Maggie stood with a wince and covered a wide yawn with her hand. “I’m heading home. Someone decided I needed to change my workout. If anyone tells you to take up running to vary an exercise routine, sprint far and fast in the opposite direction. My thighs are killing me.”
Connor smirked. “Poor baby.”
The other women grinned.
“You wouldn’t catch me running,” Julia said.
“You don’t have to battle weight like I do. I think about a dark, moist and decadent chocolate brownie and weight sticks to my thighs and butt.” Maggie sniffed at their derisive laughter. “I’m off to soak in the bath.”
Connor stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Night,” Julia said, lifting her right hand in a casual wave. “Anyone for another drink? We could split a bottle of wine.”
“Sounds good,” Christina said. “I’ll buy. I’ve taken on two makeover clients this week. Retirement from Barker & Johnson is looking better every day.”
“Congratulations, Christina. I’ll see you at rugby tomorrow.” With a quick wave Maggie followed Connor from the crowded bar.
Outside, he took her arm, holding her against his side to combat the swirl of icy wind.
“Come home with me,” he said.
“I don’t know,” Maggie said, fighting temptation. “We have work tomorrow and I am sore after running.” She also wanted to check her blog for comments. So far, most of her visitors had said the same thing. She needed to talk to her partner. Easier said than done. The last thing she wanted was to scare away Connor. Besides, what happened if he met someone else and theirfriends with benefitsdeal ended? What would happen to her then?
“Doctor Connor to the rescue. I know just the thing to fix sore muscles.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to his SUV. Maggie fought her conscience for about two seconds before meekly allowing him to seat her in the passenger seat. She watched him as he jogged around the front of the vehicle. As usual, he was smiling, his dark looks making her heart clench with longing. She wished Susan hadn’t brought up babies. She’d love to have children. One day. A sigh escaped and she leaned her head back against the headrest, letting her eyes close. She hadn’t lied when she’d said her body throbbed in one big ache. This jogging lark was killing her. She needed her head read. How had she ever thought running was a good idea?
Connor started the SUV and Maggie let herself drift.
“Wake up, babe. We’re at my apartment.”
“Sorry. I must have fallen asleep.” Self-consciously, she stretched and fumbled for the seatbelt. “I didn’t snore, did I?”
“Yeah, you did. The cutest little sound.”
“You’re making that up.”
“You’ll never know, will you?” Connor brushed the tip of her nose with his finger. “Come on. We’ll get you in the shower before you fall asleep again.”
Maggie climbed out the vehicle, grimacing and mumbling under her breath about running and people who should know better. “I wanted a bath. Don’t you have a bath?”
“I never said I had a bath,” Connor corrected. “I said I have something better. Come on, limpy-gimpy. Let’s get you inside.”
“If you think you’re gonna get lucky tonight, you’d better rethink your plans,” Maggie snapped.Damn, it hurt to walk. She would never jog again. Only stupid people ran. Fools and idiots.
“I’m not a complete moron.” Connor’s face darkened, and she glanced away, biting her bottom lip in consternation. Even her conscience was working against her, trying to do the right thing and push him away.
Without another word he led her into his apartment. His roommates weren’t home, although Maggie smelled curry spices and noticed a basketball and a sweatshirt tossed over the back of a chair. At least one of his roommates had been here recently.
Connor chucked his keys on the countertop and shunted her down the passage to the small bathroom. Reaching in, he flipped on the tap and waited until the water ran hot.
“Get in and warm up,” he said, leaving her alone.
Maggie shrugged out of her clothes, wincing and groaning when she lifted her legs to remove her pantyhose. Horrid things. Maybe she’d try stockings—some of those thigh-high ones that didn’t require a garter belt. Leaving her clothes on a heap in the floor, she pulled back the shower curtain and stepped inside. For long moments, she stood under the water, soaking in the heat.
With a sigh, she reached for the soap and cleansed her body, driving out the last of the chill caused by the winter winds that had swirled across the city of Auckland.
“All done?” Connor asked.
