Ghostly Issues (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 2) (11 page)

Jared sat back down and leaned back in his chair, stretching his long legs out in front of him as he decided how to answer. “It was a few weeks ago at the police station,” he said. “You came in screaming for me to release Harper because you were under the impression that I arrested her.”

Gloria faltered. “Oh.”

“Mom … .” Harper was desperate to keep her mother from causing a scene.

Gloria glanced down at Harper. “You’re dating the man who arrested you?”

“He didn’t arrest me.”

“I didn’t arrest her,” Jared agreed.

“It would be hotter if you had,” Gloria shot back, nonplussed. “Well, you’re very attractive and I approve. As long as you don’t arrest my daughter again, I think we’ll get along just fine.”

“Mother, you’re embarrassing me,” Harper gritted out, causing Jared to smirk. He found both of Harper’s parents entertaining. Harper was another story. Since her parents were mired in the world’s longest divorce – recent arguments turning to who would get the color printer and toner cartridges – she was hoping her mother’s current dating trend would keep her out of her hair. Apparently she wasn’t that lucky.

“You’ll live,” Gloria said. “We need to set up a time for brunch so you can catch me up on your life. Apparently I’ve been missing quite a few things I should know about.”

“Who are you out with, Mom?” Harper asked, turning the conversation around. “Have I met this one?”

“I’m dating Ted Gardner.”

Harper made a face. “That old guy who has a gray ponytail and rides around on a Harley? You’re dating him?”

Jared’s shoulders shook with silent laughter as he tried to cover his mouth.

“I’ll have you know he’s a very generous lover,” Gloria replied, causing Harper to make a disgusted sound in the back of her throat. “Jared, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. We’ll have to set up a brunch so we can get to know one another.”

“I would enjoy that,” Jared said, and he actually meant it.

“Harper, I’ll give you a call this weekend,” Gloria said. “We have a few things to discuss.”

“I can’t wait.”

Other than the front porch light, Harper’s house was dark when Jared pulled to a stop in front of it several hours later.

All of the nerves the duo put aside during their date came roaring back as a new problem arose.

“Well … thank you for a wonderful time,” Harper said, turning in the passenger seat and fixing Jared with a small smile. “Other than my mother showing up, it was perfect.”

“It was perfect even with your mother showing up. She’s kind of funny.”

“You should try living with her for eighteen years,” Harper countered. “It’s not so funny then.”

“She’s good for you. She keeps you on your toes.”

“That’s one way of looking at it.” Harper bit her lip. She was at a loss for what else to talk about. She desperately wanted Jared to kiss her again, but there was no way she was going to make the first move … or ask him to do it for her. “Well, I guess I should get inside.”

“I’ll walk you,” Jared said, pocketing the keys and hopping out of his truck. He hurried to Harper’s side of the vehicle, but she was already halfway out when he arrived. “You’re supposed to wait for me to open the door,” Jared said, sucking in a steadying breath when Harper’s face moved to within inches of his. Their mouths were so close all one of them would have to do is shift two inches and then … . “I’m supposed to be a gentleman and do that for you.”

“I … .” Harper lost her train of thought.

Jared held out his hand. “I’ll walk you to your door.”

Harper slipped her hand in his, something sparking between them as they walked up the steps and stopped in front of the door. “I really did have a good time tonight.”

Jared turned to her, his handsome face practically glowing under the muted light. “I did, too.”

Jared was conflicted. He knew what he wanted to do – Zander’s words burrowing into his head the entire night – and yet he didn’t want to move so fast Harper would flee in the other direction. He was at a crossroad, and he had no idea what to do.

“I … .” Harper had no clue what to say. “I guess I’ll see you around.” She moved her key toward the door, but Jared stilled her with a hand on her forearm. This time when she turned to him she was surprised because he cupped the back of her head with both of his hands. “Are you finally going to make your move?”

The question surprised Jared, causing him to bark out a coarse laugh. “Do you want me to make a move?”

“I have no idea,” Harper replied honestly. “My heart is pounding so hard I can’t even think straight. I can hear the blood rushing past my ears. I think I might pass out.”

“Me, too,” Jared whispered, lowering his mouth to Harper’s and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. She sank into it, cuddling closer as he held her steady. The kiss went on for what seemed like an eternity, neither one of them wanting to be the first to break it. Finally, Jared moved his head back slightly and met her clear blue eyes with a smoldering look. “You’re amazing.”

Harper made up her mind on the spot. “Do you want to come inside?”

Jared smiled. “I don’t think I could force myself to leave even if I tried.”

HARPER
woke to an unfamiliar feeling: warmth. She shifted her head, pushing her flaxen hair out of her face and met a wall of muscle as she opened her eyes. Jared slumbered beside her, his face placid in sleep. His morning stubble and tousled hair made him look even more appealing … if that was even possible … than he had the last time she saw him.

Harper took the opportunity to look him over in the bright light of day. She knew his body would be amazing thanks to the few touches she’d managed through clothing when they were close. Even she wasn’t prepared for the chiseled ridges of his chest and arms, though. And his stomach? It looked as if his abs had been drawn on with a marker.

The previous night was a blur, mutual need and instinctive desire taking over both of their bodies as they made their way to Harper’s bedroom. Their clothes hit the floor within seconds, and they moved together as if they’d been making love for years instead of it being their first time together. Harper was pretty sure it couldn’t possibly get better than it already was … although she was up to the task of finding out if she got the opportunity.

As if sensing she was awake, Jared shifted and opened his eyes, immediately smiling when he caught sight of her. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Harper murmured, embarrassed to be caught looking at him. “Did you sleep okay?”

“I haven’t slept that well in … I can’t remember ever sleeping that well,” Jared replied, tugging her closer and wrapping his arms around her slender back. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a rock,” Harper admitted, chuckling. “I usually wake up a few times every night because … well, it started after my grandfather came to visit me when I was a kid after he died. I honestly don’t think I’ve slept through a full night since … until now.”

“I guess I tired you out,” Jared teased, brushing his lips against Harper’s forehead and pressing her head to his chest. “You’re so soft and warm. I could get used to this.”

Harper stilled, morning jitters overtaking her. “Do you want to get used to this?”

“That’s a funny question to ask when we’re both naked and snuggled up in your bed,” Jared replied. “Since you appear to need an answer, though, then you’re going to get one. I definitely want to get used to this.”

Harper exhaled heavily, relieved. “Thank you.”

Jared laughed. He couldn’t help himself. “Are you thanking me for wanting to get used to this, or what we did last night? Before you answer, both of them would be acceptable things to thank me for because one of them makes my ego swell.”

That wasn’t the only thing swelling. Despite herself, Harper lifted the covers and glanced down to find that Jared appeared to be ready for another round. Jared followed her gaze. “Do you want to thank me again?”

Harper laughed, throwing all of her nerves out the window as she rolled on top of him and slammed her mouth into his. Jared tangled his hands in her hair, marveling at the way her body seemed to meld perfectly against his.

“Can I take that as a yes?” Jared gasped, breaking contact for a moment.

“Yes.”

“Good answer.”

“WELL,
well, well,” Zander said, looking up from his mug of coffee when Harper and Jared finally shuffled out of her bedroom and into the kitchen an hour later. “How are my happy … campers?”

Harper made a face. “Don’t be a pain.”

“That’s not a very nice way to treat your best friend in the world,” Zander chided. “The best friend, I might add, who cleaned up all your clothes after you left so Jared wouldn’t see how panicked you were before your date and also cleared a spot for you two to … camp.”

Jared poured two mugs of coffee and handed one to Harper before taking a seat next to Zander at the table. This was something he could get used to, too. Zander was a pain in some respects, but Jared loved watching him interact with Harper. The vibe between the two of them was one of comfort and love. He wasn’t sure if he would ever get enough of it.

“How was your date?” Jared asked.

Zander shrugged. “It was fine until the wee hours of the morning. I won’t be seeing Mark from the gym again.”

“What happened during the wee hours of the morning?”

“Don’t ask that question,” Harper hissed.

“Why not?” Jared was confused.

“Because you’re opening a box of trouble,” Harper replied, settling next to Jared. “Zander falls in love once a week and then dumps them as fast as he hooks them.”

“How come?”

“Because I’m looking for the perfect man,” Zander answered.

“Because he’s unbelievably nitpicky,” Harper corrected.

“Give me some examples,” Jared instructed, enjoying the game.

“Well, he broke up with a garage mechanic because he smelled like gasoline,” Harper volunteered.

“It made me nauseous,” Zander said.

“He broke up with a waiter because he wore too much cologne.”

“And talked with his mouth full of food,” Zander added.

“Then there was that guy who works at the county park,” Harper said, smiling at the memory. “You chased him for two weeks and then broke up with him because he had hairy toes.”

“They freaked me out,” Zander said. “I thought he was wearing hobbit slippers when I woke up the next morning.”

“That would freak me out, too,” Jared said. “Luckily Harper’s feet are cute and dainty.”

Zander snorted. “She has huge feet for a woman,” he said. “It’s good you think they’re cute, though. You’re stuck with them now.”

“I can live with that,” Jared said, taking another sip. “So, what was wrong with this guy you went out with last night?”

“I’m glad you asked,” Zander sniffed. “My best friend clearly doesn’t care about my plight … even though I went out of my way to make sure she looked fabulous for you last night.”

“You did a very good job,” Jared said.

“That’s obvious since you two left clothes between the living room and bedroom on your way to nirvana,” Zander said.

“We did not!” Harper was mortified.

“I found your panties sticking out from underneath your bedroom door, Harp,” Zander argued, although the twinkle in his eye told Jared the gregarious man couldn’t be happier for his best friend. That was another thing Jared liked about Zander. He took joy in Harper’s happiness.

“You’re making that up,” Harper protested.

“Your panties are in the hamper,” Zander snapped. “We’ll go shopping for sexier ones in the next few days. Poor Jared deserves some options if he’s going to have to put up with that bedhead of yours on a regular basis.”

Harper instinctively reached for her hair to smooth it, but Jared caught her hand with his and pressed a kiss to her palm instead.

“Your hair looks fine,” he said. “I like it that way. It makes me take pride in a job well done.”

“You’re cheeky,” Zander said.

“Go back to your date,” Jared instructed, adoration washing over him when he saw Harper try to catch a glimpse of her reflection in the toaster. She was too cute for words. “What did this guy do that was so wrong?”

“Well, it’s tragic really,” Zander answered. “We were having a perfectly nice interlude and then … well … he took off his shirt.”

“Did he have boobs or something?”

“Worse.”

“What’s wrong with boobs?” Harper asked. “I have them. I kind of like them.”

“Yours are great,” Jared agreed, squeezing her hand when she blushed. “I don’t think Zander likes them, though.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Harper corrected. “He’s obsessed with mine. He won’t touch them, though.”

Jared frowned. “Why would he touch them?”

“I’m gay,” Zander explained. “That’s allowed. I still can’t touch her boobs. If they belonged to someone else I would be all over them. We’re too close. It feels like incest.”

“That’s good to know,” Jared said cautiously. “It’s probably going to give me nightmares, but go back to your story. I’m dying to know what was wrong with your date that you only found out when he took his shirt off.”

Zander leaned over the table, his expression serious. “He’s got an outie.”

“A what?”

Harper giggled. “Seriously? Gross.”

“I’m missing something,” Jared said. “What’s an outie?”

Zander lifted his T-shirt and pointed to his belly button.

“Oh,” Jared said, realization dawning. “Was it weird?”

“Totally,” Zander said. “I tried to ignore it, but it kept rubbing against me and … well … I couldn’t concentrate. I had to leave.”

“Please tell me you didn’t sneak out without telling him,” Harper chided.

“I’m not your father,” Zander replied. “I explained why I had to leave and he was offended. Quite frankly, I think I dodged a bullet. I wouldn’t want to date someone that shrill more than once anyway.”

“Well, live and learn,” Harper said.

“I always do,” Zander agreed. “So, tell me all about your date. I heard you ran into your mother.”

“How can you possibly know that?”

“She called my mother before she was out of the parking lot and my mother called me first thing this morning,” Zander answered. “Tell me every single thing you did – don’t get gross, though – and don’t leave anything out. We finally get to share date stories again, Harp. I’ve never been so happy in my entire life.”

Harper launched into the retelling, Zander interrupting to ask questions whenever the mood struck.

Jared leaned back in his chair, amused as he sipped his coffee with one hand and held Harper’s hand with the other. He definitely could get used to this.