Connor lookedamused by Tim’s haste. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I hope that wasn’t anyoneimportant.”
“No, it wasn’t.”Immediately, Tim mentally kicked himself. If he’d told Connor he’d been talkingto his editor, it would have been the perfect segue into finishing theinterview. Instead, looking into Connor’s deep blue eyes, Tim couldn’t thinkabout anything except how good it had felt to kiss Connor and have his dickdeep inside of him.
“Can I sit down?”Connor asked, gesturing to an adjacent chair, and Tim nodded. “I took a chancethat I might find you here again, since this is where we met yesterday.”
“I’m supposed tobe taking scuba lessons with my family, but being underwater for more than acouple of minutes isn’t my thing. I prefer staying ondry land and above sea level whenever possible.” Tim knew he sounded like ababbling idiot, but Connor’s intense, steady stare unnerved him. He started tosignal the bartender for another drink, but remembered that’s how the interviewgot derailed last night.
“I’d beenmeaning to ask what you were doing here on Cedros. Ifigured your running into me here was by chance, since I didn’t even know I wasgoing to come here until the last minute.”
“My parents arecelebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary. I’m here with them—along withmy brother, sister, and their spouses—to celebrate it.”
“Forty years,that’s quite an accomplishment.” Connor nodded, as if giving his seal ofapproval, which thrilled Tim for some silly reason. “They didn’t mind youtaking off to interview me?”
“My sister did,”Tim admitted. “But my parents and brother were more understanding. They saw howimportant it was for my career.”
A waiter cameover, and Connor ordered a club soda before turning back to Tim. “And how doeswhat happened last night fit into what happens withthe interview?”
Unsure of whatConnor was asking, Tim knew he had to tread lightly.“Sleeping with the subject of my article is not something that’s ever happenedto me before. I’m sort of in unchartered territory here.” Tim let out a littlelaugh, but Connor’s face remained somber. He waited until the waiter broughtConnor his drink and left before continuing. “I’m sure by now you’ve probablyhad me checked out, and you know I’ve been at the Chronicle for five years. While I may not have as much experienceas some of the journalists who have interviewed you, I hope you can tell frommy work that I’m thorough but fair. You can expect the same treatment in thearticle I will write about you.”
“Then you intendto go through with it? Even after last night, you plan to write the article onme? You didn’t even finish the interview!”
“I was hoping toget the chance to do so tonight.”
“Oh, did younow?” While Connor’s voice sounded indignant, Tim believed he detected a noteof amusement, so he decided to press on.
“We’re bothmature and professional individuals. I don’t think what ended up happeningbetween us last night has to interfere with the original purpose of our gettingtogether.”
“You’ve got aone-track mind, I’ll give you that.” Connor’s gaze turned down toward his clubsoda. “Is there some reason why you left without saying good-bye or leaving anote?”
“Not a goodone.” Tim lifted Connor’s chin with his index finger, forcing them to look eachother in the eye. “I’m not proud of ducking out, and I apologize for doing so.I was scared that if I stuck around until you woke up, I would see regret orremorse in your eyes, and I didn’t know if I could handle it.”
Connor took hishand and kissed it. “I don’t have any regrets and feel no remorse. When I wokeup alone, I thought you were the one who had second thoughts about whathappened. I’m glad to see that’s not the case.”
Tim leaned overand kissed Connor lightly on the lips. “Does that seem like I have any secondthoughts? Except maybe about when we can get together like that again.”
Connor’s eyeslit up with a desire that reflected his own. “Come by my room tonight and let’stry it again.”
“The interview, or what came after?”
“Both.” Connorgave his thigh an intimate squeeze and stood, leaving a twenty-dollar billunderneath his glass. “How about eight again? I’lltext you the PIN code this time so there shouldn’t be any delay in you comingto me.”
Tim’s stomachdid cartwheels as he watched Connor walk away. Could hereally be making this much progress in both his professional and personal life?While he didn’t want to get his hopes up, Tim had a feeling he was about to getlucky on both counts.
Chapter Six
“While developingoriginal content is something we’re hoping to do more of in the future,Albright Software Media’s focus will always be on creating and improving thetechnology that delivers such content to our customers.”
Connor took aquick look at his watch as he answered Tim’s question. He’d been doing thisinterview for close to two hours, well past the forty-five minutes he’doriginally allotted for it. However, Tim was a skillful reporter, able to askopen-ended questions that made Connor talk and reveal a lot more than he’dintended.
Connor had hopedhe’d been discreet in his checking the time, but apparently, he hadn’t.
“Is our timeup?”
“We’ve been atthis for two hours. I don’t know what more you can ask me.”
“Lots.” Tim’s mouthcurved into a winsome smile. “However, I have more than enough for the articleI intend to write. I appreciate your candor in talking about your heart attackand recovery. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“No, it wasn’t,”Connor said in a terse voice. “I’m still not certain whether this is even anyof the general public’s business. However, if I had to talk about it, I’m gladit was with you. I’ve looked up some of your other work, and none of it is toosensational or tabloid.”
“Thanks… Ithink.” Tim laughed, but it sounded a bit forced.
Connor reachedacross the coffee table where they sat in the suite’s living room and squeezedTim’s hand. “I didn’t mean any offense. I truly respect your work.”
“Do you?” Tim’sface glowed.
Connor nodded.“I was particularly impressed by that exposé you did on the deputy mayorfunneling city construction contracts to holding companies owned by hisbrother-in-law. It’s amazing how you ferreted out the family
