A garbled laugh escaped her lips. “I’m not worried about that. I’ve already felt helpless enough watching you start my car in the rain. I can get home by myself.”
“It’s still raining and you’re keeping me here arguing. What if the battery dies again? I’ll worry until I know you’re safe at home. Wait for me.”
His command struck her mute. She wasn’t used to men wanting to do stuff for her. She’d been on her own long enough to make her own rules and was never questioned. Instead of feeling lonely and bitching about it, Ella had embraced the independence and began to like running her life. This was the first time she’d been overruled.
He was worried about her. It was kind of nice in an old-fashioned type of way.
Connor unhooked the cables and got back into his car. She hit her lights, cranked the heat to maximum, and slowly pulled out of the lot.
The commute home was slow. Cautious drivers took their time and traffic built up, but the headlights behind her stayed steady, giving her a strange type of comfort. She called Luke on her Bluetooth and told him about the delay, and he agreed to start on his homework. Finally, she pulled onto her block by her building and cut the engine. Her escort parked right behind her. Grabbing her purse, she darted out of the car to quickly thank him, but he was already climbing out. The rain had finally slowed to a lazy drizzle.
“Thanks again for the help. I’m really sorry I took you so far from home.”
He stared at her building and shook his head. “You didn’t. In fact, I’m already here.”
“Huh?”
His gaze narrowed and those stinging blue eyes caught and held hers. The scent of rain and the subtle spice of his cologne rose to her nostrils. His next words seemed to be a premonition of everything in the future that was about to change.
“I’m your neighbor.”
“Wh-what? I haven’t seen you around here. I don’t even recognize your truck.”
“My apartment comes with a driveway so I park over there.” He jerked his head toward the back of the lot. “I think I saw your son. About nine years old? Glasses?”
Shock delayed her response. Out of all the people in the world, Connor Dunkle was her neighbor. The air shimmered around her, and the rain turned to a misty, glowing aura. She smothered the emotions running through her, screaming out she never believed in coincidence and there was a bigger reason for such a discovery. “Yes, Luke. He’s ten. I-I had no idea. He didn’t mention running in to anyone.”
“I interrupted an encounter with some boys. He got pissed at me. Do you want me to introduce myself to your husband? I don’t want him thinking I’m some stalker.”
“No need. I’m divorced. What boys?”
“A group from the neighborhood. I’ll keep an eye out. They get in to some trouble, but Luke seems to be able to handle himself.”
She needed to talk to her son. Tell him to keep his distance from troublemakers. God, this is when she missed having his father around. “I better go. Thanks again.”
“Ella?”
She stilled. It was the first time he used her first name, and it sounded oddly intimate spilling from his lips. “Yes?”
“If you need anything, just let me know.”
She muttered another thank you and hurried away. She didn’t want to think of Connor in any other way than a pain-in-the-butt student. Having him right next door and conversing with her son shifted the balance. She really knew nothing about him on a personal basis. Until she did, Ella better warn her son to keep his distance.
Damp, tired, and cranky, she pushed her way inside.
* * * *
Ella Blake was his neighbor.
Connor chewed over this fact for a while before deciding it could be a good thing. Hell, if he helped her out a bit, maybe she’d soften and give him a better grade. Being a single mother was tough. After his mother took off and his father checked out, taking care of Nate sapped all his effort and energy. It made more sense why she didn’t take more care with her appearance. Men were probably the last thing on her mind. Still, if she ever wanted to find another relationship, she’d need some extra help.
He let himself into his apartment and wondered what it would be like to be with someone more than a few nights. Nate seemed happy, but then again, he’d always seemed to want a woman on a permanent basis. Connor was content experiencing the whole buffet, and not once had he wanted more. Was there something lacking in him? And if so, maybe it was for the best. If he was built like his mother, he may end up running out on responsibilities, and he’d rather die than hurt someone like that.
Of course, lately he’d give a monk competition. It had been so long since he’d had sex, his condoms probably had cobwebs on them.