Mission Happy (A Texas Desires Novel Book 3) (31 page)

“It’s me, Connor. Ty got me a new number. My phone’s going nuts.”

He pushed send and stood to stretch out the tight muscles of his back. Less than a minute later, the phone rang. He looked down to see Julie’s name. “You’re already home?” he asked instead of the standard hello.

“At home, unpacked with the smell of dinner in the air. I miss you.” Her voice had that same calming effect on him as always, easing all the worry that had accumulated since she’d left. His smile grew broad.

“I miss you, too,” he confessed. “I didn’t expect you to be home yet.”

“They don’t play. I was brought straight home after we landed. I’ve been here a little while. It’s way faster when I don’t have to deal with airports,” she said a little breathily. “Hang on. I’m heading upstairs to my room. Tina and Bruno are downstairs. I want some privacy.”

He waited and listened to the sounds of a door opening and closing before Julie asked, “Did you go eat that delicious dinner Mrs. Bryant and Mrs. Stanton prepared? Man, I’m sorry I missed that home cooking.”

“Nah, I stayed home and cleaned up, then I came over to Cole’s place. I figured if they’d gotten my number, they might get the house address, and I didn’t want to deal with that, so I headed here,” he said, turning a full circle before he spotted a patio chair and headed that way.

“Smart thinking. Did you think about coming to my house soon?” she asked, her voice hopeful.

“I did.” A moment of insecurity about his decision spiked as he took his seat, but he pushed that down. More than anything, he just couldn’t figure out how to stay away from her.

“Connor, please come. Please. I have a large house. Plenty of room. If you need your own space, you’ll have it. I won’t be able to move around so freely for a while. I can’t come to you like before, and we won’t be able to date like normal people until this dies down.”

“Whoa, I planned on heading out tomorrow. I need to get the window fixed, but I should be able to get on the road right after that,” he explained. He’d even considered just heading out tonight, driving straight through, but that was risky with his lack of sleep. Plus, the cardboard covering his passenger window would be a beacon to any thieves he met along the way. He didn’t need any more of that kind of attention. That was what had started his current predicament in the first place.

“You’re coming?”

“Yeah. I miss you,” Connor admitted, resting his elbows on his knees as he bent to study the slate deck with his phone stuck to his ear. “Julie, I’m just laying it all out to you. I’m honestly not sure how well I’ll do there, but you’re all I can think about. I like being with you.”

“You won’t be sorry. I promise!” She couldn’t contain her excitement. Connor smiled and lifted his head as he heard the living room door open then close. Reed stood directly across the pool from him.

“We’re about to take off,” Reed called out.

“Julie, I’ll call you tonight,” he said, lifting out of the chair.

“Don’t change your mind!” she said loudly, making his smile turn to a chuckle. God, he had it bad for her. Even her laugh did magical things for his heart.

“I won’t. Bye,” Connor said and started to lower the phone until he heard her yell and quickly lifted it to his ear again. “What?”

“I love you! You’ve made me happy.”

“Me too. Bye.” This time he did follow through and end the call as he rounded the pool, meeting Reed halfway. He stuck out a hand, Reed took it and held on, drawing Connor’s attention to that unforgivingly penetrating gaze.

“What’s your plan?” Reed asked.

“I’m leaving in the morning. I don’t know how I’ll do there, but I love her. I need to try,” Connor explained. When Reed let go, Connor tucked his phone in his back pocket then tucked his fingers in the front pockets of his jeans.

“Are you driving?” Reed asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Yeah.”

“So I’ll give you a few days to get settled, then I’ll have a guy named Clancy give you a call. He’s in my new-business development team. He’ll be like a coach who can help you get your thoughts together on the business, then he’ll help us know what kind of capital we need to bring to the table. There’s no real pressure. He’ll put everything together for us to decide how to continue,” Reed explained.

“All right. I appreciate that,” Connor said, looking over Reed’s shoulder as the back door opened again with Jerry standing in the doorframe, lifting a hand in his direction.

“You take care. Take things one day at a time,” Jerry called out. Connor went around Reed, heading for Jerry who took a step back inside the living room. He had a moment of adjusting his eyes from bright sun before he saw Jerry’s outstretched hand. Connor took it as Jerry drew him in for a fatherly hug.

“I’ll be back in Hollywood in a week or so. I’ll check in,” Ty said, from the open front door.

“I appreciate that,” Connor said, walking closer as all three men went out the front door. “Tell Candace I’ll be in touch.”

“Will do,” Jerry said, already out the door, almost to Reed’s car. He and Cole were left standing on the front porch, waving until the guys pulled away.

They stayed on the porch so long the dust had completely settled before Connor spoke. “You going to have dinner at your restaurant.”

“I was thinking about it,” Cole said, his gaze trained on the road. Connor slapped him on the shoulder and turned to go back inside.

“You need to make a move.”

“I’m playing my cards,” Cole said absently, following behind then shutting the front door.

“Do you mind if I hang out here? I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep.” He looked around the living room and decided on Jerry’s spot—the overly comfortable looking recliner right in front of the ball game playing on TV. Connor stretched out in the seat and reached for the remote. Yep, this would do nicely.

“That’s usually my seat. Want me to stay here tonight?” Cole asked, now standing directly in front of him.

“Nah, I’m crashing early. I haven’t slept much lately. I’m pretty tired.” He had to crane his neck to check the score and an unexpected yawn tore free. He imagined it wouldn’t take much to fall asleep in this chair. He extended the footrest, forcing Cole to move back a step. “I need to get me one of these.”

“It’s the first chair people gravitate too. Your room’s ready. I’m going to dress,” Cole said and finally moved enough for Connor to stretch all the way out.

When he woke, his bag was on the sofa, it was pitch black outside, and he could smell food in the kitchen, probably something Cole brought back for him. He’d slept so hard, he hadn’t heard Cole leave. His stomach let out a solid growl already approving of whatever Cole had left out for him.

Julia took the stairwell down with a little bounce in her step. She hit the first floor with excited energy, causing her to hop and clap her hands as Bruno and Tina sat at the dining room table, eating lunch. They both looked over at her as she bounded forward. “He’s almost here.”

“You know you’re acting ridiculous,” Tina teased. Bruno gave his grunt of approval at Tina’s words before lowering his head, refocusing on his lunch.

“I don’t care what you think. He’s almost here. Do I look all right?” Julia had painstakingly chosen her clothes for today. She’d tried for casual, deciding on a pair of almost seafoam-green jeans and coordinating midriff top, hoping with everything in her that she wouldn’t be wearing either of them very long. Connor had to be exhausted. He’d driven straight through, talking to her on the phone for much of last night. She’d only hung up the phone to take a quick shower and dress before he arrived.

Neither of her housemates had time to respond to her question as the intercom sounded, drawing their attention to a small monitor attached to her telephone line. Julia immediately picked up the phone and lifted it to her ear. “We have a Connor McDaniel wanting entrance.”

“I called last night and added him to the list.”

“We require two authorizations, ma’am.”

Her gaze turned to Bruno as she asked her question. “When did we require two authorizations?”

“Since I first got the job here,” Bruno answered before the guy on the other end of the phone. He rose, rounded the table, and took the phone out of her hand.

“Have you checked his ID?” Bruno asked and turned to the monitor. Julia followed his gaze. Connor sat inside his truck, parked at the gate. His window down, elbow hanging out the side, and his neck craning to look out the front window, taking in the house. She didn’t live too extravagantly, but if body language could be read, Connor looked a little overwhelmed. “Let him in.”

“He should have been let in.” Julia pointed a finger at Bruno. “We need to add him as a regular immediately. He needs to come and go freely.”

Bruno ignored her completely, turning to head back to his lunch.

Julia didn’t wait to scold him any further. The last few days had been the longest of her life. She bolted through the house, going out the front door as Connor parked his truck in the circle driveway. She bounded off the steps with a huge grin, jumping straight into his arms when he stepped out of the truck. He barely had time to get the sunglasses pushed back on his head and his arms wrapped around her, hoisting her firmly against his body before she bent her head forward, her tongue thrusting inside his mouth. Julia wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and delved deeper, sliding across his tongue like she’d been doing this same thing for years.

“You know he’s never been here. He doesn’t know the way around,” Tina said, barely penetrating the desire sweeping through Julia. Dammit, why didn’t she think to get Tina and Bruno out of the house before now? With her breath heavy and her heart pounding, she tore free of the kiss, her gaze locking on Connor’s. The same desire reflected back at her.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she said quietly, leaning forward to kiss his slightly parted, pouty lips.

“Me too,” he whispered hoarsely. Never losing eye contact.

Bruno grunted, causing Julia to finally turn her head and acknowledge their presence. Somehow, lost in the moment, she hadn’t realized Connor had moved them fully inside the house. Good. Connor was just spectacular like that. He’d gotten them inside the privacy of the house. Bruno stood just off the entry, holding his plate of food, and then turned away, heading toward the kitchen. Tina had leaned her shoulder against a partial wall and stood there smiling at them. When Connor bent to put her down, she locked her ankles at his waist, hanging on tighter. His grin grew broader.

“Tina meet Connor. The stairs are to the right. My bedroom’s to the left.”

Connor, considerately, turned his head toward her sister and nodded her way as he started for the stairs. Halfway to them, he busted an unexpected move and swung her around to a better angle. He hooked one arm behind her back and the other under her knees. She heard Tina laugh at her yelp as she loosened her hold around his neck to adjust her body to his new hold.

“I missed you,” she said, moving her head to breathe in the scent of his delicious cologne before pressing her lips to the skin right underneath his ear.

“You have no idea,” he mumbled back with a moan when she sucked his earlobe into her mouth.

~~~

“Please go with me,” Julie pleaded the second Connor stepped out of the shower. Well, stepped out didn’t quite describe it. Her bathroom was Ty-level great. The shower was open to the room with Julie sitting on the sink counter, watching him bathe. It was late afternoon, maybe early evening, and a yawn slipped free as he reached for a towel, drying himself off. They’d made love, slept, then made love again until her phone interrupted their nice, relaxing afternoon. Apparently, Julie had a late call this evening. He learned that meant she had work. They hadn’t even left the bed before she’d immediately started in on him, wanting him to tag along with her tonight.

“I could use some coffee. Something to eat,” Connor said, scrubbing the towel over his face. In theory, during the intensity of missing her, he’d worked through the head issue of being there with Julie, but he wasn’t entirely sure he was ready to face her world head on. That Ty-level crazy media crap just didn’t sit well in his gut. He was more than willing to let Julie navigate that without him until he got on firmer ground.

He ignored the voice taunting him with a laugh, making it clear that he’d never be ready for all that mess.

“I’ll call down and get you coffee. I’m sure there’s food downstairs, but they’ll have a complete buffet at the studio. They’ll have everything you like. Roast beef, ribs, all those guy foods. It’s a primarily male-driven set. You can eat there and see what I do. I won’t be there long, and I’ve missed you, Connor,” Julie said, gripping the edge of the counter when he walked forward. She puckered her lips and looked cute as hell. He couldn’t resist leaning over to kiss her.

“Babe,” Connor started, trying to find a way to let her down easy. He tossed the damp towel on the counter beside her, before reaching for a new toothbrush Julie had laid out for him. He began brushing while watching her jump off the side and come toward him. She placed both her soft, slim hands on his back, before circling to his waist. He could feel her cheek resting against his skin. Man, he liked the intimacy of that move. He finished, then his arm went to her hands, keeping her there while he carefully reached for the towel to wipe his face.

“Please go with me. We go through security. No one’s allowed on set, and if someone snaps our picture along the way, the world will know we’re solid,” she said very reasonably and kissed his shoulder. Her face lifted, cocked slightly to the side, staring him in the eyes through the mirror. “Please.”

“I didn’t even think about the pictures of you and me,” Connor said, staring back at her until he crinkled his brow. Damn, she was hard to say no to. He narrowed his eyes, taking her all in. His woman was beautiful, all clean-faced and hanging all over him. He let out a deep sigh. Shit, no question, he was going. Damn. He broke from the hold and headed back to the bedroom for the clothes he’d worn earlier. “I need to get my clothes from the truck. I don’t have a lot to wear.”

“Blue jeans and a T-shirt’s fine. I’ll go get it,” she said, patting his ass as she walked past.

“It’s heavy,” he said, holding his jeans with both hands, stopping as he lifted one foot to shove inside.

“I’ll manage and I’ll get your coffee,” Julie said at the door. She twisted around, beaming back at him. “Thank you. I want my friends to meet you. They’ve heard all about you.”

When he was completely alone, he stood there nude and tossed his jeans on the rumpled bedspread as he took a closer look around the room. Actually, her bedroom was more a suite of rooms about the size of his apartment. Everything she needed was right here in this space. Technically, she never had to leave for anything. There was a small kitchen area that looked virtually unused, a sitting room with a huge television, and then her bedroom. He’d seen hints of decorations when they’d spoken through Skype, but nothing had prepared him for the contemporary decor. He’d expected shades of pink with loads of flowers, yet that wasn’t the place at all.

He took a seat on the bed and considered a bigger problem while taking an inventory of the clothes he’d brought. He suspected his wardrobe was sorely lacking. He’d have to work on that soon. The chirp of his phone had him reaching for his jeans, pulling his cell out of the back pocket. A text from Cole. Swiping the screen, he opened the message to find a picture of his parents. Of course, Cole would capture that exact moment he told them about Julie, the incident, and his military problems. Cole had captioned the photo, telling him to call home. His parents were tan, in summer clothes, and truly looked shocked. That made him laugh, until he spotted that damn chair back in his parents’ living room. He scowled, realizing Willis must have put the thing back instead of tossing the torture device in the burn pile like he’d asked.

“Here you go. A coffee tray’s on the way up. If you need anything, pick up that phone, and just say what you need. You’ll get it right away,” she said, dumping his duffle on the bed, then pointed to the phone on the desk nearby.

“Am I staying in here with you, then?” he asked, reaching for his bag. Julie rounded the bed toward him, her sweet smile crossing her face as she came to stand in front of him.

“I’d like that, Connor,” she said, anchoring one knee on the bed before reaching for his shoulders to help position her on his lap. He abandoned the bag, hoping something may have changed and they were staying in after all.

“This’s a lot to get used to,” he said, placing both hands on her hips, drawing her closer as his dick started to stir. It seemed he’d never get enough of this woman.

“It’s not though. I’ll show you around tonight or in the morning, but there’s an office just for you through that door.” She pointed to a door behind him. He didn’t turn away, his gaze staying trained on her as she hooked a thumb the opposite direction. “I have a private balcony that has stairs leading down to the swimming pool. The swim house is right behind it. Tina’s been out there, but you could move in there and she can come into the house if you really don’t want to be in here with me.”

“Tina lives here full time?” he asked.

“Her house is being remodeled, but I suspect she’s here because of my stalker. My whole family worries about me.”

“They should be concerned.”

Connor decided they must not be going to her work after all and twisted Julie until she was flat on her back underneath him. Irritatingly, right as he reached for her jeans, someone chose then to knock on the door. Now on all fours, he looked up as Julie scrambled out from under him and rolled off the bed.

“You get dressed. I’ll get the door.”

Damn
! Connor pushed back off the bed and reached for his duffle bag before stalking toward the bathroom with an unsatisfied erection.

“Give me a second,” he grumbled, looking down at his hard dick that showed no sign of giving him a break. Just great.

“Take your time. My closet’s in there. I cleared things out of the way for you,” she called out. He closed the door behind him while grabbing his rigid cock in his hand and tightened his hold. The bathroom had zero privacy. Any second, he could be caught jacking himself off. Mind over matter. He’d gotten control of his desire before with Julie, he could do it again. Connor stopped in the middle of the bathroom, willing his lust to ease. Yeah, it didn’t work. He’d just have to go with it. He tossed the duffle on the sink and started digging through his clothes for anything suitable to wear.

Thirty minutes later, Julie had confiscated the car keys, saying her insurance company had lifted her driving restrictions, and she had chosen her sporty little convertible to drive. She aggressively weaved in and out of the over-the-top downtown Los Angeles traffic, hell-bent on getting wherever they were going in record time. Connor had his seat belt on, his coffee mug held out between his parted thighs to keep the sloshing off his clothes. He braced his other hand against the dash while he scanned between the side mirror, watching Bruno’s car directly behind her, and then back to the road in front of them. Anxiety rolled through him, gravitating to the pit in his stomach. His sweet angel had turned into a demon on the road. He could see Bruno looked angry as hell, valiantly trying to keep up with Julie. Connor gave an internal prayer, swearing if he ever made it out of this car alive, he’d never ride with her again.

“Screw you, ass hat!” Julie called out, forcing her vehicle into a space not near big enough to allow for a car. Since their convertible was open, as with most of the cars on this road, he was certain the guy she just took over had to have heard his angel. When he looked back, he saw the double bird flying over the top of the guy’s windshield. He couldn’t find it in his heart to be mad at such an insult. He shared in that completely fucked feeling.

“Calm down, babe,” Connor said, trying for a soothing tone, but afraid he sounded a little frantic.

“Connor, these people drive like maniacs. It’s the reason traffic’s always so bad around here. There’s no reason to be going twenty miles an hour at this time of day. I mean really.” She aggressively explained her point while turning her head back and forth between the road and him, until someone pulled out in front of her, causing Julie to slam on her breaks while throwing her hands in the air. “See? Fucker!”