The Summer of Us: A Romance Anthology

by AJ Matthews

  Good lord his hot skin burned against hers. More than once Harper imagined what Riley would look like without his shirt on and the reality did not disappoint. Soft skin covered hard muscles that contoured into that ever-enticing V from the hips. She traced her fingers over every single curve and line as his lips left hers to trace down her neck, not stopping until he reached the swells of her breasts sending a shiver all the way to her toes. Her back dug into the counter behind her but she couldn’t care about that. Riley’s tongue worked their magic, licking her skin, stroking her tongue and owning her in general.

  “Come on,” he barked then grabbed her hand and led them through the living room, up the stairs until they were in a bedroom.

  His bedroom.

  The room had a manly touch but certainly, a man that had grown accustomed to order. Harper didn’t take much time to catalog the room; there were more important matters at hand.

  And at that moment, her hand worked the button on his jeans quickly, popping it apart then yanking the zipper open. Riley pulled her mouth back to his, tickling her lips at the seam. She opened, letting him consume her once again.

  She could kiss him all day.

  Then again, she had other needs beyond kissing.

  The simple act of her dropping to her knees made Riley groan and let his head fall back limply. Harper schooled the tiny grin that spread across her face. This was one of her favorite parts. The way she could make him feel caused heated desire to pool in her stomach.

  Harper used every trick she’d learned to push him toward the edge. When his hand fisted in her hair on the back of her head, pulling the strands tightly, she knew it worked.

  “Harper,” he warned out of breath.

  She pulled back and stood upright as his mouth crashed back onto hers. He didn’t wait for her to open for him, instead, he pushed past her lips and found her tongue waiting.

  In the next moment, they were on the bed, naked, their clothes yanked off in a rush of shaky, awkward movements. Riley slipped a condom on and then slid into her. A moan escaped her lips as he filled her completely. Then they started moving. It didn’t take long for them to find each other’s rhythm.

  Riley pushed Harper to the brink. To push her over, he snaked a hand between them, finding her pleasure spot making her gasp. Moments later, she fell off that edge and he tumbled right after.

  Gasping for air, he didn’t move off her right away and she didn’t rush him. They had time. Actually, Harper knew she’d miss his weight pressing against her. Finally, though, he did roll over onto his back to catch his breath while she did the same.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said.

  The floor creaked under his weight as he entered the bathroom. Standard procedure to dispose of the condom. She didn’t have to guess where he’d gone. Instead, she laid there staring at the ceiling reliving every single moment of what they’d done. And she did it with a satisfied smile on her face.

  So wrapped up in the memory, she didn’t feel him fall into the bed beside her until he took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “Are you going to the beach with us next weekend?” She asked.

  “Zoey mentioned it.”

  “So…”

  He shrugged. “Probably.”

  Harper pushed herself up then swung her legs over the edge of the bed and snatched her panties from the floor. Once they were in place, she grabbed her shorts and pulled them up her hips. She glanced around for her bra.

  “You’re leaving?” Riley asked as she snapped the contraption closed.

  Harper turned toward him to find him lying there in all his gorgeous glory in the moonlight, bare-chested and looking fully satisfied. It made her rethink leaving. “Zoey’s probably already wondering where I am.”

  Riley went quiet. Harper turned for the door but stopped right before she crossed through.

  “Um…thanks for…everything,” she said then left not waiting for his reply.

  She found her shirt in the kitchen where they’d dropped it next to his. For a split second, she thought about snagging his as well. He always smelled good, even when greasy at the shop; she thought taking that with her wouldn’t hurt. Then again, he might think she was some kind of clothes stealing stalker so she passed.

  Zoey sat on the couch with her legs tucked underneath her when Harper quietly entered the apartment.

  “And just where have you been young lady?” Zoey snapped as any good parent would. But Zoey rolled her eyes.

  “I haven’t broken curfew, Mom.”

  “It’s past midnight.”

  Was it? A quick glance at the clock on top of her dresser confirmed. It didn’t seem like they’d been together that long but apparently, they had been.

  “We were worried sick.”

  Harper put both hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes on Wyatt.

  “Weren’t you supposed to tire her out? Seems like someone isn’t doing his job.”

  Wyatt chuckled. It wasn’t his normal laugh. That one was full, sometimes loud. This laugh belonged to a man who’d rather be asleep.

  “She is tired. Trust me.” He tugged on a chunk of Zoey’s hair. “But insisted we wait up for you.”

  “I’m a big girl, Zoey. Don’t worry.”

  Zoey dropped her feet to the floor and stood to her full, albeit minuscule height and cataloged her friend’s appearance. Harper hadn’t looked in the mirror before leaving Riley. She could only imagine what she looked like. She needed a shower. Her hair wild and probably her skin glowing would make things obvious. Maybe not if she could get into the bathroom quickly.

  “I’m gonna grab a quick shower.”

  Harper didn’t take one step before Zoey gasped.

  “Who’d you hook up with?” Zoey asked. “Best friend. I get details.”

  “Who says I hooked up with anyone?”

  “I’ve known you too long. I can tell. Spill.”

  Harper glanced at Wyatt then back to Zoey.

  “I can make him go to the other room if you’d be more comfortable,” she offered.

  Harper shook her head. “You don’t want details this time, Zoey.”

  “I always want details. I’ll give you the low down in return if it’ll make you feel better.”

  Wyatt groaned to which Harper couldn’t help but giggle.

  “Sorry, Buddy. I’ve already heard it all.”

  “Fantastic,” he said dryly.

  “No worries. Zoey puts you in a good light.”

  He groaned again and this time Zoey couldn’t help but smile too.

  “Come on, Harper,” she pushed.

  “Zoey.” Harper took a deep breath. “You do not want details this time. Trust me.”

  Zoey growled. Actually growled. Harper just about to ended the conversation when Wyatt stepped in, standing then pulling on Zoey’s arm to get her attention.

  “Come on, baby. Put it together in that beautiful head of yours and let’s go to bed.”

  Zoey’s entire face pinched together as she looked at him. Wyatt glanced over at Harper, winking which meant he’d put together that she’d been with Riley. Then they both waited.

  Harper sighed again and crossed her arms under her breasts.

  “It was Riley, Zoey. And I don’t think you want details on this but if you do…you’re brother has the biggest—”

  Zoey closed her eyes and slapped her hands over her ears. “No. No. God stop.”

  When Harper stopped laughing she said, “I was going to say smile but you can let your imagination run wild.”

  “I hate you,” Zoey said with a smirk.

  “You love me. Now can I go take a shower?”

  Zoey waved her hand in the air in front of her which Harper took as confirmation and headed to the shower with a smile.

  Chapter Four

  Two days after being with Harper, Riley sat in his office trying to put an order for parts in. His brain wasn’t cooperating. Like at all. He kept going back to how Harper felt against him. How
her mouth wrapped around his dick. And how that dick slid in and out of her tight body. It was becoming a problem. Then again, she would be in town for the summer which meant there could be a repeat before she left and he wouldn’t argue against it. There were a few more things he’d like to do with her before she went home.

  It’s a good thing Riley wasn’t a relationship guy or he’d be fucked up over the fact that she’d go back home eventually. He hoped that when he did see her again things wouldn’t be weird. He’d been comfortable with Harper, though. She didn’t seem like a clingy girl in the least.

  “Can I wait in here with you?” The fucking voice of an angel asked as he stared at the computer screen not seeing anything on it.

  Did she sound like an angel before? He couldn’t be sure.

  “Why?” He glanced up.

  Harper shrugged. “Because your sister and her boyfriend are being gross out there.”

  Riley groaned and rubbed his hand over his forehead. “Why do they do that shit in here?”

  “They’re in love.”

  “Well, they need to knock it the fuck off. Especially in my garage.”

  Harper laughed that sweet quiet one she sometimes let go of. Sometimes loud and confident while other times soft and reserved. The girl remained a mystery.

  “Things could be worse.”

  “I don’t think they could,” he said. “My best friend hooking up with my sister is probably the worst case scenario.”

  “Hooking up?” She rolled those beautiful blues. “It’s love, Riley. Don’t fight it.”

  “I’m not going to fight it but I might need to fight him.”

  She laughed again. “Yeah, well, you don’t stay with them. The things I’ve heard—”

  “Please, stop,” he said with a groan.

  “You know, you and Zoey are more alike than I thought.”

  He leaned back in his chair and crossed his large muscled arms over his chest.

  “Well…when I came home the other night…”

  “You told her?” He sprung up from his chair.

  “No.” She shook her head. “But she knew I’d been with someone and Wyatt figured it out. She smacked her hands over her ears begging me to stop talking. So, I’d say you two are pretty alike.”

  He nodded slowly. “Wyatt figured it out?” She nodded then pushed a strand of red hair behind her ear. “Bastard has always been too perceptive.”

  “Is that a problem? That they know we hooked up?” This voice belonged to the quiet, reserved Harper.

  “I don’t care if you don’t.”

  She thought about that for a second making him start to sweat at the idea she’d want to keep him a secret. Then again, he didn’t want people in his business either.

  “I don’t care,” she said with a shrug.

  “Harper comes on,” Zoey called. “I’m not coming in there to get you. Don’t want to be scarred for life.”

  “Coming,” Harper called back.

  “Personal,” Zoey returned.

  “Fuck. My sister is such a smartass.”

  “I know. It’s why we get along.” Harper stood there another moment. “We’re shopping today. She wants a new bikini for the beach tomorrow.”

  “Have fun,” he said dropping back in his chair.

  Almost as soon as the girls left, which Riley knew by the fact that their high-pitched laughter no longer echoed off the concrete wall of the garage, Wyatt came in and dropped into the chair by the door. Riley did his best to ignore the three snorts Wyatt unleashed to get his attention. It turned out to be a futile attempt because instead of getting the hint and leaving, Wyatt began talking.

  “So, Harper…”

  “Get back to work,” Riley said without looking over.

  “Was this a one-time thing or…”

  “You know the answer to that, McCann.”

  “She’s smart…funny…not hard to look at…”

  Riley pushed his chair back and gave Wyatt his best glare. “Maybe you should date her.”

  “Nah. I’m head over heels for your sister.”

  Riley’s jaw tightened. “Fuck you.”

  “I’m just saying. A relationship wouldn’t be the end of the world you know. You aren’t shipping out anywhere.”

  Riley clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together before forming an answer.

  “Who’s to say I even want anything more from her?” Riley asked.

  Wyatt stared at him for what felt like forever. “I know you, buddy. I know the way you look at her isn’t the way you look at a random hook-up. I see the way you smile at the stupid shit she says to Zoey. You and I don’t call them out on that stupid shit or the fucking constant giggling.” Wyatt rolled his eyes and sighed. “That alone says something.”

  “She doesn’t even live here.”

  “So, distance is the problem? Kinda makes you a pussy.”

  That clenched jaw became a chuckle as Riley let his head fall back.

  “How’s that?”

  Wyatt leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

  “Do you for a second think I’d let a fucking world come between me and your sister let alone a goddamned hour? An hour is nothing. Don’t be an asshole.”

  Riley didn’t want to admit Wyatt wasn’t wrong. Using the fact that Harper lived an hour away as a reason they couldn’t date was stupid. It did make him a pussy. But it was easier than caring and having everything fall apart.

  “Get back to work,” Riley said instead.

  Wyatt’s low, knowing chuckle pissed Riley off even more. He got what Wyatt meant. How they’d both forgone any kind of emotional attachment for years to avoid leaving another person grieving if one or other died while deployed. When they’d both been shot in the same firefight, that decision made even more sense. Sure, now Riley knew how easy staying single was for Wyatt since he’d been pining over Riley’s sister, but it’d been easy for Riley as well.

  They got back to work. That didn’t mean Harper didn’t consume Riley’s thoughts. He needed to knock that shit off. They were going to be spending the day together at the beach on Saturday.

  “Was it weird in the office?” Zoey asked Harper as they left the first store. Neither purchased anything.

  Harper stopped and looked at her friend. “Why would it be weird?”

  “Well…you two…”

  “Zoey, we’re adults. We had sex. It’s not a big deal.” She got moving again. “Maybe it was a one-time thing, maybe it wasn’t. I don’t know.”

  “So, maybe—”

  “No stop.” Harper threw her hand up. “Don’t do that, Zoey. Your brother doesn’t do relationships. You told me that yourself. And I don’t think I remember how to do a relationship anyway.”

  “Doesn’t mean I can’t hope there’s a spark. I mean my brother…my best friend.”

  “Oh, there was a spark of something.” Harper snort while Zoey scrunched her face up. “And I’m not sure Riley thinks his best friend and sister together is the best thing to happen in the world.”

  “Oh, he does. He just doesn’t know it yet.” The two of them entered a second store. “He knows Wyatt never gives less than one hundred percent. He knows I’ll be taken care of.”

  “Yeah,” she said then bumped Zoey’s hip with her own. “Wyatt is pretty great.”

  Zoey’s entire face exploded in a smile. “He’s the best.”

  “Well, let’s find some sexy bathing suits.”

  Three hours and two more stores later, each bought two suits, a new cover-up, and beach towels. Then they stopped at the grocery store to get drinks and snacks since they planned to be at the beach the entire day.

  “Let me grab that,” Wyatt said as the girls got through the apartment door. He took the heavy bag from Harper then grabbed the one Zoey carried.

  “Is there more in the car?” Harper really hadn’t expected to hear that voice. Riley stood right in front of them.

  “Yup,” Zoey answered because Harper paused to take hi
m in. “A bunch. Unload it for us?”

  Riley gave a quick nod then went out the door, Wyatt right behind him.

  Damn, that man looked good in shorts and a t-shirt. But he’d look good in anything.

  “You two are prepared for tomorrow, huh?” Wyatt asked.

  “We plan to be there aaaaalllll day,” Zoey answered. “A day you both have off? I doubt it’ll happen again this decade. Unless one of you gets married.”

  The room grew deathly silent. Harper glanced at each one of them, reading their body language. It’s not like it would be a shock when Wyatt and Zoey got married. Zoey had thought about what it’d be like to marry him all through college. There were many conversations between the two about him long before they became a couple.

  “What are we doing for dinner?” Zoey asked.

  “Oh. Um…” Harper tapped her chin while she thought about what sounded good. “Chinese. Definitely Chinese.”

  “Totally Chinese.”

  Zoey called the order in then sent the guys to pick it up. Once they returned, the group settled in the living room.

  “Remember when we used to play reverse strip poker?” Harper asked Zoey.

  “Oh, that was the best.”

  Wyatt’s eyebrows slammed down over his eyes. “You played strip poker?”

  Zoey shook her head. “Reverse strip poker.”

  “What the hell’s the difference?”

  “When you lost, instead of taking off a piece of clothes, you put one on.”

  “What’s the fun in that?”

  Harper giggled. “Well, we’d wear something really cute and we’d always win. We played teams. Since the guys didn’t want us to cover up, they’d always lose. They’d look like the Marshmallow Man trying to get up off the floor.” The girls laughed hard enough that their words ran together.

  “What else did you two reverse on those unsuspecting college guys?” Wyatt asked.

  “Oh.” Zoey shot up straighter. “Remember reverse truth or dare?”

  “Oh, that was epic.”

  “You two were trouble weren’t you?” Wyatt asked.

  Zoey shrugged. “Maybe.”