Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
THE NEXT MORNING she was getting dressed when Bastian came out of the bathroom fastening his watch.
“We can spend the day here,” he said, coming up behind her to scoop her hair from her neck to taste her still sensitive flesh.
Excitement and arousal zipped and zapped. As it had all night.
“We’re in your mother’s house.”
“Do you have a thing for the kitchen?” he asked, sneaking his hands up her sweater to cup her breasts.
“The kitchen?” she asked, hitching her head his way. “Where did that—”
“We can’t do it in the kitchen here because there are people around,” he said. “We can do it in the kitchen at home.”
She laughed. This smart, respectable gentleman was horny as a teenager. God, he made her feel good.
“No, we can’t,” she said, trying to push his hands out of her top. As he fought to keep playing, she laughed. “I don’t have a thing for kitchens. I don’t have a thing for anywhere. Until last night I’d never done it outside of a bed.”
“Really?” he asked. “Now you’ve got the bedpost, the floor, and the shower checked off your list. There are plenty of other places to acquaint you with.”
It was nice to be bathed in the morning afterglow. These feelings were new. Invincible. Worshiped. Bastian gave her so much.
“Oh, how generous,” she said. “It’s already ten a.m. I’ve never slept so long in my life.”
“We didn’t do much sleeping to be fair.”
“Bastian,” she whimpered.
“Okay. Okay,” he said, concluding playtime with her breasts. “I don’t want to go downstairs, I might see that bastard from last night.”
She sighed. “Bastian, it wasn’t his fault. Technically, it was yours for granting him entry when we weren’t in the same room.”
“I didn’t think you’d be naked,” he said. “Do you think if I’d thought you were going to be any kind of naked I’d have been in a different room?”
“Yes, you’ve certainly mastered making your point. And to think I thought you were repulsed by my body.”
She grabbed her bag from the floor, and he immediately seized it.
“Your body is beautiful.”
“You snapped at me.”
“Because I wanted to make love to you so badly. Do you know what it’s like to want something so damn bad? God, I thought I’d explode.”
“Charmer,” she said and tried to grab her bag back.
He held it away from her. “You don’t carry the bags, I carry the bags.”
“What are you? My valet?” she asked. “I can carry a bag.”
“We’re rich, sweetheart, you never have to lift a finger again.”
Ah, dry wit. Good thing she could read it in him or that would’ve been offensive.
“I have to go home,” she said when his gaze slithered down her body. “I have to go home. I have a car to return tonight, remember? If I don’t leave your company, how can I return to it?”
“Keep the car,” he said, tossing her bag aside to bear down on her.
Her hands rose but he kept on coming until she was flush against the bedpost, palms flat on his chest.
She screeched. “Bastian!”
“I can be quick,” he said, caressing her hips and ass until he had the latter in his grip.
He squeezed her closer until her eyes flared.
It didn’t matter how many times she saw it, or had it inside her, he always felt overwhelming.
Rather than fear, the anxiety of accepting him made her mouth water.
She’d never been sex hungry before, never in her life.
She wriggled closer, lifting one leg to his hip.
He grabbed it to balance her, granting her access to rub her clit against the stimulation he offered.
“You’re so hot,” he muttered. Eyes closed, head back, she writhed, literally using him as a sex toy. Shit, what was wrong with her? Straightening, she tried to take her leg back but he held it higher. “Don’t be embarrassed. I want to share this with you.”
“It’s not much fun for you.”
His grin slid up slowly. “You’d be surprised, Sweet.”
She nudged his chest and he relented. “We’re late for breakfast.”
Somehow, it could only have been divine intervention, but they managed to separate and get downstairs to the Hunt breakfast table.
Greetings were exchanged, coffee was poured.
All civilized. She could do normal, respectful, social.
Could she? There had been points in the night the whole damn world was topsy-turvy. It wasn’t quite right on its axis yet.
“Did you decide?” Carolyn asked over the breakfast table. “Bastian?”
Bastian was frowning at her. Frowning wasn’t good. What did she do wrong? His parents and sister awaited his response, but his focus remained intent on her.
“Knight,” Harper said putting down her knife to cover his hand with hers.
“Hmm?” He snapped out of his daze and checked the faces around the circular table. “What?”
“Mom asked about August,” Keely said to him.
“Have you made a decision?” Carolyn asked.
“No,” Bastian said.
“We take a family vacation in August,” Carolyn explained. “By this time of the year we’ve usually decided on where. Do you have a preference?”
“Me?” Harper asked. “Why would I—”
“You’re family now,” Carolyn said. “Where in the world would you—”
“I voted for the Caribbean,” Keely said. “I know it’s been done, but there’s a reason it’s so popular.”
“Bastian and Harper may want to holiday alone this year,” Thomas said, picking up a folded newspaper.
“They can holiday together whenever,” Keely said. “This is family time, we have to get to know Harper too. Bastian can’t keep her all to himself forever.”
“We’ll do dinner together next weekend,” Thomas said, opening the paper to read.
“That’s very kind,” Harper said. “You’ll all be sick of the sight of me.”
“No, no, we love spending time as a family,” Carolyn said. “It’s the most important thing in the world.”
“We could go to Crimson Isle,” Keely said. “You’ll love it there. It’s Roxie’s island, so you can be totally in charge.”
“That’s not why we enjoy going there,” Carolyn added. “Though knowing the owner does have its advantages. Roxie is a wonderful hostess, I’m sorry I didn’t see her and Zairn leave last night.”
“They had to get to the club,” Harper said. “She’s so careful about taking care of people and makes them feel so important.” Even nobodies like her. “It’s a gift. She asked me to call her later.”
Everyone stalled. Instantly. Like she’d just admitted to murder or mayhem. Even Thomas peeked over the top of his newspaper. Trouble was, none of the faces hinted at the reason for the dramatic response.
“Did Roxie give you her phone number?” Carolyn asked.
“Yes. Why would that be strange?”
“The only time Roxie gives out her number is if she has no interest in speaking to you.”
She didn’t quite—
“Let me see,” Keely said, wiping her hands before extending one toward her.
She opened the contact and handed it over.
“I wouldn’t take it personally,” Carolyn said. “Sometimes that girl doesn’t know if she’s coming or going.”
Keely held the phone out to give it back. “You’re okay. It’s Zairn’s number.”
“That’s a good sign.” Carolyn’s lips curled. “You’ll get through to him, or Tibbs, at least. He’ll get you to Roxie.”
Tibbs, great! Whoever that was. She couldn’t wait.
“Where’s your phone?” Bastian asked his sister.
“Upstairs,” Keely said, “I think. Why? Forget to pay your bill? Need me to spot you?”
The brother’s mind was on a different track. “You know Zairn Lomond’s number by heart?”
A gleeful Keely chose that moment to grin. “Is there a woman on the planet who doesn’t? Much as we love Roxie, every one of us is waiting on that call.”
Though Bastian didn’t appear amused, it was pretty funny. Especially when Keely bobbed her brows upward and tossed a berry in her mouth.
Carolyn laughed. “Keely, sweetheart.”
“Do you know my number by heart?” Bastian asked.
“Nope,” Keely said. “Know Tripp Breckenridge’s though.”
“Gets better and better,” Bastian muttered.
“She’s playing with you,” Carolyn said. “Neither of those men would take advantage of your sister.”
“Know who would?” Keely asked, switching her focus to Harper. “Ricardo Whey.”
“Don’t go there,” Bastian said quickly.
“What did he say to you at the charity ball, Harper?” Keely ignored her brother. “I never get that close to him, he’s a total creep.”
“For those unprepared. He hides his true nature behind his money,” Carolyn added. “Yes, I have to say, that’s a man every young woman should avoid at any cost.”
“And his wife. She should avoid him too, she should run away. Fast.” Keely nodded. “I don’t know why that woman stays with him.”
“Money,” the Hunt parents said in unison.
A ringtone buzzed.
Bastian was the only one who didn’t hear it.
Harper squeezed his hand again. “Knight?”
“Hmm?” He sat up, grabbing his phone. “Hunt,” he answered and kissed her hand before getting up to pace out of the room.
Thomas smiled at his wife and disappeared through a different door.
“Do you want to come shopping with us today?” Keely asked.
“I have work to do today,” Harper said. “But thank you for the offer.”
Keely grinned at her mother. “Have you ever seen Bastian so out of it?”
“He knows what I think,” Carolyn said. “I hope you’re over your spat.”
Heat gathered in Harper’s cheeks. “Yes.”
“They had sex in his parents’ house.” Keely giggled. “I think they’re over it.”
“Keely,” Carolyn warned. “Don’t pry into your brother’s private life.”
“You reserve that right for yourself, Mom? Harper’s going to be my sister,” Keely said. “I don’t think it’s a surprise they’re crazy for each other.”
Bastian returned. “What’s going on?”
“I have to get to work,” Harper said, leaving the table.
“Two minutes alone with the family and she’s running for the hills,” Bastian said, coming to her side.
“I’m not running,” Harper said, tugging his tie lightly, which prompted him to kiss her. “I’ll call you about tonight.”
“We’ll talk about it in the car,” Bastian said.
“If you’re coming with me…” Harper smiled. “Why did you kiss me goodbye?”
Bastian gathered her up, holding her tight against his chest.
“Kissing you doesn’t need a reason, just an opportunity,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Phone if you need anything and happy anniversary again, Mom.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Harper said.
“I’ll phone you in the week and we’ll do lunch, just us girls together,” Carolyn said. “And we’ll insist about next weekend.”
Before she could get a word in, Bastian answered, “We’re busy next weekend.”
“All weekend?” Keely asked. “Dirty vacation?”
“She hasn’t decided yet,” Bastian said. “It’s her birthday.”
Keely squealed. “Your birthday!”
“What have you got planned?” Carolyn asked.
“Nothing,” Harper said.
Keely gasped. “You haven’t arranged anything for your girlfriend’s birthday? You’re a sucky boyfriend.”
“I’m disappointed, son.”
“I told her anything she wants,” Bastian said, “she hasn’t decided yet.”
“I’m happy with dinner,” Harper said.
“A big dinner party.” Keely had zeal in spades. “I’m in.”
“She may have meant privately,” Carolyn said. “But we can arrange a party if you would like.”
“We’ll talk about it in the week,” Bastian said. “Don’t pressure her, now we have to go.”
After the last goodbye, Bastian led her through the house to the large front door. His car sat waiting for them, as did the man who opened her door, tres formal.
“We can’t have a party,” Harper said when they were alone inside. “That would mean bringing our families together.”
“So?” he asked, driving toward the gates.
“We can’t bring them together, our families are too different.”
“They’ll have to get used to each other,” Bastian said.
“What if our stories don’t match?”
“We’ll talk about it in the week,” he said. “Gives me an excuse to phone you. About tonight—”
“Bastian I’m serious,” she said. “We can’t bring them together.”
“Everything will be fine, Sweet. I’ve got it under control.”
“They’ll embarrass me. Damon will show up, I don’t want him mouthing off in front of your parents.”
“They won’t think less of you for his behavior. Trust me, Sweet, it will be fine.”
She didn’t share his confidence but when he moved the conversation along, she didn’t persist. He’d get it after they did dinner with her family. That experience would teach him a lot, and maybe send him running for the hills.