Always With You (The Connor Family 6)

Except, I was starting to feel more turned on than relaxed. His gaze moved lazily down my body. I felt myself blush, because I was only wearing a paper bikini and a warmed-up towel.

Reid looked as if he was seconds away from doing away with the towel.

“What’s the next step?” I asked eagerly.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

I smiled, feeling warm tingles everywhere. I wasn’t used to following anyone’s lead, but leaving this delicious man in charge wasn’t bad. Not bad at all.

The knock at the door came far too soon. We climbed down from the tables, fastening our robes.

“Do you have a relaxation area in your hotel?” I asked when we returned to the room.

“Of course.”

I rubbed my palms together. “Can’t wait to explore it. I feel as if I’ve just discovered a whole new world.”

“Never been to a spa?”

“I have, but mostly for manis and pedis, or for waxing. Had a foot massage once that scarred me for life. Was so rough that I felt like walking on my palms when she was done.”

“I’ll tell everyone in LA to take good care of you. You’re welcome to try anything you want.”

“Oooh, don’t say that. I might never leave the building.”

“You can stay as long as you want, Hailey. I love having you at the hotel with me.”

His statement made my heart beat faster, but not as much as the tenderness in his eyes. All day, I’d felt as if we were dancing on an invisible line, and now with his open invitation, he took us over that line.

“So, what’s next in this master plan of yours?”

“We have dinner coming in.”

“Oooohhh... you’re definitely good at this.”

We ended up having dinner in bed with the TV on. It had been so long since I’d watched TV, and not a streaming service, that I’d forgotten how it felt to just flick through the channels.

I didn’t remember ever being so at ease with a man, especially after being joined at the hip the entire day. He didn’t seem to have had enough of me. Quite the contrary.

We laughed about some silly reality shows we came across, and then I wrinkled my nose when a romantic comedy from the nineties came up.

“You’re not a fan of romantic comedies?” he asked.

“They’re okay. Just not very realistic. I have a hard time believing every couple will really be together for good.”

“You don’t think two people can be in it for the long haul?” His voice was a little more serious than before, as if he was being careful with his words.

I watched him pop the last fry into his mouth, considering my answer. “No, that’s not it. I’m happy for all my siblings, and I know they’ve found their matches. I just don’t think it’s something that happens for everyone.”

“For you? Do you want a family?”

I shrugged. “Haven’t thought about it. I’m not a cynic or anything. I mean, when I was a kid, I played mom all the time with my dolls. Then I stopped.”

“After you lost your parents?”

My throat seemed not to function properly. I nodded. Reid shifted closer until our shoulders touched, then kissed the side of my head, speaking against my hair.

“Babe, you lost your parents when you were a kid. It’s understandable that you probably fear that no one will be around forever. Maybe it even feels safer if you just tell yourself no relationship can last anyway.”