Taking Connor (5 page)

“Connor, don’t!” I cry springing from the floor, almost losing the small towel wrapped around me. The club stops mid-swing as Jeff stumbles back into me, tripping us both, causing us to crash to the floor, my towel falling open as he lands on top of me, his back pressed to my bare body.

“We’re her family!” Wendy yells as she jumps in front of Connor. I’m clinging to Jeff for dear life with one hand while my other hand blindly and frantically searches for the towel I’ve lost.      

Jeff, realizing our extremely awkward predicament, moves to roll off of me, but I jerk him back. His large body is the only thing covering me and my nakedness right now. “Jeff, if you move I’ll kill you,” I growl, and his body stiffens, but he remains still. “Wendy! I need my towel. Now!”

Wendy’s gaze moves to where her husband and I lay on the floor, and her eyes widen to the size of saucers. Her eyes dart across the floor. When she sees the towel and grabs for it, she reaches out for Jeff’s hand at the same time to pull him up. “You better close your eyes babe,” she warns and yanks him up, tossing the towel to me. I quickly glance toward the door and see Connor has left. Thank God for that. Wendy shoves Jeff out the bedroom door, his hands are covering his face, and his shoulders are hunched as if he’s just been pepper sprayed.

“I’m so sorry, Demi. I nearly peed the bed when I heard you screaming,” she laughs.

“You?” I question. “I sat on your husband.”

“God, I’m sorry.”

I don’t tell her it’s okay because right now I’m mad as hell. I just had my best friend’s husband lying on top of my naked body.

Wendy pushes her curly blonde hair behind her ears and fixes her brown eyes on me. “Are you okay?”

Am I? I guess I am other than having the living shit scared out of me. “What are you doing here?” I ask for the five thousandth time.

“Jeff’s mother offered to keep the kids tonight, but she wanted to stay at our house because she says they break too much stuff at her house. With Jeff in between jobs, we didn’t want to spend the money for a hotel. I didn’t think you’d mind. I left you a voicemail.”

I’m not upset they’re here; they’re always welcome in my home. However, I would have liked some forewarning, but I can’t be mad at her—just the situation.

“I just had your husband pressed against my naked body,” I moan in embarrassment. Wendy rolls her eyes.

“He’ll be living off that for years,” she jokes making me cringe.

“Not to mention Connor probably saw me naked,” I gripe.

“Oh, poor Connor,” she mock gasps. “I’m sure seeing a beautiful naked woman was just awful.” I roll my eyes . . . again. “Get dressed,” she moves toward the door. “I gotta make sure Jeff didn’t break his toe.”

When I head downstairs after dressing, I find everyone in the kitchen. Jeff is leaned against the counter while Wendy sips a glass of juice. Connor is standing with his arms crossed by the back door. Wendy smiles brightly and takes Jeff’s hand, leading him out of the kitchen.

“It was lovely meeting you, Connor,” she says. “I think I’ll just get Jeff to bed. It’s been a bit of a stressful night for him.”

“Goodnight,” Connor replies. “Nice to meet you both.”

As they pass by me, Jeff has his eyes squeezed closed and head turned away from me.

“I have clothes on, Jeff,” I tell him.

“Sorry about all that, Demi,” he murmurs as they keep going. “I didn’t see anything.”

When they’re up the stairs and out of hearing range, I sigh and look to Connor.

“Well, now that you’ve been properly welcomed home,” I joke. “I am so sorry about all of that.”

He takes a deep breath and releases it. “I heard you scream and . . .”

“Thank you for coming so quickly. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Connor’s mouth curves slightly on one side and his gaze meets mine. “It was quite the welcome home party,” he chuckles, and even I join in as my embarrassment begins to subside. I can’t imagine how crazy he thinks we all are. Our gazes remain locked even as our laughter begins to ebb.

“Do you like to sleep in or are you an early bird?”

“You don’t get to sleep in when you’re in prison. I don’t think I could sleep in if I tried,” he replies, his gaze leaving mine and darting to the floor.

My chest tightens with his words. Through the rollercoaster of an evening we’ve had, I seemed to have forgotten where he’s been and what he’s done. He’s a felon. A violent one and if I’m honest, it scares me somewhat. But on the other hand, I know it’s only the stereotype freaking me out—once a violent felon means always a violent felon. And that makes him dangerous. But I don’t feel that when I’m with him. Quite the contrary. I actually feel . . . safe.

“I’ll make breakfast in the morning. I think the plumber will be here early so just come on down and join us. Wendy and Jeff are early birds, too.”

He doesn’t agree, but simply nods once and says, “Goodnight,” as he exits the back door. After he leaves, I crawl on my sofa and cover myself with the throw. My guestroom is taken, and there’s no way I can sleep in the master. But lumpy sofa or not, my exhaustion quickly consumes me, and I drift off to sleep.

“You, in no way, did that man justice when you described him to me on the phone the other day,” Wendy murmurs, before sipping her coffee.

Ignoring her as I don’t want to discuss just how attractive Connor is, I ask, “Where’s Jeff?”

“Shower,” she answers simply. Standing, she grabs a piece of bacon off the paper plate near the stove where I’m cooking.

“Would you like to help me here or is this like a vacation for you?”

“Vacation?” she snorts. “I’m away from my kids. This is like staying at a five-star resort.”

“Demi!” An all too familiar voice yells as the sound of the screen door to the back porch squeaks open and slams closed.

“In the kitchen,” I huff, realizing this morning is going to be anything but relaxing. Poor Connor is going to get the full brunt of just how overbearing and nosey my family is.

Lexi, my baby sister, strolls in the kitchen, giant sunglasses covering her eyes that undoubtedly are red and smeared with makeup as she recovers from a massive hangover.

“What are you doing here?” I ask her as I fork another piece of bacon on the plate.

“I was on my way home from a friend’s house,” she mumbles as she pulls a coffee mug from the cabinet and begins pouring herself a cup.

“Did you manage to get out before he woke up and asked for your number?” Wendy grins from where she sits at the kitchen table. Lexi’s mouth pops open as if she’s insulted.

“Are you implying I was leaving a one night stand?”

“Not implying,” Wendy clarifies.

Lexi snaps her mouth shut and shrugs. “It went something like that.” Plopping down on the chair next to Wendy, she asks, “So where’s the jailbird?”

“Shhh!” I hiss at her. “He’ll be down any minute and don’t say shit like that in front of him.”

“He just got out of jail,” Lexi yawns. “What else do we have to talk about with him? Politics? World news?”

“Lexi, I swear if you make him feel uncomfortable I’ll tell Mom you’re having sex with anything that has a penis!” I threaten.

“Morning,” a deep voice calls and I nearly jump out of my skin when I realize it’s Connor. He’s wearing a pair of basketball shorts and a fitted black T-shirt, showcasing his muscular body. It takes a moment before I realize I’m staring at him, my eyes tracing each of the intricate tattoos that run down his arms.

“M-morning,” I stutter. “How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty good, thanks.” There’s an awkward beat of silence as the two of us just stare at one another until Lexi clears her throat.

Standing, she approaches holding her hand out like she’s some kind of Southern debutante.

“You must be Connor,” she states the obvious and offers her hand politely as he takes her it and shakes it awkwardly. Something tells me he’s not used to polite ladies—not that Lexi is one. “I’m Lexi, Demi’s
younger
sister.” I cut my eyes to Wendy, who just chuckles behind her coffee mug. She loves to point out she’s the younger one.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Connor replies with a kind smile before his gaze darts back to me. “Mind if I wash up?”

“Not at all. I left a towel and washcloth in there if you want to shower.”

“Thanks.” When he’s left us, I realize the kitchen is silent, and I’ve been staring at his back as he walked down the hallway. When I look to Lexi, her mouth is hanging open, and she’s watching me. Even with her sunglasses on, I know her eyes are bugging out.

“What?”

“What do you mean, ‘what?’” Lexi hisses as she seizes my arm and drags me to the table forcing me to sit. “How about we start with Mr. Gives-Me-Lady-Wood-Just-Looking-At-Him, huh?” I look at Wendy and see she’s pressing her lips together to keep from laughing.

“What about him?” I ask, stupidly. There’s no denying Connor is extremely attractive in a rugged and dangerous kind of way. But I refuse to talk about it with Lexi.

“Really?” she asks in disbelief. “You want to play dumb?”

“Here it comes,” Wendy snorts.

“I’m just going to say it, and you can’t be mad at me for saying it.” Lexi warns, and I cringe internally. She’s always been so crass, and I love it about her sometimes, but other times she literally makes me ill with her verbal diarrhea. “Your husband died, Demi, not your vagina. Don’t you dare act like he doesn’t affect you.”

Groaning, I stand and return to the counter. As I begin cracking eggs into a bowl I argue, “Not everyone’s world revolves around sex, Lexi.”

“Okay,” she sighs in defeat. “I mean, if you’re not interested, you mind if I take a bite?” My stomach knots at the thought.

“Yes, I do,” I toss the shell I’m holding in my hand in the sink and turn back to her. “Leave him be, Lexi. Please. He’s Blake’s cousin, and I don’t want things getting weird because you unleashed your crazy on him.”

“My crazy?” She feigns offense as a small smile curves her lips. Leaning her chair back, she looks down at her crotch and says, “You hear what she just called you? That’s okay. You are crazy,” she coos. “Crazy good.”

“Are you seriously talking to your vagina?” I ask in disbelief. Wendy is absolutely no help to me at all. She’s watching us banter, red-faced and laughing.

“You hurt its feelings,” Lexi pouts as she meets my gaze, her expression serious. “Say you’re sorry.”

My sister is nuts and even though she’s extremely immature and inappropriate, I can’t help but laugh a little. “Not a chance.”

“Fine,” she huffs as she leans her chair forward again. “But that was mean. So, seriously? I can’t make a move on him?”

“He’s off limits. I mean it.”

As I turn back to my bowl of eggs, Lexi murmurs to Wendy, “I wonder if his dick is big.”

Whipping around I hold up my whisk and warn, “If you breathe another word I’m going to beat you with this—”

“Hey, Connor,” Wendy chimes. “You showered quickly. Have a seat, breakfast is almost ready.” I glare at Lexi as she grins from ear to ear, before returning to my bowl.

As I whisk the eggs, I feel a hand on the small of my back. “Can I help you with anything, Demi?” His touch affects me. Damn it, I don’t want it to, but it does. But then I wonder, is it
his
touch, or just because I haven’t been touched by a man in so long? Or have I forgotten the difference between an unwanted touch and a wanted one.

“Thanks, but I’m almost done,” I manage after a moment. “Coffee mugs are in that up there,” I jut my chin toward the cabinet above the coffee maker. “And there’s juice in the fridge.”

“Morning,” Jeff grumbles as he meanders in and takes the seat next to Wendy. When I turn to acknowledge him, he’s staring at the table, avoiding eye contact with me at all costs. Damn, he’s making this weird.

“Jeff,” I call, darting my eyes to Wendy, who’s smirking, before darting them back to him. He still doesn’t look at me. “Jeff,” I say, louder. He doesn’t raise his head but lifts his gaze to mine. “You don’t have to make this weird, okay. It was . . . awkward, yes, but we’re family.”

“Wait,” Lexi interrupts. “What’d I miss?”

“Little mishap. Demi lost her towel and was naked, Jeff ended up on top of her,” Wendy explains nonchalantly as if it’s no big deal.

Lexi, who just sipped her coffee, barely manages to spit it back in her cup. “What?” she chokes out.

“Long story. It was a crazy night last night,” Wendy adds. “Poor Connor probably thinks we’re all nutjobs.”

Connor gives an easy smile from where he stands leaned against the kitchen sink. “No, not nut jobs. But it did scare the hell out of me.”

“Okay, I need to know what’s going on,” Lexi demands.

Wendy explains in more detail what transpired last night, and Lexi sits back in her chair with her eyes fixed on Connor. “Well aren’t you a knight and shining armor? Running in here, ready to protect Demi.”

Her words have so much more meaning. Well, it’s not even the words, it’s the way she says them that causes everyone in the room to feel uncomfortable. Or makes me feel uncomfortable, I’m pretty sure no one else is paying attention to her.

“I heard her scream,” Connor mumbles, after sipping his coffee. “I think anyone would’ve come running to help.”