Happily Ever After Collection - Melanie Moreland Page 0,89

to find my inner monologue. I had to stop my mouth spilling out all my thoughts when I was around him.

But I strongly disagreed. He was hot and sexy, yet still very pretty.

Chapter 3

Jenny

“Whatever you’re thinking about that is making you look like that needs to stop right now.”

I looked up in surprise at the sight of Connor, leaning against the doorway, running a towel through his damp hair. His chest was bare, gleaming in the soft light cast by the bedside lamp. He strode forward, his long, muscled legs visible since he only wore low-slung shorts. His abs, arms, and pecs were well defined and taut. There was a tattoo on his shoulder of the police insignia, the ink strikingly black against his skin. He tossed the towel into the hamper before he lifted the covers, lying beside me. He cupped my cheek and frowned. “What is going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

I started shaking my head, and his hand tightened. “Don’t say nothing. You look positively shattered right now.” He leaned forward, pressing his lips against mine. “Tell me.”

“What must you think of me right now, Connor?”

“I don’t understand.”

“I broke up with my boyfriend this afternoon, and I’m in your bed tonight. In between, I got drunk, confessed my hidden feelings for you, and then…” I couldn’t even finish, and I looked at him in horror. “I don’t act like this. I’ve never done anything like this before,” I whispered, my voice pleading. I wanted him to believe me. I wanted him to know the kind of person I was. From the second he had left to go shower, my thoughts had been raging. I had been struggling with everything that had happened, the enormity of the day crashing over me.

“I know that, Jenny. I know you.”

“How? How can you be so sure?”

“Because I see you. I’ve heard you on the phone with your friends and family when I was at your place. I’ve seen the pictures in your apartment. You’ve shared stories about yourself and your life with me. I could hear you talking in the hall with neighbors and friends. I know how caring you are with everyone. You help all the people in this building. I know about the meals you make for Mrs. Franklin and Mr. Smithers. I know you got them playing cards together so they aren’t alone all the time. You look after everyone around you. Your friends adore you. I even heard how great you were with that jerk.”

“You did?”

“I didn’t mean to listen, but the walls are quite thin, and when I’d hear your voice, I just sort of became more alert.” He shrugged. “It’s the cop in me, I think. I always had to make sure you were okay. He was leaving one day, and you were telling him to calm down, that you felt he worked too hard and you never saw him anymore.” He frowned. “I didn’t like his tone when he talked to you, but I stayed out of it. Although, if he had done anything, I would have been out of the door and on him in a flash. But he brushed you off fairly quickly and left.”

“I remember that day. You came over a little while after he left and told me your coffeemaker broke. You asked me if I could make you a thermos to take to work.”

He smiled sheepishly. “I had to check on you.”

“We’ve had a lot of coffee together.”

“It was a great way to spend time with you. I could see you, and you were comfortable with it. It gave me a chance to get to know you better.” He cocked his head to the side. “I don’t think you realize how generous you were with me. You always sent me off with a snack or lunch. Are you even aware of how often you knocked on my door with dinner or some of your treats?”

I shook my head.

“I figured that. It is so natural with you. I loved hearing those knocks. I always felt so cared for.”

“I liked how you reacted when I gave you something. You were so enthusiastic and grateful. And you made me feel less alone.” I shrugged. “John was around less and less.”

Connor smirked. “Working so hard.”

I smiled ruefully. “I guess he wasn’t working as hard as I thought he was—at least, not at his job.”

Connor sighed and moved closer. He pulled me to him and held me silently for a minute. When