Page 183 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

He turned from the bed, snatched his jeans from the air as Marc tossed them at him and strode from the room, his tight, naked butt making Harper’s pussy constrict. Oh man, she’d held that butt in her hands last night. Hell, she’dlickedthat butt. And Marc’s.

“Havagood day, love,” Marc said, fixing his own hat on his head, his jeans, shirt and boots tucked under his arm. “See you tonight.”

He followed Keith out of the bedroom, not in the least bit embarrassed by his nudity as far as Harper could tell.

Her phone dinged.

One minute left, sis.

With a growl, she swiped her thumb across the screen and keyed in a response.

That was not a minute, Andrew.

Her heart slammed into her throat as she waited for her brother to read her rebuke.

It came so quickly she couldn’t help but be amazed how fast Andrew’s thumbs must be moving.

Ha! You are there after all. Now tell me where there is.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she keyed in a response.

Nope. You don’t need to know. Safe. And happy. That should be all that counts.

It didn’t take long for Andrew to text back.

If I call you, you’re not going to answer, are you?

Despite herself, Harper chuckled.

No.

A few seconds later, a new text appeared on her screen.

I’m not happy about this, Harper. At least tell me where you are.

Harper stared at the message, her thumb poised over her screen. Shecouldtell him. There wasn’t much he could do about her being here. Apart from getting on the next flight to Australia, followed by the first flight to Cobar, followed by renting a car to drive to Farpoint Creek. Actually, knowing Andrew, he’d probably just get the studio that made his cable travel show to fly him to Oz and then charter a plane direct to the cattle station.

Then he’d arrive in thorough big-brother mode, furious with her. And she’d let him tuck her under his protective wing and take her back to Chicago.

Because that’s what he did—protected her from things that might hurt her. And that’s whatshedid—let him. She loved him and he loved her but it was time she stood on her own two feet. Time to live without fear or shame.

This was her time. Here in Farpoint with Marc and Keith.

This was her moment to truly live. And as much as she loved him, as much as she understood why he did what he did and why she allowed it, if Andrew came to Australia, she’d stop living again. She wasn’t ready yet to disappear back into her shell.

She wasn’t ready yet to say goodbye to Blue and Thomo.

After the last few days—afternoons spent laughing with the cowboys, nights spent moaning with pleasure as they worshipped her body and made her orgasm over and over again—she was wondering if she’deverbe ready.

Her cell dinged in her hand, making her flinch.

Are you going to tell me?

Gnawing on her bottom lip, her belly knotting, her blood roaring in her ears, she tapped in her response.

I’m fine. Stop worrying. Be nice to Amy.

She stared at the screen, waiting for his reply.