Page 86 of Far

My phone vibrates, and I rummage through my bag in haste. Fumbling to retrieve it, I stumble, but he stabilizes me with his arm around my waist.

“Careful.”

“Thanks.” I squint at the screen. C-Connor. I hit the accept button right away. “Where are you?”

On the other end of the line, Connor chuckles softly. “Miss me?”

“No.” I pout, aware of how petty I sound. “Where were you?”

“You sound drunk.”

“I’m not drunk.”

“Blue.” All traces of the teasing tone in his voice are gone. “Who’s that man with you?”

“No one important.” I get out of Tom’s hold. “Wait. How—”

He sighs. “Stay where you are.”

“Connor, wait—” I stare at my phone, dumbfounded. Did he really just hang up on me?

“Everything alright?” Tom gives me a questioning glance.

I nod, shoving my phone into my purse.

“The cab’s here,” Jill says. “Let’s go.”

“I’ll take her home.” Connor appears beside Jill, materializing out of thin air.

“Connor!” Jill’s face lights up when she sees him, her eyes twinkling as she gives him a flirtatious smile. “I didn’t know you were here tonight.”

“Justarrived.”

“That’s interesting. Did you come with Sophie?” She places a hand casually on his arm, but he doesn’t even glance in her direction, his focus entirely on me.

Tom shifts with his feet.

“Let’s go.” Connor takes my hand firmly in his, leading me away without another word. I give Jill and Tom an apologetic smile over my shoulder.

“Oh, uh, goodbye then!” Jill calls after us, and Tom simply nods.

Once outside, Connor sweeps me into his arms, completely catching me off guard. I let out a small gasp, grabbing his shoulders as he carries me to a sleek black car.

“I can walk.”

He doesn’t respond. His jaw is set as he opens the passenger door and carefully places me on the leather seat.

As he shuts the door and walks over to the driver’s side, I try to compose myself, brushing stray hairs out of my face. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol still in my system or simply being near him, but my skin is tingling, and I’m horny.

Connor eases into the seat beside me, turning the ignition key. The engine rumbles to life and soon we are cruising through the darkened streets. I sneak glances at his handsome profile, taking in his furrowed brow and the hard set of his mouth. The tribal like tattoos peeking out from under his shirt sleeves. A wholly different breed from the men my family tried to set me up with.

Mhm. He seems angry, but why? Is it because I came to the party tonight without him? But he didn’t answer my texts or calls. I even searched for him. So it’s not my fault.

“Drink this.” A little bottle of water appears before me. “You’ll feel better.”

“Thanks.” I take and drink half of it. “Your tattoos… What are they?”

“Waves. Ocean waves.” He doesn’t take his eyes off the road.

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