Her breath caught at his use of the name he’d given her. Why did that send tingles to her middle and further south? This Connor, the one threatening to spank her for what she’d done in Vegas, this was the man who’d filled her thoughts and fantasies for the past ten months.
The tingling in her pussy blew past a throb and landed on pounding. Thank the lord she’d worn her moose sweater because her nipples were tight nubs waiting impatiently for his attention.
Still, she couldn’t keep her hands from once again covering her threatened backside. Booty preservation was important in some situations. Situations like now.
Connor gave her one quick nod. “I see we understand each other. Okay then, now that we’ve hashed that out, let’s get you on your way.”
Bliss froze. “Oh, um…”
This was not going to go well.
Connor took one look at her face, dropped his gaze to his feet, and pinched the bridge of his nose. “What am I going to find when I lift the cover to your spare tire, Trouble. Do you know?”
She stood up as straight as she could. Sometimes being tall would be a blessing. “Of course I know.” What kind of idiot did he take her for? “It’s just... I don’t have a spare that exactly works.”
“How exactly?”
“Um, not inflated exactly.”
His tiger eyes flared hot and angry. “You’ve been driving around with four bald tires and no spare?”
Hmm. That started out as a question, but it ended more like a demand. The skin on her bottom began to crawl. “I meant to get it fixed or replaced, but I barely have time to work and take care of the girls. And?—”
“Let me make sure I have this straight. You are driving, alone, in an isolated area with bad tires and no spare.”
Her mouth was as dry as cotton. She couldn’t have answered him if she wanted to, which she didn’t. But by the expression on his face, not answering was out of the question, so she nodded.
The gold flecks in his eye became molten. Glancing around, she tried to figure out the best escape route. Instead of exploding, however, he drew in another deep breath and banked the flames. Completely.
When he spoke, he was calm and controlled. Nothing at all like the Connor she remembered. Vegas Connor would have had her in tears from his stern lecture alone. She liked the old Connor better. This new Connor was one faulty breath away from losing it. She’d hate to be the one around when that happened.
He rubbed his thumb along his bottom lip. “You’re lucky we haven’t had our discussion yet, Trouble, or you’d be over my knee right now for the third time tonight.”
She wanted to ask what each one would have been for, but when he started slapping his hand against his thigh—hard–she thought better of it.
After another breath, this one even deeper and longer, he once again banked his anger. It was freaky. Like watching a volcano decide not to erupt.
“All right. Here’s what we are going to do. I have a repair kit in my car. I’ll fix the spare and change the tire for you. What time was Winnie expecting you?”
“By 5:30 because the party starts at 6:00.”
“I’m aware. So, while I change the tire, you get your phone and call Winnie. I know for a fact she’s worried. It’s after six now. Unless you’ve already called her, that is.”
Oh, fudge. Should she tell him?
Connor blanked his face. “Should you tell me what?”
Argh! She was going to start putting tape over her mouth so she couldn’t blurt out her thoughts.
“Nothing.” Her voice came out three octaves higher. “Would, um… would you mind if I borrow your phone?”
Oh boy. The tiger eyes were back, brighter than ever. And the way he rubbed his thumb over the palm of his other hand had those Vegas butterfly piranhas back and in a frenzy.
Still, a part of her wondered what would happen if he couldn’t bank the fire billowing in his eyes this time. She was tingling again, too, but lower than her tummy this time. Much, much lower.
“Belissa Jayne Carpenter, where is your phone?”
Uh oh.
