Taking Connor Read Online Free PDF Page B

find everyone in the kitchen. Jeff is leaned against the counter while Wendy sips a glass of juice. Connor is standing with his arms crossed by the back door. Wendy smiles brightly and takes Jeff’s hand, leading him out of the kitchen.
    “It was lovely meeting you, Connor,” she says. “I think I’ll just get Jeff to bed. It’s been a bit of a stressful night for him.”
    “Goodnight,” Connor replies. “Nice to meet you both.”
    As they pass by me, Jeff has his eyes squeezed closed and head turned away from me.
    “I have clothes on, Jeff,” I tell him.
    “Sorry about all that, Demi,” he murmurs as they keep going. “I didn’t see anything.”
    When they’re up the stairs and out of hearing range, I sigh and look to Connor.
    “Well, now that you’ve been properly welcomed home,” I joke. “I am so sorry about all of that.”
    He takes a deep breath and releases it. “I heard you scream and . . .”
    “Thank you for coming so quickly. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
    Connor’s mouth curves slightly on one side and his gaze meets mine. “It was quite the welcome home party,” he chuckles, and even I join in as my embarrassment begins to subside. I can’t imagine how crazy he thinks we all are. Our gazes remain locked even as our laughter begins to ebb.
    “Do you like to sleep in or are you an early bird?”
    “You don’t get to sleep in when you’re in prison. I don’t think I could sleep in if I tried,” he replies, his gaze leaving mine and darting to the floor.
    My chest tightens with his words. Through the rollercoaster of an evening we’ve had, I seemed to have forgotten where he’s been and what he’s done. He’s a felon. A violent one and if I’m honest, it scares me somewhat. But on the other hand, I know it’s only the stereotype freaking me out—once a violent felon means always a violent felon. And that makes him dangerous. But I don’t feel that when I’m with him. Quite the contrary. I actually feel . . . safe.
    “I’ll make breakfast in the morning. I think the plumber will be here early so just come on down and join us. Wendy and Jeff are early birds, too.”
    He doesn’t agree, but simply nods once and says, “Goodnight,” as he exits the back door. After he leaves, I crawl on my sofa and cover myself with the throw. My guestroom is taken, and there’s no way I can sleep in the master. But lumpy sofa or not, my exhaustion quickly consumes me, and I drift off to sleep.
     

 
    “You, in no way, did that man justice when you described him to me on the phone the other day,” Wendy murmurs, before sipping her coffee.
    Ignoring her as I don’t want to discuss just how attractive Connor is, I ask, “Where’s Jeff?”
    “Shower,” she answers simply. Standing, she grabs a piece of bacon off the paper plate near the stove where I’m cooking.
    “Would you like to help me here or is this like a vacation for you?”
    “Vacation?” she snorts. “I’m away from my kids. This is like staying at a five-star resort.”
    “Demi!” An all too familiar voice yells as the sound of the screen door to the back porch squeaks open and slams closed.
    “In the kitchen,” I huff, realizing this morning is going to be anything but relaxing. Poor Connor is going to get the full brunt of just how overbearing and nosey my family is.
    Lexi, my baby sister, strolls in the kitchen, giant sunglasses covering her eyes that undoubtedly are red and smeared with makeup as she recovers from a massive hangover.
    “What are you doing here?” I ask her as I fork another piece of bacon on the plate.
    “I was on my way home from a friend’s house,” she mumbles as she pulls a coffee mug from the cabinet and begins pouring herself a cup.
    “Did you manage to get out before he woke up and asked for your number?” Wendy grins from where she sits at the kitchen table. Lexi’s mouth pops open as if she’s insulted.
    “Are you implying I was leaving a one night stand?”
    “Not