“And this one has a pool and waterfall combo with a glass enclosure to ensure privacy,” the realtor said as she walked ahead of us into the home. She glanced over her shoulder, eyes on Connor. “I remember that was on your must-have list.”

He nodded, eyes scanning the interior of the fifth home we’d toured today. I’d been shocked when he’d asked me to tag along, but not when he’d told me he was doing this for Hannah. With the shift in his life, he knew he had to buckle up and be what Hannah needed—not that he hadn’t been before—but buying a stable home instead of his pure bachelor sex pad was the first step.

“You see things I don’t when it comes to Hannah. What she needs.” He’d said on the phone when he’d asked. I knew he was referring to the continuous gifts I showered on Hannah—clothes and hair-ties and bows. Warm socks for the rink and special treats on Saturdays. Sure, she didn’t technically need all those things—in reality, all she needed was for her uncle to love her no matter what, to be there for her, be her stability in a world that kept tilting—but he already was that. Or at least he was trying. It had to be hard going from the occasional provider who was a celebrity athlete on his solo nights to never having another solo night again in the span of a blink.

Which is what had softened me enough to agree to help him.

Because for Hannah, there wasn’t a whole lot I wouldn’t do, and that was one thing Connor and I had in common.

“And,” the realtor went on as we came to pause in the great room. She pointed toward the staircase. “This one has a spa tub big enough for two.” She gave Connor and me a wink. “Important for newlyweds, you know.”

Connor choked on air.

I managed a sweet laugh as I placed my hand delicately on his chest. “Does the master have a separate shower with bench seating?” I asked. “Because that is crucial for us, right honey?” I batted my lashes at Connor, totally loving how gaped at me.

Loosen up a little, Bridgerton.

The guy had a constant stick up his ass, and I was more than ready to see him lose it, even for a few moments.

“Right…uh…love,” he said, the words rushed and forced from his tongue. I knew from our intense convo last night that the man had never told another woman—besides Hannah—he loved her.

With his track record of bed-hopping, I had doubted it anyway.

Well, we had that in common then, too.

“It does!” The realtor said, fishing out her cell and tapping across the screen.

“Can my wife and I have a few minutes to look around?” Connor asked, shifting to slide his arm around my shoulders. Warm chills raked across my skin, little electric bursts that popped when he rubbed circles along my bare skin where my tanktop ended.

“Of course,” she said, flashing us another wink as she headed toward the front porch that wrapped around the house. “I’ll be out here if you have any questions. Take your time!” She hollered as she closed the door behind her.

Connor didn’t immediately drop his arm, and I didn’t immediately step out of his embrace. Instead, we stood in a charged silence where neither of us looked at the other. We simply surveyed the great room before us—rich hardwood floors, custom built-ins on the focal wall, soaring vaulted ceilings.

“Hannah’s unicorn picture book collection would fit perfectly there,” I said finally breaking the silence and pointing toward the built-ins. “And,” I continued, trying like hell to ignore how nice it felt to have a warm body so close to mine as he continued to hold me against his side. “You could do a couch chaise combo there,” I said. “And a study nook over here.” I motioned toward the other side of the room that was nothing but wide-open space and gorgeous bay windows.

I drew my gaze back to him, finally working up the courage to meet his eyes—those stunning, dark, deep eyes. They were locked on mine, the hard lines softer as he stared at me wide-eyed.

“What?” I asked, almost a whisper.

He blinked a few times as if the word had popped some bubble around him, and he took a step back. Then another, leaving the space where he’d been cold.

“Nothing,” he said, chuckling. “That was funny.” He motioned toward the front door where the realtor likely waited. “That she thought that we were…” he pointed between us. “We were…”

“Fucking?”

He jolted before arching a brow at me, his eyes dropping to my lips for a few seconds too long. “That mouth of yours.”

A warm shiver trailed the length of my body.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I never speak like that around Hannah.”

He furrowed his brow, taking a step toward me.

Always one step forward one step back.

“I wasn’t worried,” he said. “I know how amazing you are with her.” He sighed like the words were physically draining. “I’m fully aware of the shit I’d be in if it wasn’t for you.”

“And Faith,” I said, shrugging.

“Right, but you and Hannah.” He smiled. “You have something. Like you operate on the same frequency.”

I grinned at that. “This,” I said. “Is true.” I reached for his hand, grabbing it before he could back away again, and dragged him up the stairs. “And since I know her so well,” I said as we reached the second story. “I’ll know exactly if her bedroom is big enough.”

He chuckled softly as I tugged him down a hallway. “Your ideas about big enough and mine differ.”

I halted outside a guest suite, craning my neck to flash him a smirk I usually saved for my friends. “Well, we’ve never quite figured that out, have we?” I stepped into the room, bee-lining it for the closet.

“Were we supposed to?” His voice was low and just gruff enough to send heat pooling in my core. I could feel him behind me, the warmth from his body, the smell of him filling the room. God, why did my body have to want his so badly? Was he feeling it too because it’d been so long for him as well? With Hannah with him nearly twenty-four-seven the last five weeks, he’d had to change his lifestyle almost immediately.

I reached for the closet handle. “Moment of truth,” I said, ignoring his question. I swung open the door. “Yes!” I squealed, clapping my hands together as I rushed inside the walk-in. “Now this is a proper closet!”

Connor followed me inside, slowly turning in a circle to survey the space. “She’s five,” he said, glancing down at me. “You know that right?”

I crossed my arms over my chest, stepping into his space, not backing down an inch despite how damn tall and lean the man was. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“I…” he rose his arms, indicating the space big enough for a small sofa and all her clothes. “She…” he dropped his arms. “Never mind. You’re right.”

I grinned. “Did you just have a stroke?”

He laughed, and I was shocked at how free and easy the sound was. “Maybe.”

I stepped around him, unable to not brush my body across his as I headed for the door. I swore I heard him hiss.

“Let’s check out the master,” I called over my shoulder as I headed across the hall. “It’s the perfect distance to Hannah’s room,” I said, stepping into the massive suite. “And it has a killer view of the pool.” I peeked through the opened window and down, noting the glass enclosed pool below. It wasn’t hard to imagine his ripped body cutting through the water as quickly and gracefully as he shredded the ice.

“Nice,” he said, glancing over my head.

“Perfect yard for a dog, too,” I said before heading toward the bathroom. I eyed the marble tub and separate shower. “Hell yes,” I said, climbing into the tub and sinking down. “Now this is the life,” I said, closing my eyes. “I should’ve been a hockey player.”

Connor cleared his throat, and I popped my eyes open.

“Comfy?” He asked.

“See for yourself,” I said, gesturing for him to join me.

His brows climbed up his head.

“Oh come on,” I teased him. “We’re married, remember? This is part of the life.”

“Well,” he said, smiling. “In that case.” He climbed in, his massive body dominating the space so much he had to shift my legs over his as he faced me from the opposite side. I gasped at the warmth of his hands on my calves, my shorts hiking up ever so slightly. All it would take would be a few more tugs from him and I’d be straddling his lap. Feeling the strength of him beneath me as I rode...

God damn this was a bad idea.

Playing around was one thing.

Feeling his touch and craving more…that was dangerous territory.

And I needed to stay out of the danger zone for the next decade or so.

“She wasn’t lying,” Connor said, arching his head back against the tub. “This is definitely a perk. Maybe not as big as the pool, but a perk.”

“You and the need for a pool.”

“I like to swim laps to relax. How else do you think I keep this toned physique?”

“Yeah,” I said, hating how breathless I sounded. “And look.” I pointed over his shoulder. “There’s a linen closet. Perfect spot to hide your box of sex toys so Hannah doesn’t find them.”

He jolted, eyeing me.

“What?” I asked innocently. “You can’t just keep the box under your bed anymore,” I chided him. “You want to have to explain why Uncle Connor has handcuffs?”

He cringed, shaking his head. “Hell no. They’ll go on the top shelf.”

“Smart man.”

“Sometimes,” he said, and the weight in his tone hit me right in the chest.

“I’m only messing with you, Connor,” I said, playfully grabbing his knee. “You’re doing amazing. Seriously. Above and beyond for that girl. She thinks you hung the damn moon.”

He eyed my hand, and I snatched it back.

“Did you just compliment me?” he asked, a smirk on his lips.

“I…” I rolled my eyes. “Maybe. Don’t get used to it.”

“I won’t.” He laughed.

I sighed, glancing around the room, my muscles relaxing almost as if the tub was filled with steaming hot water, bubbles, and Connor sans clothes.

Hot damn.

“You’re amazing with her, too, you know,” Connor said, his voice quiet somehow. “You’ve got insane mothering instincts.”

I snorted, and instantly covered my mouth with my hand, my eyes apologetic as he glared at me. “I’m sorry,” I said through my laughter. “Thank you for saying that but it’s not true.”

He furrowed his brow, quickly shifting from the softer Connor to the growley one. I couldn’t decide which one was sexier.

“I’m only good with Hannah because we’re the same,” I said. “And because I’m not with her full-time like a real mom would be. I’m actually terrible at nurturing,” I continued. “I’ve killed every plant I’ve ever owned.”

“But you’re more than a babysitter with Hannah,” he argued.

“She tells me when she’s hungry,” I said, a lump in my throat at his declaration. “Or if she needs something.” I sighed. “Give me a real baby and I wouldn’t know what the hell to do.”

He chuckled. “What about a dog?” He asked, motioning toward the bedroom where I’d admired the huge backyard. “They’re kind of like practice babies.”

“Again, I’d ruin it.” I smiled. “I adore Rookie, Chloe and Bentley’s bulldog, but actually owning one?” I sighed again. “I’d find a way to lose it or starve it or something.”

“You severely underestimate yourself,” he said.

“We can’t all have a Sharks’ ego.” I shrugged. “I have always wanted a dog, though. Like Chloe’s but instead of white I’d want a gray-dapple english bulldog with blue eyes.” I smiled. “And I’d name her Prince Sparkle Snort and we’d grow old together and live happily ever after.”

A laugh ripped from Connor’s lips—so genuine and real that it sent warm chills soaring across my skin.

“Princess Sparkle Snort?”

“And?” I asked, unable to stop the smile on my face.

“You can’t name a bulldog that.”

“I can do whatever I want,” I said. “It’s my fake-dog.”

“Touche,” he said, and leaned his head back against the marble, reeling in his laughter. “I think this is the one,” he said.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Sweet,” I said, shifting to stand. “I would’ve hated having to pretend to be your wife at another one of these.” I offered him my hand like he needed it to stand.

He took it anyway and rose until he towered above me as we stood in the tub.

“I only asked you to help me pick a perfect place for Hannah. I never asked you to be my wife.”

I laughed. “Could you imagine?” I asked, shaking my head.

“We’d slaughter each other,” he said, his tone soft.

“Demolished.”

Why was my heart racing?

“Pure torture.” He darted his tongue out to wet his lips, and I had a hard time not imagining what that tongue would feel like inside me.

“Good thing we’re just pretending.” I grabbed one of his broad shoulders and used it as an anchor to step out of the tub, but his hands instantly flew to my hips, his strong grip hefting me out of the tub in a blink. He gently sat me on my feet, but his fingers lingered on the silk of my shorts long enough to steal my breath.

One reach, one tiptoe upward and I could taste him.

I blinked out of the fantasy and stepped out of his touch.

“Good thing,” he finally muttered after I’d made my way out of the bathroom. He waited a few minutes before following me down the stairs toward the front door.

Hand on the knob, I smiled up at him as he hit the last step. “Don’t worry about her,” I said, motioning my head toward where the realtor had to be waiting on us. “She won’t say anything,” I said. “About us. Plus, people tend to believe what they want about celebs anyway.”

“I wasn’t worried,” he said, covering my hand with his when I’d frozen at the door. I moved so he could open it, watching as he sauntered onto the front porch and spoke with his realtor.

He may not have been worried, but I sure as hell was.

Because these annoying fantasies that had plagued me for weeks were shifting from pure sex to something…more.

And when it came to Connor, more was exactly what I didn’t need.