Though the thought of it made him push back a laugh.
She was tiny. He was a big guy. It would take a lot of beers to get him shit-faced, and he had no intention of drinking that much—or letting her take advantage.
And talk about role reversal. Why was he even thinking about his “virtue” anyway? It wasn’t gonna happen.
Not that he had any virtue to protect.
When he focused his attention back on Harmony, she was weaving back and forth as if she was trying to look behind him.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for the smoke that must be coming out of your ears. I’ve been talking to you for like the past three minutes and your head is somewhere else. What have you been thinking so hard about?”
How not to have sex with you tonight.
“Nothing. Football. The house. The trip to San Francisco. You know how it is when your mind wanders all over different topics, right?”
“I . . . guess.”
He could tell she didn’t believe him.
“Sorry to be so distracted. What were you talking about?”
“I was asking you about your brothers and if any of them will be coming to the ranch when you’ll be there.”
“They should all be there. Tucker will be on break from baseball, and Flynn and Grant are just like me, on vacation. Plus two of my brothers are planning weddings right now, so I’m sure that’ll be a hot topic of discussion.”
“A lot going on in your family, isn’t there?”
“Yeah. The family focus right now is on Grant and Katrina’s and Tucker and Aubry’s weddings.”
“When are they getting married?”
“Grant and Katrina next March. Tucker and Aubry in November.”
“That’s so exciting for them. You must be so happy for your brothers.”
“Katrina’s pretty great. So are her brother and sister. Grant’s built himself an awesome family. We all love them. Tucker was damn lucky to find an awesome woman in Aubry. She’s fantastic.”
“I’ve met all your brothers before, but the women sound lovely.”
“Yeah, they are.”
She’d finished her drink and set it aside. Miraculously, Donna appeared, whisked the empty glass away and returned within a minute with another drink for Harmony and a beer for Barrett.
“You’re really good at this,” Harmony said.
Donna smiled. “Thanks. It’s my job to keep an eye on you two tonight.”
“We’ll make sure to be on our best behavior, then,” Harmony said.
Donna looked from Harmony to Barrett. “Now what fun would that be?”
Harmony laughed as Donna disappeared. “Ted has good staff.”
“He’s doing it right. Keep the customers’ glasses filled. That’ll keep them in the bar.”
She took a long swallow of her drink. “I don’t intend to spend all night in the bar, unfortunately for Ted.”
“Really. And where do you intend to go next?”
“Up to the room.”
Now he was concerned. “Are you tired? Are you feeling all right?”
She gave him a tender smile. “I’m fine, Barrett. But I would like to go up to the room if that’s okay with you.”
He stood. “Let’s go.”
Barrett left a generous tip for Donna, then laid his hand on Harmony’s back as she stepped in front of him.
He wasn’t sure what was going on with her, but he didn’t want a repeat of this morning.
When they got upstairs, he opened the door and she walked in and headed straight for the bathroom.
“I’ll be right out,” she said, shutting the door behind her.
Leaving all the lights off, Barrett stepped out onto the balcony and took in a breath of fresh air, listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore.
When he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned around.
And nearly swallowed his tongue.
Harmony had undressed down to her underwear. Sexy, barely there lace and silk red panties with a matching bra.
“What are you doing? Are you okay?”
“I’m more than okay, Barrett.”
And when she leaned up and wrapped her hand around his neck to draw his lips to hers, all that restraint he’d held in check blew away with the Gulf breeze.
Because her mouth was on his, her body against his, and his restraint was long damn gone.
He wound his arm around her, tugged her close and crushed his lips to hers.
Sixteen
It had been a calculated risk, for sure, but Harmony knew she had to take it. The worst that could happen was Barrett telling her no.
This didn’t feel like no.
His mouth on hers, his hands on her body were a definite yes. And the groans he emitted as he kissed her made her nipples tingle and her sex quiver. She felt damp and needy and her body throbbed with anticipation. His hands roamed her body and with each stroke of his tongue against hers, she felt weak and desired and deliciously turned-on.