Chapter 19 #2
Which, of course, she didn’t tell Connor because the man’s ego was big enough, as it was.
Although…maybe it was just the right size.
Because she might have underestimated confident men who stood up for their opinions, but also allowed their partner to have their own.
Men who didn’t leave every decision up to her might sometimes offer her brain a break.
Men who she didn’t always have to listen to, but who were interested in her every thought, weren’t such a bad find.
In Connor’s presence, she felt like the most fascinating, impressive, smartest, and wittiest creature on the planet. And strangely enough, with him, she also felt she had the right to be all of that.
She’d wasted so many dates trying not to intimidate guys, asking them stupid questions to make them feel smart, trying to be the woman they might like.
In the process, she’d become a woman she no longer liked.
She had been a women who might have appeared perfect on the outside…
but if she was honest, society’s definition of perfect was just terribly wrong!
Being perfect had nothing to do with level-headedness and responsibility. It didn’t mean you had to be uncomplicated and always kind, be smart, but never stealing the spotlight from men.
A perfect woman was simply herself.
Rachel couldn’t be called levelheaded or uncomplicated, and she didn’t feel called upon to be kind all the time — and around Connor, she didn’t have to pretend to be any of those things!
It was strange how quickly a sex-leasing relationship could feel like everyday life.
She and Connor had accidentally developed a natural rhythm together.
Rachel rose first and brought Connor coffee in bed because, otherwise, the guy was completely useless.
Connor went to the bakery first, but waited for her there to give her one last secret kiss behind the shop before taking breakfast to their offices.
And every time Connor went to the beach with Winnie and the metal detector to search for wedding rings, some treasure would end up on her bedside table.
Sometimes it was a rusty paper clip. A penny. A button. A broken hammer.
All silly beach finds, but Rachel liked the idea that Connor was thinking about her, maybe even a little too much.
She wouldn’t say they were going on dates, but Connor owed her a round of mini-golf, and the Galette was a fantastic restaurant, and they both had to eat!
There was only one meal Connor didn’t like.
“Why do you have to see Alec again? I mean, why don’t you have breakfast with me?”
“So all of Sunshine Pier discovers we’re sleeping together?”
Because that was exactly what they both wanted to avoid.
Maddie and Lucy wouldn’t approve of her close association with their archenemy.
And Connor said he’d be in for some dreadful conversations if Cian found out.
Besides, the whole thing was indefinite, anyway!
Sooner or later, they’d have to stop. So they didn’t tell anyone. And no one knew.
“You know, if you want to secretly sleep together, Connor should really stop biting your collarbone,” Alec stated casually.
Okay, almost no one knew.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she replied calmly, burying her feet in the sand.
She sat on the curb of the boardwalk, enjoying the sun on her face.
She had thought she’d miss Chicago, but she’d forgotten how beautiful the California beach was — and all that awaited her in Chicago was court.
She stood, dusted off her sandy feet, and slipped into her sandals. “Hey, are you coming to Cian’s garden party this afternoon?”
“Yep. I’m bringing cake.”
She sighed theatrically. “You know, everyone always says we women love to hear the phrase I love you or you’re right, but that’s not true. What we really want to hear is, I’m bringing cake."
Alec chuckled softly. “Yeah, I honestly don’t understand why more men don’t bake. I have to leave for a bit after breakfast before I show up at Cian’s barbecue.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have an appointment.”
“For what?”
“Oh, stuff.”
She snorted. “Tell me, what exactly do you do here all day long? Connor says you’re busy – and apparently you are – but he has no idea with what.”
“Oh, I do this and that,” Alec replied vaguely, looking away.
“Hm,” she snorted.
On the way to the Sunny Umbrella, they passed O’Leary & Stone, and Rachel couldn’t help but glance inside. It was Sunday, but she knew Connor had a few things he wanted to do and…
She stopped abruptly. “What the hell?”
“What?” Alec asked, but she didn’t answer.
She was already walking toward the office where three people were clearly visible through the glass panes: Izzie, sitting on the desk in the entryway with a bag of popcorn in her lap, Connor, leaning with one arm against the wall at head height, and the strange man he was apparently pinning against it.
With a clang, she pushed the door open and gasped.
Connor didn’t even look up. He was too busy standing there with his fist drawn back, forcibly pinning the red-faced middle-aged man to the wall as he tried to break free. But Izzie looked up.
“Yeah?” she asked as if Rachel had just interrupted a quiet lunch and not some fight.
“Well?” Rachel snapped, gesturing to Connor and the stranger.
“In Connor’s defense, Mr. Teager attacked him first,” she said, popping a handful of popcorn into her mouth.
“Where did you get the popcorn?” Alec asked irritably from behind.
“I wanted to bring it to Cian’s party, but thought this would be a good time…”
“Let go of me!” Mr. Teager spat. “I have the right to punch you. You know it!”
“You have the right to shut the hell up,” Connor replied coolly.
“You talked her into it! She wanted to think about it, and this morning, she texted me to say that she’s decided I’m not worth any more heartbreak!”
“I didn’t do anything! Besides, your wife is right. You’re not worth it.”
The guy’s face turned bright red — and Rachel was afraid that it was not only from anger, but also because he was slowly running out of air.
“Why the hell are you just standing there?” Rachel snapped at Izzie and Alec.
“Connor seems to have everything under control,” Alec said, shrugging and helping himself to some popcorn.
“It looks like he’s about to make him faint and punch him too! Connor!” she cried out, taking a step forward. But Izzie grabbed her arm.
“Don’t get involved,” she said somberly. “He doesn’t like that, besides, he won’t listen to you anyway…”
But Rachel was already pulling away, ignoring her. “Connor, stop right now,” she said quietly, stepping quickly toward him and placing her hand on his raised fist. “Let him go.”
She felt his fingers tense under her touch, but he turned his head almost imperceptibly, his eyes widening as if he’d just realized he wasn’t alone with the guy.
“What the hell are you doing here, Rachel?”
“Stopping you from making a mistake.”
“He attacked me.”
“And you defended yourself. But right now you’re choking him.”
“So what?” He gritted his teeth. “He deserves it. He emotionally blackmailed his wife, exploited her for years, forced me to tell his children that…that…”
“I know,” she said softly, placing her other hand on the back of his neck so he wouldn’t take his eyes off her. “I know that. But he’s not worth it. You’re going to take this to court. It obviously looks like Mrs. Teager has finally made a decision. So, take all his money, but leave him his teeth.”
“Rachel, he…”
“You’re projecting, Connor. You don’t really know this man. You’re not just angry at him.”
“What did I tell you about psychoanalyzing me?” he growled.
“That I should only do it if you’re about to make a colossal mistake?” she said lightly. “Let. Him. Go. Now.”
“Fine.” Connor took a jerky step back and dropped both his hands.
The strange man sank a few inches down the wall before rubbing his throat and coughing. Connor hadn’t left a mark — but he had made an impression. Mr. Teager was looking at him with a mixture of horror, fear, and dislike that wouldn’t be welcome at any child’s birthday party.
“Well, I don’t believe it,” Izzie murmured, perplexed. “Did she just manage to extinguish Mr. Hothead’s short fuse?”
Rachel ignored her. Worriedly, she looked at Connor, whose body had lost all tension.
“Shit,” he whispered, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples with his fists. “I lost my temper. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” she mumbled, wanting to take his hand…but Izzie was there, so she hesitantly squeezed his shoulder, instead.
“He’s projecting?” Alec exclaimed, confused.
“Oh, she talks fancy, doesn’t she?” Izzie said gruffly, but she still managed to sound cheerful.
She helped herself to some more popcorn before placing the bag on the nearest desk.
“Come on, Mr. Teager.” She grabbed the petrified-looking man roughly by the arm.
“I’ll escort you outside before you get any more stupid ideas. ”
They disappeared out the door together. That left just Alec in the office and Rachel could intertwine her fingers with Connor’s.
“Connor, are you okay?” she whispered.
“No,” he replied, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t have… I seem to have blown a fuse.”
“You?” Alec asked incredulously.
“Yes.” Connor looked at him, annoyed. “Let’s just say I wasn’t in a particularly good mood to begin with because you went out with Rachel again! It wouldn’t have taken much to set me off.”
“We went out to breakfast, and so far, we’ve literally only talked about cake, Connor,” she murmured.
“I warned you about that! Cake talk gets most women into his bed,” he replied angrily, but his hand tightened around hers.
Irritated, she turned to Alec. “Seriously? I thought you were joking.”
He shrugged innocently. “I can talk sexy about cakes and pies.”
“Oh my God.” She rolled her eyes. “Nothing happened, Connor. Nothing that justifies attacking a client’s husband.”
Connor sighed. “I know,” he finally whispered.
“Did you know the guy?” Alec asked, confused.
“Not…really.”
“Not really? So, what exactly did he do?”
“He...” Connor closed his eyes and shook his head. “Not important.”
“Yes, it is important,” Rachel whispered, looking him straight in the eye. “I know you’ll probably never be able to completely let go of the anger, but it helps to share it!”
“Like you're sharing your anger with your sisters?” he asked quietly.
She swallowed. “You can do better than me. Talk to Alec. I’ll…do it today, okay?” Because it was time. She felt stronger than she had a month ago, and she needed to finally rid herself of her demons.
“What do you want him to talk to me about?” Alec asked, confused.
Connor ignored him, raising his eyebrows in surprise. “You're going to talk to Maddie and Lucy?”
“They’re both coming to the garden party. So…yeah.” She squared her shoulders. “You talk to Alec, and I’ll talk to my siblings. Deal?”
She took a step back and held out her hand.
“What the hell is going on?” Alec asked.
Connor just stared at her hand.
She smiled. “Do I have to phrase it as a bet so you’ll understand?” she whispered and then looked at him challengingly. “Connor Stone: I bet you’re too scared to have a grown-up conversation with your brother. I’ll tell you the stakes…tonight.”
Connor lifted the corner of his mouth. “Smartass,” he muttered, but he took her hand.
“I have no idea what’s going on,” Alec said.
“I’m going to breakfast without you, Alec,” she informed him, letting go of Connor’s hand. That immediately made the room seem much colder. “You two have something to talk about. See you at Cian’s.”
And then she left. It was up to Connor to do the rest.