Page 17 of The Sweetest Mistake

“That’s better,” he said, smiling down at her.

While they turned in a slow circle on the crowded dance floor, she became acutely aware of every point where their bodies touched. His arms had encircled her waist, and she felt the hard ridges of his bones beneath the muscle. In the tight space, their chests rubbed against each other, and she felt her nipples harden in response. Good thing the lighting was dim and she was wearing an extra layer.

When someone jostled them from behind, her hips jutted forward and brushed up against the bulge in his jeans. She tried to pretend she didn’t notice, but when she glanced up at him, he wore a telltale grin.

“Just ignore him. He’s got a mind of his own,” Connor teased.

If only it were that easy. There wasn’t an ounce of skin, bone, or muscle that she could ignore when they were dancing this close. Luckily, the next song had a fast tempo, so they left the dance floor. They finished their beers quietly after that, but every so often, she’d feel his eyes upon her, and when she locked eyes with him, he didn’t bother to look away.

Between the music, the dancing, and the company, all of Julia’s senses had come alive, and the air felt charged with possibilities. She hadn’t enjoyed herself this much in a long time, and she almost hated for the night to end. It was ten o’clock when they left the restaurant, the music still pumping through her veins along with something else—anticipation, fear, hopefulness? It was likely a combination thereof, and her nerves were thrumming by the time they pulled up in her driveway.

Placing her hand on the car door handle, she hurriedly said, “Well, thanks for tonight. I had a good time.” Not waiting for a reply, she started to open the door, but then she realized she’d been talking to an empty space. Connor had already gotten out of the Jeep and come around to her side to open the door and help her out.

“You didn’t have to…”

“I wanted to.”

They walked up to her door in silence, Connor one step behind her. She didn’t look back as she fished her key out of her jacket pocket, inserted it into the lock, and opened it. Once she’d stepped over the threshold, she finally turned around to face him. Bracing his hands on either side of the doorframe, he blocked her view of the outside, but it didn’t matter. She knew what was about to happen, but she didn’t need the neighbors to see.

Taking a step back, she motioned with her hand and said, “Come on in.”

Connor studied her carefully for a few beats before he stepped inside and closed the door firmly behind him.

“Julia? You’re staring at me,” Connor said, breaking her out of her reverie.

“Just waiting for you to talk,” she said.

“Sorry I haven’t called for the past few days. I was busy with work, and then I helped Cam get settled into her parents’ house.”

Julia stiffened. She’d guessed that he’d been spending time with Ava, but she preferred not to think about Cam being there too.

“The thing is, she’s not going to want to stay there for long, and I don’t blame her. It’s not easy moving back in with your parents once you get to be our age.”

She wanted to shout, “None of this is easy!” but instead, she just nodded.

“On the plus side, I think Ava’s getting used to me being around. She actually smiled at me the other day.”

Julia noticed how his face brightened when he said it, and she smiled back. There was no denying that his little girl was adorable.

“Have you told your family about her yet?”

“No, but I plan to this weekend. I’ve invited them all over on Saturday night, and I’d like you to come too. If you want to,” he added.

“Will Cam be there?” She hadn’t meant to ask, but as usual, the words slipped out.

Connor shook his head. “I convinced her to let me have Ava for a few hours while she went out with her friends.”

Julia tried to hide her relief, but Connor already knew her too well.

“You have nothing to worry about, Jules. It’s Ava I’m interested in, not her mother.”

“Um-hmm.”

Setting his beer bottle on a coaster on the end table (she’d previously trained him on this), he stood up and stalked toward her.

Oh no. It was better when he was across the room from her. She couldn’t think straight when he got too close.

Ignoring her distress, or maybe because of it, Connor removed the beer bottle from her clutches and set it down on another coaster. Then, taking both of her hands in his, he pulled her to standing. She didn’t bother resisting because she didn’t stand a chance against his bulk, but she also didn’t immediately melt into his arms.