shirt, a slim leather choker, and sexy black boots. Her hair was parted to the side, shiny and beautiful, with a lingering hint of color covering one smoky eye. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen Piper in a skirt, much less wearing makeup. But it wasn’t the clothes or the makeup that held his rapt attention. It was the way Piper had been looking at him like he was hers and giving off a definitely back-off-bitches vibe. He’d wanted her to feel that way for a long time, but he’d never imagined how incredible it would feel to experience it.
Willow sipped her wine and said, “Traffic coming back from the city must be really bad for Remi and Mason to be this late. We need to convince Aiden to move closer.” Aiden Aldridge was Remi’s older brother and Ben’s business partner. He’d recently returned to the city after spending several weeks overseas for business, and Remi and Mason were on their way back from visiting him.
“You don’t seriously believe they’re stuck in traffic, do you?” Piper shook her head, giving Harley a get-a-load-of-her glance. “They’re totally banging.”
Harley couldn’t resist leaning in and kissing her. She pulled back a little too quickly, her eyes darting across the table to her sister. He’d anticipated Piper’s nervousness around her sister and Zane. He curled his hand around her shoulder, pulling her closer, and kissed her temple, whispering, “Just go with it.”
Zane nudged Willow. He was an actor-turned-screenwriter with a playful, cocky attitude and classic Hollywood good looks. His debut screenplay, Beneath It All, was currently in production to become a major motion picture. More importantly, he adored Willow, and it showed in everything he did.
“Can I just say, wow?” Willow said with appreciation. “I have waited so long to see my big sis this happy with a man.”
Piper rolled her eyes. “Don’t go there, Willow.”
“Aw, come on,” Zane teased. “I want to know what Harley has that every other guy who has tried to win you over doesn’t.”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Willow waved her hand across the table. “Check out the way he’s looking at her, like there’s no one else in the entire pub.”
Piper’s beautiful green eyes rolled leisurely over Harley’s face, slowly moving down his body. She took her time, openly admiring his chest and lingering on his groin so long he felt the heat of her gaze blazing through him. Could the others tell how badly he wanted to drag her out of there and make good on his earlier promises?
When Piper finally looked at Zane, she slid her hand to Harley’s thigh under the table and said, “It’s not because of what he has. It’s because of who he is.”
Willow and Zane looked as astonished as Harley felt. He drew Piper close again and pressed a kiss beside her ear. Then he rested his forehead on the side of her head, taking a second to wrap his head around how hard that must have been for her to admit, before whispering, “Are you trying to make me fall so hard for you I’ll never recover?”
“Sorry we’re late!” Remi exclaimed, startling Harley and Piper apart. “Whoa! It’s really true. Harley and Piper are a couple! Look at you guys, whispering sweet nothings and getting all lovey-dovey. Remember last year when you guys came over to help me and Mason slip out of town? I told Mason that night that you two would end up together.”
Remi was an actress, and she’d had issues with a stalker last year. Mason had wanted to take her out of town without the stalker realizing she’d slipped away, and Piper and Harley had taken part in the ruse. Harley had made no bones about wanting Piper. She, on the other hand, had brushed him off just like she’d always done.
Thank God he’d finally forced himself out of the friend zone.
“Stop gushing and get your scrawny ass over here.” Piper pushed to her feet, pulling the Natalie Portman look-alike into a hug.
Harley rose to shake Mason’s hand, using the table for balance. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”
Mason was a formidable man, standing eye to eye with Harley. “Couldn’t be better.” He nodded toward the girls and said, “Guess you might say the same?”
Hell yes. “Better than ever.”
“Piper, look at you in that skirt! You have killer legs!” Remi pointed at Piper’s legs and said, “Look, Mase! Doesn’t she look hot?”
“She does,” Mason agreed.
“My girl always looks hot,” Harley said, pulling Piper