The Sirens Of SaSS Anthology by Amy Marie, Jennifer L Armentrout, Lexi Buchanan, Ann Mayburn, Cat Johnson, Melanie Moreland, Elizabeth SaFleur, DD Lorenzo, Lydia Michaels, Dani René (124)

 

** Jenny**

I squinted in concentration as I leaned forward, trying to keep my balance and open my door. Why wouldn’t the damn key go in? Frustrated, I heaved a sigh, causing my hair to lift away from my forehead as I tried once more. I desperately needed to lie down.

Damn Jackey. This was all her fault. When I called her earlier, she was the one who insisted we go out drinking and give me a chance to vent. She was the one who kept ordering the drinks. She was the one who picked up the bartender and left me alone in the bar.

Now, I couldn’t get into my apartment. I studied the key, frowning. I was scratching up the door with the key instead of opening it. Why wouldn’t the damn thing turn? Groaning, I kicked the wood in frustration, only to hiss in pain after my foot made contact. I placed my hand on the door and tried one last time to put the key into the lock. If it didn’t work, I would have to find the super, and ask him to let me in.

I gasped in shock as the door I leaned against swung open and I lurched forward. The only thing that prevented me from hitting the floor was a strong pair of arms wrapping around me. Blinking in surprise, I looked up into the confused eyes of my very favorite neighbor.

Officer Connor Michaels. Tall and broad, his shoulders filled the doorway, his barrel chest pressed to mine. His dark hair was damp, his T-shirt clinging to his well-defined muscles.

“Connor?” I slurred.

“Jenny.” His amused voice purred my name.

“Why–why are you in my apartment?”

He pulled me upright, setting me on my feet as he smirked. “I’m not. You’re in mine.”

I gaped at him, then looked at the door.

Damn it.

His deep chuckle let me know I’d said that out loud.

I gazed at him, my already warm cheeks becoming even hotter. Good God, the man was gorgeous. “Sorry, Connor. I obviously went down one door too many. Sort of like the drinks this afternoon.” I snorted in embarrassment. “Guess that explains why my key didn’t work. I’m–I’m kinda drunk.”

“I can see that.”

“I keyed up your door.” I waved my hand and hiccupped. “I’ll fix it—but not today. I need a nap.”

I turned to go and tripped over my own feet. Connor’s arms shot out, keeping me upright. He lifted me, carrying me effortlessly into his apartment, and set me down on his couch. He sat beside me; his long fingers tilted up my head, and I looked at him with bleary eyes. God, he was so handsome. He had such beautiful eyes. They were blue and as deep and fathomless as the ocean. He was rugged and strong, his neck thickly corded, his face intense. For me, however, there was always a smile and a softening of his expression, a kind word and a gentle hug. I liked that. I liked him.

The way his eyebrows shot up made me wonder if I uttered that out loud, but I wasn’t sure and he didn’t comment.

Instead, his voice was quiet and concerned. “Why are you drunk at three in the afternoon, Jenny?”

Traitorous tears filled my eyes. “I broke up with my boyfriend.”

“Ah. I’m sorry.”

I lifted my arm. “I bought him a watch.”

Connor grinned, that sexy dimple on the right side of his face deepening. “I don’t think you understand this whole breaking up thing. The last girl I broke up with slapped me so hard I had a bruise on my face for a week. She didn’t buy me a watch.”

I shook my head. He was so funny. Funny, handsome, and lovely. I frowned. Why would anyone ever break up with him? He was so wonderful. I thought he was pretty fucking perfect.

He was grinning at me again. I wasn’t sure why. Did I say something? What were we discussing again?

Oh right, the watch.

“No.” I tried to explain. “We hadn’t been getting along well lately. He always seemed to be mad at me, and I thought it was my fault. So, I bought him a watch to say I was sorry.”

“Okay?”

I sniffed. “He works from home a lot, so I took it over to surprise him. Only he surprised me. When I walked in . . . he was fucking his assistant against the wall.”

“Oh.”

“I don’t think it was my fault now. He wasn’t very happy to see me.”

He cupped my face tenderly, wiping away the tears from my cheeks that rolled down, despite my efforts to stop them. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Jenny. You didn’t deserve that.”

“I kept the watch. I think I can return it.”

“Good decision.” He rose and went into the kitchen, coming back with a glass of water. “Here, drink this.”

I accepted the glass and sipped the cold liquid.

“What did you do? I hope you gave him a piece of your mind.”

“I might have yelled a lot. And I might have bitch slapped her when she got in my face about what a lousy girlfriend I was to John.”

“And him?”

“I, um, I threw his cellphone off the balcony into the pool, then I kicked him in the crotch.” I groaned, remembering my impulsive reaction. “I kicked him hard.” I held out my foot. “These pointy shoes are lethal.”

His lips quirked and he had to look away as he tried to hide his smile. I didn’t want him to hide his smile. I loved his smile. It was especially attractive with his sexy dimple. I wondered if it tasted as sexy as it looked.

This time, when he grinned at me, I knew I said that out loud. Damnit.

“Well,” he smirked, “I think that concluded his wall-banging fun for the day—maybe even two.”

I giggled, clapping my hand over my mouth to cover the snort I knew would follow. I always snort-laughed when I was drunk. Jackey told me it was highly unattractive.

Connor leaned over and uncovered my mouth. “Laugh, Jenny. I much prefer you laugh than cry. And the bastard deserved it.” He chuckled. “Just remind me not to let you too close when you’re pissed at me.”

I giggled again.

Connor frowned at me. “I get the crotch attack, but why his cellphone?”

“He loved that thing. That and his precious car. More than anything.” I sighed. “Certainly, more than me.”

“He didn’t deserve you. Anyone who would love their cellphone or their car more than you, clearly isn’t right in the head.”

I giggled-sobbed, followed by a hiccup, while I rubbed the top of my arm, and winced a little. “Well, I guess he’s not my problem anymore.”

Connor’s eyes narrowed as he watched my hand, and he pulled my sweater from my shoulder. “Did he leave a mark on you?” He hissed.

I looked down at the bruise that was forming where John’s hand had gripped me. “Um, I guess so. He was really mad over the whore-cheating-girlfriend-slapping thing, and I imagine the crotch attack, but probably the angriest over the cellphone in the pool. He grabbed me hard when he threw me out of the apartment.”

“What’s his address?”

I looked at him, confused. “Why would you want that?”

“Your boyfriend needs a lesson in manners.”

I blinked at him. “He’s not my boyfriend anymore.” I proceeded to burst into noisy, wailing sobs.

Connor’s arms wrapped around me, and I found myself in his lap. His hands stroked my back in gentle, comforting circles as he crooned with a quiet voice in my ear, telling me everything would be okay.

When I calmed down, he handed me some Kleenex and smiled at me. “I know it hurts, Jenny. But he wasn’t the right man for you. As cliché as it sounds, you’ll get over the pain.”

Before I could stop myself, I shook my head. “That’s the problem, Connor. I–I’m not upset we broke up.”

“I don’t understand.”

I exhaled a deep, shuddering breath and kept my eyes averted. I needed to tell someone how I was feeling. I couldn’t even tell Jackey, since I was so ashamed of myself, but somehow, telling Connor seemed right. I wanted him to know. “I’m actually relieved. Things hadn’t been good for a long time, and nothing I did seemed to be right or to help. A relationship shouldn’t be that much work. Or make someone that unhappy most of the time.”

He lifted my chin. “So, you’re crying because . . .?”

My lips started quivering again. “Because I feel guilty. I know I wasn’t a good girlfriend.” I huffed. “Something changed for me a few months ago and my feelings toward John were different. I was different.” I shrugged. “They had been fading for a while and I tried to fight it, but it didn’t work.”

He frowned at me. “At least you tried. It sounds as though he just moved on and kept stringing you along.”

We were quiet as I continued sitting on his lap. He made no move to push me off, and I made no move to leave. I liked how it felt sitting there. His arm was still around me, holding me loosely, and I was close enough to be able to breathe in his clean scent. His other hand still cupped my face, his long fingers dancing soothingly on my skin along the edge of my hairline. It was comforting and felt strangely right.

He spoke up, breaking the silence. “What happened to change your feelings, Jenny?”

I closed my eyes briefly. When I opened them, I looked into the deep blue of his warm gaze and I swallowed. I realized I was still drunk enough to be brave and say what I had been hiding for so many months.

“You moved in.”

His eyes widened. “Jenny.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay, Connor. You don’t have to say anything. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all me. John wasn’t right for me. He never was . . . and I knew it before I met you. I just—” Embarrassment crashed over me, and I tried to push myself away. Connor’s arm tightened around me and I glanced up, expecting to see rejection and pity on his face.

First, he found me drunk in the hall and now I’d confessed to having a secret crush on him that might have led to the breakup of my relationship. All that drama from the girl he had coffee with occasionally and borrowed the odd condiment from at times. All our interactions had been friendly and easy. I always found his presence soothing and enjoyable. They always left me wanting more time with him—and now I had just ruined it.

Except, it wasn’t rejection or pity I saw. He was smiling at me, the most endearing look on his face. I stopped pushing on his chest, my breath catching as I looked at his expression. He pulled me nearer, until our faces were so close, I could feel his breath washing over me. “It’s not all you, Jenny,” he said.

Then he was kissing me.

God, his mouth. It was everything I had fantasized about since the first time he smiled at me. His lips were warm and soft against mine, moving and guiding me. His tongue dragged across my bottom lip, and my mouth parted. My senses exploded as he deepened the kiss; its nature becoming possessive and greedy immediately. I moaned deep in my throat as his arms tightened and his tongue demanded, claimed, swirled, and explored, leaving me breathless and clinging to him for dear life. My head began to spin, and I pulled away, gasping for air.

Glowing blue met dazed brown as we stared at each other. His hand came up, softly tracing my lips, which puckered against his touch. I blinked as the room began to pulsate around me.

“Connor. . .”

“Jenny?” His voice was husky and filled with want.

“I need . . .”

“What do you need, baby? Tell me.”

“I think, I’m gonna throw up.”

***

I woke up, blinking and confused. I buried my head back into the pillow and burrowed under the soft blanket covering me. My bed had never felt so comfortable. I inhaled and frowned. My pillow didn’t smell like Downy. It smelled like fresh cut grass on a nice, sunny day. It smelled like Connor did when he gave me a hug.

Connor.

Oh no.

I sat up, my eyes wide as I looked around the room. I was not in my bed. This was not my room. I swallowed heavily. I was in Connor’s room. My hands flew up to my mouth, stifling my gasp as I remembered exactly how I ended up in Connor’s room. Images bombarded me—finding John, kicking him, slapping Tami, drinking and stumbling home, and ending up in Connor’s apartment, crying in his arms. I shuddered as I remembered my whispered confession and kissing him. Oh God, how we had kissed. I never wanted to stop.

Except, the room had begun to spin, and I had pushed away from Connor, then ran to the bathroom and threw up. My embarrassment grew as I remembered him behind me, holding my hair, stroking my back, and making little hushing noises at my distress. I looked down, my humiliation complete, as I realized I was no longer wearing my blouse and pants but rather a large T-shirt that had to belong to Connor. I pulled the T-shirt aside and saw my tank top was still in place as were my boy shorts. I must have vomited on myself before passing out. Looking at the fading light, I judged it was early evening, which meant I had been out for a few hours.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood. I had to get out of there, as quickly as possible and with as little contact with Connor as I could manage. Then I needed to pack up my apartment and move in the middle of the night while he was asleep.

Yeah. That was a good plan. I wasn’t sure how I would do it with a pounding headache and no truck or help, but I would figure it out.

I listened, but the apartment was quiet. Cautiously, I stuck my head out the door and looked around. It was empty. I must have disgusted him so much he left. No doubt, he’d hoped I would wake up and leave before he got home. I was sure he’d be grateful when he realized I had moved in the night. It would save us the awkward embarrassment of reliving my drunken episode every time we passed in the hall. I was sure our coffee dates were over.

I scurried across the living area, grabbing my purse on the floor. I had no idea where my clothes were, and I couldn’t see my shoes, but I didn’t care. I had twenty pairs of flats in the closet, and I simply had to go down the hall. I reached the door and stopped dead at the large piece of paper hanging on it.

 

Jenny

If you are reading this, you are awake – or at least coherent and no doubt panicking.

Stop.

I’ll be back soon.

Don’t run. Go sit on the couch and relax.

I’m sure you need this.

Taped below was a new toothbrush. My fingers reached out touching the white handle. He was always so thoughtful. My gaze returned to the note.

 

Towels in the bathroom. Tylenol on the counter. Water in the fridge.

Did I mention, stop panicking?

Connor x

PS – You look cute in my shirt.

PPS – I know you’re still panicking and want to leave. Your clothes are in the laundry. I took your keys and your shoes—you can’t go anywhere.

PPPS – If you feel like you are being held against your will on house arrest, then I suggest you move on to the next phase of being kidnapped. Stockholm syndrome. In case you don’t know—that is where you develop an intense bond and deep feelings for your captor—me. I already have them for you.

PPPPS – Please sit down. STAY. Back soon. Don’t make me come find you. I will. I’m a cop. I can do that.

 

I blinked at the note and reread it. I looked down at the shirt and smiled, then laughed when I reread the PPPS part. I reached out and tore the toothbrush away from the paper, returned to the bathroom and used it vigorously. I also had a quick, but refreshing shower and brushed my hair, emerging a few minutes later feeling human again. I padded to the kitchen, still wearing his T-shirt and my underclothes. I located the water and Tylenol and swallowed some pills, hoping they would ease the throbbing pain in my head. I desperately hoped they would ease the nerves in my stomach that had nothing to do with the alcohol I drank and everything to do with the confession I had spilled because of the alcohol I drank.

The sound of the key in the door made me turn my head, and I watched, wide-eyed, as Connor walked in, his hands full of bags. He stopped when he saw me regarding him warily from the couch. Setting down the bags, he crossed over, and before I could react, leaned over the back of the couch, dragged me up into his arms, kissed me soundly, and pulled back with a smile. “Stopped panicking yet?”

“Um, no?”

He leaned down and nuzzled my lips. “Stop now, please.”

“Connor—”

“I kissed you, Jenny. I started it.”

I grimaced. I was certain falling into his apartment drunk started it. I looked up when he chuckled.

“You talk out loud a lot, don’t you? I never noticed it before today.” He grinned down at me. “Not much of an inner voice?”

I shut my eyes. It would seem that was all I did around him. Spill my innermost thoughts.

He stroked my head with his large hand, his touch light. “I brought dinner. We are going to eat and talk.” He paused. “If your head is up to it?”

I nodded. “It’s fine.”

“Good.”

“Do I get my keys and shoes back?”

“Nope.”

“Oh.” I hadn’t expected that answer.

“Unless you really want them.”

I shook my head.

He leaned down again, his face level with mine. “I like you in my shirt. And you smell like me.”

“I had a shower and I used your soap. I hope that’s okay?”

He nodded. “Perfect. I like you smelling like me. Have you moved on in your kidnapped-adoring-your-captor-syndrome? You there yet?”

My breath caught. “Aren’t you moving a little fast?” I squeaked. I had only broken up with John a couple of hours ago. Where was all that coming from?

He shook his head, his face getting closer. He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me close. “I’ve been waiting for you since the day I moved in, Jenny. As far as I’m concerned, it’s been too long.”

Once again, I found myself drowning in his kiss.

When he finally released me and moved away, I stared after him in shock.

Since he moved in? He’d been waiting since he moved in?

That was six months ago.

I wanted him to come back and talk to me. My fingers brushed my swollen lips. They wanted him back, as well.

I sighed.

The Stockholm syndrome had definitely started.

***

“Eat, Jenny. You need something in your stomach.”

“I ate earlier,” I protested. I remembered that part.

“You spewed up your poutine about three hours ago, Wren.” He shook his head, chuckling. “Not much of a drunk, are you? You eat greasy foods the morning after. Not while you’re drunk. They always come back.”

I gaped at him. I had eaten poutine? I hated poutine. I shuddered. He had seen that? Oh, God, that was so gross.

He shrugged. “Well, you ate it. So, throwing it up was a good thing I guess, if you hate it so much.”

Oh. My. God. My mouth had no filter today. None.

I stared at him in horror. I could feel my entire body flushing with embarrassment. “I’m so, so sorry,” I muttered. “You shouldn’t have seen that.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “Nope. It’s fine. I’ve seen lots worse in my line of work. No doubt I’ll see it again.”

“What?”

He nodded enthusiastically around his mouthful of noodles. “No doubt I’ll piss you off, and you’ll have to go drinking with Jackey sometime. Best we got the first one over with now.”

I shook my head. I couldn’t imagine ever being pissed at this man. He was perfection walking. I also knew I was never drinking again.

He laughed, slapping his knee as he guffawed. “Inner monologue, Jenny. You really need to work on that. Between no filter and that expressively beautiful face . . . I can read you no problem.”

Huh. John always said I was closed off and removed to him. My inner monologue only seemed to fail around Connor.

Connor leaned forward, his chopsticks loaded with noodles. “Open up, Wren.”

That was the second time he called me by that name. “Wren?”

He grinned. “Jenny Reynolds. Jenny Wren. It’s how I always thought of you. You remind me of one of those little birds with your soft brown hair and those dark eyes. Do you hate it?”

“No,” I admitted, feeling shy. “I kinda like it.”

“Good. Now open up and let me feed you, little bird.”

I opened my mouth, and he gently fed me the noodles, smiling in approval as I chewed. “You will drink again. I will piss you off. I promise you that.” His fingers traced my cheek. “But I’m going to try really hard to be a good man for you. The kind you deserve.” He handed me a container and a spoon. “I got you soup. Eat it, please.”

I stared at him as he went back to his food.

The kind I deserve?

I wasn’t sure what kind that was, but the thought of it being Connor made me smile.

***

Connor’s phone rang, and he picked it up with a smile of apology. After listening, talking, and laughing for a couple minutes with whoever was on the other end, he hung up, his expression amused. I heard something about “smell” and “car” and “it’ll never the same,” but I didn’t pay it much attention. He grinned at me. “That was my partner.”

“Everything okay?”

He chuckled. “For me, yep. Not so sure for someone else.”

“Okay?”

“I’ll tell you later.” He moved closer to me on the couch, his hand clasping mine. “Feeling better?”

“I am. Thank you.”

“Good. Your arm okay?”

“It’s fine, Connor.”

“He isn’t going to touch you again. Ever.”

“I don’t plan on seeing him again.”

“I hope not. He doesn’t deserve to be in the same room as you.”

I shook my head. No one had ever sounded so protective or caring. I wasn’t used to the feeling. I stifled a yawn as I looked at Connor. If he was home this afternoon, I wondered if he had to work in the morning. He shook his head when I asked.

“No. I’m off until Sunday—three full days. I’ve been looking forward to the time off.”

“I guess I should, um, go. I’m sure you have plans tonight?”

“I do, and she is sitting next to me.”

“Oh.”

“Did I frighten you earlier, Jenny? All the talk about us?”

I sighed, lifting his hand and studying it in the light. His fingers were long and calloused, his palm large and yet always so gentle when he touched me. I glanced up at him. “Frighten me? No. Surprise me, yes. It feels rather surreal, Connor. This morning, I bought a watch for John. This afternoon, that relationship ended badly. Tonight, I’m here with you, and you tell me you have feelings for me.”

“You said you had feelings for me too, Jenny.” He hesitated, his voice wary. “Or was that the liquor talking?”

I kissed his hand. “No. The liquor made me brave, but I meant it.”

“Did I break up the two of you?”

“No. We’d been drifting apart for a long time, even before you moved in. I think I stayed with him out of convenience and habit.” I shrugged sheepishly. “Guess that doesn’t make me a very good person, does it?”

“It makes you human.” He sighed, his head falling back on the couch. “The first day I moved in here I saw you. You were laughing at something Jackey said, and I thought you were the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. You came over, introduced yourself, and welcomed me to the building.” He turned his head, his eyes serious. “You were so full of light and kindness. I fell for you right there.”

“Oh.”

“Oh, indeed. I found out you had a boyfriend, so I told myself I could just be your friend, at least for the time being. But I loved bumping into you or running out of ketchup.”

“You eat a lot of it. You were always asking for it.”

He grinned. “I never use the stuff. It was something I noticed you had a lot of in your fridge one day when I was over for coffee and grabbed the cream.”

I rolled my eyes. “I kept it on hand for John. I never used it either. He put it on everything.”

Connor’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Well, at least he was good for one thing.” He softened his voice. “I loved how you always offered me coffee in the mornings if you saw me. It was my favorite time of day—getting to sit with you for a few minutes and talk to you, see you smile.” His cheeks flushed slightly. “I, ah, may have memorized your schedule so I knew when I’d bump into you. Coffee with Jenny days were the best.”

My own cheeks tinted, and Connor frowned at me. “Jenny?”

“I may have made note of those days, as well. I always made sure to make extra coffee.”

“Quite the pair.”

I looked at him. “Quite.”

The air around us grew warm, and Connor’s gaze darkened as his hand squeezed mine. “I want to kiss you again. Will you let me?”

“Please,” I breathed.

He pulled me toward him slowly, his eyes never leaving my face. He wrapped his hands around the back of my neck, burying them in my hair as his lips descended on mine. I had thought kissing Connor while drunk was good; nothing prepared me for the burst of heat that hit me kissing him while sober. Every sense in my body ignited. I whimpered as he pushed his tongue in, licking and exploring, his flavor filling my senses and my head. I couldn’t get enough of him—his taste, his scent, his strength—as he held me against his hard body. I gripped his shoulders with my hands, as he tilted my head, controlling the kiss completely. I lost myself to him, and the passion he brought out in me. It was only when he pulled back, I realized I was straddling his lap and we were both panting and flushed.

“God, you’re amazing,” Connor whispered. He traced his thumb over my bottom lip; his gaze hooded with desire.

Teasingly, I drew his thumb into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the tough skin, with my teeth nipping at the thick end. A strangled groan escaped Connor’s lips as he stared at me, his eyes burning. I lowered my gaze, my eyes widening when I took in his growing bulge, his pants straining at the zipper. He pulled his thumb out of my mouth, crashing his lips to mine as he grabbed my hips, pulling me down on top of his erection, thrusting upward. We both groaned at the intense sensation as we rocked together, our lips fused, and our bodies locked in a rhythmic dance. My body was on overload, and I shuddered as long rolls of pleasure ran through me. I had never felt anything like it. My head fell back as I gasped for air and Connor’s lips nipped and licked at my neck.

“Tell me to stop, Wren,” he murmured in my ear. “Tell me to stop or I won’t be able to . . . God . . . Jenny.”

I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted him to come apart and I wanted to see it happen. I sped up my movements, undulating over him and moaning his name. He pressed me down, pushing right where I needed him the most.

He spoke in a gruff voice. “Baby . . . I can’t . . . you need to . . .” He then stilled, throwing his head back as he shuddered and cursed. I fell with him, my orgasm tearing through me. I watched him, my body locking down as I gasped his name. I was unable to tear my eyes away from his face as he climaxed.

Fuck, he was pretty when he came. I smiled. I did that to him. I made him pretty.

I fell forward, nestled against his torso, spent and exhausted. He pulled me to rest against his body, his chin resting on my shoulder as we slowly recovered.

“You’re staying the night.”

I smiled against his chest. It wasn’t a request. I wanted to stay, but I still couldn’t resist teasing him.

“I am? You’re still holding my keys?”

“And your clothes and shoes.” He growled into my neck.

“I guess I have no choice then.”

He groaned and stood, taking me with him. He strode down the hall, laying me on his bed. He hovered over me, his face close to mine. “I’m going to have a shower. You’re staying here. Unless, of course, you want to join me.”

I shook my head. I wasn’t quite ready for that yet.

“Then you’ll be here when I get back.”

I nodded, my eyes drifting down to the front of his pants. I bit my lip as I looked back up. Connor smirked at me.

“Proud of yourself, Jenny? You made me come in my pants. I haven’t done that since I was a teenager.”

I tried to suppress my smile but failed.

Grinning, he leaned down and kissed me hard. “Smile away. You did it.” He stood up and walked to the dresser, grabbing a pair of sleep shorts before he paused and turned around. “But, Jenny?”

“Yes?”

“I am not pretty. Guys are never pretty when they come. We’re sexy, hot, devastatingly handsome, but not pretty.” Winking, he strode into the bathroom.

I grumbled as I rolled over. Inner monologue. I needed to find my inner monologue. I had to stop my mouth spilling out all my thoughts when I was around him.

But I strongly disagreed. He was hot and sexy, yet still very pretty.

***

“Whatever you’re thinking about that is making you look like that, needs to stop right now.”

I looked up in surprise at the sight of Connor, leaning against the doorway, running a towel through his damp hair. His chest was bare, gleaming in the soft light cast by the bedside lamp. He strode forward, his long, muscled legs visible since he only wore low-slung shorts. His abs, arms, and pecs were well defined and taut. There was a tattoo on his shoulder of the police insignia, the ink strikingly black against his skin. He tossed the towel into the hamper before he lifted the covers, lying beside me. He cupped my cheek and frowned. “What is going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

I started shaking my head, and his hand tightened. “Don’t say nothing. You look positively shattered right now.” He leaned forward, pressing his lips against mine. “Tell me.”

“What must you think of me right now, Connor?”

“I don’t understand.”

“I broke up with my boyfriend this afternoon, and I’m in your bed tonight. In between, I got drunk, confessed my hidden feelings for you, and then . . .” I couldn’t even finish, and I looked at him in horror. “I don’t act like this. I’ve never done anything like this before,” I whispered, my voice pleading. I wanted him to believe me. I wanted him to know the kind of person I was. From the second he had left to go shower, my thoughts had been raging. I had been struggling with everything that had happened, the enormity of the day crashing over me.

“I know that, Jenny. I know you.”

“How? How can you be so sure?”

“Because I see you. I’ve heard you on the phone with your friends and family when I was at your place. I’ve seen the pictures in your apartment. You’ve shared stories about you and your life with me. I could hear you talking in the hall with neighbors and friends. I know how caring you are with everyone. You help all the people in this building. I know about the meals you make for Mrs. Franklin and Mr. Smithers. I know you got them playing cards together, so they aren’t alone all the time. You look after everyone around you. Your friends adore you. I even heard how great you were with that jerk.”

“You did?”

“I didn’t mean to listen, but the walls are quite thin, and when I’d hear your voice, I just sort of became more alert.” He shrugged. “It’s the cop in me, I think. I always had to make sure you were okay. He was leaving one day and you were telling him to calm down; that you felt he worked too hard and you never saw him anymore.” He frowned. “I didn’t like his tone when he talked to you, but I stayed out of it; although, if he had done anything, I would have been out of the door and on him in a flash. But he brushed you off fairly quickly and left.”

“I remember that day. You came over a little while after he left and told me your coffee maker broke. You asked me if I could make you a thermos to take to work.”

He smiled sheepishly. “I had to check on you.”

“We’ve had a lot of coffee together.”

“It was a great way to spend time with you. I could see you and you were comfortable with it. It gave me a chance to get to know you better.” He cocked his head to the side. “I don’t think you realize how generous you were with me. You always sent me off with a snack or lunch. Are you even aware of how often you knocked on my door with dinner or some of your treats?”

I shook my head.

“I figured that. It is so natural with you. I loved hearing those knocks. I always felt so cared for.”

“I liked how you reacted when I gave you something. You were so enthusiastic and grateful. And you made me feel less alone.” I shrugged. “John was around less and less.”

Connor smirked. “Working so hard.”

I smiled ruefully. “I guess he wasn’t working as hard as I thought he was, at least not at his job.”

Connor sighed and moved closer. He pulled me to him and held me silently for a minute. When he spoke, his voice was low but firm. “Listen to me, Jenny. I think, today, you ended something that wasn’t right for you. You haven’t been happy for a long time. You told me that. What happened today was simply you moving on from a relationship that has been dead longer than you realized.” He paused, his hand ghosting up and down my arm. “I know this is fast and completely out of character for you. What happened earlier, on the couch? We didn’t plan it, but it wasn’t wrong. I’m sorry you’re regretting it.”

“I’m not regretting it, Connor.”

“No?”

“I just need you to know it’s not my usual style.”

He chuckled. “I already knew that, but duly noted.”

“John and I . . . we haven’t been, um . . .”

He held up his hand. “That is none of my business, Jenny.”

I grabbed his hand and held it tight. “Please, let me.”

“Okay, Wren. Whatever you need.”

“Things have never been very passionate between us. I always questioned that because it didn’t seem right. My friends all talked about this connection they had with their partner and I never felt it with John.” I looked at Connor intently. “I’ve never felt anything like I felt with you on the couch. Ever.”

A slow smile spread across his face, but he didn’t say anything.

“The past few months it got worse. I didn’t like his touch anymore. It just felt wrong. He only stayed over twice since you moved in, and both times he was drunk and nothing happened. He thought it did, and I let him, so I didn’t feel so guilty. But there was no spark.” I sighed. “I should have broken it off months ago.”

“So, you liked the couch?”

“Yeah. I did.” I chewed the inside of my cheek. “I’m not sure I’m ready for more just yet, though.”

“I can handle that. Just being here with you, like this, is more than I hoped for.” He tapped my cheek, shaking his head. “Stop beating yourself up about not breaking it off with him sooner. Hindsight is a powerful thing. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“And for the record? I liked the couch, too. That spark your friends talked about? We have a fucking inferno. When you’re ready, I’m more than happy to show you just how hot we are together.”

We both grinned at each other, his arms still wrapped around me.

He turned serious. “Jenny, have you ever had a feeling? Just something that told you something, someone was the exact right thing for you?”

“I don’t think so.”

He smiled down at me. “I have. Three times. My parents died when I was young, and a great couple named Kelly and Jason adopted me. They had come to the group home to see a little girl, but I took one look at them and informed Kelly she was supposed to be my new mommy. I remember looking at her and just feeling like she was what I had been waiting for; that once she loved me, I would be okay again.”

“Connor—” My voice caught at the emotion in his voice.

His arms tightened, his hands splayed across my back, his fingers moving. “They took both of us, since I also refused to leave without Carly. As soon as I met her at the orphanage, I became her big brother, and I told Kelly and Jason we were a package deal. They came to see her and adopted us both.”

I felt the tears gathering in my eyes as he shared his past with me. I wanted to know everything about this man. He was quiet for a moment, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

“You said three times?” I prompted quietly.

He stared at me thoughtfully, his fingers still moving on my skin. When he spoke, his voice was full of warmth. “First, Carly, then Kelly and Jason. I knew I was supposed to have them in my life, and I was right. They are my family.” His hand stopped its caresses and moved to cup my face. “I can’t wait for them to meet you. They are gonna love you.” He drew in a deep breath. “The third time was when I met you, Jenny. You offered me your hand, and when I took it, it was as if I had come home. I knew, one day, you’d be mine.”

I could no longer contain my tears. They poured down my face as I looked at him. No one had ever said something as beautiful as that to me in my life.

He wiped away the tears and leaned in, his lips nuzzling my cheek; his voice tender as he spoke. “So, however it happened, how quickly we got here, doesn’t matter. How I feel about you hasn’t changed except to think this is exactly how it was supposed to be, Jenny. I’m yours, if you want me. I have been for months. I will be for as long as you let me. Please let me.”

I could only get one word out as I gazed at him, awed by the passion in his warm eyes.

“Yes.”

***

We were snuggled on the bed, our bodies entwined. We had been talking for hours, asking questions, sharing soft, loving kisses and caresses, and basking in the closeness of being together. I hesitated before I leaned up on my elbow and looked at Connor.

“What?” he asked tenderly. “Just ask me, Jenny.”

“Your job . . .”

He sat up, leaning against the headboard. “We should discuss that subject.”

“It’s very dangerous?”

“Well, it certainly is more dangerous than working at the local Bingo hall.” He grinned. “Although, I hear those old bitties get awfully handsy with their canes if you don’t call the numbers loud enough.”

I frowned at his attempt to make me smile. “I’m serious.”

He picked up my hand, his long fingers tracing the veins on the back of it as he thought it over.

“It can be dangerous, Jenny. But I’m careful. I have a good partner.” He smiled encouragingly. “Honestly, there are more days I don’t draw my gun than I do. We don’t live in a high crime city—Grimsby isn’t like Toronto. It’s not like anything you see on TV. I’m not knocking down doors every day and breaking up major drug rings. A lot of my job is helping people. I like that part.”

“But there is crime.”

“There is.”

“Do you wear a bullet proof vest?”

“Yes. We all do.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Is that something you can live with, Jenny?”

I sighed. “I’ll worry about you.”

“I’m careful. I promise. And you might not have to worry for too long.”

“Why?”

He looked almost bashful as he grinned at me. “I spent some time in the forensic lab. I really enjoy that aspect. Putting the pieces together. Working with the police investigators. Solving cases with the collected evidence. It’s usually long and tedious—again, nothing like you would see on TV, but I love it. I’ve applied to take the courses to become a CSI. If I’m accepted, I’ll take a leave of absence from the force and see where it goes. I have some good contacts at the lab, which would help once I pass the courses.”

“Connor, that is amazing!”

He nodded. “As much as I’d miss some of what I do now, I can see myself in the lab ten, twenty years down the road. I’ll miss the force, but . . .”

“You love being a cop, don’t you?”

His lips quirked. “Some days more than others.”

“What was that smile for?”

“Um, nothing.”

“Something, I think. Your partner called earlier, and you smiled like the cat that swallowed the canary when you were talking to him. You said you’d tell me later.”

Pouting, he leaned forward, pulling my face to his and kissing me deeply until I was breathless. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I’ll tell you. I just had to kiss you in case you decided not to find this funny.”

Crossing my arms, I glared. “Connor. Tell me.”

“After you passed out, I was picking up your purse and your cellphone fell out. Your contact list was open.”

“And?”

“I looked up the jerk’s information.”

“Why?” I asked, confused.

“He hurt you, Jenny. He put his hands on you. That is unacceptable.” He shrugged. “I wanted to check him out.”

“Oh my God, did you have him arrested?”

“No. But I did find out he had three unpaid parking tickets.”

I shook my head. “He always has some. He parks that stupid car in all sorts of places he shouldn’t.” I pursed my lips. There was more; I knew it. “Connor, what did you do?”

“I, um, arranged to have his car impounded. It was towed away this afternoon while you were passed out.”

“He’d freak out!” I gasped.

Connor nodded and grinned. “Oh, yeah, he did. The idiot made it easy, though. He had it parked illegally when the tow truck arrived, as well. I was told he acted like a complete ass at the impound. The only way he could get it back was to pay his tickets and the fines before they released it back to him. It cost him huge.”

I narrowed my eyes at Connor. “There is more to this story.” I thought about the call I had only half- listened to. “You did something . . .” My eyes widened. “You did something to his car!”

“Not me. I did nothing.”

“Connor.”

He held up his hands. “I may have had some help. That person may or may not have hidden a small dead fish or two somewhere deep inside the car.”

I gaped at him. “But they’ll go bad, and it’s summer . . .”

His grin was evil. “They’ll stink, really badly. The car will become un-drivable and un-sellable.”

I stared at him, wordless.

He stared back, not at all apologetic. “You never place more value on a car than the woman in your life, Jenny.” He narrowed his eyes. “You never touch someone I care about.”

I continued to stare, my thoughts rampant.

He shifted uncomfortably. “Um, Jenny? You’re not gonna like; kick me in the nuts now, are you?”

I gave in. I started to laugh and didn’t bother stopping the snorts that were liberally scattered among the guffaws. I fell back on the bed, holding my stomach, as my mirth spilled over.

Connor leaned over me, his face wreathed in smiles. “Johnny is not having a good day. He gets kicked in the balls, his cellphone takes a swim”—he waggled his eyebrows— “his car is towed, and in the matter of a few days, will start smelling like ass. Really, really bad ass.”

I kept laughing. I knew I shouldn’t. I knew I should tell him off, not only for looking in my cellphone, but also for pulling such a childish prank. Part of me knew I needed to tell him to get the fish out of the car the same way he got them in. But I couldn’t. He was gazing down at me with the most yearning expression on his face. It begged me not to be angry. So, I kept laughing until I was exhausted. The whole time Connor hovered over me, his face expressing his enjoyment at my reaction.

I fixed a serious expression on my face as I cupped his cheek. “Don’t do that again. Or I’ll get mad.”

“If he stays away from you, I won’t. You took care of his precious phone; I helped with the stupid car. I have no reason to bother him if he stays away. I don’t want you mad either.” He grinned. “If you got mad, would you punish me, Jenny?”

“I might.”

His grin grew wider and he lowered his lips to my ear, his voice husky. “I, um, have handcuffs, if you really need to punish me. I’d take it like a man.”

I couldn’t help the shiver that went through me. “I think you’d enjoy that too much for it to be considered punishment, Connor.”

He chuckled, his lips ghosting over my skin. “You may be right.”

I sighed. “No more. Leave him alone, okay? He is out of my life. Gone.”

“I will.” He pulled back and kissed my palm. “I actually feel bad for him right now.”

“Because of his smelly car?”

His face softened and he lowered his voice. “No. Because today, he lost the most amazing woman in the world and he has no idea how empty his life will be without her.” His voice grew nervous. “And he is never getting her back.”

“No.”

“You’re mine now, Jenny. You’re going to be my whole world. I know it.”

We stared at each other, and before I could stop them, the words were out. They were right, and I meant them. I had felt it for months; I had fought it for months, but it was there.

“And you, mine.” I hesitated. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Connor.”

His eyes widened and he smiled. “The Stockholm syndrome has happened, has it?”

“No. You happened. You walked into my life and changed it.”

This time, when he smiled, it was different. It was a smile that promised a whole lifetime of laughter and caring. Of being cared for and protected. Of being together.

“You go ahead and fall. I’ll be right there to catch you. I’m falling too, Jenny.” His lips covered mine, his passion evident, his touch overwhelming.

For the first time in my life, I knew.

I’d found my home, too.

***

“Here.” Connor tossed a box into the cart. “Next?”

I looked in the cart, already knowing what I would see. “I said Shreddies, Connor. Not Frosted Flakes.”

“I like Frosted Flakes.”

“They aren’t for you. They’re for me. For my apartment.” I avoided lifting my eyes. If I lifted my eyes and saw his sweet, pleading gaze, I was toast. I was always toast when it came to him.

“But, Jenny, I like it when you have breakfast in my apartment, with me. In my bed. I like Frosted Flakes. I really like how they taste when I eat them off you.”

Internally, I groaned, shutting my eyes. He shouldn’t be saying things like that in the grocery store. When he said things like that, I wanted to say fuck the groceries and leave.

His arm went around me, his lips nuzzling my ear. “Instead of fucking the groceries, why don’t we go home, and you can fuck me, Wren? I’m good with that.”

Shit, that wasn’t internal.

His chuckle was low and deep. “Neither was the toast remark.”

I sighed and leaned back into his caress. I should never have wine with dinner and try to accomplish something afterward. Ever. Especially with Connor around.

“We can accomplish something, Jenny. We just need to get out of the store before I bend you over the cart and accomplish it here.” His hips flexed into me, showing me exactly what he wanted to accomplish. “It’s probably not a good idea for me to get arrested for public lewdness. I don’t think my pretty face would survive jail.”

I straightened up and pushed him away. “You and your accomplishing things is what has me in the grocery store aisle at nine o’clock at night on a Wednesday, Connor. I have no food in the house.”

He grinned at me. “I keep telling you, you don’t need it, I have food. I’m happy to share. You can just stay at my place.”

I snorted. “You have about as much food as I do, Connor. We ordered out the last two nights. Now give me the Shreddies.”

Pouting, he tossed the box in the cart. “They taste like ass. You need like six teaspoons of sugar on them just to make them palatable.”

“You bite my ass all the time and moan about how it tastes. Are you saying my ass tastes like Shreddies now? Do you need to sprinkle me with sugar, too?”

He stared at me, his eyes going dark as he licked his lips. That was not a good thing to say. I should never have said that. Connor did not need added incentive to be excited.

“You and your ass have no need for added sweetness. But I’m happy to try it—once.”

“Connor—”

He grinned, a dark, mischievous grin before he chuckled. “Okay, Jenny. Let’s finish your list and go home. But the Frosted Flakes are staying.”

I pushed the cart while rolling my eyes. “You’re not eating them off me again,” I muttered.

“Oh, yes, I am.”

“Not with milk.”

He let out a bark of laughter as we rounded the corner. “I admit it was messy.” His arm wrapped around me, pulling me close. “But tasty.” He kissed my forehead. “You make everything taste better.” His breath sighed against my skin. “You make everything better, Wren.”

Oh. My. God.

How did he do that? One second, he was all hot and sexy, dirty talk, and the next second he made me feel as if I were the center of his universe.

His voice was low. “You are.”

I shivered. If he kept that up, he was seriously getting laid as soon as we got home. Forget the perishables.

“That’s the plan, Jenny.”

I was never drinking and shopping with Connor again.

** Connor**

I bit back my smile at her indignation. She tried so hard to be stern and failed miserably. Nestled under my arm, she fit well next to me. She was about average height at 5’5”, but given the fact I was 6’4”, she barely reached my chest. Her creamy complexion and full lips were set off with wide, dark brown eyes and golden-brown hair that fell to her shoulders. She wasn’t conventionally pretty, but to me, she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Spunky, with a smart mouth, she was fucking adorable. I loved her. She was sweet, funny, intelligent, and so responsive. She was also a fast drunk. One glass of wine got her giggly and two destroyed any verbal filter she had without her knowing it. By glass three, she was sleepy and four was a total TKO. Tonight, at dinner, she’d had two glasses and out came my favorite Jenny: chatty with no filter. I loved hearing her inane and funny thoughts. I especially loved hearing her thoughts about me. About us. Her perceived inner dialogue was music to my ears.

I looked down at her, tucked into my side, her hands wrapped around the handle of the cart. I had to smile as I watched her. Her cheeks were flushed, and I knew it wasn’t just from the wine. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. When I had told her on our first night together we’d be an inferno in the bedroom, I had no idea how accurate that statement would be for us. She was everything I could have asked for in a lover: passionate and fierce at times, teasing and sweet at others. As well, she was achingly beautiful in her desire. Together we fit perfectly, and I adored everything about her—even when she was bossy about cereal.

My mind strayed, thinking about our first time.

We didn’t plan it; it simply happened. We spent all weekend together. I took her to return the watch, laughing when she picked out something pretty for herself instead. “Money well spent,” I informed her with a kiss. “Much better.”

We talked about everything. From our childhoods, schooling, parents, friends, what we wanted from our relationship, even to birth control and being safe. We left nothing to chance. I was serious about this girl.

She stayed the night again Saturday. She slept in my arms, and for the moment, I was good with that. Sunday after dinner, she smiled as we finished the dishes and waved her hand toward the door.

“I should go. I have laundry to do, and a little work I meant to do this weekend. Until I got, ah, got . . .”

I moved closer, slipping my fingers through her belt loops on her jeans, tugging her close.

“Sidetracked?” I offered.

“My boyfriend put me on house arrest.”

I lowered my head to her neck, pressing kisses to the column of her throat. “I let you go back to your apartment yesterday, Jenny. You came back of your own free will.”

She made a sound, a cross between a moan and a whimper. It was low and sexy. She tightened her hands on my shoulders.

“Do you really have to go?” I murmured.

With a sigh, she stepped back. “Yes. We both have things to do. Your shift starts at seven tomorrow morning. I have a meeting I need to be ready for.”

She was right, and I knew it. The fact she knew my schedule made me grin, even as I tamped down my disappointment. I leaned over her shoulder, snagged a spare key off the hook, and pressed it in her hand. “Use this whenever you want, Wren.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I pulled her in, hugged her close, and walked her to her door. “Sleep well, little bird. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

She rose up on her toes, and I met her partway, kissing her hard. It took everything in me not to follow her inside her place.

Hours later, I was lying in bed, an arm tucked beneath my head, staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t sleep. My once comfortable bed felt wrong without Jenny in it. Rolling over, I punched my pillow and tried to get comfortable. It was stupid. She had only slept there for two nights, yet my room seemed empty without her. I could smell her on my sheets, which only made me miss her more. Glancing at the clock, I groaned. It was 1:00 a.m., and I knew I wouldn’t be falling asleep anytime soon. I was keyed up and my mind wouldn’t shut off.

I heard a noise and rose up on my elbows, listening. Not hearing anything, I began to lie back down when the noise started again. Certain I had heard my apartment door open, I swung my legs over the mattress, and flicked on the light. The footfalls were soft and could only belong to one person. My heart raced, and I spoke loudly.

“I have a gun, and the license to use it.”

The footfalls came closer. “So I’ve heard.” Jenny’s voice sassed. “You bragged earlier how big your gun was, if I remember right.”

She appeared at my door, wearing a nightshirt, her hair up in a ponytail. She looked sexy and nervous.

“You should give a guy a warning before breaking in.” I smirked. “My gun might have been loaded.”

“It’s not breaking in if I have a key.” She peered around. “Where’s this big gun of yours?”

“Come closer and I’ll show you.”

She moved forward, and I pulled her between my legs. “What are you doing here, Wren?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

“Funny, I was having the same problem.” I ran my hands up the back of her thighs and cupped her firm ass, my cock growing as I realized she was bare under her shirt. “Thinking of anything in particular?”

“Your big gun.”

She was under me in an instant. Our mouths fused together, kissing each other as if we’d been apart for days, not hours. Her hands roamed my back, running over my sides, clutching at my ass after she pushed the sheet down with her legs.

“Oh God, you’re naked.”

Seconds later, so was she. Skin to skin, we discovered each other. She pushed me on my back as her hot mouth traveled the length of my torso, flicking her tongue on my taut nipples, over my abs, and down my thighs. She explored my muscles, swirling her tongue, tracing them and torturing me with her caresses. She wrapped her hand around my dick, whimpering with pleasure when she realized she needed both of them to go around it fully. She touched and teased, whispering dirty words that cranked me higher, telling me how many times she had fantasized about us, just like this, naked and yearning.

“Reality is so much better.” Her breath washed over my skin as she bent and trailed her tongue across the head of my cock. “I want you so fucking bad, Connor, I can’t take it anymore.”

Then she engulfed me in her mouth.

I shouted, my back arching off the bed as she teased and sucked, nibbled and licked, her hands never in one place for long, her hair brushing my thighs, first on one side, then the other, as her head moved and her ponytail flopped. She did things with her tongue I was certain were illegal in this country—probably every country, but they felt so fucking good, I never wanted her to stop. Wave after wave of pleasure crashed through me, and I pleaded for her to stop.

“I want inside you, Jenny. Now, Wren.”

I felt the hum of her laughter around my cock and the movement of her head as she refused. She cupped my balls, her hands stroking and teasing. She slipped her finger lower, rubbing and sending me over the edge.

I fisted my hands in the sheets, shouting. “Jesus, fuck! I’m gonna . . .”

Her response was to grab my thighs, and suck deeper. Our eyes locked as I came. Hot, hard, and wet down her throat. Long spurts as I groaned and bucked; the ecstasy so great it was almost painful.

Slow and sated, I sank back into the mattress. She crawled up beside me, lying with her head on my chest. For a minute, there was nothing but the sound of my labored breathing and the feel of her gentle touch as she ran her fingers over my skin.

“Proud of yourself?”

“Pretty much.”

“You should be.” I pulled her up, kissing her hard. I tasted myself, sharp and salty on her tongue. I explored her mouth fully, not stopping until we were breathless.

I grinned, moving fast and flipping her, hovering over her with a wolfish smile. “My turn.”

She was so sweet under my tongue. So receptive. I discovered the soft spot behind her ear that made her whimper. Her nipples peaked and hardened as I flattened my tongue, then nipped and licked at them. She was ticklish on the left side, arching up as I ghosted my fingers along her rib cage. I kissed the inside of her elbows, her wrists, teased her neck and shoulders. I discovered all her dips and curves, first with my fingers, then with my mouth. Sliding down the bed, I started at her feet, kissing the soft skin of her delicate arches, up her ankle, twirling my tongue on the sensitive indent behind her knee. Her head thrashed, her hands fisted the sheets as I slid my tongue up her thighs, taking my time, drawing out the moment until I covered her with my mouth, tasting her for the first time.

She bowed off the bed, calling my name and a litany of religious figures. Her legs encased my head, her hand buried in my hair as she cried out. I lapped and flicked my tongue, stroked and pressed. I slid one finger into her, then another, adding my thumb to the mix as I drove her to release.

Her muscles fluttered, tightening around my fingers as she came, beautiful and free in her orgasm. I shifted, pulling her up my thighs and driving into her before she had come down. I lifted her, wrapping her in my arms as I thrust, groaning at her wetness and heat, how tight, how right, she felt around me. She draped her arms over my shoulders and lifted her face, her eyes wide and dark.

“Connor, please,” she pleaded.

I covered her mouth, kissing her hard, and kept moving. I grabbed her ass, slamming her down on me, grunting my approval as she clung tight.

We moved as if we’d been lovers for years. I knew her body, and I knew what she needed. She took me inside, bringing me home, making me hers as much as I made her mine.

The beginnings of another orgasm started. My balls tightened, my spine snapped with nerves.

“Come for me, Wren. Let me feel you,” I begged, needing and wanting that desperately.

Her head fell back, a soundless “O” forming on her lips. Her pussy clenched around me like a fist, sending me into my own release. I moved faster, groaning her name.

Until she was spent.

Until I was done.

Carefully, I lay her on the pillow, withdrawing from her. I relaxed beside her, smiling as she curled into my chest.

The room smelled like us. Sex, her, and me. We were sticky, sweating, and perfect.

I pressed a kiss to her head. “Told you. Fucking inferno.”

She stretched, her toes dragging along my calf. “I’ve never felt anything like that until tonight.”

“It’s only going to get better.”

“I may combust.”

“I’ll put out the flames, baby.”

She giggled, running her finger between us where we were damp and hot. “Your fire extinguisher does double duty. Starts and puts out flames.”

I laughed at her silly remark.

We were quiet for a while, and she looked up at me, her gaze filled with tenderness. “I don’t want to go home.”

I tucked her closer. “This is home, Wren. Stay.”

“Okay,” she breathed out. “We should get some sleep.”

I glanced at the clock. “It’s past three. Neither of us will get much tonight.” I tilted up her chin. “You’re gonna be tired tomorrow.”

She slid her arms around my neck.

“I’m good with that because it’s so worth it.”

Strangely enough, I agreed wholeheartedly.

I shook my head to clear it, the mere memory of that night making my cock swell. I was already having trouble focusing. We needed to get home—I needed Jenny alone.

We turned the corner into the produce section, and I had to stifle a groan. She ate way too many vegetables—never mind the fruit. She was constantly filling my plate with them, and damn it, I ate them because she asked me to with those soft eyes and sweet voice. I was so whipped.

I sighed and grabbed a bag. I didn’t even ask before I went over to the apples and started filling it up. They were always on the list—along with bananas, grapes, and watermelon, whenever she could get it. Jenny loved watermelon. She said I picked good ones, so I was in charge of choosing one. I liked impressing her with my melon-tapping skills to find the perfect one, and normally, I made a great show of picking them for her; I loved making her laugh. But tonight, I just wanted to finish the damn shopping and go home. I wanted her. Alone. It wasn’t melons I wanted to tap.

Well, maybe her melons.

Plus, I had some sugar sprinkling to do.

My hands were full as I turned and stopped dead. Jenny was standing, her stance rigid, her expression appalled, and in front of her: John. I could tell from her body language she wasn’t scared, but she also wasn’t happy to see him. I hurried over, stopping when I reached her side. He was talking, gesturing, telling her his sob story. He barely glanced my way as I dropped the bags in the cart and wrapped my arm around her waist in silent support. John was so busy blabbering he didn’t even notice the gesture.

“It’s been awful, babe. It’s as though my luck has changed. Nothing has been right since you walked out on me.”

Babe? Walked out on him? He was fucking someone else when she walked in. What the hell? Beside me, Jenny stiffened, and I tightened my arm, wondering if I was going to have to shut him up soon. I wasn’t going to let him upset her.

Jenny stepped forward, my arm slipping off her waist. Her hand reached out and I grabbed it with mine, holding it firmly.

“I didn’t walk out, John. You threw me out. Forcefully.”

He looked at our entwined hands and blinked, not even acknowledging her remark. Then he carried on as though nothing had happened.

“It started with some weird shit with my car. It got towed that day—towed J, if you can believe it. I mean, who would tow a fine piece of machinery like that?”

I had to swallow my snort. He glanced at me frowning before he turned his attention back to Jenny.

“It hasn’t been right since. I’ve spent thousands on it, J. It’s as if there is a curse on it. It smells. I can’t even describe it, like something died in it. It’s been cleaned, detailed, and steamed . . . nothing has worked. I think I need to replace the engine.” He looked at her in all seriousness. “You know how much I love that car.”

I choked back a laugh. It wasn’t the engine that needed replacing. He needed to look behind a speaker or under the glove box—for starters.

Was he seriously talking to Jenny about his stupid car? The one he prized more highly than her? And why the fuck was he calling her “J”? Did he not know her name? Was Jenny too hard to say? I eyed the watermelon in the cart. I had an idea where I wanted to put it right now. He was certainly a big enough asshole to handle it. A small chuckle broke through my lips before I could stop it.

He looked at me, his expression curious. “Do I know you?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

He frowned and looked back at Jenny, who was gazing at him impassively. “Tami quit and dumped me.”

Jenny’s voice was dry. “What a shame.”

“Did she buy you a watch?” I mumbled.

Jenny giggled, her hand tightening on mine. I squeezed back.

John looked at me, confused. “No.”

I shrugged. “Too bad. A good source tells me that’s the latest craze.”

“Are you sure I don’t know you?”

“Nope. Never formally met you.”

He glared at me and returned his gaze to Jenny. “I think I’ve been cursed.”

“Oh?”

“It never ends, J. I’ve gotten tickets for parking, speeding, littering, talking on my cell phone in the car— it’s as if the cops are watching me all the time. Every time I do something remotely illegal, they’re there. Just the other day, three of us stepped off the curb too soon, and I was the only one nabbed and given a ticket for jaywalking!”

It was all I could do not to laugh out loud at his morose expression. He made it all too easy. I could feel myself shake with repressed laughter, and I bit down on my lip, so I didn’t start guffawing.

Jenny’s head snapped in my direction.

Oh shit. I was so busted.

I moved and wrapped my arm around her tightly. I needed to make sure she couldn’t use her legs.

I knew how dangerous she was with her legs.

** Jenny**

As soon as John started listing off his problems, I knew. Beside me, Connor was almost vibrating in silent laughter. He was in so much shit.

“J!”

I looked back at John. “What?”

“Did you hear me?”

“I’m sorry you’re having a rough time, John. But it has nothing to do with me.”

Inside, I was fuming. It had everything to do with my current boyfriend who had moved in closer, holding me tight against his side.

“I think you need to give me another chance.”

I gaped at John as Connor stood taller and pulled me even closer.

“Excuse me?” He hissed.

John frowned at Connor. “Wait. I do know you. You’re the neighbor guy. I saw you in the hall a couple times.” He glanced down at the cart. “Shopping together?”

“I’m not the neighbor guy, John. I’m the boyfriend guy. Jenny’s boyfriend. We’re shopping together because we are together,” Connor snapped in response.

John looked between us. “You have another boyfriend already? It didn’t take long for you to move on.”

I laughed. “That’s rich coming from someone I found fucking his assistant. I’d say you moved on first.”

“Well, it’s not as if you’d been offering it up much, babe. I had needs, Jenny. You no longer met them.”

“So, it was my fault?”

“Well, yeah. I’m willing to take you back, though. Give you a chance to make it up to me.” He lifted his hand as if he expected me to grab onto it like a lifeline. Did he seriously not see Connor right there beside me? Or hear what he had just said? Could he not see how securely I was nestled into his body? I pulled away, not wanting John to touch me.

Before I could say or do anything else, I found myself tucked behind Connor. The cart was pushed out of the way as he stepped in John’s direction. His voice was almost eerily calm, and I realized I was hearing Officer Michaels speaking. “You don’t touch her. Ever.” He breathed through clenched teeth. “Now listen, you scumbag. First off, her name is Jenny, not J, and not fucking babe. Not to you. Show the lady some much due respect. She is not interested in your problems, and she certainly has no interest in taking you back. I think you need to be clear on something in that tiny pea-brain of yours. She is not at fault for what happened. You made the choice to cheat, not her. This was all on you.” His hand settled on his hip, pulling his jacket away from his waist. I saw John’s eyes look down before they snapped back to Connor’s face. John’s cheeks reddened and he stepped back.

“We are a couple now, John, and I have no intention of letting her go. Unlike you, I’m not stupid. I look after the people I love, you understand me?”

John nodded, but he didn’t say a word.

“I suggest you apologize to my lady and leave. Don’t contact her and don’t come near her. I’d hate to see your bad luck get worse.”

John took another step back, glancing between us. I had no idea what he had seen that made him so uncomfortable, but he looked downright ill. “Yeah, so I’m gonna go. Sorry to have bothered you. Um, have a good night and ah, yeah. The whole Tami thing? My bad. Bye.”

He turned and hurried away.

Connor stood watching him before he turned around. “You okay, Wren?”

“What just happened?”

Connor shrugged. “I said my piece. I wasn’t going to listen to him degrade you in front of me.”

I shook my head. “I get that, Connor. Why did he look so frightened?”

He shrugged and grabbed the cart. “He doesn’t like dealing with someone his own size.”

I narrowed my eyes and pulled his jacket away. My mouth dropped open. “Connor!”

“What?”

“Don’t you what me. You know perfectly well: John saw your badge and your gun clip.”

“It’s empty, Jenny. My gun is at work, in my locker. I had left the clip on, so I remembered to clean it tonight. It got some sticky donut stuff on it.” He grinned, no doubt hoping I would laugh with him.

“He didn’t know that; you only let him see you were wearing one. He thought you were threatening him.”

“I can’t help what he thought—or thought he saw. He was being an asshole and disrespecting you!”

“What if he makes trouble?”

“I have lots of witnesses that saw me lock my gun away. I always carry my badge. I forgot I was wearing my clip. There was no threat. I did nothing wrong.”

“You forgot? You did nothing wrong? At all? Nothing in that conversation sounded familiar to you?”

He had the grace to look slightly ashamed, but he shook his head. “No.”

“You always flash your badge at ex-boyfriends? As a warning?”

“No, I only do that for you.”

I huffed out a sigh and shook my head.

“We are not done with this, Officer Michaels.” I grabbed the cart and started to walk away. Connor followed me to the register, shifting uncomfortably behind me as we waited in line.

“He fucking ignored me, Jenny. He was trying to get you back, and I was standing right there!”

“So, he isn’t very observant. He’s always been an idiot, and I think it’s worse now. You didn’t have to scare him.”

“All I did was to send him a subtle message,” he muttered.

I snorted. “Subtle? Dragging him out back and beating him with your nightstick would have been more subtle.”

He leaned forward, his lips ghosting my ear. “The only person I want to take out my ‘nightstick’ for is you, Jenny.”

“Stop it,” I said with a hiss. “I’m mad at you.”

“Damn it! I should have taken a swing at him. It would’ve served him right.”

“Why would you say that?” I gasped.

“Fucker just cost me some hot sexing with my girlfriend,” he grumbled, his soft lips pouting the way I liked. Every time he pouted like that, I wanted to kiss him—hard.

He looked at me, winked, and deliberately pouted, lowering his face in a silent invitation. I felt a smile tug on my lips, knowing I had spoken out loud again as well as loving the pleading, hopeful expression on his face. Leaning up, I kissed his pouty lips, unable to refuse him.

“Jaywalking, Connor? Your fellow officers have nothing better to do than watch for him to jaywalk?”

He chuckled. “He makes it too easy on them.” He pressed his lips to mine. “Don’t be angry. I hate it when you’re angry.”

I glared at him. I was still pissed, although somewhat amused. I was also turned on by the way he stood up for me. I still wanted to get him home and naked. Maybe even punish him a little.

A delighted grin broke out on his face. He leaned forward, dragging my face to his.

“Go with it, Jenny.” He kissed me hard. “I’ll take it.”

Internal dialogue. Damn it.

** Connor**

“Oh, God . . . baby. . . please,” I begged, pulling on the handcuffs restraining me. I lifted my head, desperately trying to figure out where Jenny had gone. I couldn’t see because the little vixen had slipped a mask over my eyes, plunging me into darkness, then she disappeared.

Where was she?

Jenny’s voice was far away. “Please what, Connor?”

I loved it when she let her slightly kinky side come out to play. When we got back to my apartment, she tackled me on the bed, kissing and licking her way up and down my chest, before she surprised me by snapping on the handcuffs and the mask.

Punishment time.

I was good with that. Really good.

Except, I was lying on my bed, naked and aching for her and she was gone. I yanked on the cuffs again, raising my head. “Jenny, come back.”

“Maybe I should just leave you here, all tied up, nowhere to go . . .” Her voice teased from the foot of the bed. “I could go home and have a good night’s sleep.”

Fuck, no. I didn’t deserve that kind of punishment. That would be a real punishment, and I much preferred Jenny’s form of torture. It was far more satisfying.

I lowered my voice to the deep tone I knew she loved. “Come back, baby. Let me show you how sorry I am.”

Her hand drifted over my foot, caressing and stroking, rubbing my ankle in a long, slow drag. I blinked under the mask as I realized she had just tied it to the foot of the bed. That was a new move. She repeated the gesture with the other foot, and I heard a long, contented sigh escape her throat.

I was truly at her mercy, and I swallowed in anticipation.

“See something you like, Jenny?” I murmured huskily, playfully arching my hips.

“Isn’t that a lovely sight,” she whispered. Her hands were, once again, on my legs, slowly drifting up and down, each time edging closer to where I wanted them the most. I groaned in eagerness then frustration as her hands disappeared.

The mattress dipped, and she straddled my waist. I could feel her warm skin sliding against my abdomen, and then her mouth covered mine. I strained my head up, my tongue searching and sucking as we kissed, both of us moaning. She pulled away, leaning back, her hands now splayed across my chest. “You were very. . . naughty in the store, weren’t you, Connor?”

“Yes. Give me your mouth back, Jenny. Please, baby.”

She ignored me.

“All the dirty talk that you know turns me on—is that what you wanted?” She pressed down against me, her center hot and wet against my skin. “Can you feel what you do to me?”

“God, yes.”

I felt a soft flicker dance across my chest and I groaned. I knew that feeling. Jenny had a feather in her hand, and if she had a feather that meant she had the jar of honey dust, as well. It was her favorite torture toy. She loved sprinkling it on my chest and stomach, driving me mad with the feather before licking it off.

The licking was my favorite part.

She moved off me, and sure enough, I felt the downy sensation of the sweet dust settle across my chest, followed by the trailing of the feather as it ghosted over my skin. But it didn’t stop at my chest. Soon I was nothing but a blaze of sensation as Jenny’s honey dust settled over my entire body. Her feather swirled and teased, moving and touching every inch of my skin, only to slip to a new place, drawing yet another groan from my lips. Her feather trailed over my torso, teasing my taut nipples, up and down my legs and arms, soft and light as it went, leaving me panting, aching, and wanting. Like a whisper of air, I felt the sensation float over my throbbing cock, and I hissed and arched into the sensation. I wanted more. I wanted her mouth on me.

My voice was low and rough as I pleaded with her. “Jenny, please. . .”

Seconds later, I was lost in a fog of need as her tongue met my skin. Swirling and dancing, it drifted and tormented, her mouth licked and stroked, nipped and teased. I bent and twisted, wanting free of my cuffs, begging her for release. When I felt her move between my legs, my voice was wild as my arms and legs pulled on my restraints.

“Jenny, fuck . . . please, baby, put your mouth on me. Now, God, please . . .”

Her low laughter caused a breath of warm air to drift across my cock, and finally, I felt her tongue run a soft trail over my length before the heat of her lips closed around me. I growled and shuddered as I arched into her wet mouth. The way her tongue swirled around the head had me bowing upward, desperate to be closer to the source of pleasure as I moaned and writhed. Her hands cupped and stroked my balls as she sucked and licked, humming around my cock as I begged and groaned, thrusting and yearning.

I wanted more. I always wanted more of her.

“Jenny, please. I need to be inside you.”

One last long lick and she moved up, straddling me again. Her wet, slick heat engulfed me and I cursed as she started to move. She pushed and pulled, rocking into me; her hands braced on my thighs as she whimpered and undulated above me. “You feel so good, Connor. So good. I love how you feel inside me.”

I continued with my pleading. “Let me see you—now, Wren. Now.”

Light poured into my eyes, and I blinked and focused on the beautiful woman riding me. Her face was a study of emotions, and I knew she was close. Her eyes were wide and wild as she looked down at me, her entire frame trembling with passion. She was so stunning in her need, and I knew what she wanted, what we wanted.

“Unlock me, baby.”

Jenny leaned back, first releasing my feet before she moved forward and snapped open the cuffs restraining my wrists. I watched her body curve as she moved, my desire only raging higher as I glimpsed her fluidness. I sat up, drawing up my legs and enclosing her in my arms, both of us gasping at the new angle. This was her favorite position: me buried deep inside her, my body holding her close, anchoring her to me as she fell apart. She loved the intimacy and I loved sensing her body shudder and clench, feeling her orgasm ripple through her body. My mouth covered hers, sharing deep, bruising, unrestrained kisses before she stilled, gasping my name. I buried my head in her neck, thrusting into her heat until I was spent, groaning in ecstasy.

The room was quiet except for our heavy breathing. Gradually, I leaned back, taking her with me, keeping her pressed into my chest. Reaching down, I gently helped her straighten her legs, drawing the blanket around us. For a while we were silent, just relaxing into each other. When she shifted, I rolled us on to our sides, keeping her close. I didn’t want to let her go. Her eyes were wide and soft and as she gazed at me, I leaned down to kiss her. They were slow, indulgent, sweet kisses this time. Teasing and gentle, my lips lingered on hers.

She sighed and snuggled into my chest. “Learned your lesson?”

I chuckled. “Which one, Wren? Not to tease you in the grocery store or not to flash my badge?”

“Both?”

“I can’t promise not to tease you, especially when you’re so sexy and adorable.” I sighed. “I’ll try to hold off on the flashing, though.”

“Get them to back off harassing John. It’s over and done.”

I pulled her closer, my voice betraying my sudden nervousness. “Jenny . . .”

She frowned and pushed herself up on her elbow. “What is it?”

“Tonight, did you ever consider—?” I couldn’t even finish my thought.

Her eyes widened and her hand cupped my face, holding it tight. “Why would you ask that?”

I shrugged. “John could give you things I can’t, Jenny. He is a successful businessman. I’m just an underpaid cop and about to be an even poorer one once I go back to school. I can’t offer you the same things he could.”

She exhaled. “All he gave me was a lot of lonely nights and the promise of being second best—if that. I don’t care about material stuff. I never did. So, the answer is no. Never. John is my past and not even a good part of it. You’re my present . . . and my future.”

“Jenny?”

She smiled, a heartwarming, lovely expression on her face. “I love you, Connor Michaels.”

My heart hammered in my chest. I had told her how much I loved her many times over the past weeks we’d been together, but she had never said the words back to me. Every caring gesture, every sweet smile; each time we made love, I felt it, but I knew she wasn’t ready to say it yet. I had been waiting for the moment since our first day together.

My breath caught in my throat.

“Don’t ever doubt what you mean to me. I knew you were going to change my life, I just didn’t know how much. You’re my everything.”

I pulled her to me and kissed her until we were breathless. “I adore you, Jenny Reynolds. I love how you ramble when you’re tipsy and make me want you all the time.” I teased her, but my voice was serious when I continued. “I love how you take care of me. I love you so much. And it just keeps getting stronger.” My fingers danced over her soft skin. “I want to wake up beside you in the morning and fall asleep beside you every night. Promise me I can.”

Her eyes glowed. “Every day, Connor.”

“Then, Jenny Wren, I have all I could ever want.”

** Connor**

“Does my hand feel good? Is it what you want?” Jenny’s voice hummed low in my ear.

I groaned. “No, baby, I want your mouth.”

“All you can have is my hand. Use it, Connor.”

I growled as the movement picked up. My head pressed against the pillows, the soft plush rising around my face. My hips arched off the bed.

“Harder, Connor. More,” Jenny’s voice rasped.

My hand sped up. “Are you close, Wren? Come with me,” I begged.

“Now,” she whimpered. “Now.”

I shouted out her name, panting and heaving, coming and coming before I was satisfied. My hand slowed and finally stopped as my body became boneless.

Jenny’s voice was warm and distant in my ear. “Connor? You with me, baby?”

I sighed as I found the phone. “Fuck, Jenny. That was amazing.” I blew out a big breath. “One hell of a wake-up call.”

She laughed softly. “I aim to please.”

I chuckled. “Please you did. How much have you had to drink tonight?”

“One glass of wine.”

I laughed. “More than one, I think. You wouldn’t be making dirty talking, let’s-have-phone-sex calls on one glass of wine, my girl. Not that I’m complaining.”

Her voice lowered as if she were telling me a secret. “Okay—maybe two, or three. Got you going, though.”

I looked down at the mess I had made. “You certainly did, and like I said, I’m not complaining—although I would rather have you here.”

The tone of her voice suddenly turned serious. “I miss you, Connor.”

I sat up in bed. “I miss you. But it’s only another seven days and you’re home.”

She sighed. “This trip came at a bad time.”

She and Jackey were at a convention, then Jenny was going to see her mom. As pharmaceutical reps, they had the trip planned long before Jenny and I got together. As much as I missed her, I wanted her to have a good time and enjoy herself. She worked hard and deserved it. I knew she was looking forward to seeing her mom.

“It’s fine. While I would’ve rather spent it with you, school is whipping my ass and I’m looking forward to the weekend, even though I’ll be hitting the books the whole time.”

“Is that what you’re gonna do all weekend? Study?”

“Well, I’ve got someone looking at my car tomorrow. And I’ve got a bunch of errands to do and then, yeah, I’ll be studying.”

“Connor—”

“Jenny, we discussed this. I have to sell it. I have to get rid of as much overhead as possible for the time being.”

“You love that car.”

“I’ll buy another when I’m done school and working again.” Wanting to make her smile, I tried teasing her. “You’ll have to be my chauffeur for a while. Be at my beck and call.”

Her voice lightened. “I’ll happily be your beck and call girl.”

“Excellent.”

***

I walked back into the apartment building, frowning. The offer the guy made on my car was low. Way lower than I had hoped. It would barely cover what I still owed on the loan. Maybe Jenny was right and I should keep it, except I would still have to insure it and pay for gas. I felt like banging my head against the wall.

While it was the right move for me, giving up a full-time job and going back to school was a scary and expensive proposition. Even more than I had realized, once I found out I didn’t qualify for some of the financial aid I thought I could get. I had thought I would work part-time, but quickly realized that was not going to happen. I had to devote myself fully to the endeavor, which meant I had to make some changes I hadn’t planned. Jenny had been so supportive, even offering to loan me money, but I couldn’t take her offer. I had to do this on my own.

I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for my floor, hating the thought that kept floating through my head. A last resort, but one that, in the end, might be the only choice I had.

Move.

I could get a less expensive apartment and save money that way. If I sold my car and found a cheaper apartment, things would be tight, but manageable. I would have to stick to a strict budget, which didn’t bother me. What bothered me was the thought of not living next door to Jenny, but I could still see her.

Just not as easily.

“Hold the door!” a familiar voice shouted.

I grabbed the door and was almost run down by a fast-moving pile of cardboard that barely missed slamming into me. “Hey!” I laughed when I saw Luc’s face behind the pile.

“Shit, sorry, Connor.”

“What’s going on, man?”

“I’m moving.”

“Since when?”

He grinned behind the boxes. “Since I got a great job offer in Vancouver. The only drawback is I gotta be there this week.”

“Well, congrats. That’s great for you.”

“It was all great until about an hour ago. I had a sublet for the apartment all set up, but it fell through. Joe’s girlfriend dumped him, and he decided he didn’t need a two-bedroom place. He wants a smaller one. So, I have to figure that out. I doubt I can find another person to sublet on such notice. I may end up paying rent in two places for a while. But what am I gonna do?”

I nodded in sympathy as the doors opened. Luc walked ahead of me, down the hall, balancing his boxes. I stopped at my door and it hit me. I hurried down the hall after him.

“Hey, Luc . . . can I see your place?”

***

An hour later, I looked down at the papers in my hand. I checked and rechecked the math. This could work.

Luc’s rent was only three hundred more than I paid now. If Jenny and I moved into the larger two-bedroom together, we’d both save money every month, since she paid the same rent as I currently did. The new place overlooked the back garden, which she had mentioned before she liked, had two good-sized bedrooms, so we could use one as an office, and overall it was bigger and more open. I also knew Jenny would love the kitchen. Luc had even had the place painted not long ago, so it was in great shape. We both liked the building and the people we knew in it, so we could stay there and have more space. With what I saved in rent and shared utilities, I could even keep my car. I wouldn’t have to move and we’d be together. The guy who had looked at Luc’s place agreed to come and look at mine, and if he liked it, he could take over the lease. I knew there was a waiting list for one-bedroom places in the building, so management should easily find someone for Jenny’s place.

We were almost living together, anyway. We rarely spent a night apart, and Jenny was hardly ever at her place. I was sure she’d stuffed most of her clothes into my closet and drawers. Her favorite reading chair even had a spot in my living room.

Moving us would be simple. It was only down the hall. Luc planned to be gone in forty-eight hours. With the help of all my friends, I could move all my stuff over in short order—probably Jenny’s, as well. I could have it all done by the time she got home. She wouldn’t even have to think about it.

She’d be thrilled. We’d be together and all she’d have to do was add her own touches and settle in. With me.

She’d love it.

I only had to convince her of that fact.

Quickly.

I dialed her number, my hand shaking.

Was she ready for what I was about to propose? Would she want to live with me, officially? I knew I wanted to be with her all the time. But I also knew I had been one step ahead of her our whole relationship. I wanted this . . . more than anything.

She answered immediately, and I could hear the background noise. “Hey, Wren.”

“Connor? Are you okay?”

“Can you find a quiet corner and we could do a video chat?”

“Give me five minutes.”

“Okay.”

I hung up and paced the room.

***

I looked at her shocked face on my screen.

“You want us to move in together?”

“Yes.”

“Take over Luc’s lease?”

“Yes.”

“And you want me to decide—right now.”

My fingers clutched my hair. “I know it’s fast, Jenny, but it works so well. It all lines up.”

“So, we’d save money, you wouldn’t have to sell your car, and you’d stay in the building?”

“Yes.” I nodded emphatically.

She’d been shocked when I told her my original plan once I knew I couldn’t get as much for my car as I’d hoped. I could also see she disliked the idea of me moving as much as I did. I also knew she was surprised at the solution I offered. I hated doing it, over the phone, but Luc had to have an answer soon. If I told him no, he needed to find someone else.

I didn’t want to tell him no.

“So, this is a convenience, Connor? We’d be roomies?”

I gaped at her.

That was what she thought?

Fuck sake, of course she did. I called her up unexpectedly, told her I had a great apartment we could share, then expounded on the fact of all the money we would save. I made it sound like a currency thing. Not one word about the fact if I still had to sell my car and take a part-time job for it to happen, I wanted to live with her.

I sat back and smiled into the screen.

“Jenny, Wren, listen to me. Listen well. Do you know why moving in together would be such a great thing?”

“You can keep your car?”

“No. I don’t care about the damned car. It’s so great because it means I don’t have to leave you. The thought of being far away from you was killing me.” I ran a hand over my face, scrubbing my cheeks roughly. “It means that every morning I can wake up with you. The last thing I will see every night is your sweet face. When I get home, I know you’ll be there. I want that. More than anything.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And while getting to keep my car is a bonus, getting you—living with you, is my dream.” I paused, and closed my eyes for a moment. “I love you, Jenny. And I want this for us.”

“It’s so fast.”

I sighed. “I know, and if you don’t want it—one hundred percent want it—I understand. I still love you and I hope one day I get my dream.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, I’ll wait, Jenny. I’ll wait for you.” Then I winked at her, so she knew it was okay. I was asking too much of her, expecting an answer immediately to a decision so large. “You’ll just have to get used to being at my beck and call.” I chuckled. “Or the bus.”

I could see the tears on her cheeks. I wanted to kiss them away.

“Connor?”

I traced the screen with my finger, wishing she were in front of me for real. “Yeah, Wren?”

“I want it, too.”

***

I paced around, constantly glancing at my watch. Jenny would be home soon.

Our home.

I had done it. I took over Luc’s lease, Joe had taken my apartment, and, within a day, management had a new tenant for Jenny’s place, who would move in next week. With the help of my fellow officers and some firefighter friends, we had moved both apartments in the space of two evenings. Nothing was packed; we simply carried everything from the old apartments into the new one, in one long conga line. I put the furniture in the right rooms, but knew Jenny would rearrange things once she arrived. She would make the space a home for us. For now, our dishes, pans, and linens were mingled together in the various cupboards, and I grinned every time I opened a door and saw them.

Jenny had no idea the entire move had happened. She thought we would be doing it when she got home, and I kept that information to myself. However, she wouldn’t have to do a thing except settle into her new place—our new place.

I had dinner in the oven and plenty of bottles of wine in the refrigerator. I fully expected lots of tipsy comments and hot sex as we celebrated and broke in every new room this weekend. Sex with Jenny was always hot.

I was looking forward to that.

My phone buzzed.

Downstairs the screen read.

I smiled at Jackey’s message. She was in on the surprise.

The biggest grin split my face as I went down the hall to meet Jenny at the elevator. I had missed her.

And I was excited she was home.

***

God, her mouth was back on mine, her hands in my hair, tugging and pulling me close as I kissed her deeply. I had missed her so damn much. Missed us. With a groan, I crushed her to my chest, kissing her with everything I had in me. When I finally released her, it was only to bury my face into her neck and breathe her in.

“I missed you so much,” she whispered.

“I missed you too, Wren.”

She giggled, the sweet sound filling my ears. “You must have. You barely let the elevator doors open.”

I grinned. I hadn’t. As soon as I saw her, I had reached in and pulled her into my arms. Two weeks was two weeks too long without her.

My mouth covered hers again, my tongue greedy for more of her taste. I lifted her, groaning as her legs wrapped around my waist. I barely had enough sense left to grab her suitcase with one hand while I held her tightly against me with the other. I stumbled down the hall, refusing to move my mouth off hers or let her down.

She pulled back, gasping for breath. “Connor! You missed your door!”

I laughed and kissed her again. I kept walking until I stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall. I set her back on her feet, pushed open the door, then with a huge grin, scooped her up bridal style, chuckling at her gasp.

“What are you doing?”

I kissed her once more and carried her inside. “This is the door now, Jenny. Our door.”

** Jenny**

I ran my fingers ran over the shiny surface of the stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen. They were so pretty—such nice appliances in this apartment.

I giggled. My new apartment. I giggled again.

The apartment I now lived in with Connor.

Connor.

My Connor.

He was so pretty, too. So excited as he had handed me a large glass of wine and shown me around the new place, pointing out all the things he knew I would like. He surprisedHe surprised me by having all our things already moved in, living together in cupboards and on shelves. Just waiting for me to come back and join them.

Join him.

I took another sip of wine, my hand on the cool surface of the granite. I liked these counters. Connor liked them, too.

I bet he’d like to fuck me on these counters.

I’d like that.

I should go find him and ask.

His arms encircled my waist. His warm breath drifted over my cheek as his lips pulled at my lobe. “No need to look, Wren. I’m right here.” His warm tongue ran up my neck. “I’ll fuck you anywhere, anytime. Name the place and we are so on.”

I groaned as my head fell back on his shoulder.

How much had I had to drink?

He chuckled. “Enough.” He wrapped his hand around my hair, pulling back my head. “My favorite Jenny is here.” Then his mouth covered mine possessively, his hands sliding under my shirt, up and over my breasts, fondling and pinching my nipples that were hard and aching for his touch. I pressed myself back against him, groaning as his mouth left mine and trailed over to my ear, licking and nipping at the sensitive skin behind it. I could feel him hard and straining against me and I moaned with desire.

God, I wanted him. Now. On the counter, the floor, against the fridge, and anywhere else we could find in the room.

He spun me around. “That’ll do for starters,” he growled in my ear.

I grinned against his lips.

He knew exactly how to get me to open up, in more ways than one.

His hand found the zipper on my jeans. “Fucking right I do. Open for me. Show me how well I know you.”

I whimpered. I wanted him. I wanted him buried inside me. Oh, God . . . I was aching for him.

“I’ll ease the ache, baby. Promise.”

My shirt disappeared; my jeans pulled down and discarded. A few flicks of his wrists and I was bare for him—throbbing and wet, wanting him. His mouth was possessive and hot as his tongue twisted with mine, his bare chest warm against my body. I gripped his shoulders as he lifted me up onto the edge of the countertop, opening my legs, and in one quick, deep thrust, plunged into me. He started moving, his pace fast, hips swiveling as he pounded me. His arms were like a vise holding me, his head dropped to my shoulder as he panted and whispered in my ear.

Fuck . . . baby . . . yes . . . Jenny. . . mine . . . missed you . . . FUCK. . . there . . . like that . . . yes . . . your legs . . . up . . . tighter, Jenny. . . FUCK!

I wrapped my legs higher, clinging tight as I shuddered and shattered around him, my release burning and tearing through me. I gasped his name as he stilled, his entire body locking down and he gripped me hard, murmuring my name, his voice tender and loving.

We stayed locked together as we gradually returned to reality. I stroked the hair on the back of his head as he nuzzled the damp skin on my neck, his hands gentle and soft. Slowly, he pulled back, his warm blue eyes blinking at me. “Round one.” He grinned.

I cupped his cheek, my fingers tracing the rough stubble on his chin. “Planning round two in here, Connor?”

He leaned forward, his lips brushing mine. “We have an entire apartment to break in. Lots of rounds to go.”

“Our apartment. Ours,” I murmured against his lips.

He smiled. The smile he used only for me. One of love and warmth.

“Ours. Welcome home, Jenny.”

**Connor**

Thank God, it was Friday. In the weeks since Jenny had come home, the days had been long, the nights and weekends too short, and time had flown by as I studied hard. Now, I was off until after the Christmas holidays, and I was looking forward to the break and spending some quality time with Jenny—and inside her.

It didn’t matter how often we made out like teenagers, fucked like rabbits, or made love—it wasn’t enough. I’d never get enough of her. I knew from the day she first smiled at me and let me take her hand, she was it for me. I waited, and when I finally could show her, tell her how I felt, my life changed and only for the better.

My hand closed around the small box in my pocket.

Tonight, I planned to show her exactly how much she had changed it.

***

I sighed in contentment. My head rested on Jenny’s lap, her hand rhythmically stroking through my hair as we sat in the darkness, the only light in the room was the soft glow of the Christmas tree in the corner. I loved those quiet moments with her when it was just the two of us alone. Her eyes were unfocused as she gazed at the tree, a soft smile on her lips as she played with my hair. She sipped her wine, glancing down at me.

“Hey,” she teased, “I thought you were asleep.”

I stroked her cheek with my thumb. “I was watching you, Wren.” I smiled up at her. “You are so pretty, my girl.”

I felt the heat under my hand and grinned. She never failed to react to my words.

“Stop it,” she admonished, setting down her glass.

I pulled her face down, meeting her partway, nuzzling her lips with mine. She tasted of wine, the chocolate she was nibbling, and Jenny. Perfect. Lazily, our tongues met as her fingers buried themselves into my hair and she whimpered quietly as the kiss deepened. She told me once kissing me was her favorite thing in the world. It was my job to make her happy, so who was I to deny Jenny her favorite thing? Besides, it was my favorite thing, as well. Slowly and thoroughly I explored her, savoring her sweetness. Finally, I tempered the kiss, softening my mouth to indulgent gentle sweeps of my lips before pulling back and smiling at her.

Now this, this was my favorite look for Jenny. Her cheeks lightly flushed, lips swollen, hair mussed up from my hands—and the look in her eyes. Love, want, and desire, and she directed them all at me—always for me. I knew mine reflected the same back at her. She was it for me.

Abruptly, I sat up and pulled Jenny onto my lap, cupping her face. “I love you.”

Her hand covered mine. “I love you, too.” She frowned at the expression on my face. “Connor, what is it? What’s wrong?”

I shook my head. “Nothing is wrong. Everything is right. You make everything right, Wren.” I kissed her. “You always make everything so right.”

Her expression was soft as she gazed at me.

I drew in a deep breath. “I want you to make it right . . .” I swallowed. “For the rest of our lives.”

“Connor—” she breathed.

“I know we’ve only been together a short time and living together for a few weeks. But, baby, you’re it for me. I know it. I feel it. I don’t ever want to be without you.”

“You won’t be.”

I lifted her hand and kissed the palm, pressing the small box into it. “Marry me, Jenny. Make me the happiest man on earth and say yes.”

A tiny sound escaped her mouth as she gazed in shock at the box. Her tear-filled eyes met mine.

“Please,” I murmured. “I need to know I have you forever. I want to wake up to you every morning and know you’re here, at the end of the day, waiting for me.” I kissed her. “I want your smiles and laughter. I want all those thoughts you can’t keep inside your head. I want to be there for you when you need me. I want a life with you.” I paused and cupped her face. “Please be mine.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

I took the box and opened it for her, removing the ring from its velvet bed. “It was my grandmother’s,” I explained as I slipped it on her finger. “My mom gave it to me to give to you.”

“It’s so beautiful.”

“So are you.”

I wiped the tears from her cheek and sealed our engagement with a kiss to her ring then to her lips. She wound her arms around my neck, and I pulled her against me. Standing, I lifted her and carried her to our room. Laying her on the bed, I smiled at her as I tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

“I love you, Wren.”

She opened her arms, pulling me down to her. “I love you, Connor.”

I kissed her with all I had and held her close.

I would be eternally grateful for the day she mistook my door for hers.

Her bad day changed my life for the better.

Because she became mine, forever.