Connor grinned. “Are you asking?” Mia nodded vigorously and he laughed, the sound causing a tight band to cinch around Olivia’s chest. “Then we should find somewhere to dance.”
His eyes lifted to hers and it was like she’d put her fingers in a live socket as the force of that electric-blue gaze fizzed through her.
But then his gaze darted over her shoulder and he froze.
“Dad!” someone said.
A girl about Mia’s age with brown curly hair rushed up to him. “Can we get out of here? You were right, the paintings suck.”
While Olivia tried to unfreeze her brain, she was dimly aware of Connor giving an embarrassed laugh. “I didn’t say they sucked exactly. Ellie, this is Olivia. We met in Nantucket.”
Ellie gave her a shy smile.
Ellie—the name he had tattooed on his arm.His daughter.
“You did saysuck, Dad.” Ellie laughed up at him and Olivia felt a punch in her chest. It washislaugh, and the look she was giving him, indulgent, amused, washislook. Those bright blue eyes, full of mischief, werehiseyes. “Suckwas the word you used. I remember ’cause it was funny.”
She felt Connor’s eyes on her, willing her to look at him, but she couldn’t cope with it, with him, with any of this. He’ddupedher. To think, she’d fallen for his carefree charm, his sexy-single-guy-out-for-a-fun-time vibe. How much of that week was a lie?
“Well, art isn’t for everyone.” Feeling as if she were in some alternate universe, she grabbed her niece’s hand. “Come on, Mia, it’s time to go.”
“Are we going to the ’quarium now?”
Again, she ignored the look she knew Connor was giving her. “Yes.”
“Yippee!” She turned to Connor and Ellie. “Can they come too?”
This was not happening. “No.” It was too sharp. She inhaled. “I think they’re busy, sweetheart.” Finally, she looked up at Connor. “Isn’t that right?”
His gaze probed hers and she saw everything he was feeling: Frustration, irritation, amusement. Andlonging. Shit, she wished she could unsee that.
Olivia’s eyes pleaded with him, but no way was he letting her go just yet. Not until he had the chance to explain about Ellie.
He dragged his gaze away from Olivia and down to Ellie. “What do you reckon? Do you want to go to the aquarium with Mia and Livvy?”
“Olivia.” The woman who haunted his dreams, whose face he couldn’t stop seeing when he shut his eyes, gave him a cool stare. “My name is Olivia.”
Ellie, bless her, giggled. “Dad always gives people nicknames. He calls me Turnip.”
He glanced at Olivia. “See, you had a lucky escape.” Before she had a chance to say anything, he nudged his daughter. “So, stay here and look at more paintings or go to the aquarium. Your choice.”
She rolled her eyes. “Duh, the aquarium. I told you, these paintings—”
“Yes, I think we’ve established your views on modern art.” He tried to keep the amusement out of his voice. “It looks like we’re joining you, Mia.” He slid his gaze to Olivia. “If that’s okay with your aunt?”
If looks could kill, he’d be six feet under now. “Of course. It’s a free country.”
Still clutching Mia’s hand, Olivia turned and walked ahead of them, her message clear—they weren’t going to have time alone. With a resigned sigh, he reached for his daughter’s hand, though his gaze didn’t leave the woman ahead of them, the trim figure dressed in black denim trousers and a cream shirt—her customary colors. She was quietly stunning.
“She doesn’t seem to like you much,” Ellie whispered as they followed Olivia and Mia out of the Tate.
“You saw that, huh?” He shrugged.
She sniggered. “Bet you can get her to like you. Everyone likes you.”
Touched, he kissed the top of her head. “I’m certainly going to try.”
Olivia and Mia skirted the tube station, so clearly Olivia had decided they were going to walk to the aquarium. It suited him; he’d far rather be out in the fresh air strolling along the Thames. “Fancy an ice cream?” he asked Ellie as he spotted the silver van. When she nodded, he pointed ahead. “Do you want to ask Mia and Livvy if they’d like one?”
