He studied her mouth before leaning down and pressing a kiss against it. She returned his kiss, knowing she should keep it chaste, but unable to resist skimming her tongue along the seam of his lips. To her surprise, he parted them, and she slipped her tongue into his mouth, moaning quietly when he sucked on the tip.
He pulled back and she said, “I thought you weren’t into PDAs.”
He grinned and squeezed her hand. “Just putting on a show for big brother.”
Gideon was standing on the small front porch and she waved at him before muttering, “Shit.”
“What? Was that the wrong thing to do?” he asked. “I thought it might help with the suspicion.”
“No, it’s just...” she stared at her boobs. “Can you see my nipples?”
“What?”
“My nipples? Are they, uh, visible? I wore layers but I’m not taking any chances. I am not walking up to my brother with hard nipples.”
“No, you can’t see them,” he said. “But if you don’t stop talking about your hard nipples, we’re gonna have a bigger problem. Trust me when I say that me sporting a full-on boner in front of your brother will be a much larger issue than your,” his gaze dipped to her breasts again, “hard nipples.”
A flush of heat went through her and her giggle was a little high-pitched. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…that is, I’m not….”
He squeezed her hand and gave her an adorable grin. “I know you didn’t. C’mon, let’s get the interrogation over with.”
* * *
“So, Connor, apparently you haven’t even told Kira where you live. Is that right?” Gideon set the plate of steaks down on the table as Kira brought over the bowl of salad and the grilled mushrooms.
“Knock it off, Gideon.” She sat down next to Connor at the table.
To her surprise, Gideon had been perfectly polite to Connor from the moment they walked in. He’d gotten them both a beer and they’d made small talk on the patio in the back yard as Gideon grilled the steaks.
But now, it seemed like the niceties were over, and her stomach churned as she patted Tank on the butt. “Tank, go to your bed.”
The Great Dane had taken a liking to Connor and was currently standing in front of him, his long tail waving happily as he rested his big head on Connor’s shoulder. Connor patted his side as Gideon, said, “Tank, to your bed.”
The big dog chuffed but left the kitchen. Kira heard him make a loud sigh as he flopped down on the bed in the living room.
“Connor do you want another beer?” she asked.
He shook his head and sipped at his water. “No thank you. Water is good.”
She could almost feel Gideon’s silent approval. Not that her brother had anything against drinking beer, but Connor was driving and the fact that he stopped after one, would earn him a point in Gideon’s mind.
“This looks delicious,” Connor said as Gideon handed him the steaks. He took one and handed the plate off to Kira who took the smallest one. She put some salad on her plate and handed the salad bowl to Connor.
“So, about Kira not knowing where you live,” Gideon said again. “Any particular reason for that?”
Connor shook his head, squeezing Kira’s thigh under the table when she started to protest. “No, other than that my apartment is pretty small and not as nice as Kira’s place. We just naturally go to her place, but I’ll bring her by my apartment this weekend. Give her the tour.”
He cut into his steak and ate a piece. “Really good. Thanks.”
Gideon nodded and cut into his own steak. “So, you grew up in Willington?”
“I did. Born and raised.”
“Why’d you move here?”
“Gideon,” Kira said.
“What?” Gideon gave her an innocent look. “I’m just making conversation. What’s wrong with me getting to know your boyfriend?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it, but can you make it less like a police interrogation?” she said.
Connor laughed. “It’s fine, Kira. Really. I moved to Harmony Falls because I met Grant Henderson at a dental convention. We got along well and when he asked me to open a practice with him here, I said yes. The chance to be a partner in a dental firm before your thirty-five is rare and I didn’t want to give up that opportunity. Even if it meant leaving Willington.”
Gideon studied him before taking a bite of salad. “How do you like Harmony Falls?”
“It’s very clean,” Connor said.
Kira snorted laughter and Connor grinned at her. “What? It is. In all seriousness, I like it here. The people are nice, and the town is quiet. I do a lot of running at the Falls park and it’s surprisingly peaceful.”
“Wait until tourist season starts,” Kira said. “By the end of June this place has swelled to like three times its size. Those nice quiet runs through Falls park will be a thing of the past. None of the locals even go near the Falls or the park during tourist season. The campgrounds are overflowing with tourists.”
“Which is desperately needed by local businesses,” Gideon reminded her. “Those tourists bring in a lot of money to the town and are the reason why we can do things like build a shiny new sports complex.”
“I know,” Kira said. “I’m just saying – the town gets a little overrun by tourists.”
Connor grinned at her. “I’ve lived here for two years, remember? I know what it’s like.”
“Right.” She shook her head. “God, sorry. I haven’t slept well the last few nights so I’m not thinking straight.”
“Have you dated anyone else since you moved here?” Gideon asked.
“Subject change,” Kira said. “I saw on the Harmony Falls Daily website last night that they’ll be showing that firebug movie you like so much at the Falls Theatre. Did you see that?”
Gideon’s head shot up. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. You didn’t see it?”
“Firebug movie?” Connor gave her a confused look.
“She means Firefly and the movie is called Serenity, Kira,” Gideon said. “How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“Maybe I’ve blocked it out because you made me watch the show and the movie so many times.” Kira turned to Connor. “I was eight when the show premiered. Gideon was babysitting me while Mom and Dad were out, and he made me watch the show with him. I was traumatized.”
“Please,” Gideon said. “There was nothing traumatizing about the show.”
“There was a bloody corpse hanging by its feet, Gideon!” Kira said.
“I would have thought Mal kicking Crow into the Serenity’s running engine would have been more traumatizing,” Connor said.
Kira stared at him as Gideon said, “Are you a fan?”
Connor grinned. “Does owning the series on DVD, the director’s cut of the movie, all the Funko figurines and an autographed photo of Alan Tudyk, make me a fan?”
“Holy shit,” Gideon said. “When did you meet Alan Tudyk?”
“I went to Granite State Comicon a few years ago. He was one of the guest speakers. He and Nathan Fillion were there, but the lineup for Fillion was huge.”
Gideon was staring wide-eyed at Connor. “What was Tudyk like?”
“Really cool guy, actually,” Connor said. “I heard that he’s going to be back there this year. I’d go again to meet him. I’ve been obsessed with the series since I was fifteen.”
Gideon sat back in the chair. “I swear you’re the only person in this town besides me, who even has an inkling of an understanding of how fantastic the show was. Kira, when did you say they were showing Serenity?”
“In a couple weeks, I think,” Kira said.
“If you’re not busy, we should grab tickets to the show,” Gideon said to Connor.
Kira’s mouth dropped open as Connor nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Good. What’s your favourite episode?”
“Well, I love ‘Ariel’, but I have to go with ‘Our Mrs. Reynolds’,” Connor said.
Gideon actually grinned like a school boy. “Me too! Here’s the thing, people don’t get just how incredible Christina Hendricks is in that episode. They totally wasted her in the ‘Trash’ episode, which is why people forget how good she was in episode six.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” Connor said.
As Gideon and Connor talked animatedly about the stupid bug show, Kira stared in silent shock. Holy crap. Gideon and Connor were…bonding.
Chapter Eleven
“Tell me, Ms. Walker, why exactly are you showing me the town’s former firehouse station?” Mr. Stark studied the brick building in front of them.
“I know it’s unconventional, but I think if you take a look inside, you’ll see why I believe it’ll work for your new office space.” Considering she was so nervous that she was close to vomiting, Kira was proud of how confident she sounded.
She’d shown Isaac Stark five different commercial properties and none of them had worked. Bringing him to the city’s former fire station had been a last-minute decision on her part, and she hoped like hell she could convince her client it would work for him.
He studied the building for a moment before glancing at his watch. She crossed her fingers and sent a prayer to every god she could think of as the silence stretched out.
“You have seven minutes to convince me, Ms. Walker.”
“I’ll only need five.”
What almost looked like a smile flickered on his features before he nodded. “Lead the way.”
She led him into the building. They were standing in the vehicle bay area and Mr. Stark studied the two large overhead doors and the staircase that led to the open upper area.
Kira took a deep breath. “You’re looking for a building that is open and airy and promotes teamwork, right? This place is perfect for that. With a few renovations, you could have this place turned into the perfect open-concept office space.”
His look suggested that he wasn’t seeing her vision. She hurried on. “The overhead doors leading into the bay area could be replaced with windows, allowing plenty of light in. Along this wall,” she pointed to the far left, “three offices could be built. The use of frosted glass would keep that open and airy feeling. The building is equipped with bathroom and shower facilities. You said you’ll have fifteen employees working out of this building, correct?”
“To start,” he said.
“Right here in the middle of the bay area, you could set up the working stations for your current staff and there is plenty of room to add more stations as needed.”
She walked toward the stairs, resting her hand on the railing. “Upstairs could function as your staff room – there’s already a kitchen with room for a full-size stove and fridge. You mentioned wanting an area for your staff to test out video games, socialize, etc. Upstairs would be perfect. It’s sectioned off from the main working area, but with the vault ceilings and the upstairs being open to the downstairs, you still get that modern, open air concept you’re looking for.”
Mr. Stark was staring at the metal pole that jutted down from the upstairs to the downstairs and Kira said, “And you have a metal pole as an added bonus.”
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “I’m sure it would get plenty of use from employees.”
“With a few renovations, this place could be exactly what you’re looking for, Mr. Stark.”
“A few renovations? I see your vision, Ms. Walker, but this place was last updated in what – the eighties? The entire interior would need gutting and the renos required would cost at least a few hundred grand.”
“Yes, but the town has been trying to sell this place for the last five years. They’re highly motivated to sell,” Kira said. “I’m confident that we can make an offer to the town that will be well below your purchasing budget, and they’ll accept.”
He studied her silently and she gave him a self-assured smile. “As well, I’ve lived in Harmony Falls my entire life. My father was a contractor who built a good quarter of the homes here. I can set you up with the best and most competent tradespeople in this town to do your renovations.”
Mr. Stark continued to study her, and she resisted the urge to keep talking. She’d said everything she could to convince him. She’d have to hope it was enough. After what felt like an eternity, he nodded.
“You’ve convinced me, Ms. Walker. Come, we’ll have lunch and we can discuss the offer you’ll send on my behalf.”
She wanted to shriek with joy.
She wanted to hug the tall and scary man standing in front of her.
She wanted to dance like a crazy person.
Instead, she smiled and said, “I know the perfect place for lunch, Mr. Stark.”
* * *
Kira stared at the paperwork in front of her. Isaac Stark’s signature was a dark slash and she traced his name before sitting back in her chair. She’d done it. She’d made her first sale.
“Kira?”
She turned and smiled at the stylish, silver-haired woman standing in her cubicle. “Hi, Rose.”
“Congratulations, honey. I knew you could do it. How do you feel?”
“I… it happened so fast,” Kira said. “They accepted our initial offer in like, half an hour. I did the paperwork and Mr. Stark signed it and left me a money order for the down payment. I’m taking the paperwork over for the representative from the town to sign and – and it’s done. It happened so fast.”
Rose laughed. “Yes, well it doesn’t always happen that way so don’t get used to it.”
She squeezed Kira’s shoulder. “I am so proud of you, Kira. I know your mom and dad would be too.”
“Thank you, Rose.” Kira picked up the papers and put them into an envelope. “I’m going to take these over now, I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
“Sounds good.” Rose walked away and Kira grabbed her purse and headed to her car. She was nearly vibrating with excitement, and she climbed into the car and shut the door before grabbing her cell phone. She had to share her news. She couldn’t keep it inside a moment longer. She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel with nervous energy as the phone rang in her ear.
“Hey, Kira. What’s up?”
“Connor, I did it!” Her voice was shrill with excitement. “I did it! I made my first sale!”
“That’s fantastic. Congratulations, I knew you could do it.” The warmth in his voice made her tingle all over.
“I can’t believe it. I mean, I still need to take the paperwork over to the seller, but my client’s offer was accepted like right away – which rarely happens – and he already signed the paperwork and left me a money order for the down payment. As long as I don’t, like, get into an accident on the way to the seller’s, it’s a done deal.”
He laughed. “Okay, let’s not get into an accident.”
“I won’t, I just… I can’t believe it. I’m not gonna lose my job and I’m gonna get paid!”
“Congratulations,” he said again. “What did your brother and Grace say about your very first sale?”
“Oh, um, I haven’t told them yet,” she said.
“You called me first?”
“Uh, yeah. Sorry, you’re at work and I guess I shouldn’t have called. Shit, did I interrupt an appointment?”
“No, it’s fine,” he said. “I’m in between appointments. I’m glad you called me, Kira.”
“I am too,” she said.
There was a moment of silence and then Connor said, “This calls for a celebration. If you’re not busy, I’d like to take you for dinner tonight.”
“I’d love that,” Kira said.
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
* * *
“Hopefully you like this place.” Connor pulled into the parking lot of the Urban Cuisine and parked the car.
“It’s actually my favourite restaurant,” Kira said. “So, good choice.”
She climbed out of the car and smoothed her dress down as Connor shut his door and locked the car. The Urban Cuisi
ne was one of three casual dining restaurants in Harmony Falls. It had a modern and eclectic style and the food was – in a word – delicious.
Connor took her hand and she realized that she was beginning to crave even that simple touch from him. He led her into the restaurant and smiled at the hostess. “We have a reservation under MacMillan.”
The pretty blonde studied the screen in front of her before tapping a few buttons. “Of course. Right this way, please.”
They followed her through the bar section and into the restaurant area. It was busy and she held tight to Connor’s hand as they weaved their way past the booths and tables toward one of the tables at the back of the restaurant.
Her mouth dropped open when Connor stepped to the side and she saw the people sitting at the table. Gideon was sitting at one end of the table, with Preacher on his right and Ray and Rose on his left. Addison and Harrison sat next to them and Grace was sitting next to Preacher.
“Connor, what… did you do this?”
He grinned boyishly at her and squeezed her hand. “I wanted to make this a real celebration.”
“Oh my gosh, this is… this is so nice.” Her throat was burning, and her eyes were watering. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much.”
He cupped her face and gave her a real kiss, one that made her mouth tingle and her pulse race. “You’re welcome, little Kira. But I need to admit that Grace had a big part in helping me organize everything.”
For a moment, she was tempted to just wave at everyone and then drag Connor back to his car. The urge to have him alone, to ask him to drive them home so he could take her upstairs to her bedroom and do all the delicious things to her she couldn’t seem to stop dreaming about, was almost too much to resist.
Before she could act on that madness, her brother was standing in front of them. Connor let go of her hand and Gideon swept her up into a bone-crushing hug.
Sweet Harmony (Harmony Falls, Book One) Page 13
