God, the man was so damn stubborn, though. He could have been in her bed tonight. Instead, now she lay here, frustrated, every nerve ending taut with tension.

She slid a hand inside her top to fondle her breasts, imagining what it might have been like tonight if Barrett had pushed her against the wall and kissed her.

She could feel his lips on hers, soft and firm, taking command, rubbing his hard cock against her pussy as his tongue warred with hers.

With a whimper, she tucked her other hand inside her panties to cup her sex. She gasped and rubbed her clit, visualizing how it would have gone down tonight had Barrett stayed.

He was a demanding, powerful man, the kind who would take what he wanted from a woman. She could well imagine him drawing her underwear down and putting his mouth on her pussy, licking and sucking her until she came.

The visuals slammed into her as she quickly rubbed her clit. She was so wet, so hot, and when she came, she moaned his name, begging him to fuck her over and over. Her climax was a crazy release, and one she welcomed. One she’d desperately needed.

She rested her hips on the bed and let herself float down from that amazing high.

“Dammit, Barrett,” she said to the ceiling. “We could have had such a hot time tonight.”

With a little pressure, she could wear him down.

She respected him wanting to honor his friendship with Drake, even though his loyalty was a bit misplaced. If she’d been seventeen or something, then definitely.

But she was no child, and Drake was already overprotective enough about every aspect of her life. She would not let her brother call the shots over her romantic life.

She wanted Barrett.

She intended to have him.

With renewed confidence, she turned on her side and closed her eyes.

Nine

Harmony and Jeff both told Barrett the crew would show up today to start demo on his house, and he wanted to be there to watch. Plus, Harmony had called and made an appointment with him for this morning to meet about some design stuff.

What he hadn’t expected was for Harmony to be at his house. When he parked his SUV on the street, she was outside in the driveway talking to Jeff. She was holding a stainless steel cup in her hand and waving it around as she talked. Obviously an animated conversation was going on, and she wasn’t happy about something.

He grabbed his cup of coffee out of the car and headed their way.

“These delays are costing the homeowners money, Jeff.”

“I agree, Harmony, but there’s nothing I can do if they keep changing their mind about finishes every third day. First they wanted black granite for the countertops. Now they’ve decided on marble. So we have to cool our heels and wait for the marble to come in, which, by the way, is back-ordered. I had no choice. I had to send the crew on to another job. Everything else in the house is on hold until we can install the counters.”

Harmony took a deep breath, then nodded. “You’re right. You’re right. I’ll talk to them.”

“Great. And when you do that? Tell them if they change one more thing in the house, it’s going to set back the final date for move in.”

“I’ll do that. Thanks for being so patient about this.”

Jeff shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

She finally noticed Barrett standing there and turned to him with a smile. “Good morning. You ready to see your house demolished?”

He returned her smile while he shook Jeff’s hand. “Hopefully just the inside parts.”

Jeff laughed. “Promise you we’ll only take the pieces out that are supposed to come out. You’re welcome to wield a sledgehammer if you’d like.”

“No thanks. I’ll stay out of the way and leave it to the experts.”

“What?” Harmony said. “This is typically where all the homeowners want to dig in and destroy something.”

“I’ve done plenty of renovating at my parents’ house. I’ve slung my share of sledgehammers in my lifetime. I’ll pass.”

“Then come enjoy the destruction,” Jeff said. “But if you change your mind, the sledgehammer is yours.”

Barrett grinned. “Thanks. Or maybe Harmony will want to take a swing.”

“Ha.” She held up her cup. “I’ll just sip and observe.”

“My crew’s already in the house and I’m heading that way,” Jeff said. “Come on in when you’re ready.”

Jeff disappeared inside, while Barrett cocked his head to the side, taking in Harmony’s black dress with white polka dots, along with her high heels. He tried not to notice her sleek, long legs or the way the dress cut across her breasts.

Too late. He already noticed.

“You’re wearing that to a demo?”

She laughed. “It’s not like I’m going to actually be doing the demo.”

“Yeah, but it’ll be dusty and dirty in there.”

“Trust me. I know my way around a renovation. I’ll stay out of the dust zones.”

“Maybe you should wait outside. Or better yet, not be here.”

Her lips quirked. “Trying to get rid of me, Barrett?”

“Nope. Just trying to look out for that pretty dress you’re wearing.”

“You noticed my dress.”

Her smile nearly knocked him out. It was pure sex and promise. Damn her for being so desirable without even trying.

“I noticed your dress could get dirty. That’s all.”

“Uh-huh. Sure you did.” She linked her arm through his. “Come on, hot stuff. Let’s go inside and take a look at the magic happening.”