Breeze of Life Read Online Free

several times over.  I couldn’t believe they still fell. Harper swiped them away with his thumbs, holding my face and forcing my attention to him. Slowly one of his hands rose to the head wrap I wore and I grabbed his wrist to stop him.
    “No, Breeze baby. It’s me, your best friend Harper, we don’t hide anything from each other.”  I didn’t let go of his wrist, but I didn’t stop him from sliding the head wrap from my smooth skin. My eyelids fluttered closed, embarrassment flooding my soul. Then I felt Harper’s soft lips on my forehead as he pressed them there for the longest time. Finally, he pulled away and I was able to open my eyes. He smiled at me, his eyes filled with sincerity and mischief.
    “Would it help if I shaved my head?” he asked. Somehow I managed to smile a little and it felt so real it shocked me. I shook my head.
    “No, I like your hair, don’t ruin it for me.” Harper shook his head and chuckled.
    “Silly, stubborn girl, it’s just hair, it will grow back.” Harper rolled and pulled me to his chest, gathering the blankets and wrapping them around my shoulders.
    “Get some sleep, baby.” I lay there for the longest time simply listening to the strong beat of Harper’s heart, like a melody that sang life and happiness until finally I began to fall asleep. This time it wasn’t about escaping though. I felt contentedly quiet and peaceful and wanted nothing more than to rest in Harper’s strong embrace, even if it was only for one night.

 
    Chapter 3
    Grommets
     
    A name used for younger surfers; children
     
    I woke from a heavy and restful sleep, the kind of sleep that had evaded me for months. Instead of repeatedly waking in a cold sweat following nightmares, I actually slept right through. I raised my arm and observed the ‘fairy dust’ that floated through my room, highlighted by the sun’s rays which now slipped through my open blinds. It had been a long time since the fingertips of such brilliance had touched this room. My body warmed at the sun’s contact, the paleness of my skin emphasized. I grimaced and rolled over, turning my back on the tempting glow. The sheets were a mess where Harper had lain beside me. He had been beside me, hadn’t he? Perhaps it had been nothing but a wanton dream, one of many that I had endured over the last eight months. Loud obnoxious banging and Harper’s booming voice confirmed that yes, the incessantly noisy lover of dawn had returned. Harper was used to early rises, dawn was apparently one of the best times to catch the waves free of wind. Me, on the other hand, I loved to sleep in. It worked for us though. When Harper was here I rarely woke without breakfast ready and waiting.
    “Go away, Harper!” I yelled, rolling the ends of my pillow up to cover my ears. It did no good though.
    “You’ve got twenty minutes to get up, dressed, and fed. If you’re not ready I will drag you from this room as you are and dump you in my Jeep, your choice.” I heard his retreating footsteps and groaned. It wasn’t a good day, I didn’t feel like taking a trip outside. I knew Harper would see through on his threat though and facing whatever he had planned for me in a thin night shirt and my granny panties was not cool. I escaped to the heat of the shower and dressed in a simple long wrap skirt and shoestring singlet top. I carefully wrapped my head in a light scarf and threw on a pair of flip flops. By the time I was dressed, Harper stood by the door, a piece of toast in one hand with carefully mashed banana on top and a travel mug of coffee in the other. I tried to gift with him a grateful smile, but it was a lie. My face simply did not want to embrace happiness today. I think Harper realized this though, he didn’t tease my mood, just turned and left the apartment and I obediently followed. George was waiting by the lift and he gave me a fatherly hug and kiss to the head.
    “Have an open heart and open eyes today, sweetheart.” With that