking a few minutes to catch her breath, she mustered the strength to tug open the heavy old door and let herself inside. She swiftly struck a match, lighting the wick to one of the lanterns.

  Cautiously ascending the winding stairs, she held it out as she moved through the darkness. Flashes of lightning illuminated the tower through the small windows along the way.

  Harper pushed the watch room door open and set the lantern on the ground while searching for blankets she and Nik had left behind.

  Suddenly, it was as if time stood still. Harper was immediately overcome with emotion. While she made her way across the darkness, she suspected the shadows were playing tricks on her. She squinted, believing she’d gone mad. However, her suspicions were confirmed as the lantern illuminated the beautiful truth before her eyes. Asleep on the floor, as if he were hiding in the shadows, was Nik.

  He appeared to be in a deep slumber. His hair and clothes were soaked. The sleeves on his white button up shirt were rolled to his elbows and his fitted khaki slacks hugged his muscular thighs. The man looked serene and gorgeous.

  There was a certainty moving through her body that she’d never felt before as she examined his flawless face. All her doubt dissipated, leaving only burning desire for him. It was as if nothing changed.

  Harper nestled beside Nik and sunk her freckled nose into his chest, taking a deep breath of his alluring, familiar scent. Even being pressed against him, she felt entirely too far away.

  Nik abruptly turned over and flinched.

  “Harper?” he asked.

  She was breathtaking. Her emerald eyes shimmered against the reflection of the candlelight as they looked at each other.

  “Hey,” she whispered.

  Nik wiped his face and propped himself up. “What are you doing here?”

  “I had some thinkin’ to do.”

  A concerned look washed over him. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Harper pulled her knees into her chest and wrapped her arms around them nervously. “Why are you here?”

  “I’ve had a lot on my mind too.”

  “Like what?”

  “To be honest, mostly you. I wanted to stay away ‘cause all it does is remind me of us, but being here is the only thing that makes any sense. You’re all I can think about, and I don’t wanna stop thinking about you. I’ve been here every night since you left, so I can feel like we’re still close.”

  “Nik—”

  “Don’t worry, I know where we stand. I’m not saying this to change your mind. I’m just being honest. As much as it hurts, being here with your memory is far less painful than trying to forget you. That’s something I’ll never be able to do.”

  Harper felt the tears coming on. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  “Don’t apologize for being honest. You don’t wanna be with me. That’s just something I’ll have to live with.”

  The intense pain in his eyes matched the devastation that dwelled within Harper. “No, you’re wrong. I do wanna be with you—”

  “I know, but you’re afraid of what may happen to us. I get it.”

  “No, you don’t get it. I shouldn’t have left that day. It was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. I’ve been miserable. Everything I do reminds me of you. It’s like you’ve become my life now. Without you, I don’t know how to be myself.”

  “But how about all the things you said, like how you don’t think it’s a good idea?”

  “I’ve had enough time to realize I was wrong. A lot’s happened over the last few weeks, like have you heard that Ricky died?”

  “Yeah, everyone’s been talking about it today.”

  “I think it’s a sign that you were right. We need to fight for this no matter what. It’s the only thing that makes sense. Every time I try tellin’ myself this ain’t gonna work, no matter what I do, I can’t move on. Yesterday I went to the psychic to help make sense of things. Even she said we belong together.”

  Nik folded his arms in curiosity.

  “Look, Ricky’s outta the picture. That along with what Brielle said about you and me needin’ each other and how we really feel, it’s like everything’s pointin’ us in the direction of bein’ together.”

  “That’s all good in theory, but are you having a hard time ‘cause you really wanna be together, or ‘cause you feel bad for hurting me?”

  “’Cause I want you, Nik.” Harper put her hand on his shoulder.

  Nik closed his eyes and let the words resonate. He lowered his head and took a deep breath.

  “What are you thinkin’?”

  Nik looked into her eyes and reached for her hand. “Harper, I’m gonna be honest, the day you walked away totally crushed me.”

  “I know—”

  “I can’t go through that again.”

  She frowned, defeated by his sadness. “I understand.”

  “Remember why I told you my uncles, Jimmy and Robbie, moved to Wisconsin to get away from my dad? Before that, going to their house always made me feel safe, it was an escape from my home life, but when they moved, they took that away from me. Last year my father had an affair, left town with some strange woman, and left me behind with my horrible dad. Then two weeks ago, you abandoned me too.”

  “I know, but I shouldn’t have left. You didn’t deserve to be treated like that.”

  “I’ve spent a lot of time wondering why people leave me, but not nearly as much since you’ve been gone. I always thought I wasn’t good enough until I met you. You became such a big part of me so quickly that I never had time to imagine life without you. And to be honest—I don’t like it. I don’t know what to do with myself when you’re gone.”

  Hearing his heartfelt confession practically killed Harper. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past, but nothin’ as bad as this. I’m sorry for runnin’ away. I know my apology doesn’t erase the hurt I caused, but I want you to know I regret that decision more than anything else in my life, and if I could take it back, I would.”

  He let out a deep breath. “Hearing you say you want me makes me feel a lot better. Look, I understand that you had a reason for what you did. You were scared, but now I’m afraid that you’ll leave again.”

  Harper emphatically shook her head in opposition. “I won’t. There’s nothin’ to be scared of. You tried bein’ strong, remember? You told me we have to fight. So if that’s what it takes for us to be together, then that’s just what we’ll do.”

  “Don’t forget that you’re the one who was strong in the first place. I learned that from you. You’ve come to my defense and fought for me, but I haven’t been able to do the same in return. Maybe that’s why you were worried, ‘cause I haven’t shown you that side of me. From now on, I swear I won’t let anything bad happen to you ever again. I’ll always protect you. You’ll see.”

  “I trust you, Nik.”

  “But if we’re gonna make this work, I need to know that you’re not gonna leave me. I can be strong, but not without you. I don’t think I could face losing you again.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “You promise?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

  “Well if you’ve been half as miserable as me, then I think I have a pretty good idea.”

  Feeling utterly relieved, he pulled Harper into his arms, lingering in their secure, mind-blowing connection. He’d almost forgotten how incredible it was to hold her, but not how desperate his cravings were.

  “I want you too badly to let you go.”

  “How badly?” she asked promiscuously.

  Suddenly, the rain began falling heavier and the thunder rumbled in the distance.

  Nik’s hypnotic eyes glowed. “I’ll show you.”

  The candle light flickered, casting their shadows against the wall. He rubbed his hands behind her neck and helplessly stared at her. There was a certainty in his touch, the same strength as his word that sh
e emphatically trusted.

  Her chilled body shivered in anticipation as she turned towards Nik. Uncontrollable desire consumed her senses.

  There was a commanding, erotic presence in Nik’s fingers while he forcefully tilted her head back. He watched her eyes slowly shut as his closed, feeling the heat and want on her breath as his lips hovered over hers.

  The mere seconds felt like an eternity, anxiously wanting his touch. Harper stared at the face she’d seen night after night in her endless fantasies. However, it wasn’t a dream. Nik was there, sending her body into tiny convulsions.

  His mouth enveloped her pouty lips as he planted a determined kiss on her lips. It was unbelievably hot. The familiarity was overwhelming, more exciting than the first time.

  Nik’s tongue invaded her mouth, melting with their heated desires. Then he straddled her body, slid his fingers down her arms, and lifted her hands above her head.

  Losing her mind, Harper uncontrollably reached for leverage as her yearning eclipsed her senses. She was totally submissive to his commanding presence.

  Nik pulled away, but instantly wanted more. He opened his mouth wider, kissing her as deeply as he could.

  Harper rubbed her hands across his incredibly muscular thighs, feeling his eagerness rub against her body. It was beyond desire, more erotic than she anticipated in any of her bedroom fantasies. She wantonly rubbed her hands against his straining masculinity.

  He tugged Harper’s hair playfully and lifted her chin, showering her neck with smoldering kisses. The masculine scratch of his unshaven face against her skin caused her body to tremble, leaving her starving for more.

  As lightning lit the entire watch room, Nik ripped the shirt from his body. The wetness glistened across his smooth, chiseled pecks.

  Momentarily fighting her desire, Harper whispered, “I’ve never done anything—I mean…this is my first time.”

  “Mine too.”

  “But I don’t know what I’m doin’.”

  “It’s just us. It doesn’t matter.”

  “I know…”

  “I promise, I’m gonna take care of you. Do you trust me?”

  “More than anything.” She reached up and gently rubbed his incredible stomach. Her wandering hands slid down to his v-cuts, leading to the top of his pants.

  He cradled Harper in one arm and lifted her from the ground.

  Standing in the middle of the watch room, Harper’s feet dangled off the floor as she surrendered to their endless passion.

  They playfully taunted each other with short, breathless kisses, lingering in the stillness of the moment.

  Nik carefully put her down. Then he slid his hands up the back of her crop top blouse and pulled it over her head. He caressed her delicate skin, enjoying her softness with his roaming hands. Then he unclasped her bra and let it fall to the ground.

  Everything stopped. All he could do was stare at her naked perfection. “You’re so beautiful…”

  Harper felt vulnerable and safe all within the same instance. “Hold me.”

  She slipped her hand into Nik’s assuring grip, blanketed in his undeniable strength.

  The erotic feeling of their bare chests touching made his eyes roll into the back of his head.

  Harper let out a deep groan, craving his roaming fingers.

  Nik kept his stare locked on Harper as he unzipped his damp slacks and tugged his heavy belt away, carelessly dropping it to the floor, along with his pants. He proudly stood, fully exposed in all his maleness.

  Harper clung on to him. Her mind reeled as she imagined taking his sizeable offering.

  “If we go any further, I won’t be able to turn back,” he warned her.

  “I know.”

  “So, do you want me to stop?”

  After a moment of hesitation, she feverishly disagreed. “You better not.”

  “Good,” he laughed. “I wasn’t gonna.” Nik toyed with the heart-shaped pendant, gently settled against her cleavage. His mouth poured down her neck. Then he lowered his hands and grabbed onto her perfect breasts, squeezing them in his firm grip.

  Harper wet her lips and scratched the back of Nik’s head as he ran his tongue over her exposed chest. Every second was intensely erotic, causing her deep ache to grow stronger. She threw her head back and groaned in satisfaction.

  Nik wrapped his bulging arms around her tiny body and carried Harper, along with the lantern, across the room in the sudden heat and settled on the floor.

  He never broke eye contact as he pulled her back into his arms, lifted his head, and blew out the candle.

  Under the pale moonlight, Harper removed her jeans. She nestled between his massive thighs while he rolled on top of her, rubbing against her with his passionate strength.

  Using his powerful legs, he spread her thighs apart and looked down into her eyes, wanting her to feel safe, trusting everything he did.

  Nik lowered his head, resting his cheek against hers while he carefully pushed himself inside of Harper for the first time.

  “Nik,” she whispered, unable to comprehend the forbidden desire.

  He looked at her adoringly, sensing her apprehension. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  The painful pleasure was overwhelming. Harper whimpered, digging her nails into Nik’s muscular back. She rubbed her hands against his skin, clinging on with every ounce of strength.

  Nik slid his hands around her, pulling her into his ultimate control.

  “Make love to me,” she begged. Harper’s heart raced, feeling the thickness of each passionate thrust. It took her mind to places she’d never been.

  Nik couldn’t take his eyes off her immaculacy. All he could think about was pleasing her aching needs, causing his carnal desire to grow stronger with each passing second.

  Harper loved being overpowered by his animalistic passion, so much that she could hardly breathe.

  Suddenly, Nik rolled back and forcefully lifted Harper on top of him, pulling her up and down as he offered himself to her.

  Harper helplessly placed her hands on his chest, steading against his hard grinding.

  He grunted, trying to wrap his mind around the over indulgence of the moment. She felt perfect, as if she was made for him, like a tailor-made glove.

  Then they turned over again so he could see her reaction.

  Nik’s heart thudded against his chest while looking into her soul for resolve. His attraction to her ran so deeply that words and thoughts escaped him, and the pleasure was so powerful that he could hardly stand its explosive intensity.

  Harper wrapped herself around him, letting out sweet cries as she felt his incredible desire. She couldn’t explain how desperately she wanted him. All she knew was that their unspoken cravings for one another were unmatched.

  “Nik!” she called his name, over and over again.

  His masculinity drove deep into her while he lifted her left leg over his shoulder, letting Harper feel every pulsating inch of his arousal.

  Then the mounting passion reached an epic peak. Everything culminated into a sweet release, where neither of them could fight it any longer. Harper and Nik climaxed together, letting out heavy sighs before collapsing into each other’s arms, totally content.

  For several minutes, all they could do was hold each other and try to catch their breaths in the tranquility.

  “Nik, did that just happen?”

  He nodded emphatically. “It felt amazing.”

  Harper bit her lip, relishing in delight. “Do it again.”

  “Really?” he laughed, surprised by her boldness.

  “Yes, I don’t ever want you to stop.”

  EIGHT

  “Roll your window down. Its frickin’ hot in here.”

  “Dad, I’m freezing.”

  “I said roll it down.”

  Nik obeyed and slumped down in the passenger seat of his dad’s rundown pickup truck. All the grief he so desperately wanted to express was suffocated by the foolishness of the most selfish man he�
��d ever known, his dad. It made him think back to Jett’s deplorable behavior on the night they first received the distressing news…

  It had been nearly a week since the five a.m. phone call. Its piercing ring had cut through the ominous silence of the stormy night like a jagged knife.

  Nik had just returned home from his passionate reunion with Harper in the lighthouse. It wasn’t more than an hour after he went to sleep that he had been awoken by the startling cry.

  On the line was Nik’s Uncle Robert, whom they seldom heard from. Robert was married to Jett’s only brother, James. They lived across Lake Michigan in a sleepy coastal town on Wisconsin’s eastern shore.

  However, Robert’s usual calm tone was uncharacteristically shaken as he pleaded for Jett.

  “Dad, wake up!” Nik cried.

  “Get out—I’m sleeping.”

  “Uncle Robbie’s on the phone and said it’s an emergency.”

  Jett pulled the receiver away and shooed him out of the bedroom.

  Nik quickly ran downstairs and listened on another line. An incredulous look swept across his face as Robert delivered devastating information—James had a massive heart attack.

  In a belligerent stupor, Jett made a muffled commitment to get on the road as soon as he could.

  For several minutes, Nik anxiously waited to hear him blast through the door. After twenty minutes, he began wondering what was taking so long.

  When Nik poked his head into the bedroom, Jett’s drunken body was sprawled out, face down in his bed. He’d passed out.

  Nik feverishly shook his dad’s body, infuriated by his lack of sensitivity. “Get up.”

  The man did not respond.

  “Dad, c’mon let’s go, we’ve gotta get to Uncle Jimmy.”

  He mumbled and slobbered over his pillow.

  “Seriously, Dad, sit up. We need to get in the car.”

  “Go away, Nikolas.”

  “Your brother’s dying. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

  “Just let me sleep a little more and then we can go.”

  “There’s no time. What if he doesn’t make it?”

  “Boy, you’re wearing me out.”

  The arguing carried on until dawn approached. It took hours to get Jett out of bed and into the passenger seat.