Page 164 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

“And I’ve lost you again, haven’t I?”

Harper blinked at Annie’s question. “I’m sorry. Truly.”

The heiress tilted her head. “Anything you want to talk about? I know how jarring it can be, being alone in a strange place.”

Harper shook her head. “Just feeling a tad out of sync. Does that make sense?”

“Absolutely. You’re in a different country, away from your family and friends, where the people seem to speak a different language despite the fact they’re speaking English. You’re allowed to feel out of sync. Have you spoken to anyone back home since getting here? That would help, I’m sure.”

Harper fought the guilty blush heating her cheeks again. “My brother doesn’t know I’m here. He’s what you’d call a bit overprotective.”Ha, that’s an understatement.“If I called him, he’d be on the first plane over here to drag my ass back…why are you laughing?”

Annie dropped her hand from her lips, her grin wide. “I’ll tell you one day. Promise. Suffice to say, your secret is safe with me. Does Amy know you’re here on a secret mission?”

“Hee! Secret mission, I like that. And yes, she does. I spoke to her last night and she promised she wouldn’t tell Andrew where I was.”

The eleven p.m. conversation had been an odd one. She was sure Amy wanted to tell her something important but hadn’t. And Harper had almost asked if Keith and Marc were gay, but she didn’t want to give away her lustful interest…inbothof them. At the last moment, she’d bitten her tongue. Amy knew about Harper’s ménage fantasy, but surely she’d never expect her to fall for her best friends. How awkward would that confession be?

And by the way, Amy, I want to experience the ultimate female fantasy and bang both your sexy mates.

Too embarrassing to say out loud, even if it was true. Besides, Harper knew there was a lot more driving her desires than just sex.

I want to prove to Andrew I’m capable of looking after myself, even if having a threesome he’ll never, ever know about isn’t the way to do it. Just like taking off to Australia without his knowledge is teaching him a lesson?

Too close to the bone and probably too petulant was the real truth. The one she'd never speak aloud.

Because thanks to my fucking stepfather, I can’t trust anyone and I feel like I’m dying inside from not living my?—

“Good for Amy.” Annie’s laugh cut the bleak thought short, a fact Harper was more than grateful for. Thoughts of her perverted stepfather only made her sick. “She’s a bit of a wild one but so much fun. I fear this trip may mean we lose her here at Farpoint, especially if she meets an equally adventurous American guy. I suspect Hazel thinks the same thing.”

“She loves it here,” Harper said. “I can’t imagine her anywhere else. She’s so vivacious. So…so…”

“Australian?” she offered. “I know the kids love her. She’s an amazing educator. She also keeps Blue and Thomo in line…most of the time. God knows what they’ll get up to while she’s away.” A curious frown pulled at Annie’s eyebrows. “Have you met Blue and Thomo yet? Keith Munroe and Marc Thompson?”

A vise wrapped around Harper’s chest. She stared at Annie, her lips tingling. “I have,” she answered, modulating her voice. She didn’t want Annie to know that at just the mention of their names her head exploded with debauched fantasies. “On Saturday. They seem friendly.”

“Wearefriendly.”

Harper jumped at Marc Thompson’s deep voice, the pile of collage fodder on her lap sliding to her feet. She heard his chuckle. Heard Annie’s answering one. But for the life of her, she couldn’t look at him. Not yet. Not until she got the flame in her cheeks under control.

The sound of the floorboards creaking told her Marc had entered her small classroom. “G’day, Ms. Prince. How’s the book going?”

“The book is going well, thank you. Revised chapter four last night.” Annie’s answer was directed above Harper’s head. Which meant Marc was standing directly behind her.

Her heart beat harder and faster, hammering against the vise trying to compress her chest.Oh God.

“Still reckon you should dedicate it to me and Blue. We were the ones who told you to write it.”

Annie’s eyes twinkled. “If I recall correctly, Thomo, you told me to write ‘a book like that fifty shades of sex thing’, not a recount of growing up famous. And Blue told you to shut up and get back to work.”

The chuckle behind Harper was relaxed. Devilish. It made her pussy contract. “It was worth a shot.I’dread it.”

“Yes.” Annie’s smile turned into a smirk. “I bet you would. Now do you mind telling us why you’re here? Can’t we American women take a break for a while from all the Aussie testosterone?”

Marc laughed again. “Nope. ’Fraid not.”

Annie cocked an eyebrow.

“Actually,youcan have a break if you like, Ms. Prince.” Marc’s voice stroked over Harper’s fraying composure. “It’s Harper I’m here to collect.”

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