Page 64 of Kiss and Tell

“What’s there to talk about?” he said.

My heart dropped at the tightness behind his breezy words.

Connor started setting up the table and took the chairs from my hands before they clattered to the ground. They were awkwardly shaped and it was hard to maneuver them with my bag around my shoulder.

Surprisingly, Connor wasn’t wearing a plain t-shirt this morning. He had on a collared golf shirt. He didn’t look entirely put together, though. His dark hair was messy and he had bags under his eyes. I had to wonder if he was getting enough sleep. It was past noon, so it wasn’t like I’d forced him to get up early.

Had he been out partying at all hours? Had he, perhaps, been out with other women? After all, I had smelled that perfume on his jacket the first day we’d met. It wasn’t unlikely that Connor might have a few “lady friends” he could call up to spend time with.

He certainly wasn’t going to call me up.

Jealousy threatened to rise up in my stomach but I shoved it away. I had no right to be jealous.

Knowing that didn’t stop a twisted knot from forming in my gut.

I waited until Connor had set everything up before speaking.

“I don’t want things to be awkward between us,” I told him. “We still need to work together.”

“Why would things be awkward?” He ran a casual hand through his hair, messing it up even further as he kept up that breezy tone.

“You know exactly why,” I replied. “What happened that weekend on our trip—”

I stopped, the memories flashing through me.

Connor’s rough fingers pressing into my skin.

His full lips sliding against mine again and again.

His hips moving deliciously between my legs.

The warmth of his embrace as I drifted off to the most peaceful sleep I’d had in months.

I couldn’t exactly say I wanted us to forget it had ever happened — even if it would make everything infinitely easier.

Connor’s very presence at once calmed me and excited me. His encouraging words helped soothe my anxieties. He made me laugh with his sly grins and flirty banter.

I didn’t want to give that up. It was selfish of me. I knew it. But I still held onto hope that we could at least still be friends.

“It was an amazing weekend,” I continued. “I don’t regret it.”

“No?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“You were…” I looked down at my feet and smoothed down my blouse, a faint flush rising to my cheeks. “You were amazing. It was amazing. But…” I looked up to meet his eyes. “It can never happen again. No one can ever know.”

“It’s cool,” Connor replied. “I understand. It was a one-time thing, like you said.”

“I’m sorry if I misled you.” The backs of my eyes stung, hating that I was hurting him like this, but knowing it had to be said. “I didn’t think you’d assume there was anything more to it. I’m really sorry.”

“Quinn, it’s fine.” His voice was quiet. “I get it. I misread the situation and jumped to conclusions I shouldn’t have.” He gave me a small smile. “Anyway, I’m no stranger to flings, after all.”

“Can we go back to the way things were?” I asked, trying not to sound desperate.

“I don’t know,” he drawled. “Now that I’ve seen what’s under that stuffy blouse of yours, maybe I’ll have to rethink my hate of them.” A slow, shark-like grin spread across his face. “It’s kind of hot, thinking about what’s hiding underneath.”

“What’s underneath is a boring beige sports bra.”

“No sexy, red lacy thing today?” he said. “I have to say, I’m disappointed.”