But when they got up to the kitchen, she saw the full staff there working and knew they could probably get away for thirty minutes with no one missing them.
“Are you sure?” she whispered to Kelsey. “I hate asking you to babysit.”
“You didn’t ask. I volunteered. Now go.” She gave Lexi a playful shove in Connor’s direction.
Laughing, she practically stumbled toward him, but he caught her. “Hey,” he said with a laugh of his own. “You okay?”
“I’m actually more than okay,” she said sweetly, causing him to arch a brow at her. “How would you like to sneak away with me for half an hour?”
His eyes went a little wide. “How…?”
“Kelsey and Jayce are going to keep an eye on the kids for research purposes.”
He glanced in their friends’ direction. “Are they…?”
“No, they’re not pregnant. They want to get the kids stuff from Disney and want to talk to them and see what they like. But Kelsey said we should take advantage of the time. I don’t think we can make it all the way to the cabins and back, but my office…?”
“Slater always interrupts us there,” he murmured, looking around. “But I have an idea.” Taking her hand, they casually made their way across the room, through the kitchen and outer room, and out the door.
“Connor, there’s not enough time to go…”
“We’re not going to the cabins,” he assured her, leading her down the stairs and around toward the back of the lodge. The path wasn’t very well lit, and when they came to a door, he glanced at her over his shoulder. “This is an old supply room. We’ve cleaned it up so it’s not quite so dingy and dirty, but it offers a ton of privacy.” Unlocking the door with his free hand, he opened it and stepped inside, flipping a switch. It barely lit the space, but that was okay with her.
It felt like when they used to sneak off when they were kids. He led her across the room, pointing out what to avoid and reminding her to keep close. There was an alcove in the back with a couple of mattresses wrapped in plastic.
“Left over from when Walker’s grandparents owned the place. They’re brand new.” He tugged one away from the wall and let it fall on the floor. “I know it’s nothing fancy, but…”
She was way more excited and turned on than she thought she’d be. Reaching for his belt, she tugged him toward her. “The clock is ticking, Connor,” she whispered against his lips. “Do you want to talk, or do you want to take me on the floor?”
His expression heated as his hand fisted in her hair. “I want to take you on the floor, against the wall, on a bed…anywhere I can have you,” he said before claiming her lips in a kiss that bordered on brutal.
They tore at each other’s clothes as they made their way onto the mattress. It was fast and frantic and so damn good. Every time he moved against her, she wanted more. Begged for it.
And he always obliged.
When they rejoined their friends thirty minutes later, no one commented on their disheveled state, but Kelsey gave her a thumbs-up, making her blush.
When she went to join them and her son, she felt more than a little self-conscious. Then Kelsey leaned in and said, “You’re welcome,” before she and Jayce got up and wished everyone a good night.
Tears stung her eyes once again watching her friends. They were so lucky. They got to go up to their room together, sleep together, wake up together. And what did she have? Sneaking away to supply closets for quickies.
Though it was totally worth it.
She just wished things could be a teeny tiny bit different.
Maybe someday…
Chapter Eight
Connor didn’t breathe a calm breath until midway through the wedding reception two days later. He was running on fumes and just trying to make sure everything was perfect.
And it was.
He’d outdone himself. Every detail—no matter how big or small—was exactly the way Jayce and Kelsey wanted it to be. The smiles on their faces when they came in for the reception were everything he could have asked for and more.
His staff worked their butts off and followed all his instructions, and the food turned out delicious. All in all, he was damn proud of himself.
“Would you care to dance?”
