He stared at her. “So you’re the only one who came to the States?”
Memories of concert tours flashed and she forced them away. “Yes. I had been over here for a while and decided to stay.” Better that than to see all the disappointed faces of her family.
His eyes were sharp and assessing as he moved his gaze over her. As if he knew there was more to it than what she’d told him. “And now you teach music at the college?”
“That about sums it up.”
The look he gave her told her he didn’t believe it for a second.
“And you?” she asked quickly, wanting the attention off her.
“Me. Well, my family is bigger than yours is. There are six of us kids in all, but also the town is full of our cousins, aunts and uncles, so it feels larger most times. I have two older brothers, an older sister, then there are the two youngest sisters.”
“Wow.” Things had been crazy at times with just her solo brother. To have five siblings—it must have been a zoo.
He chuckled, a deep warm sound. “Yes. It had its moments.” A shrug. “Still does.”
She ducked her head and finished off her final piece of fried cheesecake. Stuffed, she rested her fork on the plate and leant back. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner.” She gave him a smile.
His gaze grew predatory and she felt an answering tremble in the pit of her belly.
“Why did you leave?”
Her protective barriers shot up immediately. “What does it matter?”
A loud rumble of thunder outside echoed the lightning in his eyes. “Why?” he asked again.
“I had my own room and my own plans.”
He didn’t approve of her answer—that much was obvious. His jaw flexed before he calmed down.
“Are you ready?”
The abrupt change in conversation threw her momentarily. “Of course.” She reached for her purse.
“You’re not paying.”
She jerked her gaze to him and realised it wasn’t a battle she’d win. “Thank you, then.”
He paid then escorted her back through the rain to his car. She hid her laugh as he muttered under his breath, cursing the rain. “I looked for you,” he said once he’d begun to drive. That surprised her and she was unsure of how to respond. “Even the next night at that auction. I searched everywhere for you.”
“I left after getting what I wanted. There was no reason for me to stay longer.” The moment she spoke the words she realised how they sounded, and she blushed. “Oh my goodness, I didn’t mean it like that. I… I…was talking about the vase.”
He gave a short bark of laughter. She looked at him and reached out a hand to lay it on his arm. It never got there. Through the windshield, headlights glared and Jonathon yelled, “Shit! Hang on!” then swerved off the road as an oncoming truck in the wrong lane barrelled past, showering them with even more water.
With her breath lodged in her throat, she gripped the edge of the seat and the door handle. The coupé bounced and skidded until they finally came to a halt.
“Are you okay?” he demanded, touching her as if he needed to ascertain it personally.
“I’m fine,” she said over the pounding of her heart. “Are you?”
“No,” he bit off. “I’m fucking pissed off. He could have killed us. Not only that, he didn’t stop to see if we were all right or not.”
Well, that was true. The road seemed to be deserted. She took a couple of deep breaths only to realise she was gripping his hand. Releasing it, she ran her palm over her mouth. That had been too close. Much too close. He started the engine, which had shut off, and put the car back in drive. The rear tyres began to spin.
He scowled, cursed and gunned the engine again. She could feel the car sinking further. She unbuckled her belt and reached for the door only to halt at his stare.
“Where are you going?”
“We’re stuck. All you’re doing is sinking us deeper. I was going to push.”
He stared at her as if she had three heads. “No way. I’ll go push, you drive.”
She pursed her lips to keep from asking the question she longed to. Him out in this weather didn’t make sense. Hell, he’d used an umbrella to get from the car to the restaurant. The man flicked pieces of lint off his immaculate dash. Now he was suggesting that he go out in a silk suit and push his car free of the mud?
Harmony didn’t want to bruise his pride so she said nothing. Besides, he could do with getting a bit dirty. He shrugged out of his dark blue jacket, which left him in a vest and white shirt. Her mouth watered a bit as she stared at his powerful torso.
He opened the door and vanished into the rainy night. She slid over into his seat and adjusted it to fit her shorter stature. Shifting into the lowest gear, she waited, her eyes flashing between the rear-view and side mirrors.
“Go!” he hollered.
Harmony gently gave it some gas and could feel it pulling free of the mire. The car lurched forward when the front tyres found solid purchase. She made sure to stop on the firm part of the shoulder and double-checked to ensure the hazards were flashing. Checking the mirrors, she frowned when she couldn’t spot Jonathon.
The passenger door opened and her eyes widened in shock at what entered. Mud covered him. Head to toe. The scowl on his face would have sent the Devil into hiding.
She had to bite the inside of her cheek in order to keep the laughter inside. He released a continuous litany of curses as he lowered his soaked and muddy body into the seat.
“Not a word,” he growled.
Holding up a hand in agreement, she shut off the hazards and got them on the road. She couldn’t help but keep looking at him, he looked so miserable and yet…so cute and rumpled. Not the stuffy man he normally portrayed.
“I see your grin, Harmony,” he said.
“I’m sorry… It’s just that…that… Well, you look”—she burst out laughing—“adorably miserable.”
His low rumble echoed in the small interior.
She did her best to compose herself. “Where am I going?”
“My house.”
A flutter appeared in her belly. “I don’t know how to get there.”
“You will.” His words were drenched with more than just a fleeting promise.
After he gave her directions, she concentrated on driving and not on the handsome yet mud-soaked man in the passenger seat. However, it didn’t escape her attention that the sexual tension between them seemed to increase the closer they got to his place.
Chapter Two
Jon sighed with relief as he stepped from his large shower and wrapped a blue towel around his waist. He was clean again. Rubbing his chest and face with another towel, he paused at the mirror and stared at his reflection. For a few minutes he stood there until he remembered he had a guest. After drying off quickly, he dressed in a pair of grey slacks and a tan, mock neck sweater.
He left his bedroom, fastening his watch on his wrist, and stopped abruptly at the top of his stairs. Staring over the edge, he found Harmony pretty much where he’d left her. By his large windows, beyond which the storm continued to make its presence known.
Harmony stood there, her left hand absently rubbing her right forearm in a continuous motion. A vague memory of a scar appeared in his mind but he couldn’t recall with absolute certainty—after all, there had been other things to think of at the time.
He made his way silently down the stairs and moved up behind her. She truly was beautiful. A perfect blend of African-American and Japanese. Black hair fell in long, thick, silken waves around her. He stared at her reflection in the window and took in her slight stature. She made him want to gather her close and protect her.
She barely reached his shoulder and he had personal knowledge that he could span her waist with his hands. Yet, despite how petite she was, they had fitted perfectly together in bed. Her body had cradled to his as if it had been made specifically for him.
“You seem like you feel better.”
“Much. Can I get you a drink of some kind?”
“No, thank you.” She smoothed her hands down along her hips. “I really need to get home. So, thank you again, for the meal, but—”
He captured her shoulders and turned her directly towards him. It took a bit to remember to focus on talking and not what the feel of her body touching his did to him. His cock hardened and he counted to ten before he felt he was in enough control.
“Why are you running? Again.”
He groaned under his breath when she dampened her lips. Her large eyes narrowed and he got the feeling he’d just messed up. Again. But if she had any anger it didn’t linger, nor did it show when she spoke.
“I am not running. I have things to do before I can crash for the night. I’ve been up since…well, really early.”
Stay here. With me. “I want to see you again.”
She shook her head. “I don’t believe that would be wise.”
Words he despised hearing. “Why not?”
“I… I am not looking to be involved with anyone else.”
He flashed a grin and drew her in closer. “Good. I am not into ménages.”
“Very funny.” She glanced at her watch. “I really need to get home.”
“Why? We were good together. Really good.”
She got this look in her eyes he recognised. He had sisters. Walls were going up and he would get nowhere.
“Let me get my keys and I’ll take you home.”
“Nonsense. I can call a taxi.”
He pinned her with a look, prompting her to snap her mouth shut. Reluctantly releasing her, he stepped back to get his keys. Harmony still stood by the windows, although her gaze was upon him.
“Come on,” he said, waving her over.
Together they headed for the kitchen and through to his garage. He ignored his car, which he would have detailed tomorrow, and headed for his SUV. Holding the door for her, he struggled not to pluck her from the seat and carry her back upstairs to his bed.
It’s like she has no clue how she affects me.
Locking up his libido, he climbed in and started the vehicle. He backed out of the garage into the continuing deluge and asked her where she lived. He didn’t need to ask for directions when she gave the address—he’d grown up in this city.
The ride to her place was done in silence. He manoeuvred to the kerb and put his SUV in park before facing her. She was in the process of unbuckling her seatbelt and he took the opportunity to stare. Her profile was serene and composed, yet there was a haughty air about her.
“Goodnight, Jonathon Wright.”
He freed himself from his own seatbelt and grabbed for the door.
“No, there’s no need for you to get out.”
“I will walk you to your door.”
Her musical laugh gave him pause. “No. I wouldn’t want you wet again.”
She gathered her items and jumped out before he could say another word. He watched her go up to the door and enter with a wave over her shoulder. Memorising the address, he pulled away. His body was almost rebelling against him for being so close to the woman he’d dreamt about nightly and letting her walk away.
In the rear-view mirror, he caught a glimpse of his expression. One he wore in court when he had the trap laid and just needed to spring it. Harmony Oshiro wouldn’t get away.
* * * *
For the first time since he’d met the unforgettable Harmony, he didn’t wake reaching for her. He’d found her and this was his city. She couldn’t hide from him, not in McKingley. Therefore, when he left his condo for the office, there was a smile lingering in his soul and a jaunty whistle in his head.
“Mr Wright, you have a visitor.”
Elisa, his administrative assistant, dragged his attention from the case he was currently studying. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he was pleased to know it was almost time to leave for the day. Could it be? Even as he wondered, he knew it couldn’t be Harmony. Elisa only said things like that when his family stopped by.
Sure enough, a few moments later, the door cracked open and a familiar face peeked around the edge. “Got a minute?”
“For you, Lis, always.” He closed the file and waved her in while getting up to greet her. After sharing a hug and kiss, he gestured her to the leather couch and sat near on a matching chair. “What’s up?”
“I need to borrow your car.”
He gave a short, disbelieving bark of laughter. “My CL600? Are you serious?”
She held his gaze and into hers leeched his downfall, the patented baby sister plead. He’d never been able to say no to her, especially with her eyes shimmering with tears poised to flow over. It mattered not that he knew they were crocodile tears—he hated to see her cry.
“I just got that car, Lis,” he said, trying to find some strength to resist. Brand new and it’s already in for a detailing.
“I won’t hurt it, Jon,” she said indignantly.
He ran a hand over his head. “Why do you feel you need my car?”
Something flashed in her gaze and he immediately grew suspicious. “It would just be for the rest of the day. I’d bring it to you late tonight or early tomorrow morning.”
“Why, Lis?” He added the tone he used in the courtroom when a witness was being treated as hostile. Her hands rubbed along her legs and he knew she was hiding something.
“Can’t you just lend it to me?”
“Did your Jeep break down or something like that?”
“No,” she replied immediately. “I just want something classier for tonight.”
“Dimitri has trucks.”
Her sigh said it all. She didn’t want to go to the eldest sibling. He had a way of acting like one of their parents.
“Tell me why.”
Her next sigh was one of resignation. “I have a dinner meeting with some people and I didn’t want to take my Jeep.”
“Dinner meeting? And you need my car.”
“Yes.”
“So this isn’t with Archer?”
She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “No. It’s a job offer.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you leaving McKingley?”
She shrugged. “Nothing’s concrete yet. Please don’t say anything to anyone. I just want a vehicle other than my dirty Jeep to climb out of in my dress.”
He pushed to his feet. “Don’t keep this from everyone, Lis. Including Archer.” He liked the man his sister was dating.
Lis glanced up at him, hope shimmering in her eyes. “Does this mean you’ll let me use it?”
He gave an exaggerated big brother sigh. “Yes. I’ll take you to the detailers to get it. But, Lis—not one scratch.”
She jumped up and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! I promise I’ll be gentle with it.” Drawing back, she frowned slightly. “One question, though—why is it at the detailer?”
Because I was covered head to foot with mud inside it.
“It was time,” he muttered. “Let’s go.”
He drove Lis and they chatted easily. At the dealership, they got out and made their way to the desk. A slender redhead sat there and grinned at them.
“Good evening, Mr Wright.”
“Evening, Fiona. Are we ready?”
“Yes, sir. All the mud has been removed. All clean again.”
“Mud?” Lis asked, turning to look up at him.
“Not now, Lis.”
Her chuckle didn’t make him feel any better. She would be asking about it later, he’d bet she would. He paid for his car and they walked out together to his waiting vehicle. He smiled at the man there before opening the door and sighing with relief that his car was, once again, spotless. The outside as well. Even the tyres shone.
He took a deep breath and glanced at his bab
y sister. Honestly, he expected her to be chomping at the bit to get in his car. She wasn’t even looking at it. Her gaze was fixated off in the distance and he could see the bags under her eyes. She fingered her necklace and he knew something was wrong—she only did that when worried or stressed. Still, when she looked at him she tried for a smile.
“Are you okay, Lis? Really?” he asked, reaching out to her.
“Yes. Thank you for letting me use your car. Did you want me to bring it to you tonight?”
Images of Harmony came to him. He smiled. “Tomorrow is fine.” No reason to interrupt his plans for the night.
“Okay.” A quick kiss. “Thank you, and I promise I’ll be very careful.”
You’d better. Although truth be told, he didn’t give a rat’s ass about the car, as long as his sister was okay.
Jon watched Lis slip behind the wheel and drive away with a wave. He headed to his SUV while checking the time. Harmony should be done by now, so he figured he’d take the chance to pick her up for dinner. Well, after he did a couple of things first.
* * * *
“Come on, Harmony, it won’t kill you.”
Harmony glanced at her friend who had an oyster on a half shell outstretched in her hand. “Get that nasty thing away from me,” she ordered, nose wrinkling in disgust.
Lana Kanseah sighed with her usual dramatic flair. As Harmony watched, she sucked it down. Harmony’s belly heaved with the thought of doing such a thing.
“So nasty,” she said at the look of pleasure on Lana’s face.
Lana winked. “So tasty.” She sucked another down. “You seem a bit quieter than usual. Are you okay?”
Harmony peered out of the window, staring across the street. Bella’s was over there. One of,—if not the—most prestigious restaurants in McKingley. She and Lana ate here, at Kell’s, every week knowing they’d never get in over there. Not that she wanted to—it was the beauty and majesty of the building that drew her. Bella’s was a place that called out to her—she longed to go in it and play. The acoustics must be amazing.
“Harmony?”
“I’m okay, Lana.” She sighed. “No, I lied. I’m not. Remember I told you about the guy I met at the auction in Las Cruces?”
Pure Harmony Page 2