Page 35 of The Grump I Loathe

What can I say, dancing brings out my good ideas.Another long pause. I caught my lip between my teeth, heart pounding as bubbles appeared. He was typing.

Don’t even suggest office dance parties, because that is a firm no.

I grinned, typing furiously.You’re just worried you’ll embarrass yourself in front of the team with your mediocre dance moves.

Excuse me? My dancing, as Grace would say, is fire.

I snorted. I highly doubted Grace would say that. Even if it might be a little bit true. I was used to guys either being stiff as boards on the dance floor or flailing around like idiots. Connor was smooth and in control, like he knew what he was doing. I couldn’t help imagining that relaxed confidence in other contexts…But of course, I wasn’t going to admit that tohim.

Keep telling yourself that,I shot back instead.Just know when you’re ready for proper lessons, I’m available.

I’ll need to see your moves again. Maybe you need lessons more than I do.

I bit my lip, the pulse between my legs throbbing.That could be arranged.I couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like to let Connor take me in his arms again. Close the distance. Press his lips to mine.

Max thinks he’s doing me a favor by forcing me to go clubbing,he wrote.Tonight was the first time I didn’t completely hate it. For once, it felt good to let go a little.

I swallowed a gasp, thinking of all the different ways it could feelamazingto let go. I knew interoffice dating wasn’t allowed, but hooking up wasn’t really dating, was it?

I had a good time dancing with you, too,I wrote. Another winky face.

Me and my mediocre moves?

You’ve got some potential.

Dancing with the Stars, here I come.

I laughed.Late-night Connor is kinda funny.

Late-night Connor is hilarious. But he’s got an early morning, so he should wrap this up. Goodnight, Edith.

I’d always hated being called Edith, so why did imagining his voice saying my name send a little shiver up my spine? I flopped back on my pillow, getting comfortable as I tossed my phone aside. There was a line here, and we were blurring it. And what did it mean that he was letting us?

This was so stupid. How was I even going to look him in the eye tomorrow after grinding my ass against his cock and sending him flirty late-night texts? Come morning, when the alcohol faded and the memories were hazy, his rules would come charging back in, slapping an entire no-dating policy between us.

There was no reality where us getting together worked. I knew that. And yet the throbbing between my legs wouldn’t let up. I slipped my hand between my thighs, clenching my eyes shut, letting my thoughts drift back to Connor on the dance floor. I let my mind run away, fantasizing about what might have happened if he’d never pulled back. How his hands would have felt all over my body, his fingers curving into me.

My breath came in heavy pants.

I turned to face Fantasy Connor and pulled him into a heated kiss. His arms wrapped around me tight, pinning me to that hard, strong body. He felt so warm, his presence overwhelming. For a beat, I could smell the spice and leather of his cologne, and then I was coming undone to my own imagination.

I pulled my pillow over my face and groaned, because that’s all Connor ever would be.

Nothing but a frustrating dream.

11

CONNOR

“You know you can just download a crossword app?” Grace said, eyes trained on the TV as she played one of the games she’d trialed at GeekCon, amassing a collection of baby animals.

“Ilikemy paper copy,” I said, perusing the Saturday paper from my spot on the couch.

“That’s what Grandma says too. I’m still trying to explain TikTok to her.”

I glanced at the arm of the couch as my phone started buzzing.Aliflashed across the screen. “Grace, it’s Mom.”

“Mom!” She ditched her controller as she sprang to her feet. It bounced off the ottoman and onto the floor as she sprinted for my phone. I handed it over.