Luke stood up and took Aldo’s bottle before tipping his friend’s chair sideways and depositing Aldo on the ground. “Sure, no problem. Ladies, can I get you anything?” Harper jumped up.
“I’ll help you,” she said brightly.
“I think I can carry a few beers myself,” Luke teased, holding the back door open for her. “Or are you just trying to get me alone?”
Harper brushed up against him as she walked past. “I’m multi-tasking.”
He shut the door a little harder than he meant to in his haste to get his hands on her. Harper ran her finger down his chest to his stomach. He was hard even before she skimmed lower to the top of his jeans. “I’m helping you carry beers, stealing a very private moment with you, and letting Gloria and Aldo talk.” She dipped her fingers in his waistband.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, baby,” he warned.
Harper let him back her up against the refrigerator. He saw the eagerness in her eyes and wondered if it was mirrored in his. His hands slid under her sweatshirt, fingers running over the impossibly soft skin. His mouth hovered over hers.
“The lights are on. They can see us,” Harper whispered. Her eyes danced and he knew she would let him do anything regardless of audience.
Wordlessly he dragged her into the darkened dining room and almost tripped over the table that he forgot he bought. He caged her between his arms against the table.
“I think I’ve earned a kiss for tonight.”
He read hot lust in her gaze. “I think we can start with a kiss,” she said in a breathy whisper.
Luke stayed where he was and let her make the move.
She put her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, her breasts gently rubbing against his chest. She slowly closed the distance between their lips.
He was determined to keep it playful, sweet. But as soon as she bit his bottom lip, all gentleness was forgotten. He growled as she sucked it into her mouth.
Luke grabbed her hand and pressed it against his erection.
“Get rid of them, baby.”
She laughed against his mouth and he almost took her there on the table. The way she responded to him took him closer and closer to the line.
After another scorching kiss, he pried her hands off of him and took a step back.
He sighed. “We’d better get back out there.”
Harper licked her lip and sighed. “Whose idea was it to have people over tonight?”
He smacked her on the ass and put his hands on her shoulders. She smelled like sunshine and fire. He guided her back to the kitchen. “If you’re done attacking me, I’ll grab the beers.”
“I don’t plan to be done attacking you any time soon, captain.” She winked before sneaking a peek out the window. Aldo had taken the chair she vacated and was sitting next to Gloria. Harper smiled.
“Why are you looking so smug?” Luke demanded, coming up behind her.
“Just spying on Aldo to see if he’s worked up the courage to tell Gloria how much he likes her.”
“Aldo and Gloria?” Luke snorted. “Baby, the day Aldo settles down is the day hell freezes over, pigs fly, and I go vegetarian. Don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’ll take that bet.”
Luke dropped a kiss on her neck. “Deal. When Aldo and Gloria get married, I’ll go vegetarian.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Their guests left late that evening with Luke practically shoving them out the door. Aldo was on the front porch, offering to give Gloria a ride home, when Luke shut and locked the front door behind them.
It made Harper tingle with the thought that he wanted to have her alone so badly. Luke pushed her back against the door and kissed her with a heat that scorched. “We’ll clean up the kitchen tomorrow,” he decided.
