Finding Harmony by Jomarie Degioia Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t think anyone was allowed out there,” he said. “It’s
pretty primitive, right?”
     “Not really. There’s electricity and running water but
only one tent-cabin. That girl from the Institute lives out there.”
    His senses sharpened at the unexpected information. “Harmony?”
    Tammy shrugged. “I guess that’s her name. She has the place
all to herself. For now.”
    His mind quickly processed Tammy’s disclosure. Harmony
lived out there alone? Well, no wonder riding her scooter at night didn’t faze
her. Man, that girl never ceased to surprise him. Maybe he’d take a ride out
there—
    “Rick?”
    He glanced at Tammy to find her regarding him closely. “Hmm?”
    She smiled. “I lost you there.”
    He ducked past her. “My steam awaits. See you later,
Tammy.”
    He entered the first available steam room and peeled off
his sticky shirt and shorts. Naked, he settled back on the contoured bench, draped
his towel over his waist and closed his eyes. He went over what he’d learned
from Tammy and what he’d guessed so far. Harmony lived alone, out by the far
lake. She was capable and self-sufficient despite the fact that her name
sounded a little flaky. She was intelligent, though her knowledge didn’t seem
to extend to finances and the bottom line like most of the women he’d dated. God,
she was gorgeous. Quirky and spirited. He thought of that near-kiss again. What
would she taste like?
    He pictured her wrapped in just a towel, like Tammy had
been. Her skin glistening with sweat, her citrus and floral scent coming off of
her.
    The room grew hotter and he let out a breath. Sweat
trickled down his chest to pool in his navel before making its way to the towel.
He had trouble breathing and drank some of the lavender water. It certainly
didn’t help him relax.
    The rest of his body seemed to think blood was only needed
in one part right now, the one under the damp towel. Thankfully each steam room
was outfitted with a cool water spigot. He splashed some water on his face and
cupped his hands to drink. It felt like ice compared to the air. To his skin. To
his thoughts.
    Maybe he’d ride out to Harmony’s camp. He had to know how
the Institute was progressing, right? He didn’t need to see her flushed cheeks
or her sparkling eyes. He didn’t need to hear her husky voice or throaty laugh.
No. He only needed to see the job finished and to get the hell out of Cypress Corners.
    If the Institute wouldn’t give the information up, maybe
she would.
    ***
    Why did she let him get to her?
    Harmony pulled on a pair of boxers and a tank top as she
readied for bed. She sat and ran a brush through her hair, trying to wind down
after a busy day. She’d ridden over the property, but could find no other sign
of the buckwheat. The developers called the Institute almost every day, which
could only mean that Rick Chapman called the developers just as often.
    Well, she could find them another darn place for their
snack bar. But she had to take her time if she wanted to do the job right. Identifying
other habitats for the buckwheat was her prime objective. Well, not the only
one. She thought of Ariel and Max. A lot more was riding on this assignment than
one endangered scrub buckwheat.
    Adam and his slick words and sweet promises. She cringed as
she recalled how easily he’d gotten her into his bed. She’d been such a fool. What
did she know back then? She’d been just a stupid girl with no real girlfriends
to ask about the snake. Only after, when she was brokenhearted and her parents
were just broke, had she realized what an idiot she’d been. Well, it was up to
her to repay them. That goal wouldn’t change. She couldn’t let Rick get in her
way.
    The night they had dinner he’d been almost relaxed. He’d
nearly lost that sharp city edge that clung to his pressed and perfect clothes.
When they’d looked up at the stars, when he’d nearly kissed her… Oh, she had to
stop thinking about him. He didn’t matter.