“Sorry,” he said, his voice gruff. “I’m not playing fair, am I?”
Sadly, right at that moment, she didn’t want him to play fair. She wanted his mouth on hers, his arms around her. She wanted to feel the strength that had always made her feel so safe.
“No,” she conceded, her voice shaky. Had she admitted to the need, she would have gotten what she wanted, a kiss that stirred memories…and heartache.
Instead, she forced a smile, rose to her feet and walked back to the house, settling for the heartache alone.
* * *
Connor stayed by the bay a while longer before finally going back up to the house. When he got there, Heather had already left with their son.
“Little Mick had a bit of a fever,” his mother told him. “Heather thought she ought to get him home and into bed.”
Connor regarded her with alarm. “He’s sick?”
Megan put a reassuring hand on his arm. “Kids spike fevers all the time, Connor. I’m sure it’s a routine childhood illness. If it turns out to be more, Heather will call.”
“I’m not waiting around for that,” he said. “Tell Jess I had to leave. She and I were going out for a drink at Brady’s after things wound up here. She needs to go without me. Will’s meeting us there.”
His mother’s eyes lit up. “Really? Is there something going on between those two?”
“Not if Jess has her way,” Connor admitted.
“But Will’s crazy about her, isn’t he?” she pressed.
He nodded. “Seems that way to me. I’m trying to remain neutral.”
Megan’s expression turned thoughtful. “If what you say is true and I tell Jess you’re not going, she won’t go, either.”
Connor hadn’t considered that. “You’re right. I should probably call Will and cancel.”
“No,” his mother said hurriedly. “I’ll tell Jess you’re running by Heather’s and will meet her at Brady’s.” She looked especially pleased with her solution.
Connor laughed. “Nice to know the meddling gene hasn’t missed anyone in this family.”
“Certainly not me,” Megan said. “I just try to be a bit more subtle than some other people we could both name.”
“Be careful with Jess, Mom. She’s more vulnerable than she pretends.”
“I know that,” she said quietly, then touched his cheek. “Thank you for looking out for her.” She studied his face for a moment. “Who, I wonder, looks out for you?”
Connor chafed at the idea he needed looking after. “My life’s under control. I don’t need looking after.”
She shook her head, a sad expression on her face. “If only that were true. Run along and check on your son. Call me if you need me.”
Connor left the house with the oddest feeling that he’d just had a totally honest conversation with his mother for one of the few times in recent memory. He not only appreciated her genuine concern for Jess, but he actually felt better knowing she would come running if his son was truly ill.
When he reached Heather’s apartment moments later, the upstairs lights were on. He parked in the alley behind the shops and took the steps two at a time. He would have banged on the door, but then worried that little Mick might be sleeping. He tapped gently, then tried the knob. It opened at once, which was an issue for another discussion. Tonight he needed to focus on his son.
Heather was halfway to the door when he stepped inside. She studied him with surprise.
“What are you doing here?” she asked suspiciously.
“Mom said little Mick had a fever.”
She seemed to relax at his response. “She shouldn’t have worried you. It’s nothing,” she said. “His temperature is already back to normal and he’s sound asleep.”
He stood where he was, suddenly uncomfortable. “Oh.” He was all too aware that he’d invaded her space, space she’d been trying to preserve as a sanctuary, free from any memories of him. “I should go, then.”
As if she’d guessed what he was thinking, she managed a half smile. “It’s okay. You’re here now. Would you like something to drink? I’m afraid I don’t have any beer or wine, just sodas.”
He searched her face. “You don’t mind?”
“Well, you’ve crossed the threshold and the world hasn’t come to an end, so I suppose it’s okay.”
He thought of the kiss they’d almost shared earlier. Being here, alone with Heather, even with little Mick in the next room, might be tempting fate.
“It’s probably not a good idea for me to hang around,” he said eventually. “I wanted to do a lot more earlier than just kiss you. If I stay here now, who knows what I might do?”
She looked into his eyes. “God help me, but I kind of like the idea that I can still make you lose control.”
His gaze narrowed. “What are you saying, Heather?”
“Only that I’m willing to take the risk of letting you stay,” she said hurriedly. “Not that I’m encouraging you to try something.”
He smiled at the breathless note in her voice. “So it’s okay with you if we hang out for a while and torture each other with thoughts of all the things we’re not going to do?”
She nodded. “Shall I pour you a soda?”
He met the challenge in her gaze. “Sure. Why not? A little seductive torture is probably good for the soul.”
“I’m almost certain it builds character,” she agreed with a grin as she flipped open the tab on a soda and poured it over ice, then handed him the glass.
“You do realize there’s not enough ice in that pitiful little fridge of yours to cool the thoughts going through my mind right now, don’t you?”
She gave him a purely feminine, wicked smile. “I’m actually counting on it,” she admitted. “What does that say about me?”
“That you’re a tease,” he said, amused despite the agony he was bound to be suffering if they kept up this game. “How did I not know that about you?”
“Because in the past you always got what you wanted in
