Page 40 of Claiming Becca

“I needed to get out of the house. Julian still treats me like a fragile china doll, and I can’t take it anymore,” she explains. I give her a sympathetic smile as I email the report to Bass and turn my full attention to her.

“So, he’ll be here soon?” I ask her.

She chuckles. “Probably.” She rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile on her face. She loves it.

“So, we haven’t had a chance to discuss your date. How’d you wind up with Connor?”

I shrug as I begin to wipe down the counter. “He showed up at the restaurant right after I spilled the water on the guy. So, he and I decided to eat dinner together. It is our favorite restaurant.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “He just showed up at the restaurant?”

I nod. Part of me wants to tell her exactly what happened. But Connor and I talked some more last night and decided to keep it quiet since it’s so new and so much is happening in everyone’s life.

“Do you plan on trying to go on another date?” she asks.

I sigh. I do plan on going on another date, but with Connor. “I don’t know.”

“I’m still convinced Connor has a thing for you, and that’s why he showed up.” I pull my lip between my teeth, choosing not to answer her.

“Do you want to work out?” I ask her, changing the subject.

She tilts her head at me but lets me get away with it. “No, I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I have a paper due in a few days, so I need to work on it.”

I walk around the counter and hug her. “I’m sure Julian will come to his senses soon. That was scary; what happened to you.”

She sighs, but nods in agreement. “I’m sure he will too, but it’s been a rough few weeks,” she replies. “How’s Connor doing?”

“He acts like he wasn’t just shot. He’s going to the doctor today to see if he can be released to go back to work.”

“So, will you continue to stay at his house?” Someone walks in, giving me a moment to step away and greet them as I ponder her question.

After I get them checked in, I return my attention to her. “I think so. He has guys at my grandpa’s house renovating it, and I’m decorating his house.” What if he doesn’t want me to stay there anymore? When he told me he was ready to return to work, I hadn’t thought about that.

Bailey raises an eyebrow at me. “I’m almost certain he won’t want you to go anywhere.” She gives me a knowing smile. “Alright. I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow. Okay?”

We say our goodbyes, and I watch her walk to her car. What if I never want to return to my grandpa’s house again? Would Connor let me move in with him?

When I leave the gym, I text Connor to let him know I’m on the way home, but I don’t receive a response. Pulling into the driveway, I realize his truck is still gone. I grab my phone to ensure I didn’t miss a notification from him, but there isn’t anything. I consider calling him but decide against it as I let myself into his house. What would it feel like to call this place mine as well? To move in with him? To end every day falling asleep by his side?

Shaking those thoughts out of my head, I walk to the kitchen and pull out the ingredients to make a cheesecake. I’m not the best cook, but I can bake. Connor’s favorite is my cheesecake, so I always keep the ingredients on hand. I begin to mix everything, and my mind finally goes quiet.

I hear Connor come in as I put the cheesecake in the oven. “Becca?” He calls out. I walk out of the kitchen and toward his voice, meeting him in the foyer. He looks amazing. He’s wearing a white button-up shirt and some gray slacks.

He usually wears jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap. So, to see him slightly dressed up is doing things to my lady bits. He walks to me and pulls me into his chest, his mouth coming down on mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back. Our tongues connect, and I swear it feels like the first time. It will never not be good. He pulls back slightly, his forehead resting against mine.

“Sorry, I didn’t call. I dropped my phone, and it broke. I have to go tomorrow to pick up another one,” he whispers against my cheek. I relaxed, knowing he wasn’t ignoring me.

Leaning back, I gaze up at him. “How did you do that?”

He rolls his eyes as he pulls me closer to him. “I went to one of the construction sites after my doctor’s appointments to meet with Victor and dropped it from six stories up.”

“That is unfortunate,” I reply. He chuckles, running his nose up my jaw. “How did your doctor’s appointment go?” I ask him.

“It went well. He said I still can’t lift or work a normal shift, but I can supervise.” I pull my lips between my teeth, trying to hide my smile. He cocks his head at me.

“Are you laughing at me?”

I shake my head. “Never,” I say before I break out in laughter. He leans down and bites the sensitive skin where my neck and shoulder meet. I gasp, clutching at his shoulders.

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