It was probably for the best. God forbid he kissed as hot as he looked. She’d never get a restful night’s sleep again.
She rolled her eyes and picked up her drink. When she slept, the least he could do was star in her dreams, every bulging muscle and sensuous whisper.
Chapter Three
Harper adjustedthe strap of her bathing suit and tank top before walking into her mother’s house. Only in Florida, a week before Christmas, would they have record high temperatures. Her flip-flops smacked the tile as she placed the presents in front of the tree.
“You made it,” Quinn said as she approached, placing a flowered lei around Harper’s neck.
“Who’s bright idea was a full day of celebration. First the luau, and later tonight, black tie. They must have spiked our drinks to make us agree to this.”
“I see you’re still a smartass.” Quinnwinked. “You make me so proud.”
“Did you think I’d change during the six months you were in Scotland?”
“Absolutely not. It’s encoded in your DNA.” She grinned and laced her arm through Harper’s. “Which bikini are you wearing? Please don’t tell me the one with the red polka dots?”
“I burned that thing when I was fourteen, about the same time you were burning your bras and caught the kitchen on fire.”
“I miss those days,” Quinn said, leading Harper out to the back patio. A band was on the stage playing island music, complete with steel drums. The musicians were wearing matching Hawaiian shirts. A line of women dressed in grass skirts and bras made from shells were swinging their hips. “We’re taking bets on which dancer gets so drunk she loses her shells first. You know dad’s friends are horny bastards.”
Harper chuckled. “I’ve got twenty on the blonde in need of a root job. Where did Mom find the entertainment?”
“From me.” Quinn smiled. “If we have to socialize with all these people, we might as well enjoy ourselves.”
There were about fifty people hanging around and in the pool. The chefs were manning the grills, and was that a pig roasting near her mother’s prized roses? Asmile formed on Harper’s lips. Her mother had to be somewhere in the house hyperventilating.
“There’s more people than I thought.”
“Well, we Thatcher’s do know how to throw a fabulous party.”
“You put free booze on the invite, didn’t you?”
“Of course.” She smiled brightly. “The only way to survive a full day with dad’s co-workers and all these strangers is to remember it in a haze.”
“Sucks to be you.” Harper rubbed Quinn’s pregnant belly. “Where’s the bar.”
Quinn turned toward the wrap-around veranda and pointed toward the house. “Over there. Coop and Aunt Betty elbowed the bartender out of the way and took over. I bet we’ll find the young guy hogtied in the pantry with duct tape over his mouth.”
“I’d bet money that Aunt Betty has him tied to a bed.”
Harper started for the bar, where she’d be perched for most of the party. Ian and Collin were wearing their kilts.
“Nice legs,” Harper said as she approached.
“Looking fine, Harper,” Ian said with a wink.
“What’s your pleasure?” Coop asked, tossing a rag over his shoulder.
“A man that will clean my house.”
“We’re fresh out of those. Do you want the same as last night?”
“Ohh. You went to the bar on a work day?” Grace said, sliding up to the bar. “What was the occasion?”
“She was meeting a guy,” Coop announced, making all the sisters turn in her direction. “She frisked him and everything.”
“Ohh, foreplay.” Grace’s eyes sparkled, and she glanced back at the pool. “Where are you hiding the new play toy?”
