AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Did you ever consider he was the one to hurt and humiliate me?”
She stopped for a split second on her path to her truck as his words registered. But she knew better than to let his charm work its magic. She could never indulge in her true desires with Conner because her brother would disown her.
“I’ll see you Saturday,” he called after her before she could close her door.
Chapter Six
Relief washed overConner when he spotted multiple police cruisers and several other familiar cars already parked in the dirt drive at the wharf on Saturday morning. He’d spent days harassing all his friends on the narcotics unit, his brother’s old Swat teammates, and both of his brothers to help out. Everyone said they’d try to make it, which was code for if their shifts weren’t too long or nothing better came up. Hauling several coolers with bottles of water and sports drinks out of the back of his Jeep, he scanned the area for Hannah.
It was only eight in the morning and there was already a lot of activity. The doors were open on the big warehouse, and a huge dumpster was brought in for all the trash and old junk they planned to remove.
“Thanks, guys. That old equipment was taking up too much space.” He heard Hannah before he saw her, and his body reacted. Excitement rolled through him, his muscles tensed, and desire struck low in his gut.
Before he could make his way over to her, a sleek, freshly waxed sports car purred into the parking lot. His brother Finn climbed out with a stoic face until his eyes landed on Hannah’s curves, and a sly smile appeared. She was dressed in green running shorts and a fitted white T-shirt. Her mass of burnt orange curls were again piled up on her head, and she’d slid her sunglasses down to cover her eyes.
Finn joined him, not offering to help with the heavy coolers.
“Is that who I think it is?” Finn said as his eyes scanned her body, although he turned to face Conner just before Hannah caught him.
“My, my, thank you for inviting me today,” Finn said.
“Don’t even think about it. She’s not available, and I’d hate to lose a brother.”
“Staking your claim after all this time. Noble and a little pathetic,” Finn said as he surveyed the rest of the area. “I’m here to help you in any way I can, but don’t blame me when she figures out I’m the more interesting Maguire.”
“No chance. Just do whatever she asks so I look good. Dependable.”
Finn crossed his arms and nodded slowly, as if Conner were a complete moron.
“I had no idea you fell so hard,” Finn said before clapping his hands and walking off.
“What the hell did that mean?” Conner grumbled as he turned to watch Hannah directing their volunteers.
Once she gave the new arrivals directions, she walked over to where he stood, hauling old pieces of wood into a recycle bin.
“You really came through with the volunteers. We should be done by noon.”
“Great, then we can get lunch and go over the rest of your plans. I had another fundraiser idea.”
“What idea?”
“Lunch?”
“Can’t. I have plans.”
A sense of disappointment blossomed in his chest, but he knew getting her undivided attention was going to be a challenge.
“Don’t you think our fundraisers are more important than some date that won’t measure up?”
Hannah laughed. “You just worry about cleanup here and using your charm to sell tickets to the movie night.”
“So you do admit I’m charming. That’s a start.”
“Back to work,” she said before turning away.
Her athletic shorts swished along her upper thigh, giving him too much of a view of her tan skin. There were more freckles sprinkled along her arms up to her delicate shoulders. How long would it take to kiss each one?
He spent the rest of the morning trying to stay close to Hannah while hauling junk out of the warehouse. Several paramedics arrived to help out, and it was clear she was popular at work. More than one man tried to flirt with her and he was forced to grin and bear it, wondering if her date was in the crowd.
