by Jen Talty
"I'm more sour than sweet." She thought that might send a message that she wasn't interested, but he looped his arm over her shoulders, his thumb gliding over her bare skin. "Sweet and sour. That's a savory combination."
"Great comeback," she said with a nervous laugh. This man could easily make her want the human connection she’d sworn off. The last few months, going from one safe house after another, had been harder than she anticipated.
“Does that mean I get to taste this sweet and sour flavor?” He cupped her chin, staring into her eyes.
She couldn’t tear her gaze away, and she tried.
“You’ll have to wait until desert is served for a piece of pie.”
“I don’t want pie,” he whispered as he closed the door. “Go lay down, Coop.”
The dog made a funny gurgle, then jumped up on her sofa. She was about to tell him to get down, but Mason’s moist, hot lips collided with hers in a tangled web of passion.
Her skin burned with the kind of fire that could ignite a blaze deep in her core. One that she might never be able to put out.
She fisted her hand in his shirt, but instead of pushing him away, she pulled him closer. Her tongue coiled around his, matching his desire, and upping the stakes.
Sex.
It would be sex. Nothing more. Nothing less.
They were two grown adults with needs. Soon, he’d grow tired of her, finding out she wasn’t the girl for him. She didn’t want to get married or have kids, or any of that small-town family he wanted, and she’d make sure she told him every chance she could.
As soon as his mouth parted from hers.
And his hands stopped roaming her back side, heaving up her skirt, inch by inch.
His fingers dug into the back of her thighs as he effortlessly lifted her off the ground, wrapping her legs around his waist.
For half a second she thought about protesting, but then his foot hit the first step on the staircase leading to her bedroom.
“I guess we’re going to be late for the barbeque,” she murmured, nuzzling her lips against his neck.
“I’d say that is a safe bet.”
She stiffened at the choice of the word bet. He must have noticed because he paused mid-step.
“No betting necessary,” she said before flicking her tongue over his earlobe.
He groaned, kicking open the bedroom door. Lowering her on the bed, he quickly pulled his shirt over his head, showing off a smooth, bare chest.
His tanned skin looked so soft and silky, she had to touch it. She traced a path from his neck, down the center of his chest, raising up and pressing soft kisses as she made her way down to his naval.
It had been months since she’d been with a man and that hadn’t phased her in the least. She hadn’t thought about it or desired it. Sexual arousal had been dormant until she’d laid eyes on Mason.
Now it ran rampant, and there wasn’t a damn thing she wanted to do to stop it.
Gently, she lowered his zipper, releasing him from the confines of his jeans. His skin glistened in the sun’s rays reaching through the window like long fingers.
She ran her hands up and down, the desire building in her stomach, making her desperate.
He eased out of his jeans, standing at the foot of the bed, gloriously naked.
God, what a sight. His thick muscles flexed as he lowered himself to the bed. “Take off that dress,” he said in a dark, husky tone that rolled over her body like melting ice cream dripping down the side of a cone.
Reaching behind her with trembling fingers, she unzipped the back of her dress, letting her breasts fall out as she rolled it down to her hips.
He reached out, cupping her with both hands, letting his thumbs roll over her tight nipples. Her legs involuntarily opened. All she cared about was having him inside her, thrusting until she cried out. His warm mouth sucked and nibbled while his hands removed her dress, leaving her with only the tiniest of thongs.
Black lace.
He toyed with the elastic, rubbing against her few curls, dangerously close to her… “Oh, God,” she said with a moan as he glided two fingers inside.
He smiled like he’d found a hidden treasure.
Eager for a release, she rolled her hips with his motions, staring into his smoldering eyes, holding his passion-filled gaze, pleading with him.
He teased her, bringing her close to climax, only to stop and rock back on his heels, smiling, before starting again.
Two could play at that game.
She pushed him over on his back and straddled him, only she didn’t take the length of him inside. Instead, she rolled herself over him, enjoying the way he hissed and how his hands kneaded her breasts.
“Hang on,” he said, grabbing her hips and stopping her movement.
She frowned as he grabbed his jeans that were on the side of the bed.
“Condom,” he said.
“Good call.” How could she have been so stupid? She’d made that mistake once, and it resulted in a tragedy so monumental, she still wasn’t sure if she was over it.
Or if she’d ever get over it.
He covered himself with the condom, and she eased him inside. The pit of her stomach rumbled in anticipation of what was about to come. She thought she wanted to savor the moment. Let it build slowly, teasing him as much as he had with her, but her frantic need took over.
And he didn’t mind, his hands on her hips, squeezing hard as she rode over him, grinding wildly as her insides exploded like the finale of fireworks on the Fourth of July.
He rolled her to her back, slowing his motions as one wave of satisfaction after the other poured out of her like a fire hydrant on full blast.
His thrusts came in quicker, short bursts as he sucked on her earlobe, grunting until his body went rigid and an encore of fireworks filled her body.
For a long time, he lay on top of her, while they both caught their breath. He kissed her neck and cheek. She massaged his back and shoulders.
Minutes ticked by and neither one said a word, and the silence made her uneasy.
“We should probably go,” she whispered.
He raised up on his elbow, shifting his weight to the side. “I didn’t intend for this to happen.”
“But you had a condom in your back pocket.”
He let out a nervous laugh. “I’m a single man. I have one with me at all times.”
She opened her mouth, but he hushed her with his fingers.
“Not that I’ve needed one in a long time, and this was so unexpected.”
She didn’t know how to respond to that, except for she wasn’t sure they should do it again.
No, she knew it would have to end.
“Why don’t we get dressed and head to the barbeque. We can talk about this later.”
He arched a brow.
“Like you said, unexpected and maybe way too fast.”
Chapter 4
"I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE.”
"What’s that?” Harmony wanted to be uncomfortable walking down the street, into town, knowing everyone would notice the most eligible bachelor arm in arm with the newest single female. That would cause quite a stir at the water cooler or bus stop tomorrow.
"I sort of let my family believe we are on an official date,” Mason said.
She paused just before they turned onto Main Street. "Why?" She swallowed the thick lump in her throat. The idea that she could be pulled from this identity at any given moment tore at her heart for the first time. For months, she hadn’t cared as she learned the ins and outs of her new persona, figuring after the trial, she’d end up having to learn a new one.
That was fine by her.
Until she met Mason. Going to bed with him had been a big mistake.
“For starters, Lilly’s mother is friends with my mom, and she’s tired of hearing about how we should be a couple, when she knows we are so not right for each other.”
“Always good when your mom has your back.”
He nodded,
their hands swaying back and forth in tune with Coop’s heavy panting.
“And it also serves to get my mom off my back about being single and not adding more than a dog to the family.”
“So, what happens when they find out we’re not dating?” she asked. The familiar tug of wanting someone to share a glass of wine with in the evening filled her mind and heart. For a long time, she and Lucas had it all, and if she were being completely honest, she’d been head over heels in love with him.
The second he was ready and willing to punch her in the face was when she realized his idea of love was something entirely different than hers.
“That’s just it, I’d like to date you, but—”
“You regret what just happened.”
“I don’t regret it” he said, pulling his hand away. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t think this through. I mean, you are sweet, and fun, and I do enjoy your company, but it feels like I’m using this to get my family off my back and that’s not fair to you, especially when I do like you.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’m using you to get business. So, maybe that makes us even.”
Talk about flipping a switch. Mason went from hot to cold faster than a sports car.
“Not even a little.” He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and turned. “I’ve had two serious girlfriends in my life. One married my best friend.”
“That really sucks,” she said, instinctively reaching out and wrapping her fingers around his biceps.
He glanced down.
She immediately let her arm fall to the side, remembering the look he’d given Lilly. No way would she ever be like Lilly.
“Well, we were in high school, but she was my first love.”
Harmony suspected his first bed partner as well. She cringed, remembering her first time having sex. It hadn’t been pleasant, and she certainly didn’t want to be with that guy a second time.
“She and her husband still live around here?”
He nodded. “You’ll meet them today. He’s a fireman, and she works with my sister at the high school. She’s also pregnant with their second kid, and I think every time my mom sees that, she starts pushing again.”
“Can I ask about the second serious girlfriend?” She sucked in a breath, wondering why on earth she would ask for more information about his failed love life. Not only was it rude, but it showed interest, and they seemed to be establishing that neither of them wanted to get involved. That their time in bed was a one-time thing.
And that was for the best.
“She spent two years with me while I was in the military. I came home, and brought her back here with me. Long story short, she hated small-town life and ran off with some guy she’d met while back in New York visiting family.”
“How long ago was that?” Really, Harmony, shut the fuck up.
“A long time ago, and I’m over it, but you’ve been hinting on and off that you’re either not interested, or not ready, or whatever, and I need to respect that, not seduce you.”
“I was a very willing participant.” And here comes a truth that she could live with. “You’re a nice guy, and I also enjoy you and your damned mutt, but I’m a lot fresher off a bad relationship and—”
“Say no more.” He turned, tugging on Coop’s leash. “Let’s just enjoy the barbeque. No strings attached. And tomorrow, everyone can say what they want, and we can just let it fade into nothing, or we can go on another date.”
“Now you’re confusing me,” she said, following him down the street toward a makeshift stage where a band tested their instruments for a performance later in the afternoon.
“I’m a walking contradiction right now.”
“You know, we can still be friends, even though our budding romance won’t last past this one date,” she said, laying down the law.
Coop moaned, glancing up at them both with wide puppy eyes.
“Don’t worry.” She patted the dog’s head. “You can come over anytime you want.”
“Uncle Mason!” a young boy yelled as they turned onto Adam Street heading toward the park.
Coop howled with a happy gurgle as he tried to hurl himself forward, but Mason pulled him back.
“Heel,” Mason said, and the dog sighed, but did as his owner commanded. “Good dog.”
“Did you train Coop yourself?”
He nodded. “Hey, dude,” Mason said, holding up his hand for a good fist pound. “Brian, this is Miss Baker.”
“You can call me Harmony,” she said, not liking the sound of Miss anything.
“I’ve heard about you. My mom said you’re going to help plan a stellar Star Wars party.”
“That I am,” she said, reminding herself she needed to download all the Star Wars movies and give herself a crash course in everything from Yoda to the Dark Lord. “Maybe you can tell me some of your favorite parts so I can focus on those.”
“Sure thing. Are you sitting with us?”
“Yes, she is,” Mason said before she could interject, but she would have confirmed the boy’s suspicions.
Part of her didn’t want the charade to end, but it would be just that. A charade.
And what would happen when something went wrong within the Witness Protection Program and she had to disappear?
Not that she’d be girlfriend number three who left him…oh, that was a weird thought, one she never wanted to contemplate again.
No more sex and that was final.
“Come on, then. Mom and Dad got a great spot, and Grandma and Grandpa are already here.”
“Lead the way, my man,” Mason said.
The other part of her kicked in and she wanted to all of a sudden take ill so she could run home.
“Harmony, it’s so good to see you again,” Kate, his sister, said as she waved from her spot on a blanket. “I’d get up, but…” She pointed to a toddler sleeping in her lap. “Jessica here decided it was naptime.”
“No worries,” Harmony said with a timid voice. Never in her life had she been shy, and she’d always been known for saying exactly what had been on her mind, a trait she often wondered might have contributed to her mother’s suicide.
The counselor told her under no circumstances did her actions in any way lead to her mother’s death, but a small piece of Harmony would always wonder if the cruel things she’d said about the way her mother chose to live her life had hurried the process along.
Coop made a complete circle before lying down next to Kate, resting his head on her leg, nuzzling the small child.
That damn dog had gone and stolen her heart.
“And the man standing in front of that grill over there,” Mason said, looping his arm over Harmony’s shoulders and pointing, “is Harvey, Kate’s husband. Next to him is my dad, William.”
“And I’m his mother, Joan,” a woman’s voice rang out from her left. “And this is Trevor. Say hello, Trevor.”
Harmony turned and smiled. A stunning woman with white-silver hair, blue eyes, soft-looking skin, and a body any twenty-year-old would die for stood two feet away holding the hand of a shy boy, who gripped her leg, resting his cheek against her thigh.
“Hi,” Trevor managed to squeak out.
She bent over, extending her fist, which earned her a smile and a quick pound. “My name is Harmony.”
“We’ve heard so much about you,” his mother said. “My daughter tells me you’ve got quite the impressive shop for an event planner.”
“Thank you. I hope you’ll stop in sometime.” Harmony forced herself to keep her hands at her sides, when she really wanted to fold them over her chest, closing herself off from everyone. Living in a big city, you knew a lot of people, but there wasn’t this sense of actually knowing much about anyone. Whereas, in just a few days, she felt like she’d been intimate with half the town, now including Mason’s mother.
Talk about an ick factor.
Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She thought about not taking it out and glancing at it, bec
ause that could be seen as rude, but she couldn’t imagine who the hell would be calling her. Almost no one had her number.
She glanced at the caller screen. “Oh no,” she whispered.
“What is it?” Mason asked.
“It’s the alarm company for the shop. Hello?” She pressed the phone to her ear.
“This is AMR Business Monitoring. You have two zones going off. Are you at Harmony’s Mistake?”
“No. I’m not.”
“Shall we dispatch the police?”
She glanced at Mason, who held his phone in his hand. He nodded, as if he’d heard the other end of the conversation.
Maybe he had.
“I’m only a block away.”
“Let’s have the police take a look, okay?”
“All right,” she said.
“They’ve been dispatched. Three minutes away.”
Harmony tapped her phone. “Excuse me, I need to check on something at the shop.”
“I’ll go with you.” Mason handed the leash to his sister. “We’ll be back shortly.”
“Is everyone okay?” his mother asked as he took Harmony by the hand.
“Not sure, but I’ll be in touch.” They walked out of the park. “Your business wasn’t the only one where the alarm was tripped,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Is that good or bad?”
“Neither, but my boss thinks it might be a few teenagers who have been getting into some trouble, and often during annual events, these things happen.”
By the time they got to her storefront, a fire truck and one police car were parked outside.
A woman holding a small boy and obviously pregnant waved.
“That’s Carol. Her husband is Jake, a fireman.” Mason pointed to a man leaning against the truck.
“That’s the girl who left you for your best friend?”
“Yep, and now I’m leaving you with her. I need to go find out what is going on. Stay close to her.” He waved and then took off in a jog.
Wonderful.
“Hi,” the woman said, shifting the kid on her hip. The sun hit her auburn hair, giving it a bright-red flavor. She also sported freckles, though not many. “You must be Harmony.”