by S. Nelson
“Nothing specifically. Just that people are mean when they get behind the keyboard.” I wanted to call bullshit, but I kept my comment to myself. “I have a very important question for you.” The glint in her eyes told me her next inquiry most likely wasn’t serious, although I didn’t know her well enough to read her so familiarly. I indicated for her to proceed with a curt nod. “Are you a serial killer?”
Had I been taking a drink, I would’ve choked. I didn’t know what she was going to ask, but it certainly wasn’t that. “No, I’m not.”
“Do you plan on becoming one?”
“I don’t have any plans to change careers at this point.”
Quinn tapped her finger against her mouth. “That’s worthy information.”
“I’m happy to provide you with some peace of mind.”
She was about to say something else, but her cell rang. Hitting the button on the side, she silenced the device, but it rang again a moment later. “I don’t think he’ll ever learn,” she mumbled, selecting the side button once more.
“Who?”
“What?”
“Who won’t ever learn?”
The widening of her eyes proved she didn’t realize she’d said that out loud. “My ex, Todd. He won’t stop calling and texting me.”
“Do you want me to take care of him for you?” I reached for her phone, but the only response from her was an unsteady shake of her head and a deep crease between her brows.
“No.”
“But he’s harassing you.”
“Yeah. Well, sort of.”
“I’m confused.”
And I was, over so many things. Not only from Quinn’s slightly coded statement but moreover why I cared so much. I barely knew her, yet I wanted to protect her. From Roy Grendon, her ex… even me. I was in no shape emotionally to continue whatever it was we were doing, yet I couldn’t tear myself away from her. Conflict twisted me up and tethered me to indecisiveness.
“We broke up three months ago, and he’s been trying to contact me ever since. But I haven’t responded to any of his messages, and I refuse to pick up when he calls. I guess if I talk to him and tell him to stop, he probably will.”
“Was he abusive?”
“No. Not at all. He was perfect. Or so I thought until I caught him cheating.” She averted her eyes and looked back down at her phone. Was she waiting for him to reach out to her again? Did she want him to? Did she find some sort of comfort in his persistence?
“Do you still love him?”
She shook her head before verbalizing her answer. “No. He’s not the person I thought he was. It’s weird to say, but I think I could forgive the cheating, but I can’t get past the betrayal. I know that doesn’t make much sense.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, though, because I’ll never take him back.”
I couldn’t believe I was about to utter my next words, but I was powerless to stop them. “You need to talk to him. By you not answering, you’re giving him hope. Just tell him it’s over. And if he keeps calling and texting after that, then let me know, and I’ll take care of it.” There I went again with my protectiveness toward her. While I didn’t completely understand the feeling, I had to admit I liked the possibility of being needed. Or was it just a simple diversion from my everyday life that I appreciated?
“Maybe you’re right. But I’m not doing anything tonight.” Quinn shifted on top of her seat, uncrossed her legs, and rested her hand on the edge of the wooden bar. The moment her feet touched the ground, she swayed to the side.
“Whoa.” I reached out and caught her by the arm before she toppled over.
“I didn’t feel this drunk until I stood up.” Pressing her fingers to her temple, she closed her eyes but then popped them open quickly. “Can’t do that. The darkness makes it worse.”
She didn’t know how true that statement was.
“Do you want to sit back down?”
Leaning into my ear, her warm breath fanning the side of my neck, she whispered, “I have to go to the bathroom, but I don’t think I can make it.”
I immediately looked around the bar, locking eyes with Avery, who’d been watching us not so inconspicuously the entire time. I didn’t blame her, though, as she didn’t really know me. I waved her over and she was next to us seconds later.
“What’s the matter?”
I stood next to her sister, helping her to balance. “She needs to use the restroom. I can help her to the door, but you need to take over after that.”
“Someone’s having fun, aren’t they?” Avery grinned when Quinn agreed with a nod. We made it to the hallway, but just as we approached the ladies’ room, Quinn tripped over her feet and crashed into me. I was ready for the mishap, so again, I managed to save her from falling, but this time her mouth grazed my cheek when I bent down.
“You have nice lips,” she mumbled. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all night.”
“Okay, sis. Let’s get you squared away.” They disappeared into the bathroom before my brain could conjure a response.
As I waited for them to reemerge, my phone vibrated with an incoming call. I pulled the device from my back pocket and swiped the screen to answer, aware it was my brother.
“Hey,” he greeted. “Answering again so quickly? I could get used to this promptness.”
“Don’t.” My tone lacked seriousness. “What’s up?”
“I had a few minutes and thought I’d call to check on you.”
“That’s not necessary. Really, Will. You have better things to worry about than your older brother.”
Several giggling females looked my way before they disappeared inside the restroom, one of them blowing me a kiss as her friend pulled her away.
“Where are you?” Before I could answer, he threw another question at me. “Are you at that same bar? You finally decide to hit on that bartender?” His inquiry was innocent, but his indication rubbed me the wrong way, mainly because the bartender he referred to was Quinn’s sister.
“Yes. And no, I’m not going to hit on her.”
“When are you going to start—”
“Nolan!” Quinn shouted as soon as she saw me standing nearby, leaning against the wall. “There you are.”
“Who is that?” I didn’t answer my brother, too busy being amused at the state Quinn was in. Avery laughed right along with her, whispering something in her ear before she guided her toward me. “Nolan? Who are you with?”
“I’m going to have to call you back,” I muttered into the phone.
“You better give me det—”
I hung up before he finished talking. I’d apologize tomorrow when he called, which he was sure to do since he thought I was busy with a woman.
And in short, I was, just not in the way he thought.
15
Quinn
“I thought she’d be a little more sober after peeing, but I think she’s worse.” Avery caught my stumble, flanking me on my left while Nolan stood on my right.
“Let me,” he offered, tucking me into his side. “She told me she doesn’t drink this much. Is that true?”
“Yeah. She’s definitely a lightweight. But today was tough and she deserves to overindulge.”
“I can hear you,” I grumbled. “I’m fine. I’m not drunk.”
“You’re not sober.” There was no judgment in Nolan’s retort, and when I looked up at him, I caught him smiling at me. Right then, I thought he was the most beautiful man in the world.
His eyes cascaded over me, sending a tingle through my entire body, or maybe that was the wine. Either way, there was no place I’d rather be than here with him, the heat of his body summoning all sorts of illicit thoughts to bloom to life. I was in no shape to stay here, however.
“I think I’m going to call it a night,” I reluctantly said.
“Okay, let’s get you home.” Avery glanced over at the guy she’d been flirting with for the past hour.
“You stay. I’ll call an Uber.”
“I’
m not letting your drunk butt get in a stranger’s car alone. No way.”
“I’ll take her.” Nolan’s offer surprised me. Before I could release the words to tell him he didn’t need to be inconvenienced by the ordeal, me being the ordeal, apparently, my sister frowned and crowded his personal space.
“You’re a stranger too. How is that any better?”
“I’m not that much of a stranger,” he argued, looking a bit put out. When she continued to glare at him, he felt the need to try and change her mind about him. “I’m a trustworthy guy. I’m a cop, for God’s sake.”
“So. Not all cops are good,” she countered.
“I am. I have no ulterior motives where your sister is concerned. I’ll take the ride with her and make sure she gets home safe. Promise.” Avery gave him the once-over again, then pulled me off to the side.
“Are you okay with this? You hardly know him.” We weren’t far from where Nolan stood, and even though her voice wasn’t raised above the noise in the bar, I was sure he could still hear her, although I doubted she cared.
“Do you know that guy over there?” I threw back at her, raising my arm to point at the man she’d been flirting with. She slapped my hand down. “I don’t know Nolan that well, but minus our first encounter, he’s been nothing but nice to me.”
“The only things I know about him are what you told me, and the fact that he comes in here all the time and sits in that damn seat, orders a drink or two, and doesn’t say a word to anyone the entire time. Until tonight, that is.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll call you as soon as I get home.”
“You better or I’ll hunt him down.”
“I know you will.” I pulled her in for a hug. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” When she pulled away, she pointed at Nolan. “Nothing better happen to her.”
“I promise to take care of her.”
Her eyes landed on mine once more. “He is fucking hot.” Her laughter trailed behind her as she headed back toward the blond guy.
“Ready?” Nolan walked up behind me and put his hand on my waist, a familiar gesture I wasn’t used to from him. “We should probably get some water in you when you get home. Otherwise, you’re going to have a nasty headache.”
We arrived at my place sooner than I thought. I managed to exit the SUV without incident, but when I closed the door, my hand slipped, and I stumbled back. Nolan was there to catch me again. The nighttime breeze worked to soothe the flush of my body from too much wine, but as soon as he put his hands on me and pulled me into him, I heated up more than before. Only this time, the heat had nothing to do with alcohol and everything to do with the delicious man behind me.
“Which one is your house?”
“The one with the green shutters.” I dug in my purse to locate my keys, pulling them free once I stepped onto the front porch. “Avery and I live here together. Saves on expenses.”
“Do you own it?”
“No. A friend of our dad’s rented it to us. But if he ever decides to sell, I’m jumping on it.” I’d like to jump on something else.
“What?”
“What?” I parroted.
“Did you say you’d like to jump on something else?”
My brain couldn’t function fast enough to answer, so instead, I stumbled over my words. “I… no… I didn’t think… oh to hell with it.”
His laughter spurred my own as I clumsily inserted the key into the lock.
“Do you need help?”
“I got it. You have to wiggle it around before it fits.” I pressed my lips together so as not to blurt out another embarrassing statement. “There we go,” I said, twisting the handle and stepping into the foyer. I flicked on the light switch, a soft glow cascading over the front entrance.
“I like your place. It’s cozy.” He closed the door behind him, sliding his hands into his pockets, his biceps flexing with the slight movement. Even without staring, anyone could see he kept himself in great shape.
“Thank you. We love it here. It’s small, but we don’t need much.” I walked several paces and tossed my keys and purse on the side table, eyeing a piece of mail that was addressed to me. A part of me wanted to pick it up to distract myself from Nolan because I didn’t know what to say now that we were here, but another part wanted to throw my arms around him and pull him in for a steamy kiss.
“Where’s your kitchen?” he asked, interrupting my internal dilemma. “I’ll get you that water.”
I pointed ahead. “It’s around the corner. But I can get it.”
“That’s okay. Why don’t you sit? I’d hate to come back in here and find you sprawled on your back.” His expression didn’t change, and he didn’t seem to register what he said. Then again, his brain probably wasn’t constantly conjuring images of me naked, like mine did of him. He retreated from the room before quickly returning with a glass of water. “Here you go.” Our fingers touched when I retrieved the drink. “You should take some aspirin if you have it. Just to be safe.”
Catching a drop of water from the corner of my mouth, I licked my lips. “How is it you’re not drunk? You had at least three drinks.”
“Four,” he corrected. But I’m much bigger than you, and I’m an avid drinker.” A crease formed between his brows. “What I mean is I can hold my liquor.”
“Apparently.” I finished off the water and set the glass on a nearby table, trying to figure out what my next move was, if any. I simply didn’t know where to go from here. I liked Nolan, a lot, and while I believed the attraction flowed both ways, there was something about him that screamed standoffish. It wasn’t in anything he said, or the way he looked at me, or in the way he touched me, which had been several times already. Granted, he’d been assisting me so I didn’t fall, but he didn’t seem to mind. The sometimes far-off look in his eyes, and the reservation that was etched into his expression appeared to war with his interest in me. I didn’t understand it, but I didn’t really know the man all that well either.
“I guess I should let you get to bed.”
It was almost midnight, well past my bedtime on any given night, even the weekend, but I wanted nothing more than to stall, to keep him here longer. The buzz the wine gave me faded as the moments passed, but I still felt rather nice and bold.
“Did you want to stay over?”
“Excuse me?” He coughed out his response.
I replayed the words in my head, closing my eyes in embarrassment. “That’s not what I meant. I meant that you could take the couch instead of traveling all the way home at this hour.”
He smiled. “Thank you, but I don’t live that far.”
“Oh, okay.” I inched closer, prepared to walk him back to the door, which was only feet away. “Thank you for seeing me home.”
“My pleasure.” He stood motionless, looking at me as if he wanted to say something else but chose not to.
Silence spilled between us, and I didn’t know what else to do other than stare back. I didn’t think I’d ever tire of looking at him, at the slight flick of his brow when he appeared to be thinking of something, or the way his teeth toyed with the corner of his lip in the quietness.
“Well, I guess this is good night.” A few more steps forward brought me closer to him. “If the universe has its way, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again.”
“It won’t be the universe’s will. It’ll be mine.” Before I became excited, he added, “I’ll swing by tomorrow and take you for your car.”
“You don’t have work?”
“No. I’m finally taking a day off.”
“I can always just call another Uber to drop me off at Murray’s. You don’t have to go out of your way.”
“I don’t mind.”
My shoulders bounced. “Okay. Thank you.”
Before Nolan reached for the door, I breached the remaining space between us and leaned up on my tiptoes. I’d blame the wine for giving me the courage, but the honest truth was that I’d wanted to kiss him all nig
ht.
I didn’t utter a word as I pressed my lips to his. They were firm yet soft, and even though he didn’t deepen the kiss, I hesitated to break the connection. But when his posture stiffened, I gently pulled back.
“I’m sorry. Was that not okay?” His chest deflated, but he didn’t answer right away. “I must’ve misread the signs.”
“You didn’t. It’s just that…” He rubbed his temple, looking to the ground before back to me. “It’s been a long time, and I’m not sure if I can…” Another sigh. “Sorry, I’m sure I’m not making any sense.”
“It’s okay. You don’t owe me an explanation. We don’t really know each other.”
“But that’s just it. I want to get to know you. But I don’t think I’m ready for anything else right now.”
“I understand.” His expression softened when I spoke.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Is noon okay?”
“That works.”
“Good night, Quinn.”
“G’night.”
I closed and locked the door behind him, resting my back against the solid wood, wondering what his story was.
I supposed I could start finding out tomorrow.
16
Nolan
“I fucking froze when she kissed me.” I cursed into the phone, pissed at my initial reaction when Quinn took the initiative and pressed her lips to mine. “Then I rambled on, not making any sense. I can’t believe I reacted the way I did, but I was surprised.”
“Were you though?”
I’d called Will for a change, needing to talk to someone about my interaction last night. And right now, I was regretting it because I sensed he was going to start psychoanalyzing me.
“What do you mean?”
“You ran into her three times, the first not really counting because you were an ass.”
“Yeah.”
“Then last night, you said you were sitting at the bar with her, talking, laughing, and having a good time. Then you rode home with her to make sure she was safe. Then you offered to pick her up today to take her back to the bar for her car.”