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

  “If you’ll excuse me.” He shook the developers’ hands and Dr. Robbins’s. “I’ll leave you all to your business.”

  “We’ll see you later, Rick,” Mr. Forbes said. “Maybe at The Clubhouse for drinks?”

  He nodded an answer and left the Welcome Center. Harmony was just near the doors of the Institute as he crossed the street. He’d watched her from the moment she’d arrived at the Welcome Center, though she hadn’t seen him. He’d seen the confidence in her stride as she’d joined Dr. Robbins. She’d held her own with the developers as well. Only when Tammy had joined them had he seen a slight change in her expression. If he didn’t know her so well, if he hadn’t fantasized about her gorgeous face for the past week and a half, he would have missed the annoyance on her face. A slight curve of her lip, a minute twitch of one brow as she studied Tammy’s grip on his arm. So she’d missed him, too.

  He called out her name but she didn’t even turn around. She just slipped through the automatic doors and they slid shut behind her. He hurried across the street. The doors opened again with a whoosh and he stepped inside. The redhead behind the reception desk blinked at him. “Mr. Chapman?” She shuffled through the papers behind the counter and glanced at her computer screen. “Is Dr. Robbins expecting you?”

  He flashed her an impatient smile. “No. I just spoke with him at the Welcome Center. Is Miss Brooks here?”

  The girl grinned. She grinned like she knew about them. Harmony would not be happy if she saw the comprehension on the girl’s face.

  “She’s in the lab,” she said. “Do you need me to show you the way?”

  Hardly. He could probably find Harmony with his eyes closed by this point.

  “No, thank you.” He passed her desk and heard her humming softly to herself. He’d just ignore the possible implications of that.

  He found the lab easily enough. It didn’t smell like he would have thought, all antiseptic. It smelled clean and fresh, like they used some kind of environmentally-friendly cleaner. He shook his head. Of course they did. The room had rows of white laminate counters lined with thick-cushioned chairs. Computers sat along the windowed wall, the blinds drawn against the afternoon sun.

  She was sitting in the back of the lab, her elbows resting on the counter as she stared at a small potted plant in front of her. He recognized the ugly plant. That weed with the long Latin name. The plant that had divided them then brought them together. Man, he could kiss the thing!

  “Harmony.”

  She looked up and wiped at her eyes. “Hello again, Rick.”

  Her voice sounded odd, thick.

  “Are you crying?” He stepped closer. “If it’s about Tammy, there’s nothing—”

  She shook her head and grabbed a tissue from a box on the counter to blow her nose. “I’m not thinking about Tammy or any of the other women you’ve slept with.”

  “What? I haven’t slept with—”

  “I’m just amazed that Dr. Robbins and the developers have so much faith in me.”

  He sat and pulled his chair close to her, covering her hand with his. “I’m not.” He stroked her arm. “I knew from the first day we met that you were dedicated to this project.”

  She tilted her head, that familiar sparkle in her eyes, and withdrew from his grasp. “What was your first clue?”

  He grinned. “I’m thinking the fire ants.”

  Resting her chin in her hands, she laughed softly. “An auspicious meeting, I know.”

  He could feel the tension coming off of her, her shoulders held stiffly. Reaching out, he touched her again. “You’ve been under a lot of pressure, Harmony.”

  She started to object, finally nodding her head. “Yes. I haven’t slept much lately.”

  Was that a reference to their night on the dock? He doubted it, not from the way her mouth drooped down slightly at the corners. There was more at work here.

  He stood and put his hands on her back. “God, you’re tense.”

  Rubbing his thumbs over the base of her neck, he felt her start to unkink a bit.

  She leaned her head back and sighed. “Oh, that feels good.”

  He moved his thumbs down toward her spine and dug gently beneath her shoulder blades. “Relax. You’re as tight as…” He couldn’t finish the thought. He remembered how tight she was. Vividly.

  When he kneaded her shoulders she let her head fall forward, her hair brushing over his hands. “So good.”

  Bending closer, he brushed the hair from her neck and kissed her there. “Yeah.” He brought his mouth to hers. “Good.”

  Her lips parted beneath his and he leaned closer.

  “Miss Brooks?”

  He straightened as Harmony sat up. “Yes?”

  The receptionist peeked into the lab. “I’m leaving. I’ll lock up.”

  “Wait!” Harmony called.

  She started to stand but he placed his hand on her shoulders again. “She’s gone.” He turned her chair so she faced him. “We’re all alone.”

  After a brief hesitation, he saw the heat in her eyes and brought his face to hers. She welcomed his kiss, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck. He worked the little buttons of her blouse free and spread the material.

  “I miss your little tank top,” he said. “This lacy pink bra is a pretty consolation, though.” He could see her breasts through the sheer fabric. He stroked his thumb over her breast and she gasped.

  He nipped her through the bra and she held his head, her fingers digging softly into his scalp. “Rick.”

  He unhooked the thing and let it fall open, dropping kisses on her smooth belly. She leaned back and he worked her pants off of her. He kissed the skin just inside her right knee before draping her leg over an arm of the chair. Tiny panties, pink like her bra, didn’t stand in his way. He touched her, slid a finger deep inside, and she shook. He put his mouth on her.

  She tasted so sweet, hot and slick against his tongue as he made love to her. She stiffened but only for a second. She arched against his mouth and sighed his name. He stroked deeper, pressing her thighs apart until she straddled the chair. It rolled, smacking the table as he turned to keep them there.

  “Rick,” she cried. “Oh God, Rick!”

  Shaking, she climaxed against his tongue. When she stilled he lifted his head to find her staring at him.

  “I’ve never…” She looked away. “I know it sounds stupid, but—”

  “Not stupid,” he said. “Sweet. You’re sweet. And I’m the first man to taste you.”

  She grabbed him and kissed him, her tongue arousing him as much as if she’d taken him into her mouth. She unbuttoned his shirt and stroked his skin, her hands working over his chest, his belly.

  He switched places with her, settling into the chair and putting her on his lap. She still kissed him, her hair tangled in his hands as he stroked her back, her butt. She got his fly open. How, he couldn’t say. But she touched him, stroking up and down until he thought he’d lose it. He had to be inside her. He had to feel her on him, over him. Just a quick second to put on a condom and he was there. He threw his head back and held on to her waist as she rode him.

  “Yes!” she cried. His grip on her waist got tighter and he shuddered beneath her.

  He held on to her as his mind slowly came back from wherever it went while they lost themselves. Her gorgeous eyes were cloudy as she gazed at him. Did he look like that, too? Loose and relaxed and more pleased than he could say?

  “Man,” he whispered. He held her close and she took his support and cuddled into him. “Harmony, that was—” His pants beeped. Frowning, he grabbed his BlackBerry out of his pocket and read the little screen. “Perfect timing, Bill,” he muttered. He put the cell on the counter. “Let him get my voicemail.”

  He kissed her and sank into her heat again.

  Chapter 11

  “About damn time, Chapman.”

  Rick sat on the couch and closed his eyes. “I called you as soon as I got my voicemail, Dad.”

>   It wasn’t a total lie. He hadn’t checked his phone until he and Harmony had finally worn each other out.

  “I called the developers and they’re satisfied,” his father went on. “The contract should be fulfilled by the deadline.”

  That was all true. Then why didn’t Rick feel more gratified by that turn of events? “Looks like.”

  “I’ll need you back in Boston after the first of the year,” Bill said. “And Rick? I have a proposition for you.”

  His ears pricked up and he opened his eyes and straightened. His father hardly ever called him by his first name. “Go on.”

  He could almost see his father grinning. That should have put him on his guard but he was still pleasantly buzzed by his time with Harmony.

  “If this project is complete by the deadline,” Bill said, “I’ll give it to you.”

  He must have heard him wrong.

  “What?” he asked. “You’ll give me what?”

  “The top position,” Bill said. “Under me, of course. I know you want it. You’ve been working hard. So if this deal goes through, you can have it.”

  The couch rocked beneath him. “Thanks.”

  “Well.” Bill cleared his throat. “We’ll talk sometime next week. Keep me posted.”

  He sat there as the line went dead. The top position. Executive Officer in Charge of Foreign and Domestic Investments. Man. He dropped the cell on the couch and rubbed his face. This was what he’d wanted for so long, tangible evidence that Bill believed he was worth something. He’d have it all: money, prestige and maybe his father’s respect at last.

  “Son-of-a-bitch,” he whispered.

  He had to focus if he wanted to prove himself. Opening up his laptop, he searched online for the companies he’d need to see the project finished. He’d handle staffing the place himself but he’d have to be careful picking the subcontractors and food suppliers. The place had to reflect Cypress Corners and its residents and visitors. But the bottom line had to give Chapman investors the maximum return.

  He couldn’t afford to get sidetracked, to let his focus shift away from his sole purpose. He had to get the project finished and the investors satisfied. He couldn’t get distracted. Nothing could get in his way.

  His fingers froze on the keys. Harmony. Damn. He didn’t have time for more than a diversion, right? That’s what he’d told himself when he’d first stepped onto Cypress Corners property. She was more than a diversion. But she’d closed up after their first time together. All because some jerk probably hurt her. But now? After what they’d shared in the lab? She’d been soft and tender in his arms after. He’d never had a woman trust him like that, to show weakness after the pleasure.

  “I won’t have to stop seeing her,” he told himself. “She isn’t asking for moonlight and roses. Maybe just the occasional dinner. Definitely more incredible sex. This could work.”

  For now. Until he got back to Boston. He stood and crossed to the fridge to grab a soda.

  Suddenly he had a bad taste in his mouth.

  ***

  Harmony showered the next morning, letting the spray nearly run cold as she used up the reserve tank of hot water. Last night she’d been too tired, and too satisfied, to even think about doing more than falling into bed. Alone. She hadn’t invited Rick over and he hadn’t pressed her. But for the first time she hadn’t enjoyed her solitude. As soon as she was dressed, she’d head over to the village. A stop at the Welcome Center to check on the rec café’s progress would be interesting. A visit to the Institute was probably expected. Oh, she’d have to face Becky. She knew the girl had sent Rick to the lab to find her, and Becky could probably guess what happened after Rick innocently massaged Harmony’s shoulders. Her skin flushed hot under the cool spray.

  “No biggie,” she said, trying to convince herself. “I’m a single woman. I can see whoever I want. No strings attached.”

  She rinsed the shampoo out of her hair. Yeah, right. She only hoped Dr. Robbins didn’t find out about her and Rick in that chair. Oh, or on the counter. She flushed again.

  The ride to the village seemed shorter today. She saw Rick outside the Welcome Center, talking with Tammy. Watching his body language compared to Tammy’s, it was obvious Rick wasn’t encouraging her. She thought he’d slept with her. Now she knew he hadn’t. That made her feel better than it should.

  “Rick!” she called as she stopped her scooter.

  He turned and waved a hand. Tammy nodded and went into the Welcome Center as Rick talked to himself. As Harmony got closer she saw he wore an earpiece and fiddled with the BlackBerry clipped to his waist.

  “Yeah, I know it’s short notice,” he said. “Listen, those soda machines were promised. Before the delay.” He held up one finger and Harmony nodded. “I need them installed by the fifteenth of December. The floor should be finished by then.”

  He disconnected and smiled at her. “Sorry. I’ve got to line everything up just right.”

  His eyes sparkled and energy poured off him.

  “You love it,” she said. “Admit it.”

  He grinned. “I do. After spinning my wheels for weeks I can finally do something.”

  Okay. She wouldn’t take that in the worst possible way. “You’ll get it done, I’m sure.”

  He opened his mouth when the cell beeped. Holding up his hand again, he turned away. “Next Thursday? Damn. Well it’ll have to work, won’t it? Get me the samples.”

  “Crackers,” he muttered. He faced her again. “The flooring guys.”

  She nodded, ignoring his “cracker” remark. At least he hadn’t called the guy a “red neck.” Again the country girl felt out of place with the city boy. Just what had he thought of her “cracker” parents?

  “Well,” she said. “I was just going to check in with Dr. Robbins.”

  “Not in the lab, I hope.” He winked. “He’d see that blush and know you were busy in there last night.”

  She wasn’t used to the teasing. It was lighthearted and sexy at the same time. She took her cue from him and shrugged. “I didn’t get a lot of work done.”

  Rick grinned. “Hey, how about dinner tonight?”

  “Okay,” she said. “The Boathouse?”

  “No way. I need to check out a place near Orlando. One of the vendors I’m considering supplies their desserts.”

  More of a work thing, then. Oh, well. A free meal and good company? It worked for her. “Sure.”

  He kissed her, a quick press of his lips to hers that made her wish for more. But before she could lean closer his darn phone rang again. He tilted his head and checked the screen.

  “I have to take this.” He turned away. “Chapman here.”

  As he started talking about countertops and paint, she turned and crossed the street toward the Institute.

  “Harmony, wait!”

  She looked over her shoulder. “Yes?”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  Nodding, she continued. His voice was different on the phone, crisp and very Boston. Polished. Nothing like the soft words and throaty groans from yesterday.

  “He has a job to do, Harmony,” she told herself. “And so do you.”

  She entered the Institute, intent on losing herself in reports and data until the day passed and she could meet Rick for dinner. But which Rick would she see tonight? Warm, funny, sexy Rick? Or cold, driven Corporate Guy?

  It turned out both guys showed up. Rick was dressed in a sport jacket and tie yet looking as comfortable as when he wore shorts and a golf shirt. Boy, he looked yummy.

  “We’re eating at Lac des Fontaine,” he said. “Lake of the Fountain.”

  French. She was sure it wouldn’t be Creole. “Sounds nice.”

  “And expensive. But hey, Cypress people can afford to indulge, right?”

  Most of them. “I guess.”

  They drove into the city, beautiful by city standards, but she still didn’t care for it. The restaurant was situated on the shore of Lake Eola, facing the hu
ge fountain set in the middle. The sky was pink through the wall of windows as the hostess led them to their table. The cool air was scented with burning candles and snatches of expensive perfume as they moved through the linen-dressed tables. Piano music tinkled in a far corner and she ran a hand over her dress.

  She’d thought she’d dressed suitably, but when she saw the jackets and ties and expensive dresses she felt out of place in her batik-died shift. It was silk. It did look nice on her. Or so Rick had said as his eyes ran over her body.

  “Here by the windows is fine,” he said to the hostess.

  The woman nodded and left them as Rick held out Harmony’s chair. He lifted her hair away from the chair back and brushed her neck with his fingers.

  “Get ready to enjoy some wonderful food,” he said. “This place is better than The Clubhouse in Cypress Corners.”

  She looked around at the cut crystal glasses and the forks lined up to her left. Suddenly she longed for the plank tables and fresh breezes of The Boathouse.

  He ordered the wine and it was surprisingly delicious. Cool and crisp, like a fresh apple. After ordering in flawless French, he winked at her.

  “Prep school,” he said. “At least it didn’t go to waste.”

  “Doesn’t Chapman have investors around the world?”

  He nodded and sipped his wine. “Yes. But I work on the domestic division.”

  There was something in his tone that told her he either didn’t like that or that was about to change. Where would he go after this? She didn’t want to think of him in Boston, let alone France. She put on a smile and held up her glass, glad to see her hand was steadier than her heart was beating.

  “To Chapman,” she said. “And to getting the job done.”

  He blinked at her then clinked his glass to hers. “To Harmony. For helping us get on with the job.”

  She took the praise for what it was worth. If she hadn’t found the plant growing all over the place he wouldn’t have been able to satisfy Chapman’s investors. Money was the bottom line for Rick’s company.

  “We both have our jobs to do,” she said.

  Rick nodded as he realigned the forks to his left. “I’ll be glad when this job is finished. Then I can get on to the next one.”