Connor’s expression must have turned ferocious because Laura drew her head back. “What?” she asked.
“The next time you face a wronged wife,” he said roughly, “I suggest you add another layer of clothing.”
Her jaw clenched. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, I hope they never force you to leave.” He made himself look at her big, brown eyes. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been accused of stealing a man or creating trouble. You must get tired of being blamed.”
Laura gave him an incredulous look. “Leave Seedling?” she said in a squawk. “Where did you get an idea like that?”
“It’s never crossed your mind?”
“Why would I leave?” She waved her arms around, the movement causing her breasts to sway. “My family lives here. My friends are here. Why would I go anywhere else?”
That was one of the things he liked about Laura. She didn’t stick with romantic relationships, but she was close to her parents and sisters. She made an effort to be a devoted aunt and a good neighbor. She was there for anyone who needed help and was the first person to celebrate any milestone.
Although she hadn’t celebrated his move. She didn’t discuss it and hadn’t offered to help. Instead, she had acted as if it wasn’t going to happen. The slight shouldn’t bother him, but it did. She knew how important it was to him to own that house.
His gaze locked on the spatula in her hand. His mind was sluggish as the sexual hunger swept through him. It took him a moment or two before he realized how unusual it was to see her with a kitchen tool—and twice in one day. “Are you cooking again?”
A guilty blush swept up her neck and into her cheeks. “Uh, yeah. I’m baking chocolate muffins.”
“Why? You already had your book club meeting.”
“Yeah, but I had a craving for chocolate.”
“Chocolate is my favorite,” he said as he watched her flick her tongue on the spatula.
A secret smile played on her wide mouth. “I know. Do you want some?”
There was something in the way she said it. As if she was asking a completely different question. He gave a slow nod. Anticipation pulsed through his veins as he watched Laura scoop up the chocolate with her finger. She offered it, her finger slightly curled, as if she was beckoning him.
Under the glow of the porch light, he saw the challenge in her eyes. The uncertainty. But most of all, he saw the desire.
He had tried to ignore the exchanged glances and sidelong looks. He had acted as if the sexual tension between them didn’t sizzle. Didn’t exist. He had worked so hard to change his life, to be the stable, long-term guy. And the passionate, spontaneous Laura would only set him back.
He was almost home free. By tomorrow night, he would no longer be the neighbor of the town’s wild-child. Next door to his best friend who also starred in his dreams.
But that meant this was his last chance to have a taste. So he curled his fingers around Laura’s delicate wrist and brought her hand to his mouth. Her pulse skittered under the pad of his thumb.
The start of her surprise should have stopped him. The gleam of expectancy—of triumph—in Laura’s eyes should have been like a splash of cold water. But none of that stopped him as he drew her finger into his mouth.
2
APHRODISIACS WORK! That was the only coherent thought in Laura’s head as she watched Connor slide her finger inside his mouth and suck the chocolate off it.
Joy bubbled over inside her. Her knees went weak as her skin flushed. She felt the power of his intense gaze, the night air crackling with awareness, but she didn’t dare look away from his lips.
Her chest ached with the air caught in her lungs as she watched his mouth cover her finger. He drew her in, the pull sharp and insistent. She felt the tug all the way to her core.
Her lips parted as she continued to stare. Her breasts felt heavy and she shifted her hips to ease the wonderful ache between her legs. He twirled his tongue against her fingertip and her nipples tightened in response.
He sucked hard on her finger and she bit back a moan as the pleasure unfurled inside her. She was so glad he’d accepted her flirty challenge. In the past he hadn’t seemed to notice it. What was different this time? Was it because she had been baking? Did he think now that she might have a traditional streak deep inside her? He was going to be very disappointed to find out she was nothing like the woman of his dreams.
Connor pulled her finger away and slowly dropped her hand.
Laura keenly felt the loss of his touch. She wanted his large hands on her skin. She wanted Connor to tease her with those calloused fingers. Claim her. Love her. “What do you think?” she asked hoarsely.