“I can’t see it,” Maggie said, desperate to change the subject and knowing her abruptness and harsh tone was attracting their interest rather than repelling it. She wished Connor and Julia were here. Without the buffer and with the unkind words between them, it was hard. Add a guilty conscience and the speculation about her blog and Maggie couldn’t wait for the work day to end.
“Do you know what time visiting hours are tonight at the hospital?” she asked.
“Seven to nine, I think. Are you going to visit Julia?”
“Yes. I have things to do first, but I should get there before nine.” Maggie stood and forced a smile. “I might see you there.”
Greg stopped her in the passage outside his office. “I want to talk to you.”
“Now? Can’t it wait?”
“No.” He grasped her arm and dragged her into his office, closing the door behind them.
She yanked away and glared at him. “Stop manhandling me.”
“What’s going on between you and Connor?”
“Nothing.” She saw by his face he didn’t believe her.
“I saw you the other night. Connor stayed the night.”
“You’re spying on me?”
“You admit it, then.”
Maggie backed away until a chair separated them. “My private life is none of your business.”
“None of my— It is. We’re on a break, that’s all. I thought you understood. I intend to marry you.”
Maggie wanted to scream. “Did you ever think of asking me?”
He broke into a broad grin. “Will you marry me?”
A snort escaped Maggie. “No, I don’t love you, and I know you don’t love me. I’m convenient, that’s all. Leave me alone or I’ll report you to management for sexual harassment.” Before he could reply, she stormed from his office and slammed the door after her.
In her office, she fell into her chair, anger pulsing through her and making her hand tremble noticeably when she picked up her pen. Jerk! What did she ever see in him?
The afternoon dragged too, and Maggie didn’t relax until she reached Botany Town Center.
“Hi, gorgeous.” The familiar husky voice stopped her by the mall center stage.
“Connor!” She flung herself at him, and he caught her, grinning and, seconds later, kissing her as if they hadn’t seen each other for weeks. Her hands crept around his neck and she held on, enjoying the strength of him, his taste and the feel of his lips beneath hers.
Gradually, he pulled back. “Wow, I like saying hello to you.”
Maggie slipped her hand in his and winked. “What sort of project brings you all the way out here? I’m curious.”
“You know curiosity killed the cat?”
Maggie wrinkled her nose. “I’m not a cat.”
“But it could earn you a spanking.” He tweaked her nose with the tip of his finger. “No threat.” He lowered his voice. “That’s a promise.”
A blush suffused her cheeks, if the heat in her face was any indication. She ducked her head before peeking up at him again. “A promise?”
“Yeah. You need to be on your best behavior, otherwise you’ll end up with a punishment.”
“So I can’t ask where we’re going?”
