Finding Harmony (10 page)

“Score!” she shouted.

Still smiling, she parked in front of the Institute and ran
right into Rick. All thought seemed to fall out of her head as she gazed up at
him. So much for keeping her focus.

“Harmony.” He ran his eyes over her as she pulled off her
helmet.

She wouldn’t fix her hair. Let it curl all over the
stinkin’ place. “Hi, Rick.”

It was so strange to stand here on the brick walk, calmly
talking to him when last time they were together they’d been naked.

“What are you up to?” he asked.

She walked around to the trunk. “Research.”

He stared at her, one corner of his mouth lifting. “You’re
excited about something. Tell me you found something.”

She couldn’t help it. She let out a sound like a laugh and
a sigh. “I did. I found the plant. The weed, you called it.”

“Harmony, that was—”

She held up one hand. “It’s all right. I know it’s not the
prettiest thing out here.”

His gray eyes ran over her again. “No.”

She felt that familiar dip in her belly. Focus.
“It’s
growing all over the place, Rick. Down near the path around the lake.”

“Your lake?”

She ignored how cozy that sounded. “No. The main lake, not
far from the second residential area.”

He threw back his head and let out a whoop. “Hot damn! Harmony,
this is great news.”

She shook her head. “Not yet. I have to get this
information to Dr. Robbins and he’ll interpret it.”

“But they can build, right? Tell me they can build.”

His questions sobered her. Chapman Financial and it’s
interests. That was his focus. Okay, then. “If the plant isn’t endangered, I
don’t see why not.”

“Wait. Your discovery can help the plant, too.”

“That’s what I do, Rick.” She closed the trunk lid with a
loud click. “I care about the plants. I don’t worry about construction or
investors.”

He reached for her but she took a step back. “I… I know
your work is important to the developers.”

“The developers,” she repeated. “Yeah, I’m only thinking of
the developers.”

“Look. I didn’t mean anything by it. I have interests here,
too.”

She brushed back her hair and nodded. “I know you do. I know
where your interests lie. In your wallet.”

He fisted his hands, something like pain flickering in his
eyes for a moment. “That’s not true.” He looked her over, his gaze holding
masculine appreciation now. “And I seem to recall your interests lying
somewhere south of that gifted scientific brain of yours.”

She flushed hot and looked down at her boots. “Some
interests are better left denied.”

He snorted. “That’s not the message you sent the other
night.”

No. She’d been a fool to let her body dictate her actions. Well,
today her actions were clear and focused on her work for the Institute.

Cramming her notes and stuff into a canvas bag, she stepped
past him. “I have work to do.”

He reached out and stopped her. He was so close she could
smell that scent that was uniquely Rick. She looked at his face and read the
hunger there. Then he kissed her, right there on the walk in the middle of the Village Center. After a brief hesitation of shock, she kissed him back. Their tongues touched
and she felt her knees go as soft as the sand at the bottom of her lake.

He brought his mouth to the side of her neck. “Sweet and
hot,” he rasped. “Just like you.”

She pulled back and looked up at him. “That wasn’t fair,”
she whispered.

“‘Fair’ is negotiable.” His voice was low, rough. Then he
seemed to collect himself as he shrugged. “Everything is negotiable.”

Just like that, a chill washed over her. She darted a look
around, relieved to see that no one was staring at them. Thank goodness they
were nowhere near the coffee shop. Hettie would never let her live this mistake
down.

She straightened and fixed a glare at him. “And everything
is a business deal to you.”

With that, she went into the Institute. Thank goodness the
walk was a short one. If she’d had to spend another minute in his sight she
wouldn’t have been able to keep her trembling hands from his view. His kiss!

Oh, she was a fool. There was no denying it now.

A week and a half had passed since her encounter with Rick
in front of the Institute, and Harmony managed to avoid his company for that
stretch of time. She wouldn’t dare find herself close to him again, not alone. Apparently
she had as little control around him as she’d had around Adam. Renewed focus on
her job, on her debt to her parents, was all she’d let drive her now.

After a quick tour of an untamed portion of the property,
she arrived back at her camp to find a note tacked to the door of her cabin. She
recognized the handwriting and a thrill of excitement struck her. It was from
Dr. Robbins. She’d compiled and delivered her report on the scrub buckwheat to
the Institute several days earlier, and knew the Advisory Council had met last
night. She’d hardly slept, and for once in the past ten days it had nothing to
do with Rick. Everything rode on the Council’s decision. In her estimation
anyway. She wiped her palms on her shorts and plucked the note from the door.

She tore it open and read the contents. Twice. Oh. She
closed her eyes. Oh! The plant had been downgraded to threatened. She let out a
whoop.

“
Eriogonum longifolium, var. gnaphali folium
.” She
did a little twisty dance and waved the paper in the air. “Oh, you beautiful
weed!”

She hurried into the cabin to change out of her dusty
clothes. She had to get to the village. She had to see the documents for
herself. She glanced at the note again and looked at her watch. Dr. Robbins
wanted her to meet him at the Welcome Center in half an hour. She suddenly
stood still.  

“Rick.” She’d have to tell Rick. Maybe Dr. Robbins would do
it. He had to call the developers anyway, right? “Chicken lips,” she chided
herself.

She dressed and brushed her hair. Wearing her most capable
outfit, khakis and a blouse that was more-or-less wrinkle-free, she got on her
scooter and drove to the Welcome Center.

Hettie waved as she neared the coffee shop and she returned
the gesture. “No time to stop today, Hettie!”

Hettie’s brows raised but she nodded. “You best fill me in
later, girl!”

Harmony grinned and nodded as she glided past. She parked
the scooter and stepped into the cool lobby of the Welcome Center. She saw Dr.
Robbins right away, standing in front of the wall mural showing the development,
past, present and future. The smile on his face made her grin in response.

“Harmony!” He turned to the two men beside him. “Mr. Forbes.
Mr. Gottleib. This is Harmony Brooks.”

Their presence brought her up short for a moment. She’d
seen their photos in the Cypress literature, but had never been introduced. She
managed to shake their hands. They were the top developers, the ones
responsible for the whole project. She was surprised to find them dressed more
like golf pros today than the heavy-hitters she knew they were. Old money and
new, Forbes and Gottleib had put everything into Cypress Corners. She tamped
down her unease and smiled.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said.

Mr. Forbes, a fifty-something man with a neat moustache and
salt-and-pepper hair, smiled. “You’re the girl who saved the buckwheat. Our
heroine.”

She shrugged. “Not so heroic, really. The plant was there,
you know. I only found it.”

“Nonsense, Harmony,” Dr. Robbins said. “She’s my go-to
woman at the Institute. We couldn’t get along without her.”

She hid her surprise. Did they really think of her that way?
She couldn’t help but feel proud at the simple words.

“The investors will be pleased,” Mr. Gottleib said. He ran
a hand over his short flat top and smiled at Harmony. “Now we know who to call
if there’s another threat.”

She weighed his words. A threat? To the development or to
the environment? She wouldn’t worry about that now. Not when Dr. Robbins was
beaming at her.

“I’m glad I could help,” she said. “I admit I was surprised
I found so much of it growing on the property.”

“I wasn’t.” the male voice stilled her. Rick.

She took a breath and turned, keeping her smile in place. “Hello.”

“Rick,” Mr. Forbes said. “How did Boston take the news?”

“Chapman is calling its investors as we speak,” Rick said. “Now
they’ll easily find more money to put into Cypress Corners.”

Mr. Gottleib laughed lightly. “Always happy to hear that.” He
winked at Harmony. “Hard to find good golfing partners, too.”

So he wanted Rick to visit in the future, Harmony assumed
the man meant. She kept her face impassive. No one could guess her connection
to Rick. Fleeting though it would prove to be.

Tammy slid up beside Rick, placing her hand on his arm and
leaning close. She flashed a smile at the developers. “I can tell our
prospective residents that we’re on track, can’t I Mr. Gottleib?”

Gottleib studied Tammy’s cleavage for a full minute before
nodding. “Sure thing.”

Tammy turned to Harmony. “You’re the one who found the
plant. We’re impressed.”

Well, it was clear Tammy wasn’t. The feeling was mutual. “Thank
you.” She nodded her head. “Mr. Gottleib. Mr. Forbes. Thank you again.” She
faced her mentor. “I’ll catch up with you at the Institute, Dr. Robbins?”

“Of course, my dear,” Dr. Robbins answered. “I should be
there shortly.”

She stepped out of the Welcome Center and stood for a
moment on the wide porch. She wouldn’t look back. She wouldn’t go back in there
and pull Tammy’s acrylic nails away from Rick’s arm. What did it matter? Chapman’s
interests were secured. Rick’s work here was finished. It was best if she faced
those facts.

She’d just ignore the twinge deep in her chest. And the secret
hope that whispered he’d find another reason to stay.

***

When Harmony had brushed past Rick to make her exit he
could smell her soft floral scent. It still lingered, even as Tammy still clung
to his arm. He stepped aside to smoothly disengage her grip.

“If you’ll excuse me.” He shook the developers’ hands and
Dr. Robbins’s. “I’ll leave you all to your business.”

“We’ll see you later, Rick,” Mr. Forbes said. “Maybe at The
Clubhouse for drinks?”

He nodded an answer and left the Welcome Center. Harmony
was just near the doors of the Institute as he crossed the street. He’d watched
her from the moment she’d arrived at the Welcome Center, though she hadn’t seen
him. He’d seen the confidence in her stride as she’d joined Dr. Robbins. She’d
held her own with the developers as well. Only when Tammy had joined them had
he seen a slight change in her expression. If he didn’t know her so well, if he
hadn’t fantasized about her gorgeous face for the past week and a half, he
would have missed the annoyance on her face. A slight curve of her lip, a
minute twitch of one brow as she studied Tammy’s grip on his arm. So she’d
missed him, too.

He called out her name but she didn’t even turn around. She
just slipped through the automatic doors and they slid shut behind her. He
hurried across the street. The doors opened again with a whoosh and he stepped
inside. The redhead behind the reception desk blinked at him. “Mr. Chapman?” She
shuffled through the papers behind the counter and glanced at her computer
screen. “Is Dr. Robbins expecting you?”

He flashed her an impatient smile. “No. I just spoke with
him at the Welcome Center. Is Miss Brooks here?”

The girl grinned. She grinned like she knew about them. Harmony
would not be happy if she saw the comprehension on the girl’s face.

“She’s in the lab,” she said. “Do you need me to show you
the way?”

Hardly. He could probably find Harmony with his eyes closed
by this point.

“No, thank you.” He passed her desk and heard her humming
softly to herself. He’d just ignore the possible implications of that.

He found the lab easily enough. It didn’t smell like he would
have thought, all antiseptic. It smelled clean and fresh, like they used some
kind of environmentally-friendly cleaner. He shook his head. Of course they did.
The room had rows of white laminate counters lined with thick-cushioned chairs.
Computers sat along the windowed wall, the blinds drawn against the afternoon
sun.

She was sitting in the back of the lab, her elbows resting
on the counter as she stared at a small potted plant in front of her. He
recognized the ugly plant. That weed with the long Latin name. The plant that
had divided them then brought them together. Man, he could kiss the thing!

“Harmony.”

She looked up and wiped at her eyes. “Hello again, Rick.”

Her voice sounded odd, thick.

“Are you crying?” He stepped closer. “If it’s about Tammy,
there’s nothing—”

She shook her head and grabbed a tissue from a box on the
counter to blow her nose. “I’m not thinking about Tammy or any of the other women
you’ve slept with.”

“What? I haven’t slept with—”

“I’m just amazed that Dr. Robbins and the developers have
so much faith in me.”

He sat and pulled his chair close to her, covering her hand
with his. “I’m not.” He stroked her arm. “I knew from the first day we met that
you were dedicated to this project.”

She tilted her head, that familiar sparkle in her eyes, and
withdrew from his grasp. “What was your first clue?”

He grinned. “I’m thinking the fire ants.”

Resting her chin in her hands, she laughed softly. “An
auspicious meeting, I know.”

He could feel the tension coming off of her, her shoulders
held stiffly. Reaching out, he touched her again. “You’ve been under a lot of
pressure, Harmony.”

She started to object, finally nodding her head. “Yes. I
haven’t slept much lately.”

Was that a reference to their night on the dock? He doubted
it, not from the way her mouth drooped down slightly at the corners. There was
more at work here.

He stood and put his hands on her back. “God, you’re
tense.”

Rubbing his thumbs over the base of her neck, he felt her
start to unkink a bit.

She leaned her head back and sighed. “Oh, that feels good.”

He moved his thumbs down toward her spine and dug gently
beneath her shoulder blades. “Relax. You’re as tight as… ”  He couldn’t finish
the thought. He remembered how tight she was. Vividly.

When he kneaded her shoulders she let her head fall forward,
her hair brushing over his hands. “So good.”

Bending closer, he brushed the hair from her neck and
kissed her there. “Yeah.” He brought his mouth to hers. “Good.”

Her lips parted beneath his and he leaned closer.

“Miss Brooks?”

He straightened as Harmony sat up. “Yes?”

The receptionist peeked into the lab. “I’m leaving. I’ll
lock up.”

“Wait!” Harmony called.

She started to stand but he placed his hand on her shoulders
again. “She’s gone.” He turned her chair so she faced him. “We’re all alone.”

After a brief hesitation, he saw the heat in her eyes and
brought his face to hers. She welcomed his kiss, reaching up to wrap her arms
around his neck. He worked the little buttons of her blouse free and spread the
material.

“I miss your little tank top,” he said. “This lacy pink bra
is a pretty consolation, though.” He could see her breasts through the sheer
fabric. He stroked his thumb over her breast and she gasped.

He nipped her through the bra and she held his head, her
fingers digging softly into his scalp. “Rick.”

He unhooked the thing and let it fall open, dropping kisses
on her smooth belly. She leaned back and he worked her pants off of her. He
kissed the skin just inside her right knee before draping her leg over an arm
of the chair. Tiny panties, pink like her bra, didn’t stand in his way. He
touched her, slid a finger deep inside, and she shook. He put his mouth on her.

She tasted so sweet, hot and slick against his tongue as he
made love to her. She stiffened but only for a second. She arched against his
mouth and sighed his name. He stroked deeper, pressing her thighs apart until
she straddled the chair. It rolled, smacking the table as he turned to keep
them there.

“Rick,” she cried. “Oh God, Rick!”

Shaking, she climaxed against his tongue. When she stilled
he lifted his head to find her staring at him.

“I’ve never… ”  She looked away. “I know it sounds stupid,
but—”

“Not stupid,” he said. “Sweet. You’re sweet. And I’m the
first man to taste you.”

She grabbed him and kissed him, her tongue arousing him as
much as if she’d taken him into her mouth. She unbuttoned his shirt and stroked
his skin, her hands working over his chest, his belly.

He switched places with her, settling into the chair and
putting her on his lap.She still kissed him, her hair tangled in his hands as
he stroked her back, her butt. She got his fly open. How, he couldn’t say. But
she touched him, stroking up and down until he thought he’d lose it. He had to
be inside her. He had to feel her on him, over him. Just a quick second to put
on a condom and he was there. He threw his head back and held on to her waist
as she rode him.