Read Inevitable (Key West #2) for Free Online

until…”
    “What?” I asked.
    “Nothing. Just know that Harper isn’t as strong as she appears. Don’t get me wrong. She can lay it on thick, stand up for herself when needed, and make most men cower in the corner. But on the inside…” He shook his head, running his fingers through his hair. “She’s still that girl from high school who’s hoping to be good enough.”
    His comments bothered me tremendously. I met Jett in college, so I hadn’t known Harper as long as Kade or even Jude had. I now had a feeling I was missing something vital about who she truly was.
    “Just don’t use her.”
    Jett’s statement made me turn in my chair to face him. “Come again?”
    “If that is all you see when you look at my sister, then don’t act on it.” Jett stared at me, his expression hard. “I would say that you are one of my best friends, Easton, someone I would do just about anything for. But if I had to choose between you and her, you have to know there would be no question. I won’t stand by and watch her get hurt, not by someone I consider a brother.”
    “What makes you think I would hurt her?” I had to admit, the fact that he was assuming I had bad intentions was pissing me off.
    “She’s built walls to protect herself. She goes for all the wrong guys because she wants to stay safe. If she goes into a relationship with low expectations, she feels she has less of a chance of getting hurt in the end,” he explained.
    “I’m not looking for a fuck buddy,” I stated as clearly as possible. “If I was looking for a hookup, I can guarantee you I wouldn’t go after Harper. I may not have known her my whole life, but I’ve known her long enough to know she deserves something good. And you…” I paused to get my thoughts straight. “Your friendship means more to me than one night of sex. I’m not willing to throw that away. No matter how hot the girl is.”
    I chuckled when Jett smiled.
    “I will tell you this—she could never just be a road gig. She is definitely more than that.”
    I understood his reservations. If she and I had something that went south, my friendship with Jett would be lost as well. I looked over at the blonde beauty again. She was tipsy now, and her laughter was louder. She seemed less guarded. She was relaxed and she was absolutely beautiful.
     
    ***
     
    As the night went on, the girls continued to drink, and when they started dancing next to the pool, Jett cut them off and lectured them about the dangers of slipping and hurting themselves. They called him a control freak and a buzzkill, but he was right.
    Kade and Jude said their good-byes, and soon after, Jett dragged Quinn off to bed. I snuck off to the hot tub with a fresh beer in hand. I had paced myself all night, knowing I had to drive to my condo.
    Avery, Callie, and Harper noticed where I’d gone and decided to join me, and there I was in a pool of heated water with three attractive woman. What guy wouldn’t love every second of that scenario? All three sat on the opposite side and stared at me, smirking. I had a feeling I was in for it when they all shared some sort of signal as they winked and nodded.
    “So here we are,” Callie started. “Three of us and one of you. It’s late, dark, and no one’s around to witness or judge.”
    Avery leaned over to Callie and whispered in her ear just before she traced her tongue up the side of Callie’s neck oh so gently.
    I felt that one as my cock twitched. What the fuck?
    I looked over at Harper, who was watching me closely. I couldn’t read her blank stare, and I immediately remembered Jett’s words. Harper isn’t as strong as she appears.
    “Sorry, Callie, but I’m more of a one-woman man. And I have my sights set on one specific blonde,” I said, never once allowing my eyes to leave Harper’s.
    Her expression softened and relief filled me.
    “Well, I guess that’s our cue,” Callie said as she stood up and crawled out of the hot tub. She reached her hand