Fall'n For The New Guy | | Harrison Reid

Chapter 132

I stirred at the feeling of something warm brushing against my arm, followed by the faint sound of my name being spoken softly. My eyes fluttered open, the dim glow of the car's interior light mixing with the golden hue of the resort's outdoor lamps.

Harrison was crouched beside the open passenger door, his hand gently rubbing my arm. "Tess, we're here," he murmured, his voice low and soothing.

I blinked a few times, still groggy, my body feeling like lead. "Mmm... already?" My voice was thick with sleep.

He chuckled. "You were out, love. Didn't even stir when I parked."

I stretched slightly, groaning at the stiffness in my limbs. The cool night air drifted in, a soft contrast to the warmth of the car, and I shivered. Noticing, Harrison grabbed the sweater from the backseat and draped it over my shoulders.

"Come on," he coaxed, reaching for my hands and gently tugging me forward. "Let's get you inside, yeah?"

I nodded sleepily, letting him help me out of the car. My legs wobbled a bit from exhaustion, but Harrison steadied me with an arm around my waist. I leaned into him, feeling warm and safe as he guided me toward our villa.

"You're the best," I murmured against his shoulder.

He kissed the top of my head, squeezing me gently. "I know." I was too tired to even roll my eyes. I just let him take care of me.

Harrison guided me up the short pathway to our villa, his arm still wrapped around my waist as I leaned against him. The warm glow of the outdoor lanterns cast soft shadows across the wooden deck, and the sound of distant waves filled the quiet night air.

He reached the door first, unlocking it with one hand while keeping me steady with the other. As soon as we stepped inside, the cozy dimness of our room wrapped around me, inviting and familiar.

"You wanna shower before bed?" Harrison asked, his voice gentle as he kicked off his shoes.

I groaned, dropping onto the edge of the bed. "I should, but I literally don't think I can move."

He chuckled as he knelt in front of me, carefully slipping my sneakers off my feet. His fingers brushed against my ankles, his touch warm and soothing. "I could run you a bath?"

That sounded amazing, but even the thought of getting up felt like too much effort. Instead, I flopped backward onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. "Or..hear me out...I just sleep forever."

Harrison grinned as he stood, shaking his head. "Alright, Sleeping Beauty, at least let me get you comfortable."

He reached down, helping me sit up just enough to pull the sweater off my shoulders before grabbing one of his oversized t-shirts from the suitcase. He handed it to me, then turned around to give me a bit of privacy as I lazily changed. "You know we're married right? You don't have to turn around." I tell him

Harrison let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, I know, but I'm trying to be a gentleman here."

I rolled my eyes, pulling the soft fabric over my head. "Bit late for that, don't you think?"

He glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "Fair point. But I reckon you'd complain if I just stared at you the whole time."

I tossed my discarded dress at him, and he laughed, catching it with ease. "Alright, alright, I'll stop being polite," he teased, tossing the dress onto the chair before turning to face me properly. His eyes softened as he took me in, now swallowed up in his t-shirt. "You look good in my clothes."

I huffed playfully, crawling into bed. "I look exhausted."

He slid in beside me, wrapping his arms around me as I settled against him. "Still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I smiled sleepily. "You're such a sap."

"Only for you, love."

Once I was settled under the blankets, he flicked off the lights and climbed in beside me, immediately pulling me against him. His arms wrapped securely around my waist, his chest warm against my back.

"Better?" he murmured, pressing a kiss to my damp hair.

"Mhm." I melted into him, letting the exhaustion fully take over. "Love you."

"Love you too, Tessa."

As I drifted back to sleep, I felt him tuck the blanket a little tighter around me, his hand resting protectively over my belly. And in that moment, with him beside me, I'd never felt safer.

~

Harrison's POV

The morning sun filtered in through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Tessa was still buried under the blankets, her dark hair splayed across the pillow, breathing slow and even. Peaceful.

I smiled to myself, letting my head rest against the pillow as I watched her. She looked so damn beautiful like this—completely at ease, soft in a way she rarely let herself be when she was awake. Part of me wanted to let her sleep, just to soak in the quiet moment a little longer. But the other part? The part that knew she'd try to sleep half the day away if I let her? That part was already plotting.

Shifting closer, I brushed a strand of hair from her face, letting my fingers trace lightly over her cheek. She barely stirred, mumbling something incoherent before burrowing deeper into the blankets.

I grinned. Oh, this was going to be fun.

"Tess," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Time to wake up, love."

Nothing. Not even a flinch.

I tried again, running my hand gently down her arm. "Come on, the sun's up, and I ordered breakfast."

Still nothing—except for the faintest of groans as she tucked herself further under the blankets.

I chuckled. "Tessa."

"Go 'way."

I bit back a laugh. Alright, time to up my game. I slipped a hand beneath the blankets and lightly tickled her side.

She jolted, letting out a dramatic whine. "Harrison!"

"There she is," I teased. "Knew you were in there somewhere."

She swatted weakly at me before curling up again. "I'm pregnant," she mumbled into the pillow. "I require rest."

I smirked. "You also require food. And fresh air. And to not sleep through our whole bloody honeymoon."

Still, she didn't move. I sighed, shaking my head. "Alright. You leave me no choice."

Before she could react, I slipped my arms beneath her and lifted her up, blankets and all.

She let out a startled yelp. "Harrison! Put me down!"

I laughed, adjusting my grip as I carried her toward the balcony. "Not a chance, love. You've been in bed long enough."

She huffed, squirming slightly but not really fighting me. Then, in a softer voice, she mumbled, "What's up with you these days? Why are you so annoying?"

I grinned. "Keeping you on your toes. Can't have you getting bored of me."

She groaned but rested her head against my shoulder, her arms loosely wrapping around my neck. "I could never be bored of you," she admitted sleepily.

I kissed the top of her head. "That's what I like to hear."

I stepped out onto the balcony, where a tray of fresh fruit, toast, and juice was waiting for us. The ocean stretched out before us, shimmering under the morning sun.

Finally, I set her down on the lounge chair, unwrapping her from the blankets just enough so she could sit properly. "There. Now, eat."

She narrowed her eyes at me, but the moment she spotted the food, she sighed and reached for a piece of fruit. "You're so lucky you ordered breakfast."

I grinned, plopping down beside her. "Told you I'd make it worth your while."

She rolled her eyes but leaned against me anyway, taking a slow bite as she looked out at the view. And even though she'd fought me every step of the way, I could tell..she was happy.

And that? That made it all worth it.