Lenny threw the biggest bitch-fit when the paintball nailed him square between his shoulder blades. I watched him from my hidden spot where I’d shot him. While taking out a guy from my team seemed counterproductive, I’d never been a team player. Besides, Harlow was out in the woods somewhere and no way would I allow Lenny near her.
From my hiding hole, I shot one of Cooper’s lackeys. More targets might have wandered into my web except the scent of slow cooked meat killed my patience. I decided to stop hiding and searching for a target.
Walking slowly through the woods, I heard Tucker Johansson’s version of whispering. My footsteps no longer careful, I hurried towards my target. Tucker didn’t see me. He was too focused on Cooper who wanted a shot at the twins. I grinned at their childish need to one-up brothers not so unlike them.
My shot hit Tucker in the same spot I nailed Lenny. He yelled in surprise then Cooper turned and fired on me. I looked down at the blue spot on my green tee and smiled.
“I’m getting some barbecue.”
Cooper frowned while Tucker jumped around pissed that he was out. I left the brothers to their bitching and made the long walk through the woods. Ignoring my compass, I followed the scent of meat until I reached the house.
On the top deck, Kirk and Jodi worked the grills and slow cooker. Nearby Mikey and Arlo hid under an umbrella while texting on their phones. The Johansson sisters brought the men drinks, playing hostesses to their parents' special guests. Half of the paintball players were already out of the game, but Harlow wasn’t one of them. I took a sandwich and large glass of whiskey tea to a shaded spot and waited for her to appear.
Clearly pissed, Harlow stomped out of the woods and straight towards me. Despite her irritation, I loved the view. Camo was a good look on her and the faint paint looked sexy as hell.
“Did you tell those douches they couldn’t shoot me?”
I patted the bench and she plopped down next to me. “The only spots on your body that can take a shot from a paintball gun without hurting too much are your butt and thighs. I figured you wouldn’t like having a man shoot you in the ass, so I told them outer thighs only.”
Harlow’s angry pout faded and a smile took its place. “Those guys are bigger, so it’s only fair that I get special treatment,” she said, wiping sweat from her forehead. “So how come you already got knocked out?”
“I smelled the smoked meat and decided to call it a day. Now, I’m eating. Have a bite.”
Harlow took the bun and bit into it. Moaning her approval, she smiled at me. “I thought you didn’t share?”
“You’ve been a bad influence.”
Her smile made me squirm. She was too open and trusting while I remained closed off and hesitant to share. Leaving her to finish the sandwich, I walked up the stairs to the deck where club guys and their families hung out. I made two sandwiches and another glass of tea. When I returned, Harlow’s face was flushed even more.
“This has liquor in it,” she said, studying the tea.
“Yep.”
“I don’t drink much,” she said, sipping it. “I might act weird and make stupid declarations. If I do, don’t take it personal.”
Grinning, I set down the food and drink on the picnic table. “I wouldn’t mind going back to the hotel and taking a swim. It’s getting hot as hell. Not humid though.”
“Was it humid where you grew up?”
“Yeah,” I said then forced myself to share more. “Grew up in Alabama and Mississippi.”
Harlow smiled at my confession. “We can swim here.”
“Lenny is in the pool, splashing around like a dipshit. Claims he’s teaching Sawyer, but she doesn’t look impressed.”
“I don’t think a whole lot impresses Sawyer Johansson.”
“No, probably not.”
“I cheated to help my team.”
“How do you figure?” I asked, wrapping an arm around her when I noticed Dutch and his buddies appear from the woods.
“I pretended to cry as a distraction so Vaughn could shoot them. Do you think that’s wrong?” she laughed, clearly not feeling guilty at all.
“Use what you got. When I’m on a job, I’m not against bending over and using my amazing ass to distract someone.”
Harlow laughed harder, making me think she was buzzed from the tea. I liked seeing her so calm. My fingers caressed her long throat, causing her to smile in a soft, almost goofy way. Yeah, Harlow was drunk.
“I like your eyes,” she said, squirming around until kneeling next to me. “They tell sad stories, but make me happy. Does that make sense?”
“Sure,” I said, running my thumb over her lower lip. “Do you want to blow this place and go back to the apartments while everyone is here. The pool will be empty and we can swim in peace.”
Harlow grinned. “You really want to see me in my pea green swimming suit, don’t ya?”