Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Word of it eventually made its way to Conner. Not only did he sling that curse word around, he even granted the guy a day off-medical leave, no less.

"I'm not even a dad yet and you're already jinxing me?" he grumbled.

The junior, practically groveling, glanced over at Annie, who was working on a lollipop. "Annie, come on, help me out here! I was just showing off, I swear."

Cheeks puffed from the candy, Annie looked irresistibly cute. She answered, "Go on, get back to work. And next time, say something nice. Don't go riling up my sister, either."

Once the guy scurried away, Conner turned to Annie. He reached out, swiped the lollipop from her lips, and stuck it in his own mouth. "See, Annie? That's what happens when people talk without thinking."

Annie shot him a look. "Like you're any better?" She stretched her hand, trying to reclaim her stolen treat.

With a loud crunch, Conner bit through the lollipop, spat out the stick, and flashed a wicked grin. "You shouldn't be eating too many sweets-doctor's orders. Pregnant women need to watch their sugar. Let me take care of that for you."

He slid closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Annie shrugged him off, assuming he thought she was mad about the lollipop. Undeterred, Conner pulled her back in.

Annie

old-school hand fan and started fanning her, still refusing

we first met?" he asked, his voice

"At a party. You spotted me, love

like he was reliving a favorite

widened

alley. Conner, who'd gotten careless that day, only had two guys with him

Outnumbered, fists started flying.

girl strolled by,

mouth, baseball cap pulled low, crisp white t-shirt spotless, faded blue jeans hugging long legs. Even her sneakers were blindingly

a split second, it

appeared. Someone whispered, "That's the Maja family's second daughter. The boss

"So what now?"