by MJ Summers
“Oh yeah, a reporter from the local paper is supposed to come by this morning. I wanted to appear respectable.”
Harper automatically set about adjusting the roll of his sleeves until it was just right. “You look ruggedly handsome. Every woman in town is going to be lined up outside your trailer when the article comes out,” she said, giving him another kiss.
“They’ll have a long wait because I’m still nowhere near finished with you.” Just then Evan’s cell rang, interrupting the moment. Checking it, he gave her an apologetic look. “I’m afraid this call is going to be a long one. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’ll do the tour another time,” Harper said, running a finger down the front of his shirt.
As she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure he was watching. From the look on his face, Lacey had been right about making sure he saw her leave.
Nineteen
“So, what’s the gossip?” Harper asked as she settled herself into a wicker chair on the deck with her phone to her ear.
“Well, a lot has happened since you left and none of it is good,” Blaire answered. “Let’s just say your replacement, Tina, isn’t exactly up to what I would call Style standards. She’s excellent at sucking up to Hartless, though.”
“Seriously? That’s awful, Blaire.”
“It is awful. I miss you so much, Harper. This place is just not at all the same without you. Got any leads for me in Colorado?”
Harper laughed at the thought of Blaire in Boulder. “So far I have leads on volunteer work at Fashion Forward and as unpaid nursemaid to my father.”
“So, no, then.”
Harper’s voice turned serious. “God, Blaire, I don’t even know what I’m going to do when my dad recovers.”
“You’re going to get your ass back to New York, where you belong. Shit. I have to run, but just know—each hour, I’m plotting your return.”
Harper hung up the phone and sighed, suddenly feeling extremely restless. Maybe she should have resisted the urge to find out what was happening at Style. It made her long for her old life. She was going to have to find a way back for herself when the time was right. For now, she’d have to patiently wait until her life could start over. Not that she was anywhere near miserable lately. She loved the days she spent at Fashion Forward. It was rewarding in a way that few things were. She was also closer to her family and old friends than she’d ever been as an adult, not to mention she was having the greatest sex of her life.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. A bouquet of two dozen red roses was being delivered. The card attached read: Dinner tonight. Me. You. Wear something sexy. Evan
* * *
Evan was just finishing going over some blueprints with one of the plumbers when his cell chimed, indicating a message.
As luck would have it, I’m free for dinner tonight. I’m going to wear something so sexy you’ll pass out from a lack of oxygen to your brain. BTW, thanks for the flowers. They’re gorgeous.
Just as he was about to replace his cell in his pocket, it rang. “Hey, Mom,” he answered. “How’s my favourite lady?”
“Favourite lady? That’s not what I heard,” Nancy replied.
“What?”
“Cut the crap, Evan. Don’t play dumb with me. I know all about you and the Young girl carrying on.”
“Oh, really? And where’d you hear that?”
“My spies are everywhere.”
“Mrs. Morley called you, didn’t she?”
“Yes. And do you know how that felt?” Her voice rose. “Finding out that my son is sleeping with that woman’s daughter? She called me specifically to see if I knew. And when it became obvious that I didn’t have the first damn clue what she was talking about, she gloated like she had just won the world series of gossip.”
“Sorry, Mom. I should have—”
“You’re damn right you should have told me, Evan.”
“I didn’t really think about neighbourhood gossip, but I imagine it’s a pretty hot story.”
His mother’s tone was reproachful. “It’s the biggest news to hit Maplewood Drive since Petra Young took off with her student.”
A sharp need to defend Harper hit him, causing his good mood to turn on a dime. “That big, hey? How about as big as the time your son’s snobby wife left him when he went broke?”
“Oh, Evan. Everyone knows that wasn’t your fault. That’s not the same thing at all!”
“You know what is the same about both situations? It’s none of anyone’s business. Just like this thing with Harper and me now. Besides, I’ve got a lot bigger things on my mind than what a bunch of gossips from the neighbourhood think.”
“I’m not just some gossip. I am your mother. And I think I have a right to know exactly what is going on between my son and Harper Young.”
Evan lowered his voice as the plumber walked by. “You really don’t, but I’ll tell you anyway. She’s back in town to take care of her dad. We’ve been spending some time together while she’s here.”
“Don’t hold out on me, young man. Have you forgotten that I carried you for an extra month and you were ten pounds and six ounces when you finally arrived? Ten. Six.”
“Now, how could I possibly forget that, Mom?” He paused, knowing she would wait him out. “What else do you want to hear?”
“You going to marry her? Because if you don’t, things are going to get awful awkward between you and Wes.”
“You really don’t need to worry about that. Harper and I are both adults. We’re more than comfortable with enjoying some time together before she goes back to New York. Nobody’s going to get hurt.”
“Hmph. Nobody’s going to get hurt,” she scoffed. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Not to mention it’s a huge waste of your time. You’re in the prime of your life. You should be looking for a nice woman you can settle down with—not having some fling, which, by the way, is going to keep you from finding the right girl. One who wants the same things you do.”
“I think you mean the same things you do. For me to get married and give you a bunch of grandkids.”
“If you knew what was good for you, you’d know that getting married and having kids is exactly what you need.”
Evan sighed audibly, wishing Mrs. Morley had moved to Arizona with his parents. This was not a conversation he wanted to have. Ever. “I gotta go, Mom. I’m at work.”
“You better call on Friday. It’s Harry’s third birthday, and he’s going to want to hear from his Uncle Evan.”
“I won’t forget. I haven’t yet.”
“Alright. Love you, son. You know I just want you to be happy, right?”
“Yes, I know, Mom. It’s just that your version of happy and mine might not be the same.”
“They are. You just don’t know it. You’re father’s here. Talk to your father.”
“No, I’m really busy—”
“Irv, Evan’s on the phone.”
“Hey, son!”
“Hey, Dad. How’s it going?”
“Great. I’ll tell you, my golf game is getting better every week. Went three under par yesterday at Baker Creek.”
“Three under? Remind me never to play you for money.”
“I’ll try, but you know me. Now that I’m getting older, I’m starting to forget things.”
Evan relaxed a little, glad his mom had ignored his protests about being at work. “You’re trying to hustle your own son, aren’t you? What kind of father are you?”
“The kind that needs to pay for next year’s green fees.”
“You doing okay for cash?”
“Yes, yes. We’re fine.”
“You liking Tucson any better?”
“It’s growing on me. Your mom is happy here, so that makes life nice. Lots of friends. The grandkids come over a lot too. It’s just the damn heat that gets to me. I wouldn’t mind spending half the year here and then coming home for the other half. I hate having to use a remote starter
to cool the car off in the afternoons. Lately I’ve been trying to get home before lunch, when the temperatures go up.”
“Good plan.”
“So, what’s this I hear about you knocking boots with that Young girl from next door?”
“Oh God. Can we not talk about this?”
“I’m not judging. She was always a fiery one. Your sister showed us some pictures of her on Facebook. She’s quite the pretty woman.”
Evan could picture his dad raising and lowering his eyebrows like Groucho Marx. “Yes. She is. Still fiery, too.”
“Maybe she’ll be my ticket out of here. If we had a couple of grandkids in Boulder, I know I could convince your mom to spend at least the summers there.”
“Not you, too, Dad. Listen, I gotta go. Great talking to you.”
“Neither of you is too old, you know. People are having kids much later in life now.”
“Talk to you soon.”
“Alright, Evan. I’ll stop bugging you. Just promise me you’ll give it some thought.”
“I never make promises I don’t intend to keep. Bye, Dad.” With that, he hung up.
* * *
The evening was warm and calm, making the decision to eat on the restaurant’s patio easy. Harper slid off her pashmina and draped it over the back of her chair, revealing the plunging neckline of a sexy blue dress cut from a silky fabric that flowed over her curves perfectly. Evan, who was moving in behind her to pull out her chair, leaned into her ear. “I can’t wait to get you out of that dress. Sitting across from you during dinner is going to be torture.”
Harper turned, her mouth an inch from his as he leaned into her. “Then it would probably be cruel of me to tell you I’m not wearing any panties.”
“While cruel, I can honestly say I will always want to know that,” he answered, giving her a lingering kiss.
They sat across from each other at the little table, both leaning in, fingertips touching as they read over the menu and chatted. A waiter came by to take their orders, leaving a bottle of chilled Chablis and two glasses. His eyes spent slightly longer than they should have trained on Harper’s cleavage, earning him a light warning cough from Evan. Remembering himself, the young man blushed and hurried off, completely forgetting to pour the wine and wait while they tasted it.
“Hmm, now I’m not so sure about that dress. You might need to put that shawl back on or we might not get any food.”
Harper laughed quietly. “Poor guy. How many years does it take before breasts no longer have that effect on men?”
“Ahh, it’s not a question of years, actually. It’s more a question of whether a guy is still breathing or not,” he answered, filling her glass with wine. “But it really depends on the breasts as well. And yours, my dear, are extraordinary.”
“Are they now?” she asked, tracing her finger over the back of his hand.
“They are. Especially in that dress. Especially when you lean forward like that. They could make a man forget where he is, what he was there for, his name . . .” His voice trailed off as he stared shamelessly at her chest.
“You’re in a restaurant to eat dinner. Your name is Evan Donovan.”
“Sorry, were two you saying something?” he asked her breasts, causing Harper to laugh loudly.
“I also might need you to cover up. Your warning about my brain not getting enough blood is turning out to be accurate,” he said, smirking. “Especially now that I know you’re not wearing any panties.”
“Coco Chanel used to say, ‘Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.’ They were my one thing today.”
“I had no idea Coco Chanel was a genius,” Evan answered, gazing at her.
Harper smiled at him, enjoying the moment. “I hate to change the subject when we’re talking fashion, but I am curious about something. You never told me what your mom said when she called. From what you did say, I gather things got a little awkward.”
“Oh, that,” Evan said. “Apparently, you and I are hot gossip on Maplewood Drive.”
“I bet. I’m sure it’s nothing compared to my scandalous mother, but I’m guessing it ranks up there anyway.” Harper gestured upwards with her wine, trying to seem nonchalant.
“Why is that the first thing you thought of when I said we’re hot gossip?” Evan’s voice was soft.
“It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? Are you trying to tell me her name didn’t come up?” Harper asked.
Evan looked away, avoiding her stare.
“Thought so. It’s the story that will never die. Just one of the many reasons I love it here so much.” Harper rolled her eyes to emphasize her disdain.
“Why do you still care what other people think about your family?” Evan asked.
“What makes you think I care?”
“Because I’m beginning to know you well enough to see the difference between who you really are and the person you pretend to be.” He reached his hand out and placed it on hers. “You can take off the armour when you’re with me. I know what it’s like to have to admit that my life’s not perfect.”
“Oh, I don’t know if it’s quite the same thing. Your wife left you because you were so generous that you were willing to sacrifice your own home to take care of other people. You’re a hero. And I’m just the trash next door that you should stay away from.”
Evan’s eyes narrowed at her. “You’re not trash, Harper. I don’t ever want you to say that again. And I’m certainly no hero. I made my choices knowing how things would turn out. I ended up broke and alone.”
“You had a downfall but you bounced back in record time. I’ll always be the daughter of that woman who left her family for a teenage boy. And now I’m sleeping with you, but at the same time I’m planning to leave as soon as I can. What does that say about me?”
“It says that you know what you want and you’re not letting anyone else define who you are. It would be one thing if you were lying to me about what you want, but you’ve been honest from the start. I knew what I was getting into and, quite frankly, the fact that you don’t want more is what makes this work. We can have this simple, beautiful, sexy relationship and then move on, happy that we had it.”
“But what you don’t see is that it’s not normal for a woman to want to live like this. I’m supposed to want the ring and the house with the white picket fence.”
“Why should you want that? Just because everyone else thinks you should? Fuck them. I had that once and I can tell you it’s not what it’s cracked up to be. We’ve got it right, Harper. You and I have it all figured out. The only thing that is going to ruin what we’ve got here is letting other people’s opinions get into our heads.”
Harper stared at him for a moment, digesting his words. “You’re right. I shouldn’t let it get to me. I never think like this when I’m in New York. There’s just something about being back here, especially this time. When I used to come back for quick visits, at least I had an impressive career to go back to. But what do I have now to feel good about?”
“Feel good about how generous you are. You’ve only been in town for a few weeks and already you’re doing charity work. Plus, look at why you’re here in the first place. How many people would give up everything to care for their father?”
“Most people,” she said, trying to pull her hand away.
Evan tightened his grip. “No. Most people would hire help or pawn it off on someone else. You’re different. You’re better. You’re an incredibly beautiful, thoroughly impressive woman. And it’s got nothing to do with what you’ve managed to accomplish in your career,” he said, his words growing thick with emotion. “You’re not only one of the most thoughtful people I know, you’re also the most fun woman I’ve ever met. Not to mention sexy as hell. And for what it’s worth, I love that you’re here and that I get to be with you. It makes me one of the luckiest guys on the planet.”
The moment was interrupted by the waiter bringing them their food. Harper was grateful for his ar
rival. She needed to slow her racing pulse. For one horribly delicious moment, she had thought Evan was about to say he loved her. What had gotten her heart beating so furiously was her own reaction. In the tiny instant that hung between the words love and that, she felt a thrill she’d never experienced before. And the realization terrified her. She wanted him to love her. But he didn’t. And he wasn’t going to.
She heard Evan thank the waiter as her mind returned to her surroundings. She needed to shake it off. She couldn’t let herself hope for a future with him, not when it wasn’t what either of them was capable of. That meant this would have to end. And she was nowhere near ready to end it. She was suddenly overcome by the need to remind herself that this was just about sex. She couldn’t be out on a romantic date with him. This felt too serious. She reached across to touch his arm. “Let’s get out of here right now. I need to be naked with you.”
Evan gave her a quizzical look. “You sure?”
“I’m sure. It’s exactly what I want. Now.” She gave him a look that was pure lust.
Flagging down the waiter, Evan asked him, “Can we get this wrapped up? And the bill as quickly as possible?”
* * *
“I’m sorry I ruined your plans for a romantic date,” Harper said as she watched him get into the truck.
“Believe me, I’m okay with it. You can have whatever you need.”
Harper slid across the seat and straddled his lap. “This is what I need.”
She lowered her mouth over his, giving him rough, passionate kisses that he returned. Rubbing herself against him, she could feel how hard he was through his pants. She felt his large hands glide over the silky fabric of her dress, along her waist to her breasts. Squeezing them firmly, he leaned his head back against the seat, letting her come to him as if he needed to check one last time that she wanted this. She moved in closer, pressing her breasts against him. They stayed like that, kissing, caressing, driving each other to the brink, almost forgetting where they were.
“You’re going to get us arrested,” he said finally, trying in vain to hold back.
