“I’ll show you how tired I am.” Without warning, he picked her up, threw her over his shoulder, and paraded her around the first hole.
“Put me down, you nut. People are waiting for us to start.”
“Andy, take your shot. I’m going to keep your mother here a bit longer to teach her a lesson.” Sure enough, he leaned against a wall, as if no one would question why he had a writhing woman on his shoulder. He turned to Layla, a blasé tone in his voice. “Excuse me, miss. Do you come here often?”
“Uncle Connor.” She giggled. “You’re silly.”
“Put me down,” Elaine said again, quieter this time. In an attempt to brace herself on his shoulder, she clutched his strong arm. Its bulk made her catch her breath. His hand was firm on her thigh, nowhere near being disrespectful and yet so close to the danger zone.
It would be so easy for him to touch her there. Not that he would.
But if he ever tried, would she even put up a fuss? She had a feeling she shouldn’t try to answer that question. It opened up doors that needed to stay closed.
Her bear drooled, its eyes glazed.
That couldn’t be good.
“Connor, please. The blood’s rushing to my head.”
Rushing somewhere else, more like it.
He set her down slowly, his hands skimming over her hips, waist, and arms. When her feet hit the floor, her gaze met his. He wasn’t smiling anymore. His dark eyes took her in, tookallof her in, and she didn’t turn away from him.
She liked it too much to turn from him.
Did he like what he saw? She’d let herself go since Lloyd’s death. She hadn’t been overeating, but she’d eaten a lot of crap. Her body probably wasn’t in its finest condition.
So why was he staring at her the way a pilgrim might stare at a precious relic?
“It’s my turn, Mommy.” Layla bumped her leg and interrupted her reverie. “Andy got a six. He missed the hole.”
Andy crossed his arms and pouted.
Connor snapped out of his funk as well and rushed over to Andy. “Don’t worry, little dude. You’ve got the next hole in the bag. Let’s practice your swing while your sister has her turn.”
And just like that, the heat was over, or so it seemed.
Since returning to the island, Elaine had been under siege emotionally. It was hard enough wanting her dead husband on a constant basis. Her desire for Lloyd, so animal and unrelenting, hadn’t gone away. These feelings for Connor, or for his muscles anyway, did nothing to ease her frazzled mind.
He was a friend, not a piece of meat. She shouldn’t be objectifying him in this way.
It’s nothing,she argued with herself. He’s a handsome guy, and you’re not dead. Just because you have eyes, it doesn’t mean you’re going to act on any inappropriate feelings.
Would it really be so inappropriate?Her bear moaned.
Oh. My. God. Yes. Now be quiet and let me play the game.
As Layla finished up, Connor gave her a high-five for her score of four and then lined up his putt. He leaned over, just a little, but enough for Elaine to take note of the pleasing curve to his ass.
The putter fell out of her hand.
Connor quickly straightened and caught her ogling him. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just hot in here.”
His lips twitched under his facial hair. “Really? Seems nice and cool to me.” He turned from her, knocked the little neon blue ball, and it rolled right into the cup. “Hole in one!”
“Show off.” Elaine smiled and noted his score on the card.
