Excerpt from Suffocating Harper by H.R. Graham (upcoming novel)

  "When did you know?" 

   "It wasn't all at once." He leaned closer before kissing me on the cheek. His cracked lips 

caressing, soothing. "It was finally getting to hear you laugh, with that cute piglet snort." 

   "I hate that." I started to pull away.

   "I don't." He lifted his finger up, tapping my cheek. "And--"

  "And?" Never known a guy to express himself so warmly. Not to me. 

   With chivalry, he continued, with no mention of the careless interruption. "The way you hid my keys 

from me. The way you saw me as gold, not the pot dealer from the other side. God, so many small 

things, if you add them all up, it's...it's--" 

   "Joy." 

   He nodded, squeezing me tight. "I fell for you." 

   I breathed with ease while adrenaline rushed inside me, resulting in a falling sensation. 

But this time, I wasn't scared. I was more at peace than ever. This time it didn't hurt.