Page 97 of Tequila Tuesdays

I rested my head on the back of the couch, feeling a little overwhelmed. “I’m not very good at this. I’d like to go with you to Palm Desert… and then try those twelve different positions after we get back.”

He exhaled slowly. “All right. Good. I’ll pick you up in an hour or so. I need to make a few phone calls first.”

“It’d be easier if I came over there and we could leave from your place.” His house was closer to Palm Desert, and he’d have to drive out of his way to pick me up.

He paused. “You don’t mind?”

“Not at all. I wouldn’t have offered if I minded.”

“Okay. Thank you. And will you plan to spend the night?”

More of the tightness eased in my chest, and I smiled. “Yes. I’ll see you in an hour or so.”

We made it out to Connor McCoy’s house early that evening. Connor himself answered the door. His hair was a mess, and his eyes looked a little bloodshot.

“Hey. Thanks for coming out on Christmas Day. I’ll make sure it’s worth your while.” He shook Damien’s hand, then turned to me. “Hi, Harley. I’d say it’s good to see you again, but I’m a little gun-shy after the last time you were here.”

I quirked my head. “Why?”

“You didn’t pull any punches about Noah. You were right, by the way.”

I shook his outstretched hand. “If you don’t want my opinion, don’t ask.”

Raising his eyebrow, Connor kept a hold of my hand. He was a tall, arresting man with dark hair and a rugged, battered face. Damien came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my chest.

Connor let go and his lips twitched. “Right. Damien, I told you my car was vandalized last week when it was parked at the arena. Early this morning, someone took a blunt object and beat the shit out of the keypad to the front driveway gate. Javier also found more damage to the fence.”

Damien took my hand as we followed Connor into his beautiful living room.

“Javier didn’t quit then?” Damien asked.

Connor winced. “No. But his daughter isn’t happy.”

I studied him. “I liked Isabella.”

“That’s not surprising. You two are a lot alike.” Connor turned to Damien. “My daughter is living with me now.”

Damien nodded. “You’re concerned about the vandalism escalating with her living here.”

“Exactly. Elodie’s only five, and she’s already been through a lot. I’m glad I found out about Noah before she came.”

Damien nodded. “Let’s look at the damage and get some photos. Then we’ll call it in. I’d recommend putting up security cameras around your entire perimeter and in all your vehicles at this point. You may also need to get a personal bodyguard for a while too.”

Connor sighed. “No to the bodyguard, but I’ll implement your other suggestions.”

I heard small feet pattering on the floor and looked up to see a dark-haired little girl coming down the hall toward us.

“Elodie, these are my friends Damien and Harley.” Connor held his hand out to her.

She stopped abruptly when she saw us. “Hi, lady and guy.”

Elodie wore red stretch pants with candy canes and an orange and black striped t-shirt. Her long, messy hair was pulled back in a crooked ponytail. It looked like she’d probably dressed herself that morning. I waved back.

Damien smiled. “Hey, Elodie.”

She looked so small and a little lost standing there in the doorway.

Connor patted the seat next to him. “Els, come sit by me.”

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