Layla came to her rescue. “Mommy, Auntie Suzan told me she made a library here. She said she got lots of princess books just for me.”
“And truck books for me,” added Andy.
“Can we go see, Mommy? Please?”
Elaine had almost forgotten about the new library at the resort. Before Suzan met Percy and Byron, she’d been a librarian at the Lake Gemini library. When Ryland was making plans for the new resort, she pitched the idea of developing a small collection of books onsite. Ryland had loved the concept and had put her in charge.
Libraries. They were calm and soothing. Elaine could appreciate calm and soothing right about now. “Great idea. Let’s check out the library.”
Already comfortable in the new lodge, the kids raced down the hall.
Elaine turned to Connor. “I don’t want to keep you. I know you need to get to work soon.”
His stare unnerved her. Why wouldn’t he stop staring? “I have a few minutes. I’ll come with you.”
Together, and yet somehow not together, they walked slowly down the hall. His hand swung so close to hers. His fresh scent teased, making her head spin. Even the hairs of his beard enticed. For one crazy second, she wished she could pin him down, straddle his chest, and contemplate every one of those hairs. She wanted to count them, to smell them, to rub her cheek against them.
They’d become the most fascinating beard hairs she’d ever known.
I’m nuts. This is nuts. This is Connor.
As they reached the library, he held open the door for her and she had to pass by him. As she did, he gave her another of those I-want-to-eat-you-alive stares, and heaven help her, she almost swooned.
Oh God. This is the man who’s spent much of our friendship giving me noogies.
He didn’t look like he wanted to give her noogies anymore.
The kids were already inside. Suzan was there, helping them choose a few books. She looked up and waved. “Hi, guys. Come on in. Let me show you around.”
Suzan proceeded to give them a short tour around the library. She said something about books. She mentioned something about story times. Elaine wasn’t sure because her bear wouldn’t shut up and all she could hear was its lonely moans.
That and Connor’s breath.
For some reason, she was entirely aware of Connor’s breath and the way his chest rose and fell. His lips were parted, and his breathing seemed shallow, quickened.
Musical.
His breath was music. She wanted to lay back, plug in some headphones, and listen to a recording of him breathing all day long.
“Elaine?”
She didn’t respond. Her eyes had drifted shut.
A soft hand landed on her arm.
She opened her eyes.
“Elaine?” said Suzan. “Would it be all right if I signed the kids up for library cards?”
She licked her lips. They were so dry. “Sure. Thanks.”
Suzan brought the children to the desk and showed them what library cards looked like.
Elaine didn’t notice the cards. Her gaze spiraled over to Connor, who seemed insistent on burning a hole through her head with that stare.
Shit. He would see Marcelle tonight. He might even stare at her the same way.
What had she done?
