Page 70 of Not On Your Life

“Maddie needs job, then baby,” Mom says, as if that explains everything.

“Mom!” I rub my forehead.

“What?” She shrugs. “He is a nice boy. Very handsome. He make cute babies.”

Is that her only criteria for future grandchildren? “He’s also thedevil.” I put extra emphasis on the last word, hoping she’ll cross herself and promptly cast him out.

“Who you kissed.” Connor squeezes my hip.

“Momentary lapse in judgment.” I push his hand off. “You can leave now.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “I see how it is. You use me for my body, then when you’re done, you shove me out the door.”

I limp to the couch and fall onto it. “Don’t forget to shut it behind you.”

But instead of leaving, he turns to my mother. “It was lovely to meet you, Ms. Cardozo.”

“Call me Maria.” My mom blushes.

I have to put a stop to this insanity.

“Mom, he’s the one who got me fired.”

“You get yourself fired.” Mom waves my comment away.

My jaw drops. Arrow to the soul.

Mom grabs his arm. “You come to dinner next week.”

“I’d love to,” Connor says, now entirely beaming.

“Mom, no!” I chuck a throw pillow at Connor, but he easily catches it and shoots me a wink. “You can’t come, I’m uninviting you.”

Connor glances back at my mom. “She plays hard to get; it’s so fun. I’ll be there.”

Mom says something I can’t hear, and he says something equally quiet back. What is going on right now?

“Out!” I yell. I need him—and the weird feelings he created—to go away. It was trickery, a hallucination, mind control. Yes. That one. He’s a mind controlling psychopath who preys on innocent, broken women. And smells really good.

“I’m going,” he says. “But I’ll be back to discuss those babies.”

I glare at him. “Hey Connor, be sure to take the elevator on the way down.”

A crease forms between his brows. “I thought it was broken.”

I rub my lips together, gearing up for my best trick of the evening. “I lied.” I expect him to get upset, but instead, he laughs.

No. That’s not how we play our game.

“I knew you wanted me,” he says before striding out the door.

I drop my head into my hands. What is happening?

“So, you marry him?” Mom asks.

“No!” I will not marry Connor Quinn.

Chapter 23