Pure Harmony Read online

  “You have another sister?” Harmony’s tone was clipped.

  “I have three in total and two brothers including Leo. You know this, I told you so earlier. Deyon isn’t my sister—she’s family, though. Maybe will even be a sister-in-law—she and Leo recently started dating. Enough questions—now get in the car.”

  “You can’t just give me a car.” Harmony stepped back.

  “I’m not giving you a car. It belongs to my cousin. She’s away at medical school and left it here. I called and asked her if you could borrow it. She was glad to lend it to you. Said it was just sitting there anyway,” Jonathon said.

  Harmony turned on her heels and went back to the house. Baffled, Jonathon followed her. Her back looked rigid as she moved before him. Inside the condo, he caught her arm and turned her to him.

  “Harmony, what—?”

  “Come on, Harmony. Let’s make sure you like this stuff I got. After all, I had to depend on Jon for your sizes and what you might like. I want to get this done so we can eat,” Deyon called from upstairs.

  Harmony glanced from the stairs to Jonathon. Her face was even colder than before. “You bought me clothing too.”

  “I—”

  “Jon, shut up and let her come upstairs. Get the rest of the bags from the car. I don’t have all night.” Deyon’s footsteps headed towards Harmony’s room.

  Harmony’s eyes narrowed then she turned on her heel and went up the stairs. Jonathon watched her, wondering what was wrong.

  “Boy, I know that look. You have some grovelling to do.” Leo spoke from behind him.

  Jonathon glared at his older brother. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Haughty works on people who don’t know you. What is she to you? Heard you were asking around about the fire at her apartment building.” Leo pushed his hands into his pockets.

  Jonathon didn’t even wonder how he knew—Leo was the sheriff, and their older brother Dimitri was an arson investigator, so he would have heard about it from him.

  “You all are a bunch of gossips.” He headed back outside to retrieve the bags.

  Leo followed. Jonathon opened the back door of his brother’s truck. He stared at the bags then remembered what they’d already brought inside.

  “Christ, did she buy the whole of Karltons?”

  “You’re the one who sent Deyon to shop for things for Harmony. And you said, and I quote, ‘She needs everything’.” Leo chuckled. “You should have known better than telling a clothing horse like Deyon something like that.”

  “Damn it, you could have controlled your woman,” Jonathon stated.

  “Mind your business. What’s between us is our business,” Leo stated and pulled out some bags, pushing them into his hands.

  Jonathon didn’t ask him outright what was going on. They all had at some point, but Leo was being strangely mum about what he and Deyon had going on. Their parents had decreed them not to ask about the two. Jonathon accepted the bags and they headed back inside. Upstairs, he strode into Harmony’s bedroom. She glanced at him then away. Deyon pointed to the bed and they put down their bundles. She pushed them out of the room, closing the door in their faces.

  “What the hell is Deyon’s problem? Why is Harmony looking at me like that? I didn’t do anything wrong,” Jonathon said.

  “Deyon is just being ornery because you told her that Harmony wasn’t as flamboyant as she is. She saw that as an insult to Harmony and took exception to it.”

  “But she doesn’t even know her. I didn’t mean it as a bad thing.” Jonathon walked down the hall.

  “It doesn’t matter. You know Deyon. She has a big heart, although she tries to hide it below that sassy mouth.” Leo smiled a roguish grin.

  “I don’t even want to know what that grin is about.” Jonathon descended the stairs.

  “Back to the question of why Harmony is looking at you the way she is. Well—she’s probably pissed off you bought all that stuff for her and lent her the car. I bet you didn’t even tell her.” Leo headed for the kitchen.

  Jonathon followed. “I didn’t, but she has no reason to be mad. I’m helping her out. How much was everything?”

  “I have no clue. Deyon has the receipts. I left her shopping and went to get the car. I took it to Archer to check over to make sure it was working okay.”

  “Thanks. No wonder you took so long. It’s already after ten.” Jonathon glanced at the wall clock.

  “Nope. That didn’t take long. I was waiting for Deyon. It’s a good thing I went into Karltons when I did—she’d already got the store manager to help her. He was pushing around a cart along with two others employees who also had filled wagons. Deyon was about to get a cart of her own when I got there. Told her we had to go. Boy, was she pissed. When we went to the counter, I realised she had another cart there already waiting. That woman is a shopping manic.” Leo chuckled.

  He pulled out a hero sandwich and handed it to Jonathon then took one for himself. They sat at the island and started eating. Eventually the women joined them and they got their food. Harmony ignored him and conversed with Deyon and Leo. Soon they were finished and Deyon and Leo were getting ready to leave. At the front door, Jonathon hugged Deyon and shook Leo’s hand.

  “How much do I owe you, Deyon?” he asked.

  Deyon raised her head. “Nothing. Harmony and I worked it out.”

  She pivoted and strutted out. Jonathon shook his head and glanced at Leo. He was watching Deyon walk away. The lust on his face was evident. Jonathon smacked him on the back of his head.

  “Stop ogling her ass.”

  Leo rubbed his head then pushed at his shoulder. “But it’s a great one. What’s going on with you and Harmony?” Leo stared at him.

  Jonathon glanced back then frowned when he didn’t see Harmony, though she’d come into the hall with him. He faced Leo again then crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Just like you and Deyon—it’s none of your business.”

  “Fair enough. But you know the family will wonder why she’s staying with you.” Leo left with those words.

  Jonathon knew they would. He pulled the key for the car out of his pocket and pointed it at the vehicle, armed it then stepped back inside. He heard footsteps and turned to see Harmony coming down the hall from the direction of his office. She headed to the stairs.

  “Harmony, here’s the key.” He held it out.

  She took it then went up the stairs. Jonathon stood at the bottom of the staircase watching her retreating figure. He was curious about what Harmony and Deyon had worked out but didn’t think it was a good time to ask. Jonathon locked up then went upstairs to bed. He decided he’d talk to her in the morning before they both headed out to work.

  * * * *

  The next morning, he came down early so he could make her breakfast and they could talk. In the kitchen, he noted something on the island countertop. He frowned, picking up the key for the car. Jonathon went to the front door, peeked out of the window and saw the Corolla was still there. A suspicion formed and he stood at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Harmony,” he called.

  There was no sound upstairs. Jonathon returned to the kitchen then realised there was a paper under a magnet he had on the fridge. He went over and took it down. Jonathon read the note from Harmony, which informed him she would be home late. He crushed the note in his hand, wondering where she was going. Jonathon fixed the magnets back to how they should be, then went to get ready for work. Throughout his workday, all he thought about was Harmony and what she was doing. When he arrived home he got comfortable then paced, waiting for her. Finally, he heard the key in the lock. He saw it was nine thirty and, from their conversations, he knew Friday was her early day at the university so she’d finished at twelve. He went into the hall and waited for her to open the door.

  “How did you get to work? Where have you been?” he demanded as she entered.

  Harmony glanced at Jonathon. He was standing with his feet braced apart and
arms crossed over his chest. She had noted before that that was his ‘trying to be calm while actually pissed off’ pose. Harmony closed the door, stifling a smile. She faced him again and got the zing of need. She was mad at him and should not be thinking of how fast she could get him naked and inside her. Harmony passed him and went into the kitchen. She heard his footsteps behind her. Harmony put away the food from the bag she’d brought in.

  “Well.”

  Harmony moved to the island, looking at Jonathon across the surface. She had already seen the key for the car and knew they had to talk.

  “I took the bus to work. I’ve been with Deyon. We made arrangements for me to help her out at her store. I need to pay off the things she bought for me.”

  “But I was go—”

  “Pay for them. No and that brings me to the point. You can’t just buy me stuff and give me a car. People don’t just do things like that, Jonathon.” Harmony thought of all the things Deyon had bought.

  She was set for replacing her clothing and other essentials. Deyon had been through and had even bought her shoes. At first, she’d been pissed off and embarrassed that Jonathon had done such a thing, thinking of her as a charity case. Deyon—in what Harmony realised was her blunt way—had quickly dissuaded her of being a charity case. At least to Deyon. She’d told Harmony she didn’t look like a woman who let a man pay for her and since she—Deyon—might have got a little spend happy, Harmony could work it off in her store. Also, for some additional money, she wanted to use Harmony’s petite frame to fit for a special order she was making for a model friend. As well as a shoe and hand model for some shoes and jewellery that she had recently made for her store. There would be no pictures of her face, thankfully. Deyon hadn’t cared that Harmony had no experience in modelling—she’d said she would do it and that was that. When Harmony had first met the exquisitely dressed woman, she’d had trepidation she would be stuck up, but Deyon was anything but.

  Arriving at her store—which Harmony had heard of but had never shopped in—she’d been again intimidated, but Deyon and her employees had all made her feel welcome. After working with Deyon today, she’d seen that the woman was highly efficient and dedicated to her business. No wonder it was so successful. Deyon’s store didn’t carry her size, but the shoes and other accessories had tempted her.

  “It’s something I do. Any one of my family would have done. It’s the way we were raised. To help when someone needs it.” Jonathon ran his hand over the back of his neck then lowered his hand, clenching his fist. “It’s not charity if that’s what you’re thinking. I didn’t expect you to just take and not pay me back. But you could have done that in time. The car was because, as I mentioned, I realised that from here it’s longer to get to the university. I figured it would cost you more in transportation and it would be cheaper to put gas in a car so you can go to and from here to there. Or wherever you needed to go. As well as take less time. None of that’s charity—it was helping another human being who might need it. Why won’t you just accept my help?”

  His frustration was evident in his tone and mannerisms. Harmony thought of what he had stated then realised she’d automatically become defensive. The difference in their lifestyles had inserted itself into her subconscious and she hadn’t even noticed it. Harmony recognised that since she’d met Jonathon, she’d been making lots of assumptions about him. She made a mental note to check the Internet to find out more about what he had been referring to when he’d said his family helped others. In her gut, she knew that if she asked Jonathon, he’d make it seem less than it was.

  “Okay. I’ll use the car. You’re right—it would be cheaper and take less time. Thanks for letting me use it. Well, thank your cousin too.”

  “I’ll give you her number so you can tell her yourself.” Jonathon stared then asked, “I’m glad you’re accepting my help. How much do you owe Deyon? I—”

  “No, that I won’t let you do. I’ll work it off at Deyon’s.” Harmony smiled.

  “I don’t want you to have to work there if you don’t want to.”

  “But I want to. Deyon is an interesting character and she has a lot she’s showing me.”

  “Are you a sales person?” Jonathon sounded appalled.

  Harmony laughed at his politically correct words. “Nope, I’m more like a Girl Friday at Deyon’s beck and call. She’s showing me a little of everything. It’s challenging keeping up with her.”

  “Okay. But if you want to stop then you can and I’ll pa—”

  “Give it a rest, Jonathon. I’m going to pay off my own debt. Besides, for how much Deyon is paying me, it won’t be for too long.” Harmony shook her head.

  Deyon demanded the best and paid for it. At first, Harmony’d thought Deyon was giving her more so she could work off the money she owed quicker but Deyon had assured her it wasn’t, and had given her the pay scales she had for employees—one of the things Harmony would be helping out with was payroll. Harmony moved around the island and stood before Jonathon. This close, she inhaled his intoxicating scent. She ached with her need to have him. Even mad at him, as she’d been last night, she’d wanted him. Had been aware of his every movement.

  “I’m heading up to bed, are you coming?”

  “Yes. I’ll just lock up. Night.” Jonathon turned.

  Harmony could tell he didn’t know what she’d meant. He’d figure it out soon enough. She strolled upstairs. She leaned against the wall just by the steps and soon she heard Jonathon coming up. When he was at the top of the steps, he went towards his room.

  “I thought you were coming to bed?” Harmony stifled a smile as he jumped then turned to face her.

  “I am.” His brow furrowed.

  “Okay, then.” She sauntered towards him, passing him as she headed for his room.

  “Where are you going?”

  Harmony faced him and walked backwards. “For a lawyer, you really are slow. To bed with you. And I don’t plan on us sleeping for a while.”

  Harmony let the desire she had for him seep into her voice. Even before the fire, she’d decided she was going to stop resisting and have him. Losing everything had derailed that momentarily, but she needed to be near him. Jonathon’s face changed and she saw the hunger on his face. He moved towards her, his movements predatory, arrogant and precise. All the things that made up who he was. Harmony’s pulse quickened and her pussy dampened.

  Chapter Five

  Harmony shifted when her back touched the wall and she searched with her hand behind her to find the edge of the doorjamb. When she did, she used it as a guide to step through the door while her gaze was still locked on Jonathon’s. His stroll was slow and made her heartbeat accelerate as she moved backwards away from him. Suddenly he moved faster and caught her, yanking her against his bigger frame. He lowered his head and kissed her, clearly marking his ownership, and Harmony met him, revelling in the possessiveness of his touch. The texture of his kiss was different from those they’d shared recently—this one was as she remembered from their one night together. It made the throb of her slit increase and her body prepared for his taking.

  Jonathon loosened his hold and his fingers touched her throat then lowered as he undressed her. Harmony suckled his tongue as he worked on getting them naked. She cradled his head and stepped back, moving towards the bed. Jonathon matched her step for step. The cool air on her skin made her shiver slightly and she moaned as she felt him cup her breasts, kneading them then plucking at the nipples. Harmony kicked off her sandals and kept pulling him with her as she moved back. Jonathon’s hands on her hips stilled her then he grabbed her ass, pulling her tight to him again. She whimpered as his bare skin touched her naked flesh. His engorged shaft pressed along her sternum. He moved his hand down her hip then under her leg, changing her hold and lifting her leg up. Jonathon rocked rubbing against her, Harmony arched, countering his motions. Jonathon lifted his head and stared at her.

  “Harmony.” The harsh need in his voice made the heat in h
er belly increase.

  Holding her leg, he lifted her off the floor and stepped forward. Jonathon lowered her to the mattress and covered her with his body. He pushed open her legs and surged into her. Harmony writhed, whimpering as his sheathed erection filled her. She closed her eyes, smiling. Jonathon was very efficient at donning protection without her ever realising it, just as he had been that night. Her thoughts scattered as he set a hard, fast rhythm. Harmony held his shoulders, squeezing them in time with his thrusts. She moaned continuously as he took her without any mercy. Her body was on fire with need and she wanted…no, needed his masterful taking. She blinked then opened her eyes and stared at his face, which was carved in harsh lines of pleasure. The muscles in his throat stood out as he pumped deep and twisted his hips.

  “Jonathon,” she whimpered.

  His gaze focused on her as he moved quicker and his lips pulled back in a snarl. Harmony’s pussy gushed at the sight of him so out of control. Jonathon was usually so contained in everything he did. Even on their one shared night, he had been meticulous in driving her out of her mind. Yet now this untamed man made her pulse jump and canal clench with the pleasure he was giving her. Harmony couldn’t decide which version of his sensual conquering she preferred.

  “Come for me.” His harsh demand was punctured by thrusts.

  “Jonathon,” she groaned, arching as she flooded with her release.

  Tightening her legs around him, she rocked against him, demanding that he give her his own pleasure. Jonathon’s breaths puffed out and his sweat-dampened face was hard. Harmony lifted her head and licked along his lips from top to bottom then bit down on the centre of the bottom one before letting it go with a pop.

  “Now,” she screamed.

  Jonathon stiffened then shuddered, grunting as he came. He jerked, shaking, then relaxed, collapsing against her. Harmony held him and kissed the side of his face. Her heart beat frantically as she inhaled his scent. Jonathon was limp against her, his body sprawled over her.