11. Dani

11

Dani

I cast a fast glance at Conner in the driver's seat as we head to Tanner and Maeve's place. I smooth my hands over my dress, and hope the little black number I'm wearing is appropriate. I wasn't really sure what to wear, but this is the dress Conner said he wanted to see me in and take off me later. We'll be moving to his place tonight, and I can definitely understand why he prefers that. I guess after I get pregnant, we'll both be going back to our own places, our own beds, alone. Well, I'll be alone. He can date whoever he wants. I push down that unpleasant thought as his hand reaches out and takes mine.

"Are you okay?"

"I am." I sink back into the seat, trying to appear comfortable. "I was just thinking about tonight."

He wags his brows. "Me too."

"Thanks for coming to work with me today." I laugh when I think about Ranger, the big goofy lab, and how he nearly knocked Conner over when he ran at him. Conner is a big guy, and it takes a lot to knock him off balance. Although I'm pretty sure he was off balance when he took me in the shower. God, just thinking about that is turning me on again. "The dogs really love you."

"Yeah, well. I love them too." He sticks his tongue out and makes a face as he pulls what appears to be fur from his mouth. "I just don't like eating all their fur."

"They do shed. When a breeder says a dog only sheds twice a year, what they really mean is January to June, and July to December."

He laughs at that and I open my phone, pulling up the app to do a quick check on the dogs. I know they're in good hands, but Penny seemed to have a bit of a cough and I want to make sure she's sleeping soundly.

"That app is such a great idea," Conner says and taps his head. "Smart girl."

"The owners really love it."

"I do too."

I crinkle my nose. "Why would you love it?"

"Because when I'm missing you, I watch you on the app." He grins looking completely proud of himself.

My jaw drops. "Are you serious?"

He gives a non-committal shrug. "Maybe."

"Conner, that's creepy." I fold my arms, but I'm not mad.

"Totally creepy. I like it."

I fake anger, because I really think he's just messing with me. "You want me to get Buster to take a bite out of you?"

"No, but when we get home, I'd like to take a bite out of you."

My heart jumps and deep between my legs, my sex comes to life. This man is turning me into a hormonal nympho. I've never had so much sex in my life. You'd think I'd be sated, but no, I want more. "Ah, the benefits of friends with benefits," I tease.

He arches a brow, "It's also the benefit part of a fake relationship, right?"

I read into his question and understand he's asking me if we're going to tell our friends we're in a relationship, albeit fake to us. "It is," I tell him and he nods, a small smile touching his mouth as I let him know that yes, we're going with the relationship scenario. I study him in the dim dashboard light, taking in his firm jaw and the nice button-down shirt he's wearing. The man is a catch and I once again wonder why he doesn't have a ring on his finger.

"Stare much?" he teases.

"You're one to talk. You're creeping on me when I'm at work, when I don't even know about it." Who am I to talk? When I wake up before him, I take my time admiring the hard body next to me.

He taps the steering wheel, like he's in deep thought. "You know, I think you should get audio for your app."

"Why?"

"So, I can say all kinds of dirty things to you."

I fold my arms, and glare at him, and while I like the idea of him talking dirty to me, I shoot back, "You will not say dirty things and corrupt my dogs."

He laughs. "Okay, I'll say dirty things to you later, though." I angle my head, my eyes questioning, and he grins. "Like how much I want to devour your pussy and put my cock inside you."

I groan and shift in the seat, suddenly too warm between my legs. "Great, how am I supposed to make conversation when I'm aroused?"

"Just talk to them in French."

I laugh at that. "Right, because I don't stick out enough as it is."

"Hey, babe. You don't stick out." There's warmth and sympathy in his voice when he adds, "They all love you as much as I do."

He turns his head quickly, staring at the road as I focus on the word love. He means it in a friendship way, I get that, but is there something more there or is it just my hormones messing with my brain?

We finally reach Tanner's big house, and Conner parks on the street behind Noah and Brighton's SUV. I might stick out, but all these wonderful people make me feel like I'm part of the family. I do love them for that. We exit the car and I grab the dip I made and Conner tucks the champagne under his arm. I'm not pregnant yet, so at least I get to have a glass…and I get to have more sex.

He puts his arm around me and tugs me to him. We've touched and joked around in public before, but this is different. Now we're pretending to be a couple, and with the way he's holding me, it's easy to tell he's committed to the role. Yeah, we're a real walking rom com.

We reach the door, and Conner doesn't bother knocking. There's laughter and music inside and no one would hear it anyway. We let ourselves in and we're instantly greeted with hugs and handshakes. The place is lively, everyone in a good mood. Conner puts his arm back around me and I notice a few looks as he guides me into the kitchen. We run into Gina, who is good friends with Melanie. I've gotten to know her a bit and really like her. She's a single mom and she runs a café in town. It was so kind of her to have a big party for Melanie when Mel finished her exam last year.

"Gina," I say and give her a hug.

"I was just refilling the wine." She reaches for another glass and sets it on the counter. "Red or white?" she asks.

"You serve all day. Let me pour the wine and serve you."

"Nah, I don't mind at all."

I think about her situation and then my own. One of these days, I'll be a single mom too, so to speak, with a lot on my plate. But unlike her little girl Zoe, my child will have a father who helps out. Who's helping her out? Does she ever get a break?

An idea hits. "Fine, you pour, and next weekend, I'll take Zoe overnight." I glance at Conner. Maybe I should have checked with him first. But he's nodding in agreement. Maybe he too knows Gina needs a break and it could be good for us to see what it's like to have a child for the night.

"We can take her to the resort for a swim," he says. "I'm sure Camryn and Tate would love that."

"You guys are the sweetest." I point to the red wine and Gina pours me a huge glass. She exhales like she's been holding it all together by herself for far too long. "I'm sure Zoe would love that, and honestly, I could use a night to myself, but I don't want to put you guys out."

"Not putting us out at all," I assure her.

Just then Melanie and Josie come into the kitchen, debating on what book to read for next month's book club.

"Oh, yeah," Melanie says. "But I heard the hero is a real alphahole."

"Oh, alphahole," Gina mutters, almost longingly, as they approach the island.

"You like alphaholes?" I ask.

"In fiction, only. I wouldn't want a guy like that in real life. I like the man whore character, though. I like when he starts caring about the heroine. That's hot."

"Uh, on that note…" Conner says, and snatches a beer from the fridge. "I'll leave you guys to discuss alphaholes. Whatever that is." He's about to leave but stops. "Wait, what exactly is an alphahole?"

"Ash," both Melanie and Josie say in unison, and I don't miss Gina's fast breath as she takes a sip of wine. What the heck is that all about? Oh wait…

"Ash?" Conner asks.

"Yeah, Ash is an alphahole. Actually, he's a man whore, which falls under the umbrella of alphahole. Which I guess makes him an Ash-hole," Melanie explains as everyone laughs. "Think about what he's like when he's not on the ice."

Josie clicks her tongue. "One day he's going to find a woman who takes him to his knees."

Conner thinks about that for a moment. "Do you women classify all us men?"

"Mostly," Gina tells him with a laugh.

"What am I…wait, nope." He holds one hand up. "I don't want to know."

We all laugh, but it dies an abrupt death when Conner leans in and presses his lips to mine, like it's the most natural thing in the world, like he's not even pretending. He pulls back and when he first realizes what he's done, there's surprise in his eyes, but it morphs into mindfulness.

The ruse is on.

He leaves the room and I slowly turn to take in the three sets of eyes watching me. "I…um…"

"What the heck, Dani," Brighton shrieks, a big smile on her face. I relax a bit. Okay, she's not judging me, and she's not upset.

"We…uh…we're trying this thing."

"I bet you're trying a thing," Gina laughs. "Heck, if I were you, I'd be trying that thing too." She points in the direction of Conner and everyone cracks up.

I take a much-needed sip of wine. "You guys don't think…"

I don't finish the sentence. I don't need to. Brighton takes my hand. "Dani, first of all, it doesn't matter what we think, but if you do want to know…" She glances around, getting a consensus from our friends. "We're all damn excited for you." She actually starts squealing in joy a bit. "We have been waiting for you two to figure things out for a while, but we know there are past histories and complications…"

"What she's trying to say," Melanie, who has her master's in psychology, interrupts. "Is that we're all happy for you. That guy has had it bad for you for a long time." She snaps her fingers. "Get it, girl."

I laugh at that, and almost under my breath, I whisper, "Oh, I'm getting it." Although I don't think she's right about Conner having it bad for me.

This time they all squeal and Melanie continues, "Good, now give us all the details and don't leave anything out."

Gina picks up her wine for us to salute. "Here's to getting it and maybe I don't want to hear the details. While I'm happy for you, Dani, deets on your sex life will just depress me. I'm not looking for any sort of relationship, but casual sex once in a while would be nice." She moans in delight at that thought. "But I've given up on getting some and that's probably for the best with Zoe to consider."

"Getting some what?" Ash asks as he saunters into the kitchen. I take in his broad shoulders and the way his button-down shirt showcases his body. He's definitely tall, dark and problematic. That's when I notice I'm not the only one admiring this male specimen, not that I think he compares to Conner, but a girl can recognize beauty when she sees it. She can also recognize a guy she might be attracted to but should stay away from.

"Nothing," Gina answers quickly, that pink flush back on her cheeks. She looks both aroused and mortified that he might have heard her.

He snatches two beers from the fridge. "Tanner and Maeve have an announcement to make. They're waiting for everyone in the living room."

We all follow Ash, but his big body blocks the entire view of the hall. In the living room, I spot Conner talking to Elias. I'm about to make my way over, only to stop when Tanner stands and holds up his glass. Everyone goes quiet and lifts theirs.

"To the team, and the trophy," he salutes and points to the big cup in the room. "To the support of our wives, girlfriends, and friends," he adds and lifts his glass a little higher. We're all about to take a drink. "Wait." Our hands still as he glances at Maeve and pulls her to her feet. "We have one more thing to drink to." He winks at his wife, who is holding a glass of water. "At least, some of us get to drink." Gasps sound in the room, because we all know where he's going with this. "To my wife." He touches her stomach, and the love shining in their eyes brings tears to mine. "And to our little one, who I can't wait to meet. We're pregnant!"

We all shout our congratulations and when they drink from their cups, we all drink from ours. Tanner glances around the room and makes eye contact with everyone, and that's when I see the way Conner is watching me. "One by one, we're all getting married and having kids," Tanner adds, holding his glass up.

Maeve holds up her glass. "Must be something in the water." She searches the room, looking at the players. "I wonder which one of you guys will be next."

Ash, as well as a few of the other single guys, mumble protests under their breath, which makes us all laugh. I take in the young pretty girl who Ash has his arm around. He probably doesn't even remember her name. Yeah, it's best for Gina to stay away from him. Or is it… They would make an interesting couple.

My gaze strays to Conner again, and his eyes remain locked on me. I am in so much trouble here. Why did I ever think having a baby with my best friend, my brother-in-law, the guy I've been in love with for far too long now, was a good idea?

What we're doing here is pretending. He's helping a girl out. Nothing can come from that, and now we're trying to bring a baby into the mix. My mind races back to what Melanie said in the kitchen. Could she be right? Does Conner have it bad for me? What if I ask, and I have it all wrong? That could so easily come between us, and I promised that would never happen.

Gina nudges me. "Hey, are you okay?"

Under my breath, I mumble, "I think I need a glass of water."