Ignite by Karen Erickson Read Free Book Online

it. Plus, the bartender had just set two shot glasses in front of the girls. Wren grinned madly at Harper as she handed one of the glasses to her. “Bottoms up!”
    Harper hadn’t even looked in his direction yet and he was surprisingly butt hurt. He watched as she grabbed the glass and clinked it to the edge of Wren’s before tossing her head back and drinking that shot down in one smooth swallow. She made a sexy little satisfied noise as she slammed her now empty glass on the counter, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand and beaming at his sister.
    Ah shit. Was that his dick twitching to life? He had no idea watching Harper drink would be so damn arousing. He needed to get himself in check and stat. She was a taken woman. He had no business lusting after her. She belonged to someone else.
    The thought alone made his mouth dry as sand.
    â€œI need a drink,” he muttered to no one in particular.
    â€œWant me to order you something?” Harper asked sweetly.
    West did a double take, shock coursing through him. Did she just offer to do something nice for him? Yesterday when they talked she’d both insulted and snubbed him all in a matter of seconds. “Uh, sure. A beer?”
    â€œPale ale?” She lifted her brows.
    His skin went warm. She remembered his favorite beer. Way to get to a man’s heart and quick. “Yeah. That would be great. Thanks.”
    â€œNot a problem.” She turned toward the bartender, waving her hand until she got his attention. He made his way over to where she and Wren sat and the both of them gave the guy an earful, orders from everyone.
    But Harper asked for only West’s order. Why that little detail made him feel special, he wasn’t sure. He wasn’t going to dwell on it. He couldn’t. Nothing could happen between them. Not ever.
    He had the urge to get a beer in hand even more now.
    â€œWe’re celebrating,” Wren told him when the bartender walked away.
    He raised a brow. “What are you celebrating?”
    â€œWren.” Harper’s tone was a warning, and Wren pressed her lips together, looking like she might burst. “Don’t say it.”
    Now he was curious. Though what if they were celebrating Harper’s engagement to the dude she lived with? Hey, it could happen. Living with someone was quite the commitment. One he couldn’t imagine wanting to embark on. He wasn’t even ready for a relationship.
    He didn’t think he’d ever be ready.
    Wren’s lips parted and she sucked in air before she blurted, “Harper’s a free woman.”
    West frowned, his gaze sliding to Harper’s. “Free?”
    Harper glared at his sister before she offered him a weak smile. “Um, my boyfriend and I . . . ”
    â€œShe dumped him,” Wren interrupted. “And about damn time too. He was so boring. ”
    Harper said nothing. Neither could West. His brain was too busy reworking what Wren had just told him. Harper was single. This was good news.
    Excellent news.
    â€œYou promised you wouldn’t bash him,” Harper said quietly.
    â€œI’m sorry. You know I get mouthy when I drink.” Lamest excuse ever. Wren was always mouthy. “West, you’re lucky you didn’t witness those two together. They made a horrible couple.”
    He could see the hurt etched all over Harper’s face, but she wasn’t saying anything. “Wren, lay off.”
    â€œPlease.” Wren waved a hand. “Harper knows the truth. I mean, come on. They worked together, which was the first mistake. How exciting could an accountant be?”
    West raised his brows. “Aren’t you an accountant?” Would Harper continue working with her now ex-boyfriend? That would be . . . weird.
    â€œBookkeeper.” Wren waved her hand around again, nearly slapping West’s cheek. He dodged out of her way.
    â€œSame diff,” Harper muttered under her