Heartbreakers: Treat Her Right / Mr November

He had thick ankles. And wrists. And long fingers and...one thought led to another and she couldn’t keep herself from peeking at his lap. His jeans were old and faded and appeared very soft. They cupped him lovingly, outlining a bulge that proved most noticeable, even without him being aroused.

Her heart dropped into her stomach and began jumping erratically. Her palms tingled, craving to touch him, to weigh him in her hands—

“Stop that!”

She blinked hard and looked up at him. Conan went silent, confused. A red flush crept up Zack’s neck. He cleared his throat and stood.

“The coffee and muffins were great. Thanks.”

As dismissals went, it wasn’t the least bit subtle, but Conan didn’t seem to find anything amiss. He shook Zack’s hand, saying, “I’ll bring the books to you soon, if you’re sure she won’t mind signing them.”

“Delilah’s great. She won’t mind.” Zack didn’t look at Wynn at all, and she had the feeling his avoidance was deliberate. But then, he’d caught her staring at his crotch, all but salivating.

She blushed. She’d known the man one hour, and already she’d behaved like a shameless hussy. Or worse, like a desperate spinster.

Oh God! Maybe that was how he saw her. After all, she was twenty-eight and single. The only male helping her move in was her brother; no fiancé, not even a boyfriend. He couldn’t know that it was by choice, because she hadn’t yet met a guy who...made her blood sing, not like he did.

Damn, damn, damn.

Not being of a shy or withdrawn nature, she stuck out her hand, daring him to continue ignoring her. She wouldn’t allow it.

His jaw locked. With a false smile pinned to his tired face, he took her hand. His touch, his look, was beyond impersonal, and she hated it. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Wynn.”

“Thanks.” He tried to take his hand back, but she held on. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again.”

After she said it, she winced. It sounded like a threat! Then she realized he was trying to tug his hand free and here she was, doing the macho “grip” thing. Good God, she was making things worse by the second.

She turned him loose and put her hands in her pockets so she wouldn’t be tempted to get hold of him again. Conan gathered up the carafe and the muffin plate.

Feeling like an idiot, she said, “Well, thanks again. And really, I am sorry we woke you.”

Dani bounded back outside, then skidded to a disappointed halt. “You can’t leave.”

Zack put his hand on the top of her silky head. “I’m sure Wynn wants to finish unpacking, sweetheart. And you and I are going shopping.”

Dani groaned, wilted, all in all acting like a child being sent to the woodshed.

Barely hiding a smile, Zack said, “None of that. We’ll have lunch out and it’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

Conan gave a crooked grin. “I gather she doesn’t like shopping?”

“Not for clothes, no. But she’s about worn out everything warm she has.”

“Sounds like Wynn. She hates shopping, too.”

Dani’s eyes widened. “You do?”

Wynn shrugged. “I know it’s supposed to be a girl thing, but I’ve never understood it. Thank goodness I don’t need a lot of clothes.”

Conan leaned forward. “She used to outgrow her wardrobe daily, but we’re hoping she’s done growing by now.”

Wynn elbowed him, caught Zack’s look of disapproval, and wanted to throttle her brother. Zack didn’t approve of their physical sparring, and she’d meant to cease it in front of him. But Conan had a way of egging her on. “I quit growing ten years ago. And with my job, casual clothes are perfect.”

“What do you do?” Zack asked, then looked like he wanted to bite his tongue off.

“I’m a physical therapist. I work two days a week at the high school, two days a week at the college.” She nodded toward her brother. “Conan owns a gym and I sometimes help out there, too, when the bodybuilders overdo it.”

Zack looked dubious, but nodded. He said to Conan, again ignoring her, “A gym, huh?”

“Small, but it’s all mine and I’m a good trainer. I do a lot of private stuff.” He winked. “The clientele is as much female as male.”

Bristling at Zack’s disregard and her brother’s caveman attitude, Wynn said, “Rachael will get you if she hears that particular leer in your tone.”

Conan shrugged, unconcerned with the warning. “Rachael is my current girlfriend, not my wife. And speaking of Rachael, I should get going.” He gave one last wave and headed off.

Wynn gazed after him, watching him go down the steps and then around the porch toward her new house. She sighed. “Me, too. I’ve got a lot of unpacking to do yet.” She turned to Zack, who appeared anxious to finish the goodbyes. “Being as we’re neighbors,” she thought to say, “feel free to borrow if you ever need to. You know, the proverbial cup of sugar or whatever.”

“Thanks.” Zack’s tone was dry. “I’ll keep that in mind. And thanks for the coffee and muffins. They were...great.”

With nothing left to say, Wynn stepped off the porch with a lagging step. “Okay, well...bye.”

“Goodbye, Wynn.”

She glanced over her shoulder to see Zack escaping into his house. He closed the door behind him, and she heard the lock click. Well, hell. His goodbye had sounded entirely too final.

That just wouldn’t do. She wanted him. One way or another.

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