She shrugged. “Drake doesn’t like me with anyone. He doesn’t think anyone is good enough for me.”

He leveled a smile at her. “That’s because he cares about you.”

“No, it’s because he’s overprotective.”

“Either way, I’m being selfish about this. The last thing I want is to get in the middle of a battle between the two of you. Or even worse, do anything to damage the friendship I’ve built with Drake. This has disaster written all over it, Harmony. Even you have to see that.”

Maybe she did and maybe she didn’t, but the last thing she wanted was her brother to interfere in her life in any way. Especially her romantic life. “I can see where you’re coming from, Barrett. But I won’t let Drake dictate the terms of my life.” She shoved a finger at his chest. “Nor should he yours.”

“Yeah, I know. But there’s more than just Drake involved in this. Say you and I get all hot and heavy.”

“I like the sound of that.”

He gave her a sexy grin. “Yeah, me too. But then what happens if it doesn’t work out? If you and I have a big blowout of a fight, or we decide we’re not compatible? Can you imagine the mess that’ll make? And then what happens to my friendship with your brother when he does find out that I’m the one who broke your heart?”

She appreciated that he’d thought this all out, but she wasn’t one to think long-term. “That’s easy. Don’t break my heart.”

“Harmony. I can’t make that guarantee and you know that. I can’t guarantee you anything other than right now.”

“I know that. Which is what I’m trying to tell you. I just want today, Barrett. You and me and right now. I know there are no guarantees of tomorrow and I’m sure as hell not asking you to fall in love with me. I just got out of a relationship. I wasn’t looking for a commitment or a boyfriend. I just wanted sex.”

Leave it to Harmony to put it out there, straight and with no bullshit.

He didn’t know why he’d been so reluctant.

Or so stupid.

“Okay.”

She gave him a wary look. “Okay?”

“Yeah. We’ll dive in and give it a try and see what happens.”

Her lips curved. “Okay, then. So what happens next?”

“You’re still coming to San Francisco with me?”

“Well, I hadn’t planned to after last night.”

“But I’m forgiven now, right?”

“Does that charm always work?”

“Usually.”

She came up to him and dug her nails into his chest. “You’ll find I’m a harder sell, Barrett Cassidy.”

He wrapped his fingers around her wrists and drew her against him. “And you’ll find me hard around you. Probably all the time. You said all you want is sex. That I can give you.”

“That’s all I want.”

“Then that’s what you’ll get. You ready for me, Harmony?”

“Yes.”

He ran his hand down her back, letting his fingers wander over the soft material of her dress.

“I want to kiss you, fuck you right now. I want to bend you over your desk, lift that pretty yellow dress you’re wearing over your hips and drive into you and make you come over and over again.”

He watched her lips part, her breaths increase.

“So that’s how it’s going to be,” she said, her breath a low whisper.

“That’s how it’s gonna be.” He moved into her, letting her feel how damn hard he was. “That’s what you do to me, so don’t ever think you don’t turn me on. Don’t ever think I don’t want you.”

He took a step back, saw the disappointment on her face. He knew the feeling.

“But your assistant is out there, and your blinds are open. So this isn’t the right time or place. Because when I fuck you, Harmony? I’m gonna make you scream.”

Now he saw the passion flare in her eyes. He wanted her more than anything right now. Dammit.

“I’m counting on it.”

“Tonight.”

“Just like that?”

He cocked his head to the side. “You got another date?”

“No.”

“Then tonight. Your place, my place, I don’t care. But tonight. I’m not waiting any longer.”

She nodded. “Come on over to my place. Is seven thirty all right? I could cook—”

“I don’t want dinner, Harmony. I just want you.”

“All right, then. Seven thirty.”

He was glad his T-shirt covered his raging hard-on as he walked out of her office, and he was also glad her assistant was on the phone as he walked by.

He climbed into his SUV and fired up the air conditioner to arctic levels.

It was going to take a lot to cool him down, especially since all he could think about was how many hours until seven thirty rolled around.

Eighteen

Harmony had wanted to call Alyssa, to talk about and examine everything she and Barrett had been through and talked about.

But in the end, she had finished up her workday and had gone home, first stopping at the store to pick up some beer and wine. And despite Barrett’s warning that he didn’t plan on having anything but her tonight, she also bought a few snacks.

They might not be hungry before, but she intended to make him burn off a few calories tonight, and he might have an appetite later.