He sauntered up to her. “Did you put the right number? Your eye didn’t seem to be on the ball.”
“Oh, it was. I have to watch carefully, otherwise you might cheat.”
“Who me? I’m beyond reproach.” He nodded at the scorecard. In a lowered voice, he said, “Make sure you also write ‘Connor knows his way around a hole’.”
“You’re vulgar.”
“You love it.” Grinning like a fool, he ushered the children to the next green so she could putt. “Take your best shot, Elaine. Just try not to be intimidated by my performance.”
He really was a smartass.
She was so going to whoop his butt.
* * * *
Late that night, Connor settled into place on Elaine’s couch. He’d been there so much the piece of furniture was starting to assume his contours now. The knowledge made him happy and sad at the same time, but he was trying his best not to let the sadness overtake him.
They’d had such a great day. Breakfast, followed by that rousing game of mini putt. As much as he’d acted the big man on campus at first, Elaine had eventually clobbered him. She’d sunk perfect holes-in-one on the fifth, seventh, and sixteenth holes, making the kids cheer. It seemed the bear woman had a couple of mini putt tricks up her sleeve.
“Didn’t I tell you about my summer job when I was sixteen?” she’d teased. “I worked at a golf club.”
As well as they knew each other, it seemed there were still things to learn about her, including the fact she was possessed of a highly competitive nature. She’d make a mean poker player with her calm expression and ruthlessness.
Afterward, they’d hit the stores in town to buy party outfits for the kids so they’d be ready for the grand re-opening celebration. Even something mundane like that had been fun. Little Layla’s eyes had widened when she saw all the poufy dresses, and Andy had been happy as long as he was fed.
Connor hadn’t said anything to Elaine, but at one point, the saleslady had confused them for his family. Elaine had been in the dressing room with the kids at the time.
“Such a lovely family,” the clerk had said. “The kids sure do take after their dad.”
It had taken him off guard. “They do. Thank you.”
When they’d emerged from the dressing room, Layla in her pink dress and Andy in slacks that were too long for him, warmth had spread all over Connor’s chest. He was proud of them, and mostly he was proud of their mother.
Elaine had knelt at Andy’s feet, adjusting the slacks. “You both look so grown up.”
When she’d tucked her hair behind her ears, fiddling with the hem, Connor had spotted the light of moisture in her eyes.
If only Lloyd could have seen them.
Once they’d settled the bill, with Connor insisting on paying for the bulk of it, they’d made plans for dinner and a movie at home.
Well, at Elaine’s cabin anyway. Funny how it felt like home. It might have been only a couple of days since she’d returned, but he couldn’t even remember what his own cabin looked like. Frankly, he didn’t care. He didn’t even miss it. He’d always spent more time at Cabin 14 anyway.
After plowing through two kiddie movies, one about a talking truck and the other about princesses, they’d put the kids to bed. Andy and Layla had dropped right off. He and Elaine had settled in together in the living room, both of them quiet and contemplative.
He knew they were both thinking about the same thing.
They’d both felt the heat flare at that mini putt green when he’d picked her up. Now a new awareness crackled around them.
When he’d set her down, his hands grazing over her curves, his cock had twitched and his mountain lion had smacked its lips. Elaine felt good in his arms. His touch had been innocent at first, and he’d merely intended to put her gently on the ground. However, after skimming his hands over those round hips, he’d grown curious. Against his better judgment, he’d allowed himself to enjoy the dip at her waist and one of his arms had grazed the side of her full breast.
He’d always known she was gorgeous, but she’d always been Lloyd’s, so he’d never paid her undue attention.
All his senses had focused on her in that one moment. Sharp pangs of hunger had seized his gut, making him feel like a man who’d snacked here and there but who had never had a proper meal.
Had he been flirting with her today?
Probably.
