"How did you know that?" Fiona asked. "Riley Crane, are you stalking her?" Her eyes narrowed.
He snorted. "Yeah, right. I happened to see her there, that's all."
"Sure." She drew the word out. "You two are full of…" She glanced down at her daughter. "Doo-doo."
Sarah giggled. "Mummy said doo-doo."
"Doo-doo is the perfect word for both of them," Whitney said. "Did either of you want something or did you just come to be assho— asshats?" She looked at them both up and down like she didn't care much for what she saw.
"Everyone is allowed to come to the markets if they want to," Connor said defensively.
"No one is disputing that," Fiona said. "It's your critique we're questioning."
"Exactly," Whitney agreed. "Leah happens to be very talented. If you don't agree, move along." She gestured with her fingers for them to go away.
"It's okay," I said. "Their opinion doesn't bother me. Like I was just saying to Louisa, art is subjective. They don't have to like mine." I really needed to sit down. My feet and legs were already starting to ache. I went on smiling, hoping none of them could tell. I didn't want sympathy from my new friends, or to give Connor and Riley ammunition against me.
"Thanks for your permission," Connor said sarcastically. He frowned for a beat before adding, "Wait a minute, turns out we don't need it." He smirked at me.
Would the world judge me too harshly if I picked up a painting and hit him with it? Probably not, but I'd hate to damage my work. He wasn't worth it.
"You're a prick," Whitney told him. "I swear, one of us must be adopted. I think it's you, because I look like Mom."
"And I look like Dad," he retorted. "You know you love me." He stepped over to put his arms around her and kiss her cheek, but she turned her face and pushed him away.
"Ewww, no. I'm not touching you until you stop being an ass."
"I guess you won't be touching him ever again," Fiona remarked.
Connor flipped her off with both fingers. "Come on, Ri. I don't need to stand around here and be insulted."
"I'm sure there's plenty of other people around here waiting for their turn," I said dryly. "Wouldn't want them to miss out."
He'd taken a step away, but stopped and looked back at me.
I thought I'd see disgust or derision in his eyes. Instead I saw pure heat. Like all he wanted to was shut my mouth up with his cock.
He opened his mouth to say something, then shook his head and stalked away.
Riley glanced at the painting he'd wanted to buy, with a hint of regret before following Connor away.
"Ugh, I'm so sorry about those two." Whitney pressed a hand to her chest. "I swear, sometimes they should be on a leash."
"It's okay," I said.
I'm not going to lie, the idea of them restrained wasn't the worst thought I'd ever had. One of the hottest, maybe. Was I even thinking right now? Had he given me that look on purpose, trying to mess with my head? Was he aware of having done it? I hadn't looked at him the same way, had I?
I pressed a hand to my cheek, as if I could actually check.
"I really don't know what their problem is." Whitney shook her head.
"Egos the size of the entire Rockies?" Fiona suggested.
"They're big doo-doos?" Sarah said, looking gleeful.
"They're very big doo-doos," Whitney agreed. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'll be glad when it starts snowing. We hardly see them then. If they're not taking out tourists, they're skiing and snowboarding. And whatever else those two get up to."
My mind should not have gone to where it went. I did not need to think about Connor and Riley kissing each other. Their hands wandering over each other's bodies. Touching. Tasting. Fucking. I wasn't even sure they had that kind of relationship, but the mental image was hot enough to melt panties off just about anyone.
