LITMIR.BIZ

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gray pajama bottoms hanging dangerously low on his trim hips. The bare expanse of his cut chest was emphasized by the casual way he’d leaned one arm at the edge of the open frame doorway.

      “So are you.”

      God, he was gorgeous with his mess of silky hair standing every which way and a day’s growth roughing up the perfection of his square-cut jaw, giving him a sort of roguish look to match the smile and eyes.

      “My bed got lonely,” he offered with a wink that did something crazy to her insides and reminded her of how impossible it was not to get caught up in this man’s convictions when they were together.

      He believed in them. Was so ready to take that headlong dive into their future. Made it seem so simple.

      Just jump.

      When he looked at her the way he was right then, it made her want to jump too. Made her want everything he was offering. But wanting something didn’t necessarily mean it was right. She had to keep her head.

      “Lonely.”

      He grinned. “Yeah, well, I also figured you might like a tour of your new home. Some coffee maybe?”

      She let out an involuntary moan. “Coffee, yes, please.”

      Laughing, he walked over and caught her hand. “My ego’s demanding the next time you make that noise, it’s not going to be because of coffee. Come on.”

      In the kitchen, she rifled through the freezer as Connor got the pot brewing.

      “I’m not much of a cook, in case I didn’t mention it already, but frozen waffles I can do,” she offered over her shoulder.

      Connor closed in behind her, one arm reaching past to swing the freezer door shut. “In a minute.”

      Her heart skipped a beat and her belly fluttered.

      “Connor,” she warned, taking a step in retreat.

      “Relax, sweetheart,” he soothed, catching her hips and backing her to the neat square kitchen table, then popping her up to sit atop. “All I’m after is my previously agreed-upon good-morning kiss.”

      Their compromise on physical intimacy.

      It had been a point of contention between them, with Megan determined not to let seduction sway her thinking about the marriage, and Connor wanting—well, everything. In the end, neither of them had been interested in the kind of precedent three months of strictly platonic set—trial or not. So they’d settled on a daily kiss count of four, with good-morning, have-a-good-day, welcome-home and good-night kisses to be granted at the corresponding times.

      Four. She could totally handle four kisses.

      Her body warmed at the knowledge it was time to pay the piper.

      Parting her knees, he stepped between them. Leaned in close. Closer. And closer still until he’d braced one hand on the hardwood behind her and wrapped the other around her waist, leaving Megan no choice but to cling to his shoulders.

      “One kiss, Connor,” she whispered, already feeling drugged by the sleepy bedroom scent of him.

      “One kiss. Any way I want to take it.”

      Breathless, she stared up into his eyes. “And you want it on the breakfast table.”

      Letting out a low groan, Connor ran the bridge of his nose along the line of her jaw to below her ear. “God, yes. But I’ll settle for the kiss if it’s all you’re ready to give me.”

      “Just the kiss.” She’d tried to keep the pleading quality from her tone, but she wanted to be reminded of the chemistry. The magic. What this was leading to if everything worked out. Or maybe all she wanted was Connor’s mouth on hers again.

      That cocky smile cranked another notch, Connor’s lids dropping slumberously low. “We’ll see.”

      And then she had it. The first soft rub of his lips against hers. The gentle, coaxing hint of the hot demand to come.

      God, she wanted this to last.

CHAPTER TWELVE

      “NO SEX?” JEFF COUGHED through the line.

      Hands tightening on the wheel, knuckles going white, Connor hadn’t missed the undertones of amusement, no matter how his friend tried to cover it.

      Glad someone thought it was funny.

      “Yeah, I can’t believe it either. But Megan...” He took a slow breath, glancing out over the cliffs down to the ocean beyond before returning his attention to the road in front of him. He’d been so sure he had her with the daily make-out quota, because when they kissed—he slid a finger into his collar, freed the button and loosened his tie—they really kissed. But true to her word, Megan held strong. “She doesn’t want her judgment clouded while she figures things out.”

      “Right. I get it. Blow-your-mind bedroom antics have a tendency to confuse priorities. Give meaning to the meaningless. Make things seem ‘special’ when really they aren’t. Smart.”

      Connor ground down his molars, not exactly sure what response he’d wanted from Jeff...but certain it wasn’t this.

      “So aside from the fact that your fresh-from-the-chapel wife finds you totally resistible, how’s the rest of married life treating you?”

      “Good. No surprises.” Not really, anyway. “Megan’s more reserved than she came across our first night. And she’s somewhat preoccupied with making sure I know what I’m getting into. You know, listing faults in the name of full disclosure because she doesn’t want to risk me stumbling over some deal breaker once she’s committed.”

      After a few seconds’ pause, the joking tone was gone. “Deal breakers?”

      “Relax,” Connor assured. “Minor stuff. Quirks mostly.”

      After all, he couldn’t care less if she wasn’t a stellar cook or had a tendency to go overboard when she picked up a new hobby. But he sure as hell cared whether the woman he married was going to be straight with him. And every time they were together, she showed him she was.

      Even so, he wanted her confidence back. The faith she’d put in herself and him when she’d spoken her vows. But every time she revealed some other fault, waiting a beat to see how he’d handle the news, whether it would shake him, he was reminded how that faith had been wrung out of her like a bar rag.

      Didn’t matter. She’d see soon enough. And until then...well, he really couldn’t complain. She was strong. Smart. She knew how to protect herself.

      “She makes me laugh. And she’s exceptionally easy to be with. Easy to talk to.” Easy to look at and easy to think about. Maybe even a little too easy on that last count.

      But it was to be expected.

      Megan was a challenge. And though he’d gotten her to give their marriage a chance, he knew she wasn’t sold. Which meant she was an unfinished project. A deal hovering on the brink of closure. Damn it, she was an itch yet to be scratched. He wanted her, and until he knew she was securely his, she’d be occupying more of his mind than he would typically allot to a relationship.

      “Man, I’m glad you found a woman you can talk to. I know you’d always figured on a marriage that was more of a merger. And after Caro—”

      “Look, I’m about home.” Connor slowed at the driveway, waiting for the security gate and garage to open. “Time to wear down the wife.”

      “Got it.” Jeff laughed, not taking the abrupt end to the conversation personally. If he had something to say, he’d make sure he got another chance to say it. “And good luck... Sounds like you’re going to need it.”

      Connor cut the call and jumped out of the car, a slow grin spreading to his lips as his mind latched

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