Page 34 of Cocky Player

“Angel,” I murmured and she spun around, jaw dropping, flowers falling to her side in surprise, the move so similar to the way she’d done it the night I surrounded her at her parents’ house in the gardens, I reached for them instinctively, assuming she’d drop them like she had the champagne glass.

“Connor.”Her gaze skipped around before landing back on mine and that beautiful smile of hers dimmed.“What are you doing here?”

My hand slid to her arm, bare because she was only wearing a thin, pale blue tank top with the words “Beach Hair Don’t Care” written across the front.It hugged her plump tits perfectly.

I tugged her toward me, bending low and swirling my hat around so the bill was at the back and whispered, “I think we both know why I’m here, and who I wished to see.”

Thirteen

Brenna

The bright sunhad been heating me for hours, and I’d spent so much time wandering the Farmer’s Market, gathering fresh fruit and flowers and even an incredibly adorable bracelet from Stamped, a store owned by one of the Rough Riders’ wives, Shannon Powell.I’d been to her store often and loved every piece she made with her own hands and while we didn’t speak frequently, the woman, several years older than me and the sister of Beaux Hale, the Rough Riders’ quarterback, was always generous and friendly with everyone.

I was so hot I was preparing to head home and get ready for Sunday lunch at my family’s house when Connor’s hand swept down my arm and everything else around me melted in the background.

The loud chatter became a quiet hum in the distance.The sun somehow seemed less hot, due to the heat from Connor’s touch on my arm and the richness in his voice as he pulled back.His eyes were hidden behind black sunglasses so dark I couldn’t see them at all but I didn’t need to in order to know they were fiercely heated.

“You came for me?”

“I wanted to see you.”

This man couldn’t be any more confusing.Gina always talked about how men hated it when women played games.They preferred straight-up honesty, not a back and forth pull on their attraction.

Connor was making me dizzy with his constantly changing antics.

“I see.And do you plan on talking today?Or just whisking me to a hidden corner somewhere and having your way with me?”

Smirking, most of his face still concealed, he slid his hand to my flowers, took them from me and then took my hand in his, lacing our fingers together.It was such a sweet gesture, I didn’t realize he’d started walking until he tugged me forward and I almost tripped over my feet.

“What are we doing?”I hurried quickly to catch up until I was next to him.Walking side by side, strolling down the crowded street was the last thing I’d expected of him.

But itwasa fantasy…a dream…I often imagined when I was here alone, creating stories of lovers who had done the same, wanting it with a man I would have fallen love with.

“What does it look like we’re doing?We’re friends, strolling through the Farmer’s Market on a beautiful Sunday morning.”

“Are we?”I asked, leaning into him.The fantasy was sweet.“Friends, I mean.”

He smirked and stayed silent, and I fell into step with him easily, letting him guide me back down the way I’d come.He indulged me every time I pointed out my favorite shop or small family farm.He allowed me to graze at clothing tents and was patient while I flipped through baby outfits, onesies for Tomas I was debating between when another one caught my eye in a size large enough for Tomas.

I held it up and smiled at Connor.“Did you wear something like this?”

Future Ladies’ Man, Current Mama’s Boy

His lips twitched and tightened and between his teeth, I watched as he pressed his tongue to the front of his teeth.“No.Never.”

How’d a stupid onesie make him mad?Ugh.He was frustrating.Whatever.It was cute and Evan would think it was hilarious.I paid for the onesie and turned back to Connor.He was looking away, gaze focused on who freaking knew and when I stepped up to him, I didn’t bother holding his hand.“Ready to head home?”

Connor flipped from hot to cold faster than my kitchen faucet.He wasn’t going to ruin one of my favorite days of the week.

There wasn’t a single muscle on his body that moved when he said, “I didn’t have a mom.Both my parents took off before I could sit up.”

Oh.The wrapped onesie in my cloth tote bag grew heavy.

“I’m sorry.”

His shoulders heaved and he reached down, taking my hand in his and started walking.“I don’t like talking about it, obviously.Don’t like thinking about it.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

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