Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (good e books to read txt) 📗

incident, this was turning out to be one of the best weekends she’d had in a long time, bruises and all.

Trace pulled into the parking lot. “Are you still okay with us getting food to go?”

Heavenly Sandwich Shop’s name was fitting. Usually, on Saturdays, the day’s special included barbecued meat. Whether ribs, chicken or brisket, it always smelled heavenly when you stepped into the building, as if prepared by angels from above.

“Carryout works for me,” she said.

They planned to binge-watch a Mafia show on Netflix, then later hang out by the pool once it cooled off outside. Connie had been surprised when Trace had suggested they go shopping for a swimsuit for her. He’d told her that she might as well test out the pool while she was visiting.

At first, she’d been hesitant to agree to spending time at his pool. Not because she was shy or harbored any issues about her body. No, she was very comfortable in her skin. Her uncertainty had everything to do with Trace. She was already struggling to control the potent desire to repeat the night of passion they’d shared a few months ago. And now, imagining him in swim trunks, her body was already heating up at the prospect of seeing his wide chest, broad shoulders and corded muscles on full display. Him practically naked would test the willpower of even the strongest woman. Then again, a little eye candy never hurt anyone.

She glanced at Trace as he shut off the car, wondering why he wasn’t making a move to get out. Instead, he turned to her, propping his right arm on the back of her seat.

“What?” she said. He just sat there and stared at her. His gaze volleyed from her eyes to her mouth and back to her eyes again.

“There’s something I’ve wanted to do from the moment you woke up with bedhead,” he said, his tone serious, but Connie burst out laughing.

She’d ended up falling asleep in his bed and had the best sleep she’d had in a long time. Maybe she should’ve been embarrassed to wake up to him looking at her, messy hair and all. Instead, that moment felt right. It felt natural. During breakfast, he told her that he had planned to carry her to the guest bedroom after she fell asleep but hadn’t because he liked having her in his bed. And she loved being there snuggled up next to him and wrapped in his strong embrace.

“If this is you trying to sweet-talk or seduce me,” she finally said, “you’re off to a horrible start.” That got a smile out of him, and her stomach fluttered. Fighting her attraction to him was getting harder by the minute.

Without another word, he placed his hand at the back of her head and pulled her closer. “Don’t be mad, but I can’t help myself.”

Not giving her a chance to respond, Trace covered her mouth with his. This wasn’t a sweet and innocent kiss like the one from the other night. No, this was serious. This was a you’re-mine-and-I’m-yours type of tongue action going on, and Connie was loving every minute of it.

Her arm went around his neck, pulling him even closer and deepening their contact. Her heart thundered with each lap of his tongue as their moans mingled. Boy, could this man kiss. Trace was reminding her of what she’d been missing. Reminded her how good he made her feel, how good they were together.

Why had she put herself on hiatus from dating, or set the stupid rule about dating a coworker or subordinate? Trust issues? Yeah, those might’ve still been a part of her, and Connie couldn’t exactly quantify just how much he meant to her, but he was also quickly becoming more than a friend.

Trace slowly eased his mouth from hers, but neither of them released each other as they stared into each other’s eyes. Connie wanted to kiss him again, and again, and yet again. Hell, she wanted way more than a kiss, but now was not the time. Not just because they were camped out in his car. No, it also had to do with her coming to grips with whether she was ready for all that he was offering. Once she crossed that line with him again, there would be no turning back.

“I’m not apologizing for that,” he said with finality.

“Good, because I’m not sorry, either.”

“Cool. Then we’re on the same page. Sit tight.”

Trace climbed out of the car, and Connie couldn’t help but smile as he walked around the front of the vehicle. That kiss, though... Clearly, they’d both wanted that to happen, and she was glad he hadn’t waited for her to make the first move.

“Thank you,” she said when he opened the passenger door.

Trace flashed that sexy grin when he grasped her hand to help her out of the car. “My pleasure.”

Connie didn’t think she’d ever get used to the tingles that shot through her body each time he touched her. During breakfast that morning, he had asked that she spend the weekend with him, and she’d agreed. It was hard not to when he constantly showered her with attention and catered to her every need. More than anything, though, she was enjoying his company, and it was going to be hard to go back to business as usual come Monday.

Trace held on to her good hand, threaded his fingers with hers as they headed to one of the entrances. Since last night, she’d been doing a good job at icing her hand when it wasn’t wrapped. There was still a dull ache whenever she moved it a certain way, which was why it was currently wrapped. But it felt a lot better than it had the night before. She could move her fingers just fine, and the swelling had also gone down.

Connie inhaled deeply the moment they stepped into the restaurant. The savory aromas of herbs, spices and wood smoke greeted her at the door. Some people preferred fancy restaurants