“What the hell, little duck?”
One hand grabs my shoulder as the other goes under my booty before putting me back in place. I swear his hand on my ass lingers for a moment, but it’s probably my imagination. The same as me thinking he was hovering over Betty and not liking that someone else was taking care of me.
At least that’s what I’d gotten into my head as to why he was standing over her the whole time. I’m sure it’s only wishful thinking because this man is at least ten years older than me and way out of my league in every sense of the word.
“Did you call me a duck?”
“Little duck.” He bends down to grab my book from off the floor, and I try to take it from him. He pulls it back out of my reach. “Are you purposely trying to hurt yourself?”
“I just wanted my book.” I hold my hand out for it, but again, he flips it over to read the back. “Hey!” I protest.
“Romance?” He smirks.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I say defensively. I hate how people always turn their noses up at romance books.
“You and my cousin Natalie are going to get along well. She loves romance books. I might have to read a few of them.” He winks at me before finally giving me my book back.
“Oh.” I take it from him, holding it close to my chest.
“I prefer audiobooks myself. I can listen while I get work done around here.” If I didn’t think he was handsome before, I most certainly would think so now. “Maybe you could read that one to me later.” I snort a laugh, thinking he’s joking, but his face remains serious.
A phone starts to ring, and Connor reaches into his pocket, pulling it out.
“Thompson here,” he answers. “Yeah, I’ve got Evie Sparks here with me. You can take her bags to the big house.” He pauses for a moment. “Yeah, I said the big house.” His irritation is clear in having to repeat himself. “Good,” he responds before ending the call.
“Everything okay? I don’t want to put anyone out. I could maybe stay with—” I stumble over my words, not wanting to say them.
“Don’t say it. You’re not staying with that little punk asshole.”
A giggle pops from me because that is the perfect definition of Carter. I’ve never heard anyone actually say it out loud, though. “He’s all those things,” I agree.
“He wants in your pants,” he informs me, as if I hadn’t already realized that myself.
“Yeah, I think it’s the whole virginity thing.” My face heats as I admit that out loud.
“He’s the last person on earth a virgin should be with.”
“And who should a virgin be with?” I ask teasingly.
“With someone who would take care of them. He’s a selfish prick that only cares about his own needs.”
A small stab of jealousy hits me. “So you’ve been with a lot of virgins?”
“Can’t say I have.” Some of the jealousy I felt fades away. I can’t help but glance at his hand as he grabs a blanket off the back of the sofa, and I don’t spot a ring. “Let’s get you settled in. You’re not putting anyone out because you’re staying with me at the big house.”
“I’m staying with you?” Excitement bubbles up inside of me, and I try to hide it. I don’t want to come off as more of a dork than I already am. Not only am I getting away from the rest of my classmates, I'm going to get to stay with Connor. He’s going to be as nice to stare at as the view around here.
“Is that a problem? There’s plenty of room for both of us.”
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s more than okay. It will be nice to get away from everyone.”
“All right then. Let's get you up. I’m sure you’re tired and maybe hungry?”
“Yes to both. I slept on the plane, but for some reason I’m still worn out.”
“Travel does that to you. The elevation too.” Connor grabs my bag and slings it over his shoulder as if it weighs nothing. He's the first person to not ask me why it’s so dang heavy, but I’m guessing it's not to him.
“Oh!” I squeak when he grabs me next. My hands instinctively wrap around his neck.
“Get that blanket.” He leans forward some so I can reach it. “I’m going to wrap that around your legs when we get out to my truck.”
“You know I can walk, right?”
“That’s yet to be determined at this point,” he says dryly while he carries me back outside. I know he’s only teasing me, though, and it’s kind of cute.
“Yeah, I think you might be right.” When he gets to his truck, I reach out and open the door. He deposits me inside before taking the blanket from me and making sure I’m nicely bundled up in it. “Thank you,” I say when he puts on my seatbelt for me. He really is a gentleman.