Page 45 of Sweet Harmony

Kira frowned.“You don’t sound like you believe that.”

“I haven’t beenpaying that much attention, I’ve had to fend off Jesse allnight.”

Jesse was JesseJones, a firefighter and, as far as Kira was concerned, a realcutie-pie. He had dark hair and dark eyes and his body rivaledDaniel’s in muscles. He was on the quiet side but sweet and politeand he’d been crushing on Grace for months now.

“Why don’t yougo out with him?” Kira asked. “Jesse’s a sweetheart and it’sobvious he likes you.”

“He’s not mytype,” Grace said dismissively.

The door openedand a group of giggling women walked in. They headed for thestalls, and Grace grabbed her purse off the counter. “C’mon, we’vebeen in here so long, the guys will think we’ve ditched them.”

They left thebathroom and headed back to their table. The Thirsty Beaver Pub wasthe biggest pub in Harmony Falls and its laid-back atmosphere andcasual décor drew in a variety of people from college students toseniors.

Kira sat downnext to Connor. While she was gone, he had pulled her empty chairover until it was almost touching his. Her thigh brushed againsthis, but before she could shift over, his hand dropped on the backof her neck, anchoring her in place. He was listening to Jesse andEthan, another firefighter, arguing good-naturedly about some brandof beer, but his fingers kneaded the muscles of her neck with slowdeliberateness.

She hesitatedand then rested her hand on his thigh, wondering if he would movehis leg away from her touch. He turned to her and gave her a lazygrin. He leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers in alight caress that made her nipples peak.

“Hey,” hesaid.

“Uh, hi,” shereplied.

“Did you wantanother beer?” His fingers found a tense spot and massaged a littleharder.

She bit backher moan of pleasure. “Um, no, I’m good. I don’t actually drinkthat much.”

“So, doll, howdid you and the doc start dating anyway?” Daniel was sitting acrossfrom them and he leaned forward, resting his beefy arms on thetable. “He’s not exactly your type.”

“How would youknow?” Grace said. She was sitting on the other side of Kira andshe gave Daniel a stiff smile. “You don’t know anything aboutConnor.”

Daniel grinnedat her. “Good point, Gracie-Lou.”

“Don’t call methat,” she said.

“Why don’t youtell us about your new… boyfriend, Kira?” Daniel said.

“I can tell myown life story, thanks,” Connor said.

His body wastensing, and Kira rubbed his thigh. “I told you, Connor is mydentist. I met him at the office.”

“And no,”Connor said before Daniel could say anything, “it isn’t illegal todate my patients.”

“Right.” Danielgave Jesse a nudge. “And here I thought being a firefighter wouldget us the ladies. Turns out dentistry is the way to go.”

He turned toConnor. “I guess the ladies just like having you in their mouth,huh?”

“Don’t be apig, Daniel,” Grace said.

“Kira loves itwhen I talk dirty, isn’t that right, doll?”

“Uh…” Kira hadno idea what to say. Daniel flirted with her occasionally, but henever talked dirty to her.

Connor’s handtightened on the back of her neck before releasing. “It’s gettinglate. Are you ready to go, Kira?”

She nodded. Thetension radiating from both Grace and Connor was palpable and itwas making her tense. “Gracie, are you leaving too?”

“Yes,” Gracesaid.

“I’ll just payour tab and meet you outside, all right?” Connor said.

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