“That’s not true.” But his tone didn’t carry the same confidence as his words.
“You scare most of them off with your big muscles and your scruffy appearance.” She gestured at his muscular torso with her spatula. “Not me, though. I like it.”
“I don’t scare them all.”
“The ones you do date bore the hell out of you. Especially in bed.” Laura was taking a shot in the dark with that last claim. Sex was one thing he had never discussed with her. But would he have spent so much time with her if he were emotionally connected with another woman?
“I never said that.”
“You want my advice?” Laura asked.
“No,” he said in a growl.
“Save yourself the trouble and look for a no-strings relationship. Find someone you have fun with and enjoy the moment. Don’t agonize about whether you’ll be together in a week or a year or for a lifetime.” She pivoted on her heel and marched back into her house. “And when you’re ready for that, come look for me.”
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING Connor stumbled into his kitchen. He was groggy and in a bad mood. He had tossed and turned in bed most of the night. All because of a kiss. The sweetest kiss.
He weakly closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping, as he remembered how Laura’s mouth had felt under his. He had desired her for so long but he had not expected the emotions that had rolled through him when they’d kissed. Lust had crashed with affection, and need had blended with tenderness. He had remained very still as the emotions overflowed. The moment he had pulled away and denied himself another kiss, his chest had clenched with emptiness.
He had been awake most of the night because of that kiss. And because of what Laura had said. He wasn’t going to get the home life he wanted, not with the women he had been dating.
Was his dream unrealistic? Or was it something else? Laura knew him better than anyone. Did she see something in him that would prevent him from achieving his goals? Or did she see that he was lacking?
He heard a knock on the kitchen door and froze. The only person who came to that door was Laura. He didn’t like that his heart raced at the possibility of seeing her. He should ignore it, but that was one thing he couldn’t do. He could never ignore Laura Dawson.
Connor turned away from the kitchen counter and strode to the sliding door. He felt a kick of heat when he found Laura standing on the other side, wearing red running shorts and a blinding pink halter. She gave a cautious smile and raised a basket filled with food.
Laura immediately launched into a speech. “First, I brought you breakfast because I know you have nothing in your kitchen and you need something to keep your strength up.”
He inhaled the rich scent of coffee and sighed. Laura Dawson played dirty. Even if he wanted to deny her entry, he couldn’t refuse the offer of freshly brewed coffee. Connor slid the door open and stepped aside to let her in.
“Second, I want to apologize for last night.” Her voice was high and tight with nervousness as she walked past him. “What I did was out of bounds for our friendship.”
“Okay,” he said slowly as he closed the door. Laura’s opinion had changed radically overnight. That wasn’t like her.
She placed the heavy basket on the small kitchen island in the middle of the room. “And to make up for it, I’m here to help you move.”
“Really?” he asked in a drawl. There had to be a catch. “After you said that helping friends move was the one thing you would never do? That you would take a bullet for me but you wouldn’t help me move?”
She looked over her shoulder and gave him a brilliant smile. “Yes, that’s because you’re less likely to get shot at than to move.”
“And you make this offer after my buddies and I moved almost everything yesterday?” he pointed out as he walked closer to her.
She placed her hands on her hips, the motion pulling at her halter, emphasizing her breasts. “Do you want my help or not?”
He glanced away. “I accept your apology, I will take you up on your offer and I’m eating the food.”
“There’s coffee, milk, juice,” she said, pointing at the metal containers, “along with zucchini muffins, bananas, a frittata with eggs and asparagus, and granola with almonds and figs.”
“Looks good.” He wasn’t sure why she was listing the ingredients. Laura knew his likes and dislikes. He frowned as he studied the overstuffed basket. “Where are the chocolate muffins you made last night?”
Laura gave a sigh and he felt it deep inside him. He fought the instinct to drift toward her, curl his arm around her shoulders and hold her close.