“There’s always my tiny cabin. You know, the one with the lumpy couch.”
“Connor Church, there isn’t a single lumpy couch on this resort.”
He tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, where would you like me then?”
At the lodge, everyone would see their comings and goings. They wouldn’t be hiding out at her cabin anymore, camouflaged by trees. They would be going as public as they possibly could. It should probably bother her, but right now it didn’t. “I want you to stay with us.”
He grinned. “I’m sure we can find a suite big enough to fit me as well. You know, seeing as you haven’t grown tired of me yet.”
He’d shared her bed for the last week, making love to her as if each night was the last. So, no, she wasn’t tired of him.
She’d even begun to forgive herself for “cheating” on Lloyd.
Sort of.
It had been easy to write off a few passionate clutches with Connor, but it was getting hard to dismiss their sexual relationship as a fluke or one-off. Every kiss changed her. Every touch forced her emotions into unfamiliar territory. It was so easy being with him. He didn’t push her for declarations, and he never expected more than she was able to give. That alone made her want to give him more.
Elaine was, however, worried she was treating him as a rebound. She didn’t want him to be her rebound man. He deserved better than that. She just couldn’t face the prospect right now because if Connor was some sort of rebound, that meant they would eventually leave each other, and she couldn’t bear to see him go.
Right now, she wanted to be greedy, to soak up his attention and affection for as long as she could. She knew they would need to answer some tough questions about their relationship soon, but she was willing to put it off for a while longer.
Her only consolation was the way her bear acted around his mountain lion. The huge beast practically cooed and batted its eyelashes. There was no way it would have been so smitten with a rebound.
Something weird and wonderful ran between her and Connor, a bond that didn’t seem concerned with labels and timelines and reputations. She was just Elaine, and he was just Connor, and they needed each other. Good or bad, they were in this together.
Lloyd may have put the stars in her sky, but Connor had become her sun. He blazed, warming her days, and filled her nights with remembered light.
“Of course I’m not tired of you.” She touched his cheek, tracing the line of his cheekbone. “Speaking of tired, you look exhausted. Let’s go to bed.”
He stood and held out his hand. “Best idea I’ve heard all day.”
They walked together down the hall, stopping at each of the kids’ rooms. She followed him into Layla’s room and tucked the blankets around her sleeping daughter while Connor checked the window locks. Elaine kissed Layla on her round cheek.
Connor followed suit, whispering, “G’night, munchkin.”
They moved quietly into Andy’s room. His stuffed teddy bear had fallen onto the floor, so she picked it up and tucked it under his covers next to his head. As Connor checked the windows in this room as well, Elaine kissed Andy.
Once again, Connor followed her example, dropping a quick kiss on Andy’s hair. “Sleep tight, buddy.”
These little shows of affection came so naturally to him. To see him care for her kids in such kind fashion made her heart soar. When they stepped into the hallway, she grabbed him and hugged him.
“Hey, where did that come from?”
“You’re so good with them. Thank you, Connor. Another man might not appreciate having to deal with someone else’s kids. You show them such love.”
He cupped her cheek. “It’s not hard, lady. I love them. You must know that.”
She nodded, fending off tears, swallowing as best as she could through her raw throat. “I do know it. We’re very lucky to have you.”
The red in his cheeks let her know the praise had hit home. “Besides, they’re not just someone else’s kids. They’re yours and Lloyd’s, and I want to be in their lives as much as I can. They’re family.Youare my family.”
Elaine had no response. There were no words sufficient enough to describe the cauldron of emotion in her belly.
“So,” he said as they entered her bedroom, his voice a low rumble, “how were they tonight?” He closed the door.
The click of the door latch brought goose bumps to her skin. Although she was tired and he was probably worn out, her senses came to life. She wanted him and couldn’t wait for him to brush his lips over her skin. “Good. Josh came over tonight to check us all out. He thinks the kids are going to be just fine.”
Connor worked the buttons on his shirt. As each inch of his chest was revealed, Elaine’s breaths came quicker, so fast she found she was holding them. “I’m glad. And what about you?”
