Page 71 of Whiskey Wednesdays

The lady stared at me for a second, then smirked and shook my hand. “I’m Charlene Perkins. And this is Tom and Melodie Watkins.” She pointed to the couple behind her.

I smiled at her. “I love your dress. And I have no idea how you can walk in those sandals, but they also look wonderful on you.”

Charlene smiled. “Practice. It’s actually nice to meet you. I can’t say that about everyone I’ve met through Heath. I’m his third and probably soon to be ex-wife.”

“Should I give you my condolences or congratulations?”

Charlene threw her head back and laughed. Her companions laughed too, although I doubted they knew what they were laughing at.

“I’m fairly certain you’re new around here. If you ever have any questions, or want to know the best yoga instructors or spas, I’m your gal.”

“Thank you, but I’m a poor college student working on a master’s degree. I’ve never paid for a yoga class. That’s what YouTube is for, isn’t it?”

Charlene grinned, but her face barely moved. “Oh, my God. You are a breath of fresh air.” She turned to Connor. “I’ll be inviting you over for cocktails one of these evenings. Make sure Isabella comes.”

She patted my arm and walked off with her husband, smiling.

We sat down, and Connor leaned back and grinned at me.

“What?” I finally asked.

“You’re something else. Sweetie.”

“Yuck.” I leaned forward and dropped my voice. “I prefer sweet girl, but only from you.”

Chapter 19

That week I found out Connor had no problem touching, hugging, and kissing me in front of other people. It was surprising and unnerving to realize how much I liked it.

Dad patted my shoulder awkwardly as we fixed dinner together. Connor and Elodie were coming over soon, and we planned to eat and watch a movie afterward.

“You two are getting along well. It seems kind of fast though,” Dad said, setting a mixing bowl in the sink.

“You and Elodie were the ones plotting against me for the last month or two. And Connor is a force of nature.”

He studied me. “Make sure it’s what you want too.”

“Connor gives me… tingles,” I admitted, blushing a little.

Dad smiled softly and patted my shoulder. "Okay." He'd told me once he knew Mom was the one because she gave him tingles.

After dinner, Connor pulled me onto his lap and nuzzled my neck while we watched the movie. We sat on the loveseat, andElodie and my dad claimed the couch in front of the TV, with Shawnda curled up in Elodie’s lap.

“Your squirming is making me hard,” he murmured in my ear. I froze and glanced at Dad and Elodie. They were both watching TV and stuffing popcorn in their mouths.

I stopped fidgeting and slowly relaxed against Connor. Halfway through the movie, my head drooped against his shoulder and I fell asleep.

When the movie ended, Connor gently shook me awake. I was so tired I didn’t argue when he walked a sleepy Elodie and me to his house with my bag slung over his shoulder.

Elodie yawned. “Night, Belly. We’ll read tomorrow, okay?”

“Sounds good, love. Sweet dreams.” I took my bag and shuffled into Connor’s room. While he got her tucked in, I changed into one of his t-shirts, cleaned up, and fell into his bed.

Neither one of us had gotten much sleep the night before, and I crashed as soon as my head hit the pillow. Minutes later Connor crawled in beside me.

He gently rolled me over and stripped me before I could protest. Then he opened my legs and expertly brought me to the brink with his hands and mouth.

“You don’t need pajamas,” he murmured as he licked me.

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