Page 12 of Sweet Harmony

He closed hiseyes. It was a mistake. Immediately, an image of Kira rose in hismind. He could almost hear her sweet little moans and her beggingfor a real kiss. The way she was rubbing her tight little bodyagainst him this morning had tempted him to cancel his appointmentsand spend the day tasting and teasing every inch of Kira’s softskin.

He groaned andstared fixedly at the steering wheel. He hadn’t expected to be soturned on by Kira. She wasn’t his usual type.

How do youknow she isn’t your type? Because she doesn’t remind you of Lisa?That’s a good thing, you idiot. Besides, you don’t know anythingabout her. You’re too busy sticking your tongue down herthroat.

Good point. Heneeded to focus. Making sure they looked and acted like a couplewhen they touched and kissed was important, but pointless if hedidn’t know anything personal about her.

Kira wasalready much more natural at kissing him this morning, which meantthey really didn’t need to practice anymore. It was more thanobvious they had chemistry and it wasn’t like they’d be making outin public anyway. He was against PDAs in general, never mind thathe didn’t want current or potential clients seeing him suckingtongues with or grinding away against Kira in a damn coffee shop orsomething.

His cell phonebuzzed, and he grabbed it off the seat. Six minutes until hisappointment. He considered letting the call go to voicemail beforeanswering it.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, honey.How are you?’

Like always,his mother’s voice sent both warmth and guilt through him.

“Good. Justabout to go into a root canal.” He climbed out of the car andlocked it before walking toward the clinic. “What’s up?”

“I won’t keepyou long. I’m having coffee with Mandy and she’s reminded me thatyou haven’t RSVP’d for the wedding yet. I told her you’ll be thereand that you don’t have a plus one, but she’s insisting I confirmwith you.”

There was amuffled sound and then his cousin’s voice squeaked into his ear.“Dude, you’re killing me over here. RSVP’s were due two weeksago!”

“I’m sorry,Mandy.” He yanked open the door to the clinic and stepped inside.His client was already there but his gaze was fixed on his phone,and Connor hurried past him, giving Keisha the receptionist thefive-minute signal. She nodded and he walked down the hallwaytoward his office.

“It’s fine,”Mandy sighed. “I know you’re busy, but I really need to give thecaterer final numbers. I’ll put you down for one chicken,yeah?”

“Uh, actually,”he sank behind his desk, “I’ll be bringing my, uh, girlfriend.”

There wassilence. Faintly, he could hear his mother talking to someone elsein the coffee shop. Not surprising. She’d lived in Willington herentire life and she knew pretty much everyone by name.

“Girlfriend?”Mandy’s voice was even squeakier when it was surprised. “You have agirlfriend? That you’re bringing to my wedding?”

Before he couldreply, his mother was back on the line. “Connor? Why is Mandytalking about a girlfriend?”

He should neverhave answered the phone.

“Because I havea girlfriend and I’m bringing her to the wedding.”

“But,” hismother’s voice lost some of its oomph, “honey, what aboutLisa?”

“What abouther?” Connor’s voice was harsher than he intended. “We aren’ttogether anymore and haven’t been for a very long time. I have agirlfriend, her name is Kira, I’m bringing her to the wedding. Endof story.”

There wassilence and a fresh wave of guilt washed over him. “Mom, I reallyhave to go. Can you tell Mandy that I’ll text her this afternoonwith Kira’s dinner choice?”

“Sure.” Hismother disconnected the call before he could say anything else.

He tossed hisphone into his desk and slammed the drawer shut before grabbing hislab coat and yanking it on. Grace stepped into his office and gavehim a cheerful smile. “Good morning, Connor.”

“Morning.”

She checkedbehind her before lowering her voice. “So, I hear your weddingproblem is solved.”

He staredblankly at her and she said, “Kira’s going to the wedding with you,right?”

“Uh, yeah,right. Yes.” Connor took a deep breath to clear his head.Disappointing his parents wasn’t anything new for him, so why washis guilt still clinging to him like a fine layer of dust hecouldn’t shake off?

“Hey, youokay?” Grace asked.

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