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He could feel her body relax as she let him pull her closer against his chest.
“I shaved so I wouldn’t scratch up your face or worse, your—”
There was a loud crashing sound from the hallway, and several faces appeared in the doorway.
Hannah used the interruption to push him away and get some space. He glowered at the kids, and they backed away from the opening.
Hannah closed the door with a quiet click.
“You can’t just show up here and send me lavish gifts.”
“The pool floaty counts as lavish? Yikes, I better cancel the Thursday delivery.”
She stopped pacing and stood with her hands on her hips, staring at him with her full lips pressed together.
“Please cancel it and please stop. It can’t happen, this thing.” She waved her hand between them and then started pacing again. “You and I both know Parker is never going to forgive you, and I’m not willing to destroy my relationship with my brother for you.”
He knew she was right and that his only option was to prove he was innocent. As much as he wished she could just believe him, he didn’t blame her for being loyal to her brother. It had looked really bad that morning with Mariah in his bed, and if he was honest with himself, he understood how they believed the worst of him. He risked taking a few steps closer to her.
“You won’t have to. I’m going to prove I never slept with Mariah, and your brother will have to accept that I’m not a bad guy. Then you won’t have any reason to deny our connection.” One last step eliminated the space between them. Lifting her chin, he searched her eyes. “I didn’t do it. I’m not a scumbag, and I’ll prove it. Then you’ll be free to date me and let us both see just how good it can be.”
He moved his hand to cup her cheek, then ran his thumb over her lips. He could feel her pulse jumping along her neck, and her pupils were dilated with excitement—or desire.
“May I kiss you?” he asked gently, as he leaned in closer. “I won’t tell anyone. It can be our little secret.” His mouth was an inch away when he saw her come to her senses.
“No.”
Stepping back, she swiped his hand away, breaking their connection.
“Please, just stop sending me things. I don’t want to have to explain to my brothers where all this stuff is coming from.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re a grown woman. You don’t have to tell your brothers anything. But you better start thinking about what you’re going to do when I clear my name.”
Hannah opened the door and made her way back out into the main room as a gaggle of kids poured in, followed by a man with a clipboard. Conner hadn’t seen the man before—he looked like a linebacker. The loud yellow shirt with a smiley face emoji emphasized his huge biceps, and his face broke into an even bigger smile when he saw Hannah.
The man strode over with his perfect smile still beaming at Hannah, but he grew serious when he spotted Conner. “Good morning, Officer. Everything okay?” he asked, looking between them.
“Good morning, Tank. Yes. The Sergeant is just helping me with some of the fundraisers for the community center.”
Tank struck out his hand. “Oh, pleasure to meet you, Sergeant. We really appreciate all your help; these kids deserve it.”
He shook the man’s hand and suddenly recognized him.
“Tank? As in Ram the Tank Thomas who played for the Bulldogs in college? You were amazing.”
Tank smiled. “Yup, that’s me. I volunteer a few days a week here and run a consulting firm in southeast D.C. Hannah’s been showing me all the ropes here.”
The man didn’t hide his interest and admiration for her.
Conner forced an easygoing smile. “I’ll let you two get to work. I just wanted to see my girl before another long day of hunting drug traffickers and saving humanity.”
Tank nodded as his face grew more serious. “Well, be safe. I’m going to get these kids in line for morning snacks. Nice to meet you, Sergeant.”
Both men nodded to each other with a clear understanding. They were both interested in Hannah. Once he was out of earshot, Conner pulled her close and guided her toward the exit.
“I want to hate that guy for the way he looks at you, but he’s too nice.”
She huffed and punched him softly in the ribs. “I have to go. Thank you for the donuts.”
