Page 43 of Christmas for Keeps

His cheeks turned beet red, and the way he licked his lips had my dick getting hard whether I wanted it to or not.Where are the restrooms? We could go in there.Someone behind us cleared their throat, and a female voice said, “Would you please move on so I can get through?”

Turning, I said, “Sorry.”

After we squeezed to the side so she could pass, Con studied his list, then tore it in half. He handed one part to me. “Like I said, this is taking too long. I’ll handle the frozen foods and the bakery, and you can wrap things up here. We can text and decide where to meet when we’re done.”

“Good idea. The sooner we get home, the better.” He started to turn away, and I said, “Wait. How will you carry everything?”

“I’ll go to the front and grab a handbasket. People are always leaving them at the checkouts.”

“Good call. See you soon.” As he walked away, I was unable to tear my eyes away from his ass. I had some very special plans for it as soon as we got home.

A while later, I was putting paper towels into the cart when my phone buzzed.

CONNOR: Where are you?

Seeing his message made me smile.

ZACH: Paper goods. Where are you?

CONNOR: Stay there. I’m on my way.

I pushed the cart close to the shelves so others could get by. Con appeared a few minutes later, and when he did, my stomach dropped. He was pale, with beads of sweat dotting his forehead. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Did something happen?”

He handed me his basket and raised a shaky hand to wipe his brow.

“Con?”

His mouth sank into a frown. “I finished my part of the list. I don’t feel well, so could I get the keys? I’ll wait in the SUV.”

Something was wrong, and I looked at him, trying to decide what to do. “Should I take you home? Or to a doctor?”

“No!” he snapped. “I need to go home, but I’ll be okay waiting outside until you finish shopping. Is that all right?”

“But if you’re—”

“Can I have the keys or not, Zach?”

“Sure.” I reached into my pocket and gave them to him.

He pressed a hundred-dollar bill in my hand. “That’s for my share.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Take it. I’m paying for half.” He looked sick but sounded angry.

“Okay, but this is too much.”

“Use the extra to pay for what I already ate.”

“Babe, what’s wrong?”

He turned and hurried away.What the fuck? Should I go after him?I called his name, but he didn’t even slow down. After a moment of indecision, I decided not to abandon our cart. We’d be hungry over the next few days if I did.

The line to check out was so long it was almost forty minutes before I could pay. As soon as I was free, I pushed the cart as fast as possible, dodging cars and pedestrians on the way to the SUV. Con was sitting inside and didn’t move when I opened the tailgate. “Do you feel any better?” I asked. When he didn’t answer, I raised my voice. “Con, are you any better?”

He turned, scowling. “Don’t yell at me. I told you I don’t feel well, so please take me home.” His voice shook, and his eyes were red and puffy. Whatever was wrong, I didn’t believe he was sick.

I tried to make conversation, but when he bothered to answer, it was with grunts or surly, one-word comments. When we got home, he helped carry everything into the house, but as soon as that was done, he glared at me. “I’m going to lie down. Do you mind using the bathroom upstairs so I can rest?”

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