They didn’t expect trouble at the party, but they’d seen their share of trouble at the Ursa and it didn’t hurt to be prepared.
Connor was all business tonight. He held his head high, surveying everything. His lips were set in a thin line, and his hands were at his sides, ready for anything. She’d seen him take this stance numerous times at lodge functions, often with Lloyd or Bart at his side, but tonight he looked different.
Dangerous but in the best way possible.
She stole several glances when he wasn’t looking. Each time, she was convinced he hadn’t seen her stealthy looks. However, on her fifteenth glance or so, he turned his head and stared right at her.
Busted.
He must have sensed her embarrassment because his lips turned up in a slow, sexy grin.
All her saliva dried up.
Wanting to appear unfazed, she waved and tried not to resemble a smitten teenager.
He picked up his walkie-talkie, spoke into it, and walked into another room.
“Ready for another drink, Elaine?” Soren’s question startled her.
“Yes.” Her throat had never felt so parched. Watching Connor’s retreat, his strong body moving so gracefully under that hot suit, made her head spin. “But make mine a water, please.”
She doubted it would help. Something told her even the cleanest, freshest water in the world wouldn’t quench this thirst.
* * * *
Come on, ten o'clock.
Despite how often Connor looked at the clock on the wall, the last five minutes of his shift dragged. Luckily there hadn't been any incidents during the first part of the party, not that he expected any. The only guests were good people, folks they'd helped at the Ursa, people who wished Ryland and his staff well. Former teenage program participants had a chance to catch up with one another. Parents mingled while dancing to the music from Lex's band. Employees past and present laughed and circulated.
Elaine was mingling with them. Although he would have wanted the entire evening off, it was nice to have an opportunity to stand off to the side and observe her. She was smiling more these days, in spite of her concerns for the kids.
She had such a great smile.
Was it really possible he'd contributed to it, as Layla had suggested? He liked to think so.
He checked the clock again.Nine fifty-seven.
Dammit, he was going to claim that dance as soon as he could. His palms itched. He wanted so badly to touch the skin on her arms and see if it was as soft as it looked.
“Hey, Connor.” Marcelle sidled up to him, dressed in her white waitress outfit. “Slow night for security?”
“Nothing wrong with that. There have been too many crazy nights here the past year or two. I’ll take a slow one right now.”
He must have been staring at Elaine because Marcelle’s gaze followed. “Elaine looks nice.”
“She does. So do you.”
“Thanks.” She dismissed the comment with a wave. “It’s nice to see her feeling better. I thought about her a lot when I was away.”
“That’s kind of you.”
Marcelle looked between them a couple of times. “Elaine, huh? I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Connor was about to deny it but decided to own it instead. “Is it that obvious?”
Her genuine smile took some of his guilt away. Okay, not really, but at least she wasn’t condemning him for his interest. “You should go for it. You’d be great together.”
Elaine glanced his way, saw Marcelle at his side, and looked away. Her movements were subtle, her frown a mere twitch, but her disappointment couldn’t have been clearer.
