Cypress Corners Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Read online

  Ariel bustled back from the RV, a familiar beige square in her hand. “You can’t turn down my cheesecake, Rick.”

  He glanced at Harmony and swallowed. “Tofu?”

  Her mother handed him the package, which he took after only a slight hesitation.

  “Of course,” she said.

  He held it gingerly as he nodded his head again. “Well, I’ll let you have your visit.” He turned to Harmony. “Enjoy your dinner.”

  He smiled and again that charm poured off of him as he walked away from them. She mentally patted herself on the back for surviving their first encounter since getting nearly-naked with him on the dock.

  Her mother clicked her tongue. “He’s unfocused, Harmony. His aura is cloudy.”

  “Don’t worry about Rick’s aura,” she said. “He knows what he’s doing.”

  Ariel’s head shook emphatically, her earrings swaying. “No. He’s at a crossroads. But he doesn’t know it.” She crossed her arms. “And he doesn’t know what he wants.”

  Harmony thought about that night on the dock, of his kisses and caresses that almost made her give up the safety she’d guarded since Adam hurt her and her parents.

  Rick’s not the only one who doesn’t know what he wants.

  Chapter 8

  Rick turned to watch as Harmony climbed up the narrow steps and into the RV. Her parents followed behind and he stared at the closed door. Ariel and Max Brooks were nothing like his father’s colleagues in Boston. They were a little strange. But they were open and genuine too, like his mother had been. Harmony’s mother had creeped him out a little. What was that about dinner in December? When she’d held his hand she’d stared at him so long he wondered if she could read his mind. Man, he hoped not. Not with naked pictures of her daughter floating around in there.

  He got into his SUV and drove through the development. Back at his rented house, he set the questionable cheesecake down on the granite countertop and stared at it. It looked okay, if a little pale. Graham cracker crust, maybe. He sniffed it. Or wheat germ. He turned his back on it and grabbed up the remote, flicking on the TV. Golf was on. Again.

  “There must be fifteen golf channels on satellite here,” he muttered.

  Vacationing business men and retirees needed something to do when it rained too hard or was too friggin’ hot to actually play. For himself, he could think of several indoor activities he’d prefer to watching TV.

  He sat on the brown leather couch and put his feet on the coffee table. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked at the cheesecake again. What the hell?

  He grabbed it and peeled off the wrap. He took a bite. It had an odd texture, a little bit gummy, but the taste… Not too bad. Probably made with real vanilla, too. He thought about the recreation café their investors were eagerly awaiting. Maybe something like this cake would go with the rain forest coffee they already served in The Clubhouse. He ate the rest of the dessert and licked his fingers.

  “First alligator and now tofu.” He threw away the wrapping. “It wasn’t chateau Briand and tiramisu. But not half bad.”

  His stomach growled for something more. Five stars didn’t draw him tonight. He ordered a pizza and sat back down, flipping through the channels until he found a rerun of a sitcom that still managed to make him laugh. A bunch of friends who were nothing like real people, sitting around drinking coffee. He smiled. No tofu cheesecake for this bunch. He studied the female stars of the show. One of the girls had hair the color of Harmony’s, but not the thick curls. Another one had a nice rack, but he doubted her breasts were as soft and firm as Harmony’s. The third girl’s eyes were almost…

  “Forget it,” he said. He rubbed the heels of his hands over his eyes. “Harmony’s damn near perfect.”

  The pizza arrived and he dug in. Hot and spicy, with pepperoni slices all over real cheese. Nice. As he chewed he thought about that afternoon again. When Harmony’s parents invited him to dinner he almost accepted. But what would they talk about? He knew nothing about organic anything. The way they’d hugged and kissed their daughter told him they loved her. Their openness scared him almost as much as it made him jealous. He’d always wanted that. Ever since his mother died.

  Even with Jake and Cassie he didn’t feel free enough to hug and tease them. It seemed he’d picked up a bit of his father’s cool detachment over the years. He nearly lost his appetite at that revelation. He closed the pizza box on the two remaining slices and slid it into the fridge.

  Harmony had that openness, too. One look at her face and he knew what she was feeling. She was pissed off at him right now, that was for sure. He couldn’t blame her. He’d been a jerk. But she still wanted him. He hadn’t missed the interest in her eyes. He’d been crude that night on the dock, but he’d been right. By every sound, every touch, every taste he knew she wanted him. She still did. Would she ever admit it?

  He grinned. “Only one way to find out.”

  If he had the chance to apologize for the other night, and maybe taste her again, he’d take it. What the hell? He’d eaten tofu cheesecake, hadn’t he? He had nothing to lose by trying something new and different. And Harmony was both as far as the usual women he pursued.

  The drive to her camp felt way too short tonight. He was on edge, his nerves humming as he parked the SUV. He was just horny, right? It couldn’t be that he wanted to see her face in the moonlight. That he wanted to hear her laugh. Or smell her skin.

  Like last time, she wasn’t in the cabin. He looked for her on the dock, but she wasn’t there either. Walking closer down the planks, he saw something there. A couple of somethings discarded in a pile. Oh, man. He recognized that tiny top, those worn shorts. A little pair of pink panties were off to the side, trimmed with lace. A feminine touch beneath her more serviceable wardrobe. He glimpsed another layer the girl kept hidden. String bikini panties. Strings. He’d wanted no strings attached. But these were his kind of strings.

  He heard a splash and stepped to the edge of the dock. There she was. In the water. He glanced back at the little pile of clothes. Naked. He closed his eyes. She drove him wild fully clothed. He’d combust if he saw her naked. Wet. Her legs kicking, her arms reaching… He turned away.

  “Harmony?” His voice didn’t crack. Amazing.

  She gasped. He wouldn’t think about her covering those beautiful breasts with her hands, brushing that long wet hair over one creamy shoulder. He’d think about… she was in the lake!

  “What are you doing in there?” he called down to her. “What about gators, for Christ’s sake?”

  She laughed. He felt a splash of water on his boots and he turned slightly. He couldn’t help it. She grinned up at him and splashed again.

  “I checked for gators, Rick,” she said. “See, you shine a flashlight over the water and… Well, I know what to look for.”

  He looked over the lake, at the moonlight shining over the ripples, and shrugged. “I just came to… I wanted to apologize.”

  She held herself still in water that came to her shoulders, her hair floating around her as she looked up at him. “Apologize? No. You have nothing to apologize for.”

  “I would have said something this afternoon, but your parents— Wait. I have nothing to apologize for? Why?”

  She apparently didn’t want to explain, for she gave a shake of her head. “Come swim with me,” she said. “This is so much better than the pool at the Swim Club.”

  He stood there, one boot wet and one dry stuck to the dock. “I…”

  She splashed him again. “Come join me for a swim. You’re not scared, are you?”

  He was scared as hell, but not of anything in the water other than her. She was dangerous, all playful and sexy in the water. This was a whole other side of her and damn if he didn’t want to play along.

  “I hope the water’s cold,” he muttered.

  “What?”

  He stripped off his clothes in an instant. “Never mind.”

  He jumped in.

  ***
/>   Harmony had watched him, eyed that gorgeous body as he stripped. Mmm. What was she was doing, flirting and leading him on? Oh, she knew all right. She wanted him to want her. Again. Like he had the other night. She wanted to be free to experience what they could be together.

  She swam away from him and he followed her. They splashed and laughed and he reached out and grabbed her ankle.

  “Hey!” She let him tug her back to him. “That’s not fair.”

  He whooped in triumph, looking much younger now. Free, even. Her heart began to pound in rhythm to her body. Oh, this was not good. She pushed off his chest and kicked away. When she was safely out of arm’s reach, she sank her toes into the soft sand on the bottom and smiled.

  “Well?” she asked. “What do you think of my lake?”

  Rick looked around and stood, the water coming up to his chest. What a chest! Muscled and wet, hair that swirled over tanned skin. Her pulse raced as he stepped closer.

  “I like your lake,” he said softly. He touched her shoulder and played with a strand of her hair. “It looks good on you.”

  He leaned closer and she kissed him. Why not? Kissing Rick was even better than she’d remembered. His tongue was on her throat, her neck. He nibbled on her ear.

  “Harmony,” he whispered.

  He cupped her breast, stroked her, and she bit her lip. It felt so good. Lifting her by her waist, he closed his mouth over her breast. Pleasure shot through her and she leaned back, her hair trailing behind her in the water. His cheeks were rough and they teased her flesh. His tongue was magic, his lips amazing. His fingers, those long, strong fingers that knew what she wanted before she did.

  “Oh!” She wrapped her legs around his waist as he teased her below the water. “Rick!”

  “This was a great idea,” he rasped as he nipped her skin. He let out a little growl, playful and sexy. “Back to nature.”

  She couldn’t say a word, just let him rub those big hands over her backside as she pressed against his hard belly. The water churned around them and she felt him there. Right where she wanted him to be.

  For an instant she thought he’d enter her, he was so hot and big and hard in the cool water. The friction and heat between them made her almost crazy. She shifted and lowered herself on him. His hands gripped her hips and he held her still.

  “No,” he said. She looked at him in question and he smiled. “Protection.”

  Oh! At least one of them was thinking straight.

  He helped her up onto the dock and she turned as he joined her, edging closer with a wicked grin on his face. “You’re wet, Harmony.”

  His words did as much to her as his fingers had. She was wet. Achy and hot. He slid a finger inside her as he brought his mouth to hers. It was like the past three days never happened. Like they’d taken up right where they’d left off that night. Yes! She wouldn’t stop him tonight. She wouldn’t push him away. She couldn’t bear it if he left her again. She wanted him. Right here. Right now.

  She kissed him, arching closer as he stroked her. Deep. Fast. Slow. Perfect. His thumb circled her and she let her legs fall apart. It felt so good.

  His breath was harsh as he pulled away. “Are you sure?”

  His eyes glittered in the dark and she knew he wanted this as much as she did. But he gave her the power to refuse. Her passion swelled at that realization. She wouldn’t refuse. No stinkin’ way. Not tonight.

  She licked her lips and nodded. “I’m sure.”

  He kissed her hard. “Gimme a minute.”

  He reached for his shorts and went through the pockets. She watched as he put on a condom. Oh, my.

  Spreading her legs wide, he eased into her. “God, yes…”

  She couldn’t speak, her breath gone. He pushed. All the way in. Deeper than she thought possible. Then out again. He caught her face with his hands and stared down at her as he began to move faster. Driving into her until she thought she’d burst.

  “Rick,” she moaned.

  Stars behind her lids, moonlight pouring into her. Here was everything she needed. She held on tight. In the next instant she climaxed, hard and fast and sweet as he held her. He joined her, letting out a shout as he came with a deep shudder.

  Wrapped in his arms, she felt the tension slowly leave his body. He stroked her cheek but she couldn’t look at him. Her body still tingled but her heart ached. Why did she suddenly feel like crying?

  She felt scared. Scared of what she felt for him. Of what she could feel for him. Tears pricked at her eyes and she turned her face away as he tried to kiss her.

  “What’s the matter?” he whispered. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “You know you didn’t,” she said. “It’s just… Never mind.”

  He brought his face to hers and kissed her, tenderly. Like a lover. Why was she acting like such a fool? They’d had sex. Wonderful, heart-pounding sex. She didn’t love him. Sometimes she didn’t even like him. Liar.

  “You’re so beautiful, Harmony,” he said in her ear. “And so sweet.”

  Those hands moved over her again, stroking and teasing. His voice was low in her ear, his body hard against her.

  She gave in to it and they made love again.

  Chapter 9

  Rick gazed down at her, worn out. She wrung him out. He grinned. Twice. That first time she’d been as tight as a virgin. But she knew how to move. Man, did she know how to move.

  “Harmony.” She wouldn’t meet his gaze and he kissed her forehead. “That was… Mmm.”

  She moved away, just a couple of inches, but he felt it.

  He braced his hands on the dock and lifted off of her. He thought about that cozy bed in her cabin. “We can’t stay out here all night.”

  That got a smile. She brushed a long wet strand of hair off her cheek. “I should get to bed.”

  “Bed.” He rolled to his side and sat. “Sounds good.”

  She pulled away, damn it. Instead of laughing and falling into his arms, she pulled away. Fine. He’d play it her way.

  “Rick, I… ”

  He grabbed his shorts and put them on. “Hey, it’s late.” He handed over her clothes and pulled on his boots. “I’ll let you get some sleep.”

  She kept her eyes down as she quickly dressed. “I haven’t… It’s been a long time.”

  That stilled him. He stared at her. “How long?”

  She lifted her head. Was that a tear on her cheek? No. Not brave, spunky Harmony.

  “Does it matter how long?” she asked.

  Yes. He didn’t want to think of anyone else with her. He shook his head. “No.” He shrugged. “It’s none of my business.”

  She grabbed his hand. “You have to understand. I haven’t dated much. Not since college.”

  He suspected there was something else. Some jackass had hurt her. He couldn’t ask her about it. He wasn’t any good at this closeness stuff women seemed to want. That was why he never got involved with someone like Harmony. Someone who would want him to stay after the sex. Someone who could make him want to stay. He grunted an answer.

  She slipped on her boots and wrapped her arms around her knees. “I know this doesn’t mean much to you, but—”

  “What?” He wouldn’t get angry. Not tonight. He felt too damn good after the greatest sex he’d ever experienced. Twice. Maybe that was why his head was so cloudy. It couldn’t be that it happened with Harmony. But it wasn’t like she didn’t matter at all.

  “This meant something to me, Harmony,” he said.

  She gave a quick shake of her head and came to her feet. “Please don’t say something you don’t mean, Rick. I’ve heard it before.”

  “Wait.” He stood. “Some jerk in college hurt you, I’m guessing. I’m not him.”

  She seemed to weigh his words before giving an almost imperceptible nod. “No, you’re not.” She faced him. “And I’m not that girl anymore.”

  Neither one said anything for a long moment. He could hardly think, his body wanting her again. Forci
ng himself to relax, he stroked her cheek. “We don’t have to talk about it.”

  She visibly relaxed. He picked up the rest of his clothes and followed her as she walked to the tent-cabin.

  “Good night, Harmony,” he said.

  They kissed and he felt a connection. This was so much more than sex. Their lips clung for a moment and he lifted his head.

  “Good night,” she said.

  He stood out there in the dark as she flicked on a light inside. Against the canvas he could see her figure, that body that fit him like nobody else’s. He walked to the SUV and threw the rest of his clothes on the seat.

  “It’s none of my business,” he told himself.

  He’d only wanted a diversion. He hadn’t thought he’d find one to fill his mind after his body was satisfied. She didn’t want tender words after, which should have been a relief. But he’d almost said it, something sappy that would make her melt. Or smack him in the face if by chance he’d read her wrong.

  But there was more to Harmony. More than the fabulous sex and the electric connection. Way more than he’d bargained for. He shrugged into his shirt and started the engine. He’d get this job finished and get back to Boston. Then he wouldn’t have to think about her.

  Or the way he felt when he was with her.

  ***

  Harmony stretched out on the bed the next morning, her muscles aching. Rick was an incredible lover. She could still see him leaning over her, coming inside her. Would she see him again? Did she want to? She’d almost told him about Adam. Sheesh. That’s just what every guy wants to hear about after he sleeps with a girl: the last guy who slept with the girl.

  “Idiot.” She rose and readied for her day. A yawn caught her by surprise and she laughed softly. “At least I didn’t need lavender to sleep last night.”

  She left her camp and threw herself back into her work. She wouldn’t think about Rick. About what he was doing. If he was thinking about her. As her day went on, it seemed he made it easy enough to avoid him. There was no sign of him in the village when she went to the Institute to upload photos and drop off some samples that afternoon.