Page 37 of Sweet Harmony

Connor joinedthem. “Hey, Grace.”

“Hey, Connor.”Grace’s eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline when he tookKira’s hand again. “I thought you guys were waiting a couple ofweeks before announcing you were dating.”

Kira shrugged.“Connor stopped by this morning to, um, I mean… so we could get toknow a few more personal details about each other, and both Danieland my brother walked in on us. We kind of had to tell them we weredating.”

“Right.” Graceeyed him closely and he busied himself with pulling his cell phoneout of his pocket and checking for messages.

“Don’t bother,”Kira said cheerfully. “There’s zero service out here.”

He stuffed hisphone back into his pocket as Kira smiled at Grace. “How was yourday, Gracie?”

* * *

“So, um, didyou want to come in?” Kira gave him a shy smile when he parked inher driveway.

He hesitatedand she clasped her knees nervously. “I mean, I thought maybe wecould practice a bit more kissing. You know, just so we can, forsure, fool people.”

More thananything, he wanted to say yes but that was a very bad idea. Kirawas saving herself for Daniel. She was attracted to Connor, justlike he was attracted to her, and there was no denying they hadchemistry but that didn’t mean she’d change her mind about notsleeping with him.

Maybe he’d goin there tonight and maybe she’d let him make her come. Maybe she’deven be willing to let him bury his face between her soft thighs sohe could find out just how sweet that pussy was that he wassuddenly obsessed with tasting. Hell, maybe she’d be willing togive him a handjob or – the front of his jeans suddenly got tight –blowjob, but it didn’t feel right to him to hope that she would bewilling to do those things with him.

Or maybe youknow it wouldn’t be enough. Maybe you know you’d try and talk herinto fucking you.

“Connor?”

He made himselfsmile at her. “Actually, I think we’ve proven we have enoughchemistry to fool people and you’re fine at kissing now. I don’tthink we need to keep practicing.”

“Oh.” Sheleaned back, the disappointment etched into her face. “Right, okay.Yeah.”

“Honestly, I’m,uh, not much for PDAs – in fact, I kind of loathe them – so it’snot like I’m going to be kissing you in public anyway.”

A look ofembarrassment crossed her face and he groaned inwardly. Christ, hewas fucking this up so bad.

“It has nothingto do with you,” he said. “I just – I’m not into that kind ofthing.”

“No, I get it,”she said. “It’s all good.”

“We can holdhands and uh, you know the occasional quick kiss is fine, but…”

Shut up, youidiot.

For once, helistened to his inner voice and stopped talking.

She was givinghim that fake-edged smile again. “Sounds good. I’ll keep physicaltouch to hand holding only when we’re out in public. Thanks,Connor. I’ll talk to you later.”

She was out ofthe car and walking up the porch steps before he could say anythingelse. Cursing to himself, he waited until she was safely in thehouse before backing out of the driveway and heading home.

ChapterSeven

“Morning,Lainey.” Kira smiled at the receptionist and stopped at the frontdesk. “Happy it’s Friday?”

“So happy,”Lainey replied. “There’s a Mr. Stark waiting for you in theboardroom.”

Kira cocked herhead. “Stark? As inIron Man?”

“Do not makethat joke,” Lainey said. “I did, and let’s just say he didn’t findit funny. Anyway, he’s waiting for you. Oh, and just a reminder –you need to let me know when you have client appointments so that Ican add it to my calendar.”

“I didn’t havean appointment. I don’t even know who he is,” Kira said.