Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
It was late by the time I finished showing her everything I could think of, and I could tell she was exhausted. I wasn’t about to push for information on the guy she used to be with, but today, I’m going to need the full story.
“Ready for work?” I ask, trying to distract her from the van.
“As I’ll ever be.” She tries to give me a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
Once I help her and Boss in the truck, I get in and place a hand on her thigh. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.” Her shoulders sag a little. “I don’t think I realized how safe I felt inside your home. Now that I’m out in the real world, the fear is coming back.”
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, sweetness. If you can trust anything, you can trust that.” This time when she smiles, it’s genuine. “Have you ever taken any self-defense classes?”
“My mom took me to a karate class once, but I’m pretty sure it’s because she was trying to sleep with the teacher.” She looks down at where my hand’s at on her thigh. “Do they have stuff like that around here?”
“I’m surprised the Stitches haven’t asked you to join their class.” I glance at Quinn, and her head snaps up.
“Are you serious?” She’s giggling as she shakes her head. “Okay, why does that sound adorable?”
“It’s not so cute when Mrs. Betty gets you in a choke hold.” I rub the back of my neck while remembering the one and only time I volunteered to be their attacker.
“I’d pay good money to see that.”
“You play your cards right and I’ll make it happen.” When I wink at her, I notice the blush on her cheeks. It’s so damn pretty, I have to force myself to concentrate on the road.
A few moments later, I’m pulling up outside her shop and helping her out of the truck with Boss. I make sure she gets inside okay, and I take a look around to make sure everything is as it should be.
“The new lock I ordered you should be in tonight, so I’ll swing by and install it when I pick you up.”
“Sounds good.” She bites her bottom lip, and I can tell there’s something more she wants to say.
“What is it, sweetness?” That pretty blush is back, and I step closer to her so I can brush my thumb across it.
“Thank you.” She licks her lips, and her soft brown eyes meet mine. “That’s all. Just thank you for being so wonderful. For being a good guy and taking care of me. You have no idea what it means to be treated this way.”
“You deserve it.” My thumb moves back and forth along her soft cheeks, and I ache to press my lips to it. “And when you’re ready, you’re going to tell me what you’re running from.”
“Okay.” Quinn places her hands on my chest, and I lean into the touch.
“Nothing you can say will scare me off, but if I’m going to protect you the way I need to, then I should know the same thing as the man coming after you.”
“You’re right. As much as I don’t want to talk about it, it’s not fair to keep it from you when you’re putting yourself in danger.”
“I’m not worried about me, sweetness.” My hand moves to her neck, and I gently pull her closer. “You’re the most important thing.”
She’s so close I can feel her breath against my lips, and it’s warm and sweet. When she closes her eyes, I press my lips to hers in a soft, gentle kiss. It’s only a tease, but when she opens for me, I can’t stop myself from licking inside and stealing a taste. The moan that leaves me is out of my control, and before I realize what I’m doing, she’s in my arms. What was meant to be a soft kiss goodbye has quickly ignited into an inferno of need.
In one quick move I’ve got her pinned to the wall, and then I feel her arms and legs tighten around me like she can’t get close enough. There’s a beeping sound somewhere in the distance, and suddenly Quinn stiffens in my arms. Her head snaps to the side, and then she’s pushing out of my arms. For half a second I don’t release her, because why would she ever want to stop kissing when it felt so fucking good?
That’s when I hear someone clear their throat followed by a loud meow. “Well, well, well.” Mrs. Betty is standing there holding her Persian cat Snuffles, and I swear they’re both grinning at us.
My brain finally catches up with what’s happening, and I let go of Quinn. Her face is bright red as we untangle ourselves, and I have the urge to pull her back against me. When she starts to walk past me, she quickly puts a finger in the belt loop of my jeans and gives it a teasing tug. I look down in time to see her wink at me before she makes her way over to the counter.