by C. A. Harms
I smiled, “Is that so?”
He was falling for it, going to the exact place I needed him to before I could attack. He nodded as he took a step toward me. “I’ve been unhappy for a very long time. I just haven’t found the right way to end it.”
I waited for him to reach out and attempt to place his hand on my leg. “Uh-uh,” I said. His gaze shifted to meet mine. He cocked his head to the side, questioning my response.
Slowly and very skillfully, I lowered my legs to the floor and stood up. I brought my chest within inches of his, pushing out my breasts just a little more. I watched as his eyes shifted downward.
“Why don’t we take a little walk, Ian?” I asked. That cocky, confident smile I had grown accustomed to spread out over his lips. His tongue darted out to wet the lower one as his eyes roamed over me once more. The pig actually thought there was hidden meaning behind my offer. Boy, was he in for a rude awakening.
He followed me closely as I left his office. I could feel his eyes on me. I waved spitefully at Laney as we passed her desk. She had been giving me the evil eye from the moment I stepped out of Ian’s office, so I couldn’t let her get in the last jab. My mind didn’t work that way.
Ian stepped into the elevator beside me and his hand grazed my hip. “What is it you have planned?” he asked.
“It was just feeling a little stuffy in there, thought we needed some fresh air.” I stared forward as the doors closed. I knew in that moment I had the upper hand. He was still trying to figure me out, and that was fine, but I was more than certain he wouldn’t expect what I had in mind.
As we exited the building, I walked toward his car and trailed the tip of my finger along the top of the fender. He narrowed his eyes, watching closely. “So I’ve been thinking. You need to fill your wife in, on all your conquests.” He chuckled like he thought I was kidding. “I know I’m not the only one. I’m not that naïve.”
“I’m not telling my wife,” he stated sternly.
I nodded. I honestly didn’t expect him to agree, but I had to throw it out there. “You do know that I could tell her.” I grabbed my keys from my purse “In fact, I know exactly where she takes her yoga classes every Tuesday and Thursday morning. I also know that she has coffee with her sister Marissa on Fridays.”
The color began to drain from his face.
“Molly seems really sweet. The way she volunteers her time at the nursing home shows that she’s kind. She doesn’t deserve to be married to a selfish bastard like you.”
I dug my key into the fender of his car, and he lunged forward, but I held up my hand to stop him. “Yeah, I wouldn’t consider that if I were you. I mean, you wouldn’t want to add assault charges to your list now, would you?”
“Bitch,” he muttered.
“Yeah, I know.” I placed my palm flat against his chest. Tapping it lightly, I smiled up at him. “But let me just clarify something. You truly haven’t seen how big of a bitch I can be. Not yet, anyway, but we have time.
“I also know that your wife owns everything you have. She had it all prior to your marriage. The fact that her father is responsible for your success has a lot to do with the reason you string her along. Molly should know that all you truly love about her is her money.” The look of panic on his face was extremely satisfying.
I stepped around him, and I swear I heard him growl. “This could be fun, Ian.” I waved over my shoulder and crawled into my Nissan. Playing head games with him was better than I thought.
Chapter Six
Easton
“So why did you need all that information about Molly Wilson anyway?” I asked Harper as she flopped down on the couch in Jett’s office.
She shrugged, leaning forward to pull off her heels. My eyes wandered down to take in the view I currently had of her breasts.
Someone clearing their throat caught my attention, and Kade laughed when our eyes met.
“You may want to redirect your eyes, Easton.” He chuckled once more when Harper looked back and forth between the two of us.
“Easton Black, you wouldn’t happen to be checking out my tits, now would you?” Harper fluttered her eyes innocently. She knew the view she was giving me—in fact, she was still hunched forward.
“They are really nice tits.” I relaxed back against the chair, staring directly at her. I was never one to back down, and I was a very honest person, the one thing I got from my mother.
“Dude, seriously, do you have a death wish?” Kade asked.
Harper and I still held one another’s stare, neither willing to cave. She bit her lip, and damn if it didn’t go straight to my dick. Harper was definitely not innocent. I could see she was a dirty girl inside, one I was dying to get a glimpse of.
“How can you tell from all the way over there? You may need to get a closer look just to be sure.” She was taunting me.
I could hear Kade mumbling, “Oh shit,” next to us. He was such a little bitch. Jett may get pissed, but I was thinking a few hours with Harper may be worth his wrath. He would get over it eventually, and I would always remember those hours.
“Yeah, I’m thinking a closer look may be necessary.” I slid forward in the chair to sit right on the edge and darted my tongue out to wet my lips.
Kade still mumbled his disapproval, yet all I could see was Harper.
Just then the office door opened and Harper sat up straight. Jett strolled in and paused as he took us all in. “What the hell is this, the community hangout? Don’t you people work?”
Harper stood and hooked her heels over her finger. “I’m here to have lunch with Callie. Kade’s trying to keep your friend from ogling my tits, though Easton just asked if he could get a closer look so he could give me his honest opinion.”
She winked at me just as she walked out of the office, shaking her ass a little more than necessary. Jett glared at me and I shrugged. “Sorry, man, but I’m not blind. Your sister is fine as hell.”
His mind was working in overdrive. He wasn’t sure which way to go. Kade observed us both quietly.
“I’ve got too much shit going on right now, and you need to be checking in on my money for the Miami opening,” he said at last. “Sitting around dream-fucking my sister ain’t getting me what I need.” Jett chose to brush off our flirting, but I was having a harder time allowing the last ten minutes to escape my mind.
I was shocked when Harper called last night to ask me for help. She wanted some information on Ian’s wife, and who was I to deny her? In fact, I was more than happy to have the chance to help. I asked a few times what she needed it for, only to have her shrug it off.
I still had no idea why she wanted it, but being able to spend a little time with Harper made it not matter as much. Now she was the only thing I could think about. Those legs of hers made my mind race.
***
Last night I dreamed of Harper. Her long, blonde hair was intertwined through my fingers, and her mesmerizing blue eyes gazed up at me, begging for more.
The things I did to her during those dreams only left me aching when I awoke. Suppressing a hard-on all damn day while working with financers and potential investors was sure to be interesting. I had a job to do, and Harper was keeping me from it. Well, not technically, but the idea of her was leading to an uncontrollable hunger.
***
“Are you still coming tonight?” Jett asked.
I had just pulled into the driveway of my place in Miami. I had stayed here the last few nights, something I generally avoided doing, trying to settle everything for Jett’s newest location. My house felt empty; it was too big and entirely too quiet. Unless I had business in Miami, I generally stayed in West Palm Beach.
Partnering with Jett to open not one but eventually two more locations kept me busy. The nightclubs I inherited from my father ran themselves. I only needed to visit them occasionally. Most of my income came from sources I was unaware of, and investments my father made over the years continued to fill my accounts. It was better that way.
My father hadn’t always been the best role model, but he did what he had to do to survive. In the end, he was a man that many envied, including myself.
I was the typical rich kid. I had more money than I knew what to do with, so investing in one of my best friend’s businesses, a place that was already thriving, was a no brainer.
“Yeah, I’m just gonna grab a few things from the house, and then I’ll head over. I’ll see you in a few hours,” I assured him.
Quinn had planned their first party since she moved in with Jett, a get-together of all their closest friends. Jett wanted it to be perfect, so he hadn’t stopped hounding me all week. A happy Quinn guaranteed an even happier Jett.
I would be staying in my condo just up the road from Jett’s house. I felt more at home in Palm Beach. Here in Miami things just felt lonely.
Chapter Seven
Harper
I gathered up my clothes and tossed them in my overnight bag. I had every intention of getting drunk and handing my keys over to Jett. I would be sleeping in the guest room at his and Quinn’s house tonight.
A night with friends sounded like just what I needed. Quinn had it all planned out. We had good food, music, and a massive pool at our disposal. Let the good times commence.
I purposely put on my little red bikini under my jeans shorts and tank top. Tonight, I had every intention of continuing the little game of flirting Easton and I played earlier this week. He kept things interesting, he was strong and confident, and he didn’t back down from my attitude. In fact, that man could dish it out sometimes faster than I could. I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but he made my heart race.
The party was in full swing when I arrived. I make it a point to be late—you know, to make my grand appearance and all that.
I entered through the back gate and looked around at all the familiar faces. Callie and Kade sat next to Jude at the edge of the pool. Avery and Quinn were placing all the food dishes on the table just outside of the back door. Jett and Easton were manning the grill, deep in conversation. My stomach may have twitched just a little at the sight of Easton shirtless and all manly looking, his tattoos standing out against his bronzed skin. I had to tear my eyes away. Why had I taken so long to realize just how sexy that man was?
“Well it’s about time you got here,” Quinn hollered from across the pool.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, waving away her comment. “Just because the real party doesn’t start until I get here, don’t blame me that all your other friends are lame.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Easton staring at me. The thought of him watching me made my stomach ache with excitement. I decided to make a show out of removing my shorts and tank top. Why not make him swallow his own tongue? I wiggled my hips from side to side, shimming my cutoffs down my legs. I bent over at the waist, smiling to myself with the knowledge that I was being a total tease.
When I stood back up, I caught Callie looking at me with her eyebrow raised. I shrugged and looked back over my shoulder. Easton stood frozen, holding his beer to his lips. I shook my ass just a little, and he grinned as he tilted the bottle and took a drink.
I joined Callie just to the left of the hot tub and ignored the fact that she was still gaping at me.
“Um, hello.” She nudged my shoulder. “Do you mind telling me what’s going on with you and Easton?”
“Nothing,” I insisted.
“You like him, don’t you?” she taunted.
“Please, he’s just fun to flirt with.”
“Who’s fun to flirt with?” Quinn asked as she sat down and passed me a beer.
Before I could answer, Callie jumped in. “She just did some crazy little ass-shaking dance for Easton. She insists she likes to flirt with him, but I’m calling her bluff. I’m thinking she likes him.”
Quinn’s eyes lit up at the idea of a budding romance. She loved the idea of pinning people together in hopes that they would find the same kind of love Jett and she had. She wiggled in her seat and rubbed her hands together. “Oh, I love this. Easton is adorable—cocky, but in a cute way.”
“Did I just hear you right?” Jett’s voice boomed from behind us, and I choked on my beer. Quinn spun around and looked as if she had no idea how to answer that question.
Jett walked around to the front of the chair and bent down, getting within inches of Quinn’s face. “Did I hear you call one of my best friends adorable and cute?”
“I, uh, well, I was just…” Quinn stumbled over her words and I rolled my eyes.
“Oh get over it, caveman,” I said. “She was just trying to make a point to me. No need to get your panties all tied up in a knot.” Avery laughed and Quinn hid her smile.
Jett leaned in to Quinn’s ear and whispered not so quietly. “How about I take you inside and remind you how cute and adorable I am? I’m thinking that I need to slip your panties—”
“Okay, okay enough of that. I don’t need to hear what you want to do with Quinn’s panties.” I shivered at the thought of my brother’s sexual escapades.
“But I’m not wearing any panties,” Quinn stated. Biting her lower lip, she looked up at my brother seductively. His eyes gleamed and his face lit up with excitement.
“Seriously.” I wrinkled up my nose in disgust. “I think I just threw up a little,” I complained as I stood up and walked to the edge of the pool.
I was happy for Jett and Quinn, I truly was. I just couldn’t stomach the sexual innuendos and the fuck-me eyes they were always shooting at one another. I was a pissed-off, mouthy girl who was horny as hell. The last thing I needed was public displays of affection being thrown around by my brother. Gag.
I sat down on the edge of the pool, dipped my legs into the water, and tuned out the group behind me as I enjoyed my cold beer and the chilled water cooling my skin. The sun was blinding but felt unbelievably good. Leaning back on one hand, I looked toward the sky and closed my eyes, taking in the rays.
“This is a closer look but still not quite close enough.” Chills broke out over my heated skin, but I attempted to act unaffected. Easton sat down next to me and his arm grazed mine.
His skin was hot and smoldering, even his sweat smelled amazing. Manly and intoxicating. I had known Easton for years yet never took the time to notice just how irresistible he was.
Tilting my head to the side, I locked eyes with him. He had a cocky smirk on his lips, and I felt a knot form deep within my stomach. He was so close, yet I wanted him closer. I shifted my eyes downward to his mouth. Oh, the things I imagined him doing with that mouth only made the heat of the day intensify. Doing everything I could to hold on to the strong, confident Harper everyone expected, I looked back up into his eyes. “Not sure that offer still stands. I’m more of an in-the-moment kinda girl. I think that moment has passed.”
Easton was one of those men that dominates a room without even moving. The way he was staring at me, as if to say, you don’t scare me, was slightly intimidating. Who would have ever thought I could be intimidated?
I had never been the kind of person who hesitated. I never faltered when it came to my opinions or objections. Hell, if I felt it, I said it loud and clear. Why sugarcoat it? As for limits, well…let’s face it. I had none.
Right now, though, staring back at Easton as his blue eyes bored into mine caused my mouth to feel dry. He made my heart race and my stomach flip. I still wasn’t sure I liked that feeling. It made me feel weak. He made me hesitate, and he made me question my words before letting them fly. I wasn’t sure how to handle it.
I was more than sure that today was going to require alcohol—lots and lots of alcohol.
Chapter Eight
Easton
Over the next two hours I sat back and watched Harper, quietly observing the way she stood her ground with the guys and blended with the girls. She really could work a crowd. She honestly consumed everyone and brightened the party. Laughter spilled freely when she was around. Her tiny red bikini was taunting. I was pretty sure she plan
ned that. It was a great play on her part.
Jett had caught me on more than one occasion eyeing her with extreme appreciation. I wasn’t willing to hide my interest, though. So when he took a seat next to me, I knew I was about to hear his I am her brother, and I will kick your ass speech.
“I’m trying to be reasonable about the idea of your interest in my sister. I’m just not sure I can,” he said, leaning back in the lounger next to me. “How long has this infatuation you have with her been going on?”
“Honestly,” I replied, “I’ve always thought Harper was attractive. But that was as far as it went.” I looked back out toward the pool. Harper laughed at something Jude said, and a tinge of jealousy gnawed at me. I wanted to be the one making her laugh like that.
“Something clicked that day in your office when she went off on us,” I attempted to explain. “She is the most self-assured, cocky, smart-mouthed woman I have ever met. She’s also strong and challenging, and somehow I find that appealing.”
She turned just enough that our eyes connected for a split second. “It’s refreshing, Jett. She’s different.”
“You don’t think I know that?” he asked. “She wasn’t always like this. Not until…”
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. Just know that Harper isn’t as strong as she appears. Don’t get me wrong. She can lay it on thick, stand up for herself when needed, and make most men cower in the corner. But on the inside…” He shook his head, running his fingers through his hair. “She’s still that girl from high school who’s hoping to be good enough.”
His comments bothered me tremendously. I met Jett in college, so I hadn’t known Harper as long as Kade or even Jude had. I now had a feeling I was missing something vital about who she truly was.
“Just don’t use her.”
