The Key West Anthology (24 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Harper

No one said anything when Easton returned, tension still rolling off him as he sat back down next to me. Instead we all pretended that the last fifteen minutes hadn’t happened. Well, everyone else did. I sat wondering what the hell had just happened.

He wouldn’t look at me, and I was sure that was because he had no idea what to say about what had occurred.

When we went back to his house and everyone had wandered off to their designated bedrooms, I took the chance to clear the uncomfortable feeling that had set in after Sarah’s earlier actions. I followed him through the kitchen onto the balcony and stood next to him as he leaned over the railing.

“So, Sarah, huh?” I looked out over the expansive property. The guesthouse was just to the left of the pool, and the tennis court was a bit farther out. It really was an impressive home.

“We’ve all had those relationships that we wish never existed. She would definitely be at the top of my list,” he said

“Borderline insane,” I whispered.

His laughter surprised me. It was a chuckle that pulled at something deep in my stomach. It was very sexy. “Much worse, more like straitjacket and padded walls,” he said, a smile still gracing his lips.

“Wow,” I replied, my voice laced with amusement. I looked over at him, only to find he was already watching me.

“I’m sorry about Sarah. She never should have said those things. She honestly was just trying to get a rise out of you.” He still looked irritated.

“Why would she even attempt it? I mean, she doesn’t know who I am.” I had never met the girl in my life.

“I may have mentioned that I was interested in you,” Easton said. “Which probably didn’t sit well, considering she’s always trying to squirm her way back into my life.”

“Haven’t you learned your lesson yet? You should stay away from girls that have uncontrollable wild tendencies,” I teased.

He placed his hand on my lower back and carefully hooked it around my waist. In a move that I have to admit was quite impressive, he had me turned around facing him as his body pressed me firmly against the railing at my back.

“I guess I’m still looking for the right kind of crazy,” he said, his lips only inches from mine. “Something tells me I may have found it.”

I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel his lips against mine and the light stubble covering his jaw against my hands. Rising up in my toes, I brought my lips closer to his, lifted my hand to his face, and trailed my fingertips along his jaw. Easton’s eyes closed as he accepted my touch.

“Kiss me,” I whispered.

Without hesitation he lowered his mouth to mine and devoured my lips. I had never enjoyed kissing. To me it was an unnecessary task before the big deed. But kissing Easton was different; he put so much in to each movement, into every swipe of his tongue, which lightly sucked on my lip before going in once more to leave me breathless. I felt his kisses all the way down to my toes, leaving my entire body craving more.

He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine as we both panted. “Are you ever going to admit that you like me just a little?”

I smiled against his lips as he kissed me again. This time when he pulled away he looked down at me.

“I may like you,” I said, and he smiled once more. “But only a little,” I clarified as I held up my hand, placing my thumb and index finger just a breath away from touching.

“Well, I’ll take whatever it is you’re willing to offer.”

***

“Did I just see you leaving Easton’s bedroom?” Avery squealed as she ushered me down the hallway to the kitchen.

“Oh my God, will you keep it down?” I hissed. “It is not what you think. We fell asleep watching a movie.”

I left her standing in the hall with her arms crossed, glaring at me. Last night after we shared some toe-curling kisses, Easton invited me to his room. At first I thought he was insinuating that we carry on behind closed doors, but he truly just wanted to spend time with me. Before I knew it I was dozing off wrapped in his arms, and I can’t remember ever sleeping so peacefully.

“Let me get this straight.” Avery took a seat on the opposite side of the table. I had started a pot of coffee and was waiting impatiently for it to perk. “You spent the night in bed, next to a man that I swear fell straight out of a
GQ
magazine. You both managed to keep all your clothes on and you just fell asleep.”

I laughed at her expression, and she looked at me in amazement.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Wow.” She rubbed her head, still looking perplexed and amazed. “Your ability to control yourself and not attack is inspiring.”

That was when her smile broke out, and I grabbed the placemat and swung it, making contact with her head. “Smartass.”

“Really, though, in all seriousness, that’s pretty special.”

She was right, it was.

“
GQ
, huh?” Easton said as he stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his bare chest and a cocky smile spread across his face.

All Avery could do was hide her face in embarrassment. I myself chose to enjoy the view.

Chapter Sixteen

Easton

I stayed in Miami a few more days, wanting to get everything that would hold me here finished. I had talked to Harper every day since she left. Each day I felt like she allowed me in just a little more, giving me the chance to get to know the real her.

So I wasn’t surprise to find that the first place I thought of when arriving back in Palm Beach was Allure. I knew I would find Harper there, and she was the only person I wanted to see. Just the thought of her smile made my heart race.

I grinned as I entered the salon, holding a single red rose. Almost immediately I had four women eyeing me hungrily and two others working their way to my sides.

“Well hello, handsome,” a short brunette cooed. “What can we offer you today?”

I was still scanning the room, looking for the blonde that held all my attention. Once I located her near the station in the back corner, I found that she was grinning brightly, obviously enjoying the attention her stylists were giving me.

“I’ve actually found what I’m looking for,” I told the brunette as I excused myself and walked across the lobby toward Harper. “Hey, gorgeous,” I said as I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “This is for you.”

I lifted the rose up from my side, and her face brightened the moment she took it from me. She brought it to her nose and breathed in its sweet scent. “Thank you.”

If giving her a rose lit her face up the way it was at that moment, hell, I would have one delivered every day. Out of all the years I’ve known Harper, I’ve rarely seen her smile this brightly. She’s always hidden behind her sarcasm and attitude. Everyone had grown used to it, accepting that was just the way she was. But the girl behind that mask was breathtaking.

“You are more than welcome.” Stepping a little closer, I took her hand in mine. “I was hoping I could spend some time with you tonight. Maybe go to dinner, or anything you want as long as we’re together.”

“I think I’m free.” She looked up over my shoulder and smiled. “If you survive the day. You may get mauled walking out of here. You have about four women checking out your ass right now, and I’m pretty sure they’re planning some form of attack.”

Sure enough, I turned to find the same brunette that greeted me and three other women appreciatively scanning my assets.

“Any tips you can offer me on getting out of here, unscathed, would be greatly appreciated,” I said as I turned back to find her laughing behind her hand.

“I’ve got nothing, sorry. In fact, I’m just gonna sit back and watch.” She stepped back and sat down in the stylist chair behind her and held her rose to her face, attempting to hide her smile.

“Evil,” I said, shaking my head.

I spun around and took two steps toward the exit before hollering back over my shoulder, “I’ll be at your place by six.” All eyes shifted from me to Harper as I rushed past the women who were now zoning in on her to get the scoop.

As I placed my back against the door, Harper scowled at me. She wasn’t happy with the way I had shifted the attention onto her. I winked and pushed back, leaving her to deal with the eager women.

***

My next stop was Jett’s restaurant. I had locked in all the final paperwork for the second and third locations of the restaurant. Things were well on their way to completion, and I was about to make Jett a very happy man. As I walked through the front entrance, I had my head down as I typed out a message to Bennie. I heard my name and looked up quickly to find Avery and Quinn walking toward me.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” I said as I leaned forward, then kissed them on the cheeks. “How are you?”

“We were just having lunch before heading off to do a little shopping,” Avery said. “When did you get back in town?”

“About thirty minutes ago. I stopped in at Allure to see Harper first.”

The girls’ faces lit up. “Oh yeah?” Quinn asked, pushing for further information.

To put them out of their misery, I gave them a little more. “I’m taking her out tonight.”

“You’re taking who out tonight?” Jett asked, stepping up behind Quinn. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. She leaned her head back, and he bent down to kiss her.

“Harper,” I replied.

Jett’s head shot up and he smiled. “Good.” He was finally accepting my interest in his sister. After that night at Ricochet, he realized she wasn’t just some random hookup to me.

***

I was going to make dinner reservations for us, but I decided I wanted exclusive time with Harper. When we were alone, I got a better insight into the person she really was, the one she fought so desperately to hide. I loved that she could let her guard down around me and just relax. So tonight I chose to have dinner catered. I set up a table just off the back of my condo. My place was private and secluded, which made it feel like my own little oasis. I lined the pool with lanterns and set candles along the deck. I’d told the caterers to set up dinner, light the candles, and leave just before we were scheduled to arrive.

As I pulled up in front of Harper’s place, I couldn’t remember ever being this nervous, or maybe it was excitement.

The moment I knocked on her door, I think my heart jumped into my throat at the sound of a deep, vicious bark. It didn’t sound like any dog I had ever been around. I knew she had one; I remember the day she got the dog and brought it by the restaurant to show Jett. But the bark still flowing out from behind her door had me a little worried. I wasn’t an animal guy. I had never had one and had no desire to change that.

When the door opened, I looked down to see a head the size of a car looking back at me and swallowed hard. Okay, so maybe “the size of a car” was an exaggeration, but when you’re in panic mode, everything seems bigger.

“That is not a dog,” I stated. “That is a tank.”

Harper laughed. “No, actually, this is Brutus, and I promise you he isn’t just any dog.”

I looked up at her, cocking my eyebrow.

“He is my best friend, my cuddle buddy, and my protector,” she explained as she rubbed his head in a motherly way. “He may be big—”

“He’s fucking huge,” I corrected.

“Okay, he may be
huge
,
but he is the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet. Don’t let him fool ya, he’s a big baby.”

I still wasn’t convinced. The idea of a dog as big as most motorcycles had me convinced that I should wait in the car.

“Will you stop being such a pussy?” Harper said as she placed her hand on her hip. “He won’t hurt you. In fact, he’s scared of his own shadow on a good day.”

She opened the door, and I took a step inside, still leery of the dog that could stand on his hind legs and be taller than me. She led me toward the couch and directed me to have a seat.

“I just need five minutes.” She rushed off before I could say another word.

I was scared to move as Brutus watched me from the left end of the couch. I continued to stare straight ahead, thinking if I avoided eye contact, maybe he would walk away.

My actions had the opposite effect. I felt his head nudge my knee, and I stiffened. This shit was messed up. Dogs were supposed to be small and cute. They should never be larger than their owners…never.

Another strong nudge against my leg made me sweat a little. Then Brutus went one step further and placed his paw on my thigh and laid his head next to it, letting out a loud
humph
.

“H-hey there, big guy.” My voice vibrated with tension. What the fuck? Harper was right, I was acting like a damn pussy.

I lifted my hand and began petting the top of Brutus’s head. “You’re not that scary, are ya?” It was definitely more of a question than a reassuring statement. I still wasn’t completely convinced that he wasn’t going to eat me before Harper finished getting ready.

“Okay, this isn’t so bad, is it?” I let out a breath I felt like I’d been holding since Harper left me alone with the grizzly. His big puppy-dog eyes looked up at me and sagged in awe. Apparently he liked being scratched behind his ears.

So for the next…what felt like ten minutes, I continued to pet him in the place he enjoyed the most. Yes, I still silently prayed that I’d make it out of here with all my limbs intact, but I may have been able to relax, just a little.