“I brought you the rest of the J.D. Robb series.”
“Thanks. I’m on book two already and was going to make a trip to your store for the rest. I googled the series. Glad to see there are a lot of them.” Del took the bag, stepping back.
Harper entered, following him. In moments, they were in the living room, and Del put the bag on the chair before facing him.
“How much do I owe you for the books?”
“Oh… nothing. A gift for a new In Death fan.” Harper glanced around nervously.
“Thanks. You came at a good time. The kids won’t be home for a few hours. Next time, we’ll have to set up a time for us to meet.” Del prowled toward him.
Harper watched his sensuous movements, caught by how he moved. Then it registered what Del was thinking.
“Wait. You think I’m here for sex?” he asked in disbelief.
“Why else would you be here?” Del asked, still moving toward him.
“I’m not here for sex with you,” Harper said firmly.
AT HIS words, Del stopped moving toward Harper. He studied the man who, after one meeting, had intrigued him. That itself was why he wanted Harper. Some of the things he’d heard from his brothers, Tomas, and Gerald did not match the man he’d met. They’d said he was calm and even-tempered. So far, Harper had called him an asshole on numerous occasions and cursed at him. After hearing all about Harper from the four men, he’d pictured a totally different person—one who was solemn and didn’t have a zest for life. Yet, with one look into Harper’s hazel eyes, Del knew he was nothing like he’d pictured him. There was an intensity to Harper, and he’d seen glimpses of his devilish side when they were in the park. Harper seemed affable, but had a fun-loving, wicked sense of humor. It created a warm feeling in the base of Del’s belly and made him hard.
He’d never felt such an uncontrollable need to be near or the impatience to have any man. Del had been sitting around the house alone since the boys were gone, and he’d given his housekeeper the day off. His thoughts had been consumed with trying to figure out why Harper, of all the men he’d met since being in town, made him feel so out of control. Hell, truth be told, he was the first man ever to knock Del off balance. And Del did not like it at all. He figured, fuck him and get it out of his system. Del studied Harper’s features and his black hair that fell around his face in a sexy disarray. He wondered how Harper would look spread out on his bed. If his eyes would get deeper and smoky-looking when he came. Harper licked his lips, which Del already noticed he only did when nervous.
“I don’t do just sex. I have to know the person first before doing that.”
Del studied him, then went with his gut that never led him wrong when he had to make a decision. “Okay.”
The relief was plain on Harper’s face. “Good.”
“Why did you come here, Harper?” Del straddled the armrest of the chair close to where Harper stood.
“To tell you I can’t have sex with you. And….”
“And?”
“To find out why you want to have sex with me.” Harper smiled, then said, “I was curious. People who know me are always telling me my curiosity can be annoying.”
“I find it irresistible. Another thing that makes you an intriguing man, Harper. That’s why I want to have sex with you,” Del said.
Harper frowned, shaking his head. “I don’t understand.”
Del tugged him closer gently. He lifted his finger and swished it in Harper’s ear. Harper looked startled, then grinned.
“You did not just give me an ear swirly.” Harper laughed.
“I did, because your ears must be clogged, so I cleared them.” Del shrugged.
Harper sat sideways on the armrest where Del was perched. Harper placed his hands on his upper legs and rubbed his hand along the fabric of his pants. Harper glanced at him, then repeated, “I’m not having sex with you.”
“I heard you. But we will.” Del was very sure of that.
“Now who isn’t listening?” Harper put his finger in Del’s ear and moved it around.
Del laughed. Harper stopped, removed his finger, then studied Del.
“Even if I was interested, I can’t possibly sleep with someone I don’t know first.” Harper licked his lips again.
“You’re repeating yourself a lot,” Del pointed out.
“And you didn’t have to point that out,” Harper retorted.
“I did since your ears seem to be clogged.” Del grinned, then spoke again. “Not sleeping with someone until you get to know him seems like you want a relationship. I’ve never been in one, so you would know better than me if that’s what you want. Is that what you want, Harper? A relationship?”
“Oh… of course not. That’s not what I’m saying at all. No sex between us. But we can be friends.” The shock on Harper’s face was genuine.
Del shook his head. The man had no clue what he wanted. Harper rose, looking at him.
“I just….”
“Yes?” Del was curious about the expression on his face.
He couldn’t decide if it was bafflement or something else. Suddenly, Harper leaned down and kissed him. He slid his fingers into Del’s hair, fisting it and yanking his head back, deepening the kiss. Del groaned, returning it. The taste of Harper was already becoming addictive. Harper withdrew as suddenly as he’d kissed him.
“Sorry, I ne—”
Del put his finger over Harper’s full lips. “Never apologize for kissing me.”
“It won’t happen again. Since we’re only going to be friends.”
“I’m not going to be your friend. I can’t just be your friend. The very idea is preposterous.” Del snorted.
Harper was a stubborn man and wasn’t seeing what was right in front of his face. Del would be sure to show him.
Harper scowled, then looked resigned. “Fine. Well, see you, then.”
Harper turned and walked away. Del stayed where he was, listening as the door opened, then closed. He threw back his head and laughed. Yep. Harper was indeed intriguing and would be a joy to get to know. Del walked to the window, glancing out at the SUV pulling out of his gate. Harper would be in his bed soon and didn’t even know it. Del was interested in Harper, and even if Harper didn’t admit it, he was also already thinking of Del sexually. That kiss proved it, as well as the look in his eyes. Harper was curious, and Del would use that to his advantage.
What are you going to do with him once you have him? Del sobered. Until he could answer that question to himself, he would not approach Harper.
Stop denying it. You already know what you want. Del did know what he wanted, and that was Harper as his own, but he didn’t know if it could work. There were many things he didn’t want anyone to know.
“Maybe I can have him, and he won’t need to know everything about me.” Del rubbed his fingers over the leather band on his right wrist. Del glanced at it and spoke again. “I won’t… no… I can’t tell him. No one can know.”
Breathing out, he noted the time and went out to the garden. In the spot he liked just beside the lake, Del sat, crossing his legs under him. Closing his eyes, he worked on getting calm, centering himself as he meditated. The time slipped away as he slid deeper into the calm within himself.
“Del!” Rey screamed.
Del smiled, opening one eye. Rey ran outside first, then seeing him, slowed, grinning that endearing smile that always made Del give in to whatever he wanted. Dar followed behind him. Then, seeing what Del was doing, he hurried over, sitting beside him. Del grinned at him, putting his hand on his hair, ruffling it.
“Come on, Rey. We can play videos until they’re done,” Bur said.
Del opened his other eye and viewed Bur and Gerald where they stood beside Rey on the patio. Rey was too much like Bur and always moving, so he didn’t have the patience for meditating. Dar, on the other hand, was like Del and Bernie—able to be still when necessary. Bur took Rey inside. Del wondered why Gerald lingered.
“I saw
Harper’s SUV earlier. What was he doing here?”
“We’re meditating, Gerald,” Del said, closing his eyes.
“Meditating. Talk later, Uncle Gerald,” Dar said.
Del opened one lid, seeing Dar was mirroring him. Dar had his hands palm up on his knees and legs crossed under him.
“I’m going to find out what is going on,” Gerald warned.
Del ignored him and went back to meditating. Dar was silent beside him. Del slipped back into the calm. Eventually, he rolled his shoulders and spoke.
“We’re done for today.” Del rose and helped Dar up.
“Okay, Del,” Dar said.
They walked toward the house.
“When will we see Harper again?” Dar asked.
“Soon. And remember what we talked about last night,” Del said.
“Sorry. We won’t leave your side again, even if it was well intentioned,” Dar said carefully.
Del stifled a chuckle. They mimicked him, and he had to be careful what he said, or it could be repeated.
“Good. Now about Harper… I’ll talk to you and Rey about him later.”
Dar nodded. After his meditation, Del was feeling calm and was clear on what he would do about the stubborn man named Harper.
Chapter Three
THE DOOR opened to reveal Harper’s exasperated face. Del put his hands on each of his brothers’ heads.
“There is this wonderful invention called a telephone. You pick it up and call to ask someone if it’s okay to come by. And if… only if… they agree, you come to their house. Is your phone broken, Del? Because that’s the only reason you could be at my door again when you didn’t call first.” Harper raised an eyebrow.
“Not the only one. I wanted to see you, and so did the boys. That’s why we all came by. Can we come in?” Del asked.
“I thought we weren’t going to be friends.” Harper stepped back.
“No—”
“You’re going to be his boyfriend,” Dar interjected.
Del winced, looking at him. “Remember, we’re going to work up to that. First, Harper and I need to talk. Go into the living room and watch some TV.”
The kids hugged Harper and did as Del bid. Del returned his attention to Harper. He couldn’t read what he was thinking.
“I brought food to make dinner. It’ll be chicken breast, wild rice, and broccoli.” Del held up the bag he was carrying.
Harper didn’t say anything as he led the way to the kitchen. Del put the grocery bag on the counter and put the backpack he held on the floor by the island, then glanced at Harper, who had taken a seat on a stool. Harper’s arms were crossed over his chest.
“This is not conducive to talking.” Del approached him, tapping his arms. “I noticed you do this whenever you’re blocking someone out.”
“I didn’t know I was doing it.” Harper lowered his arms, then said, “Talk, because I’m confused about this boyfriend thing.”
“You try explaining to a six-year-old why you might be having adult sleepovers.” Del rubbed his fingers up and down the bridge of his nose.
“You told the boys you were going to have sex with me? Are you crazy? We’re not having sex. I to—”
Del cut him off. “I’m not crazy. I’m honest with the boys. All I told them was that we were going to get to know each other, and maybe, if it went well, we’d be spending some nights here. And you would be spending nights with us.”
“But I thought you understood. We can’t be together.”
“Yes, we can. I’m willing to get to know you before anything else.” Del leaned on the counter next to where Harper sat.
Harper wrinkled his nose. “But for God’s sake, why?”
Del put his finger in Harper’s ear and moved it around.
“The ear thing again.” Harper rolled his eyes and took hold of Del’s hand.
Del turned his hand, holding on to Harper’s. “You’re not listening to me. I already told you more than once why.”
“But… I’m just me. Nothing special.”
“You really should have more self-confidence,” Del said.
Harper tightened his hold on Del’s hand, glaring, and then loosened his grip, yanking his hand away. “I know how I look, and I’m damn handsome. Sexy, even. I’m a catch. I have a job, I’m fairly sane, and….”
Del laughed as Harper stopped, scowling. Del could tell he was trying to come up with something else.
“Not an asshole, like some people I can mention, but I won’t, since I’m so polite.” Harper snapped his fingers. “Polite. I’m that too.”
“Don’t forget even-tempered and not at all prickly,” Del replied.
“I hear the sarcasm in your voice. But I’ll have you know, in my circle of friends, I’m known as the voice of reason.” Harper waved his hand at Del. “But something about you makes me….”
Del moved closer when he trailed off. “Nervous. Being around me makes you nervous.”
“Oh crap. Son of a bitch.” Harper’s eyes widened, and then he abruptly stood, stepping toward him. “We need to talk seriously about this.” Harper gripped Del’s hand, then slid his other hand behind Del’s head, pulling it forward to rest their foreheads together.
Del placed his hands around Harper’s waist, closing his eyes, inhaling Harper’s scent. It was fresh and made him want to hold Harper closer.
“Open your eyes. I need to see your eyes.” Harper sounded shaken.
Del opened his lids, meeting Harper’s hazel gaze. “What are we doing?”
Harper wrenched away, stepping back. Del kept hold of him, waiting for him to speak.
“It’s my ‘talk seriously’ pose. When I want to talk about something seriously, I take your hand and we put our foreheads together. It’s something my mom did when I was growing up. I showed it to… Karl and my friends. They’re used to me and my foibles. I did it automatically. Sorry.” Harper smiled weakly.
Del watched him, then said, “You don’t talk much about your family. And I don’t mean your friends. I mean blood relatives. Where are they?”
“Since my mom and dad died six years ago, I don’t talk to the rest of my family much. They take and take. The lot of them are no good at all, but they are family, so I would be there if they needed me. Karl hated them, but accepted the rare times I helped out. Pulled me back when it became too much. When Karl passed, I thought I needed them, since they were family, but all they were doing was making it worse. All they do is take. So I finally made that break and cut them out.” Harper gripped his arm. “My true family is my friends.”
“They mean a lot to you—your friends. You hang out together a lot and are all up in each others’ business,” Del stated.
“They do mean a lot. And yes, we do spend time together. They are interfering at times, but they mean well. They know when to back off if needed, and when to come on, no holds barred, if necessary.” Harper studied him a moment, then said, “I know you don’t get it. You’re very solitary.”
“I am, but I do understand. I have a few people I count on, and they’re my friends and family,” Del admitted.
“Jerrod, Sheldon, and your CEO… ummm, I think her name is Megan.”
“Yes, they’re a few. There are a couple more I’ll introduce you to soon.” Del was surprised Harper knew about the people in his life.
“I can tell I surprised you. I listen, and your brothers talk about you a lot.” Harper smiled.
“They talk about you a lot too. Although there’s a lot more things I still want to know about you.” Del pulled him close and redid Harper’s “talk seriously” pose before speaking again. “I want to get to know what makes Harper Hillman tick. What makes you laugh? What makes you get amorous?”
“You just want to get me in bed.” Harper laughed.
Del stared into his eyes, saying softly, “If that was all I wanted, I’d get you there.”
“But just….” Harper’s brow furrowed. “Two days ago, we finally met again, and you wanted—
”
“To have my wicked way with you. Which, if things go well, I still will. But that’s not all I want.” Del kissed him briefly.
“But I still don’t get why.”
“My finger is ready to clear out your ear,” Del warned. “So listen. I’ll say it one more time. You intrigue me, Harper. I want to figure out why. I find puzzles irresistible, and that’s what you are to me. A puzzle I want to uncover, one piece at a time.” Del kissed him briefly again, his heart pounding as he realized he was saying things he thought he never would to anyone. “I’m a hard bastard when it comes to things I want. I can be cold, standoffish. I—”
“What are you all doing?” Rey asked.
Del glanced down to where he and Dar stood by their sides. “This is Harper’s talking serious pose.”
“Like when you call us by our full names,” Dar said.
“Yes. Like that. Now give us some time. Take the backpack and do some work on your computers.” Del heard their footsteps as they did as he stated, then focused back on Harper, retaking his pose from before. “I am an asshole. I’m not a good catch at all. Not like you are.” Del winked as Harper chuckled. “But I want to find out if there’s something there between us. You have to admit, we have chemistry. Come on. I’ll grow on you if you give me a chance.”
“Like a wart on a hedgehog’s backside.”
“And I’ll bet you the hedgehog loves that wart.” Del couldn’t resist kissing him again quickly.
Harper’s gaze was steady, and he didn’t say anything for a long while.
“I don’t know what to expect from you. It’s as you said—you give off this cold attitude, and I don’t know what that makes me feel.” Harper’s grip on his hand tightened. “Yes, you make me nervous. Karl did the same when I met him. He wanted me and let me know it. When we first met, we didn’t talk about everything up front like this. Aren’t men supposed to be the tall, silent type? I thought that’s what you would be.”
Del tried to control his reaction, but couldn’t. “Don’t ever compare me to Karl. If we do this, don’t do that.”
Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles) Page 50