Harper's Fortune

by F. C. Clark

‘My mum is used to us having our girlfriends over.’

  ‘Really! You brought girls home to shag them?’

  We return to the lounge. Ollie has arrived, so Livy now has all her boys at her side. I blush, realising everyone will clock my attire – or the very noticeable lack of Luke’s shirt.

  ‘Tea, everyone?’ I ask and disappear.

  I turn to see Declan entering the kitchen, smirking at me.

  ‘You can wipe that smile of your face, Declan Sutton.’

  ‘Sexy Kate… Now I know you’re worthy of the title.’ He flashes a smile.

  ‘Ha, ha, very bloody funny. I didn’t expect to come here tonight.’

  ‘No, I bet you didn’t.’ He laughs.

  ‘Anyway, have you seen Kiki? Since it’s Valentine’s Day?’ I watch his expression alter.

  ‘No, I already had plans.’ He collects some biscuits from the larder.

  ‘What do you mean, plans? With another girl or your friends.’

  ‘Kiki and I have an open friendship.’

  I spin on my heels.

  ‘You mean you’re fuck buddies.’

  He remains silent – a guilty silence.

  ‘Is that all you are?’ I blurt.

  Luke enters the kitchen.

  ‘I told you to be careful – actually, I told you both. So if you want a fuck buddy relationship, then she needs to know this.’

  ‘Kate!’ Luke scowls at me.

  ‘I’m not happy about this. I’ll call her tomorrow to make sure you’re both on the same page, and if you’re not then you’d better hide your sorry arse from me, Declan.’ I pass the tray to Luke. ‘Can you carry this for me, please?’

  ‘Don’t overreact,’ Declan says sulkily.

  ‘Declan, enough. Move, Kate,’ Luke commands.

  ‘I’m warning you, Declan.’

  After the doctors have checked Luke’s mum and she’s given the all clear, we return to the palace. In the car, Luke places his hand on my thigh. ‘Not quite the romantic evening I had planned.’

  I look at his silhouette as we drive through London.

  ‘She’s OK, that’s the most important thing. Besides, she was thrilled to see you – all of you.’

  ‘Speaking of my brothers, you can’t tell Declan who he can and can’t date.’ Luke turns to me.

  I fold my arms. ‘Actually, I can. Luke, I warned him.’

  He begins to laugh. ‘Kiki is as much to blame.’

  ‘Maybe, but I won’t let either of them hurt one another.’

  I feel helpless to resolve Kiki and Declan’s situation. My fingers skim Luke’s bare chest.

  ‘Are you admiring my outfit?’

  ‘Yes.’ My hand moves from his chest towards his groin.

  ‘Can I help you?’ He lifts my hand and gently kisses my fingers.

  ‘Actually, you promised me a night of romance.’ I move my hand from Luke’s firm grip and brush against his growing hardness

  ‘Insatiable Kate is with me.’

  I lean across and kiss his neck, then bite his ear.

  ‘I’m greedy for you.’

  Music to his ears. ‘Good.’

  We pull into the driveway. I get out of the car and input my code, my coat and Hunter boots in my arms.

  I walk towards the stairs, Luke directly behind me. His hands link around my waist as I place my foot on the first step. He moves my hair aside, allowing him the space to place small tender kisses on my neck.

  ‘Sorry tonight’s plan went slightly off course. Now we’re home, I’m going to fuck you.’

  I turn to face him. ‘Good. I’ve needed you all day.’

  Luke scoops me into his arms and begins to climb the stairs.

  In our room, he puts me on the floor, and our dark eyes lock.

  Luke places his hand inside his jacket and removes a small box.

  ‘Your gift.’

  I take the box. ‘You’ve given me so many flowers today – I’m well acquainted with the post boy. Honestly, you’ve done so much.’

  ‘Open it.’

  ‘OK.’ I open the box to reveal a black velvet pouch. I pull apart the drawstring and empty the contents into my hand. It’s a distressed platinum bangle with two hearts. I look closely: each heart has an initial – a K and an L.

  ‘Do you like it?’ Luke asks.

  I nod as my eyes fill with tears.

  ‘Thank you. I love it.’ I slip it on my wrist, the same wrist I wear my watch.

  Luke places his hands on the buttons of my shirt. ‘I’m beginning to wonder if your present was to tease me this evening.’

  ‘It was never my intention, but I would say it was a bonus. I know you love a challenge, Mr S, and your challenge this evening was to keep your self-control.’

  He slips his shirt off my shoulders.

  ‘A Harper challenge – always a bonus, baby. Now I intend to take what’s mine.’

  16

  ‘Quick, Luke, he’s here.’ I collect Barney’s cake and balloons from the island and head to the larder, a room I’ve adopted as my birthday surprise hideaway.

  Luke reluctantly follows me. ‘Jesus, Kate, he’s not a child.’

  ‘FYI, Luke, Barney is the biggest kid ever. You know his family don’t give a shit about him. Now, take the balloons for me.’ I pass him the balloons and reach for his lips, feeling how soft his freshly shaven face is. ‘You smell fuckable, Mr Sutton.’

  ‘Is that right? You have a lot to say.’

  ‘I suggest you silence me, then.’ I tilt my head. ‘And, yes, that was a challenge.’

  My eyes lock on Luke’s. Holy shit. Matches may not be necessary; the heat between us could spark a fire.

  ‘Kate? Kate!’ Barney yells.

  ‘Ready?’ I whisper.

  Luke smiles at me. We exit the larder belting out a Harper–Sutton rendition of happy birthday. Luke sees this means the world to Barney, as he shows his emotions.

  ‘Happy birthday to the light in my life.’ I place the cake on the island and head to Barney’s open arms.

  ‘Thanks, babe. Shit, I wasn’t expecting cake and balloons.’

  ‘I always get you cake and balloons.’

  ‘I know, but I thought now you’re living with lover boy, you might not bother.’

  ‘Never.’

  ‘Happy birthday, Barney.’ Luke embraces Barney, his head turned away – there’ll be no kissing today, not from Luke.

  ‘Cheers, Luke.’

  I pass a glass of bubbly to the men in my life. ‘Here’s to the birthday boy.’

  All three of us salute his milestone of twenty-nine.

  ‘Kate, you know I love you, babe – but that singing was bad. Jesus Christ, girl, don’t give up your day job.’

  ‘You cheeky git.’

  I turn to a bemused Luke. ‘He has a point.’

  ‘Luke, you’re into that kinky shit – you must have a gag for Kate?’

  Luke’s eyes widen. Is he wondering how much information I’ve divulged to Barney?

  I look at him. ‘Handcuffs – kinky eighty-year-old codger – when I didn’t know who you were?’

  ‘OK – it’s present time.’ I pass Barney two boxes.

  ‘I bloody love presents – thanks, babe.’

  I jump up and sit on the island, pulling the man of my dreams between my legs.

  Barney chooses to open the large present first. He unties the red bow and removes the shiny red paper to reveal another box.

  ‘Bloody hell – Jones Tailor.’ Barney looks at me with delight and excitement as he removes the lid and takes out the black shirt. ‘I love it, Kate – Christ, they’re bloody expensive.’

  ‘You’re worth it.’ I wrap my arms firmly around Luke’s shoulders, drawing him closer.

  Now f
or the smaller box – this will confuse him. Paper and ribbon discarded, Barney removes a set of keys.

  ‘You’ve lost me. What are these for? I already live in your house, and I know Luke has issues with keys… Harper, what are you hiding?’

  I tap my nose. ‘We’ll leave in ten minutes.’

  ‘Where to?’ Barney asks.

  ‘You’ll see.’

  Luke turns himself between my legs, planting a kiss on my forehead as I run my hands through his damp hair.

  ‘What time are you meeting Declan?’

  ‘I’ll pick him up in a couple of hours. The game doesn’t start until two thirty.’

  ‘OK, and then SGI – what time will you be there tonight? I thought Barney and I would go early. I want to make sure everything is set up.’

  ‘I’ll drop Declan home, change, and then I’ll join you.’

  I scowl. No Declan means a stroppy Kiki Marlow.

  Luke reads my thoughts. ‘Kate, Kiki and Declan are free to date whoever they want… Get over it.’

  ‘I know, but she’s nuts about your brother, and he behaves like he doesn’t care… Barney, how was Kiki yesterday?’

  ‘Miserable. Poor Henry, she nearly bit his head off. I asked her about Declan and she said it was over. Bullshit, it’s not over for her. Sorry, Luke, but Declan has taken the piss out of her. I’ve seen him out with loads of birds.’

  Luke raises his hands. ‘They both went into this with matching reputations. Besides, Declan is far from ready to settle down. End of conversation.’

  Barney’s eyes widen. ‘I’m not arguing, Luke, but he played Kiki.’

  I kiss his lips before he can respond. I pull away as our eyes meet, feeling mixed loyalties. ‘Listen, I think the world of Declan, but I think he’s behaved really badly here.’

  Luke’s dark eyes lock on mine. ‘Thomas is waiting for you.’

  ‘I was going to drive, as I have Barney with me.’

  ‘No,’ Luke says gruffly and moves towards his office.

  ‘Luke, don’t walk away.’ I look at Barney. ‘He drives me mad. For Christ’s sake, all I want to do is drive my car – you would have thought I asked if I could go out naked.’

  ‘Babe, I’m sure he’s just… being careful.’

  ‘Careful, my arse. Allow me to introduce you to Mr Moody Bollocks Sutton.’ I shake my head and jump off the island. ‘Give me a minute and then we can go.’

  Luke registers my arrival with a sigh. ‘I’m not changing my mind,’ he responds without looking up.

  ‘Luke, you’re being unfair and irrational. Let’s just throw in suffocating while I’m at it.’

  He looks at me. ‘Suffocating? I suffocate you? Since when?’

  ‘Since now.’

  ‘You feel I’m suffocating you, even though I’m trying to keep you safe? Driving alone falls into the category of unsafe.’

  ‘I have Barney with me. What’s your problem?’ I move to the side of his desk.

  ‘Do I think Barney is a good person? Yes. Do I think he could protect you from any threats? No.’

  I sigh. What’s the point of arguing? He never listens. Silence is what I’ll leave him with.

  ‘Kate.’

  I stop and turn. ‘What?’

  ‘I love you, have fun.’

  ‘Whatever.’ I turn.

  ‘Baby.’ Oh God. My heart skips a beat with the one word that liquefies me. I turn. ‘ I love you.’

  ‘I love you too. You just – oh, never mind. I love you.’

  Barney and I sit in the back of the Range Rover.

  ‘He can flip,’ Barney says.

  I nod, continuing to look forward. Barney takes my hand and run his fingers over my knuckles.

  ‘He would never hurt me.’

  ‘I know, babe; he just likes to control everything and everyone, and that includes you.’

  I turn to face him. ‘I’ll never lose who I am. I’m still the same girl who lived next door to you.’

  He places his arm around my shoulder. ‘Yeah, except you have a few million quid in the bank and a shit-hot fiancé. But other than that, everything is still the same.’

  We drive for another fifteen minutes. I reach into my bag and pull out a black silk blindfold. ‘Slip this over your eyes; we’re nearly there.’

  ‘I love a bit of skulduggery… You aren’t taking me to a kinky sex club, are you?’

  ‘Of course! I’ll let them tie you up and do rude things to you.’ I laugh, feeling my surprise may not seem as exciting now.

  ‘Tell me, babe, do you wear this mask for lover boy?’

  ‘No! Luke used it on me when he wanted to surprise me with Sandbanks. Actually, don’t tell anyone, but Luke used to whip one of his girlfriends – apparently she liked it rough.’

  Barney moves the mask, revealing one extremely shocked eye. ‘No fucking way.’

  ‘Mask down now.’ I instruct. ‘Yes, way. It came up in conversation.’ I swallow. ‘I told Luke to forget it; we’ll never go down that road.’

  ‘You never know, babe, once you whip a path to your arse there’s no turning back. Don’t knock what you haven’t had flogged, that’s what I say. I remember this one bloke I was with, and he—’

  ‘No, thanks, Barney, keep that story to yourself… Anyway, we’re here.’

  I take his hands and guide him to the door.

  ‘Slow steps, lean on me. Do you still have the keys?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘OK. Stop.’ I remove the blindfold. ‘Go for it, use your keys.’ I can’t conceal my excitement.

  ‘Christ, why am I so bloody nervous?’

  He unlocks the door and we enter a small room. Directly in front of us is a set of double doors, which we push open at the same time.

  ‘Surprise.’

  ‘What the shitting hell have you done?’

  ‘It’s yours, your very own studio – well, I’ve bought the lease for a year, just to see how you get on.’ I look at him. ‘Barney?’

  He has no words, which is rare, and looks completely stunned. He grabs me, holding me as though his life depends on it.

  ‘Do you like it?’

  ‘I don’t know what to say.’ He loosens his grip and places his hands on either side of my face. ‘It’s the best bloody present I’ve ever had.’

  ‘I know you want to branch out into choreography, and this seems the perfect place for you to start.’

  ‘Bloody hell, babe, I’m lost for words. What did Luke say?’ Barney leaves my side and begins to look around.

  ‘His agent found me the studio.’

  ‘It’s amazing. I need a sign: Barney Curtis, dance choreographer – what do you think?’

  ‘Sounds perfect.’

  He swoops me into his arms and swings me round. He feels alive: this is more than a gift, this is a step in the right direction for his career.

  ‘Before I forget, Luke had a new Bose sound system fitted.’ I move towards a unit in the far corner of the room. ‘He said there would be paperwork and instructions, apparently you can attach your iPhone to it.’ I look at Barney. ‘Are you OK?’

  ‘What do you think? I can’t believe you’ve done this for me.’

  ‘You deserve it – besides, you’re a good investment. Now plug some music in and wiggle your butt, birthday boy.’

  Barney, who is a little more techno-minded than I am (which is not difficult), connects his phone to the sound system and searches for a song. I sit on the floor and lean against the full-length mirror.

  An instrumental track begins to echo around the room. Not Barney’s usual club beat, this sound is graceful. His tall athletic body spins and leaps: even wearing jeans and a T-shirt, he is breath-taking to watch. But my eyes are drawn to his face. This is more than contemporary dance; this is Barney’s life, an
d each movement tells a story. I lose myself in his dance.

  The routine comes to an end, leaving him breathless and emotionally exhausted. I clap and cheer, realising what I have given him.

  ‘Amazing, bloody brilliant.’ Christ, he’s so emotive.

  He takes a bow. ‘Thank you, thank you, and thank you.’

  ‘Tell me the story you just told.’

  ‘I don’t know.’ He pats his chest. ‘It comes from here.’ He walks towards a water cooler. Shit, he always hurts on his birthday. It’s an annual reminder that his family has rejected him for no reason other than his sexuality.

  The main door opens and Thomas appears.

  Perfect timing. ‘Lunch.’ I stand, and almost skip to the double doors.

  I collect the brown paper bags from Thomas and move towards Barney.

  ‘You know me too well, babe.’

  ‘I thought about booking an uber-posh restaurant, but then I know how much you love quarter pounders with cheese.’

  ‘Still the same Harper.’

  Later that afternoon we curl up on the sofa in Luke’s office with a glass of wine.

  ‘Are you excited? I know that being the centre of attention is a tall order for a shy, retiring person like you.’ I reach over and touch his hand.

  ‘Can’t bloody wait. Today has been the best! You have some serious work ahead for you to outdo this next year, so you’d better get started, party planner extraordinaire.’

  ‘One-off, babe.’

  He pulls my feet into his lap and begins to massage them, ensuring they’re ready for painful shoes and far too much dancing.

  ‘Why do we always sit in this room? Don’t you use the other lounge?’

  ‘Not really. Luke’s always in here, and I follow him like a bad penny.’

  ‘I wonder what Luke use to do before you arrived on the scene. Not too much shagging, I hope.’ Barney laughs.

  ‘When Luke asked me to move in, he told me I was the first woman he had brought here. Apparently, he finds his home too personal to share with people for a quick shag.’

  ‘Shocker! The sex god has a heart.’

  ‘I know, I was surprised too. He once told me he has fucked a lot of woman but only had a few relationships.’

  ‘How many?’

  ‘God knows. Just the thought kills me.’ I take a large sip of wine. ‘Luke knows I’m not sure why he’s with me – he could have anyone.’