The woman had expressive body language. It wasn’t the first time he’d caught himself watching her, noticing her hair, the way she walked, the subtle curve in her hips or even her slender fingertips. And then his mind would wander to those fingertips and her hands, imagining her wrapping her hand around his neck while he explored her mouth, or raking her pretty fingernails down his bare chest or using her sweet soft hands to stroke his—
Jesus. Had he really paid attention to all those things? He had been, for a while now. And then she had to go and ask him to ask her out on a date. It was like she’d read his mind, as if she’d known all the fantasies he’d been having about her lately.
Which he had no goddamned business having.
Because of the rule.
Drake was his best friend. They’d been like brothers both on the field and off. He’d never step on that friendship by touching his kid sister.
But that was the problem, wasn’t it? Harmony wasn’t a kid anymore, and hadn’t been for a long time.
He just hadn’t noticed she’d grown up—until recently. He wasn’t sure when it had happened. Maybe earlier this year, at the New Year’s Eve party Drake had thrown at his mom’s house.
They always liked to congregate here. Mainly to keep Mama Diane company, and hell, Diane liked a good party as much as anyone.
That New Year’s Eve Harmony had worn some slinky silver dress that clung to her curves, revealing cleavage and skin, and she hadn’t brought a date that night.
Neither had he, which meant he’d been scoping out the single women at the party.
He hadn’t meant to scope her out, but when he’d walked in the kitchen and she’d been bent over the dishwasher, revealing silken legs and sexy thighs, all he could think of was spreading her legs and . . .
He jerked his attention away from the window, realizing he was standing out in the backyard with a fucking hard-on.
What the hell was wrong with him? He could still remember the day she’d gotten her braces off. She’d started late and she’d told him high school with braces had been a nightmare. She’d been so excited, and had told him she couldn’t wait to show whatever boyfriend she’d had at the time.
She’d been barely what? Nineteen? Barely legal. He hadn’t paid attention to her. He just remembered smiling at her and telling her she looked pretty.
She was more than pretty now. She was a knockout.
And he was never, ever going to touch her.
Downing the last swallow of his beer, he went back into the house and grabbed another from the fridge. Fortunately, Harmony and Alyssa had exited the kitchen, so maybe he could avoid her the rest of the night.
He made his way into the living room, where Drake and some of the other guys were playing video games. First he stopped at the dining room table to kiss Mama Diane’s cheek. She was chatting with one of the neighbors.
She patted his cheek. “Where’d you disappear to?”
“Out back. Your vegetable garden is looking healthy.”
“And don’t think of running off with my tomatoes.”
He laughed. “You know me so well, Mama Diane.”
“Yes, I do. You hungry?”
“Always.”
“You boys are always hungry. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Thank you.”
He winded his way over to the sofas, where there was a fierce game of war going on. At least on the television. Drake was in the middle of the action, killing aliens along with Bubba Sinclair and Lionel “Mean Man” Taylor, both part of the Tampa defense. It was almost always defensive players over for dinner on Thursday nights when they were in town.
Defense was king. It’s why he’d always loved being part of a defense. Keeping the other team from scoring was what he did best.
And all these guys were beasts.
He loved them as much as he loved his job.
He couldn’t wait for the season to start. Tampa was going to kick some ass this year.
Barrett watched the battle until a skirmish was completed. During a break, Drake leaned back on the sofa, tilting his head back. “You want in on this?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Afraid I’ll kick your ass?”
Barrett laughed. “I think you know better than that.”
“Oh, I do, do I? Get said ass over here and let’s see who’s better.”
“You all turn that off now,” Mama Diane hollered. “Dinner’s ready.”
In an instant, the game was turned off, and so was the TV. They all gathered in the oversized dining room at the huge table—one of Mama Diane’s few requests once she’d acquiesced on the new house.
It was stuffed pork chops tonight, one of Barrett’s favorites, along with green beans, amazing mashed potatoes and baked apples.
Barrett made it a point to sit next to Drake, and as far away from Harmony as possible.
She shot a smirk in his direction when she took her seat at the opposite end of the table, as if she knew exactly why he’d chosen that spot.
She could think what she wanted to. The farther away Harmony stayed, the better.
He concentrated on his food, and the conversation about this season.
“Where’s that fine boyfriend of yours, Harmony?” Mama asked.
Harmony lifted her chin. “We broke up.”
“What? Why?”
Harmony focused on her dinner. “From what he told me, it was more about his business, and he didn’t have much time to spend with me.”