Dream Girl by Kelly Jamieson Page B

about Connor. Zach had made her lose her mind, apparently. Her stomach clenched with apprehension and guilt.
    Connor looked at her and shook his head in confusion. She smiled hesitantly back at him, wondering how this was going to play out.
    "Uh ... Ashlyn, right?"
    "Yeah. Hi.” This was so uncomfortable. She wanted to crawl away and hide.
    "Hey, bud,” Zach said, bending down to rub the dog. “Good boy.” Then he spotted the full coffee pot on the counter. “Wow, you made coffee. Thanks, man.” Zach moved over to take two mugs out of a cupboard. He poured some in each and held one out to Ashlyn, hovering uncertainly at the entrance to the kitchen.
    Connor looked from Ashlyn to Zach and back to her. He scowled and returned his gaze to the newspaper.
    Yikes.
    "Want something to eat, Ash?” Zach opened the door of the stainless steel refrigerator and stuck his head in.
    "Um, that's okay,” she said uncomfortably. “I really should be going."
    "You need coffee, remember? Just have a piece of toast,” he coaxed her, standing up with a loaf of bread in his hands. “Peanut butter? Jam? Both?"
    She smiled reluctantly at him as her stomach growled. “Peanut butter,” she said. “Do you have some milk for the coffee?"
    He reached in and pulled out the milk, handing it to her. She added a generous splash to her coffee and passed it back to him. Then he dropped bread into the toaster, found plates and knives and a jar of peanut butter.
    "What'd you do last night, Connor?” Zach asked conversationally as he assembled their breakfast, apparently unconcerned about his brother knowing he'd had a girl spend the night.
    "Nothing.” Connor scowled into the newspaper. “Sweet fuck all. Thanks for asking."
    Ashlyn raised her brows, and then Connor glanced at her and reluctantly apologized. “Sorry,” he muttered.
    "Connor's not the most cheerful guy lately,” Zach explained. “He ... uh..."
    "My wife kicked me out last week,” Connor snarled.
    Ashlyn nibbled on her bottom lip. “Oh."
    "And I have no goddamn idea why.” He crushed the newspaper and tossed it down onto the counter as he stood. “I'll leave you two alone,” he said abruptly and strode out of the kitchen.
    Ashlyn glanced worriedly at Zach, and her heart squeezed at the concern and sadness on his face. He dropped toast onto plates and spread peanut butter with his head down.
    When he handed her a plate, he finally looked at her. “Sorry about that,” he said slowly. “The guy's having a rough time.” He shook his head. “I love my sister-in-law, but I really don't know what the hell's gotten into her."
    Once again, Ashlyn felt her best course of action was silence, but her heart thudded so loudly in her chest she was amazed Zach couldn't hear it.
    "Well, never mind that,” he said, forcing a smile. “Eat your toast."
    She was starving, and it tasted great. The toaster popped with more a few minutes later, and she happily took another piece and a refill of the coffee. She was beginning to feel like a human being again.
    "I'm sorry you have to drive me home,” she said again. “I really should have brought my own car."
    "I'm trusting, but not that trusting,” he said with a wicked grin, and pulled her into his arms right there in the kitchen. He bent his head and kissed her, tasting of peanut butter and coffee and heaven. She purred like a kitten.
    "I just want you to know,” she said softly, “I really don't do this kind of thing."
    "What kind of thing?” He lifted a sexy brow.
    "Um ... you know. Sleep with a guy the first time we go out. And stay all night."
    He lifted his head and smiled down at her, dark eyes gleaming. “Maybe I won't let you go."
    She smiled back at him, somehow knowing she didn't need to be afraid. “Maybe I don't want to go."
    His pupils expanded, and he groaned. “Don't tempt me,” he growled. “I have to go to a meeting this afternoon. But hey, maybe we could do something later..."
    She definitely wanted to see him