Quinn

 

Harper’s suggestion is still on my mind when I arrive home after work the following day. I can’t deny that she has a point. If Colt were anyone else, I’d shelve my concerns and go ahead and take the chance. But he’s not, and I can’t imagine my life without him. Yes, we’d overcome an awkward hurdle with admitting the attraction, but that doesn’t mean we can overcome his past. His memories, his fears, his feelings, they make up who he is today. He’s not going to suddenly flip a switch and see things in a different light.

My thoughts are still on Colt when I nearly run into Sebastian, and we just barely avoid a collision in the hall near the kitchen. He runs a hand through his blond hair. “Hey, got time to give me a trim?”

I’m relieved to have a distraction. “Sure. Just let me grab the clippers.”

“I’ll meet you in the basement.”

I go to my room and grab the small case that contains all my haircare equipment. Then I head down to the basement, aware that Colt isn’t home yet. A part of me is hoping to see him while the other needs some space to sort out all the thoughts inside my head.

Sebastian is already in the bathroom, and he tosses his shirt onto the counter near the sink.

My eyes run over him. Sebastian’s one of those types that oozes sex appeal. So why am I so unaffected? His chest is ripped, and playfulness typically gleams in his aquamarine gaze. He’s hell on women. So how am I immune?

Sebastian settles on the closed toilet lid, his jean-clad knees spread, and his hands dangling between them. “Do me like you usually do, luv.”

I’m amused as I step closer and begin running a comb through his hair. Sebastian can make the simplest of things sound dirty. “How many times have you said that this month?” I quip.

“None. I quit going back for seconds when the women kept thinking I actually wanted to get to know them.” His eyes drift closed. “I like it when you do my hair. Feels good,” he mumbles.

I chuckle and set the comb down, running my hands over his scalp. He has great hair, and he tends to zone out while I work. I don’t usually give head massages to clients, but Sebastian’s a friend.

He releases a low, contented rumble.

“Are you like this when you get your hair cut in public?” I tease, rubbing close to his temples.

He snorts. “No.”

“How’s work going?”

“Same old shit, different day.”

I run my fingers over his scalp one more time before picking up the clippers. “Did you get that promotion you were hoping for?” Sebastian works in construction. He’s the kind of guy that can’t sit still very long, so he’d gravitated towards a career that keeps him out from behind a desk.

“Don’t know yet.”

The sound of the clippers fills the bathroom as I concentrate on his hair.

“Had any problems?” he asks.

“Problems?” I lean in closer, careful as I maneuver the clippers around his ear.

“With the asshole that hurt you,” he clarifies.

My eyes flicker to his, and I find that his eyes are serious for once. “I’m good,” I assure, refocusing on his hair.

I see a shadow in the corner of my eye, and I look up to see Colt peering into the bathroom. I note that he could use a trim, too. “Want to be next?” I ask.

“Yeah, sure.” He leans an arm on the door’s frame, watching me finish Sebastian.

I turn off the clippers and set it on the counter before grabbing a towel and handing it to Sebastian.

He stands, running the towel over his hair and bare shoulders. Then, he tosses it aside and reaches for his shirt. “Thanks, luv,” he tells me, affectionately kissing my cheek. “I’m heading out,” he says over his shoulder as he saunters out of the bathroom and disappears down the hall.

Colt enters the bathroom, and somehow, the bathroom seems much smaller than it had just moments ago. He strips off his shirt and tosses it to the counter. His tanned chest ripples as he takes the seat that Sebastian had just vacated.

My mouth has gone dry as all that bare skin begs me to touch it. It’s all I can do not to let my eyes eagerly eat up the sight of the tattoos covering his strong arms.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

I quickly pick up the comb and move closer to him, running it through his dark hair. His shoulder is close to my ribcage, and I can feel the heat radiating off him. All I’m doing is combing his hair, and it’s causing my panties to dampen. It’s because he’s shirtless and so damned close… I’d give anything to be able to touch him in the ways that I crave. I set the comb down and reach for the clippers.

“Anything new with Slade?”

His question abruptly brings me back to the present. My eyes shift to his, and I have no clue what he’s thinking. “If there was, I’d tell you.”

He doesn’t say anything more, and I concentrate on trimming his hair.

Harper’s advice echoes in my head. I badly want to test Colt to see if there’s any way I can open him up to the idea of there being an ‘us.’

Harper’s suggestion wins.

“Do you ever wonder about…it?” I dare to ask quietly.

Colt’s eyes snag mine in the reflection of the mirror hanging above the sink. I can just barely see his head from where he’s seated on the toilet, and his eyes are warning me not to go there.

I’m not sure if I should push him, but I’m also not one to back down after I’ve made a decision. “Do you ever wonder what it’d be like with me?” I boldly ask, simplifying the question.

“Don’t.”

I move so that my body is situated in front of his, and I hold his gaze, my hand holding the clippers away from his head so that I can focus on the conversation. “You can’t continue punishing yourself over a single mistake, Colt.”

His face hardens, and I can’t miss the growing detachment in his gaze. “It’s in my blood, Quinn. This also isn’t up for discussion. You done yet?” he asks, referring to his hair.

“Nope,” I reply, refusing to allow his grumpy disposition to bother me.

Silence fills the bathroom as I continue trimming his hair.

Most people would leave Colt alone, but I’m not like most. I’ve never given up easily on anything, and Harper had pushed my buttons last night. Is Colt worth fighting for? Hell yes.

I turn off the clippers and calmly set it on the counter. Before Colt can guess my intentions, I turn and climb onto his lap, straddling him. As his eyes widen with comical alarm, my heart thunders in my chest as I frame his rough jaw with my hands, pressing my lips to his.

His lips are firm, and they part as he grits out, “We can’t,” as his hands settle on my waist, half-heartedly trying to push me away. He sounds torn, just as I’d been hoping. I take full advantage of his parted lips and slip my tongue inside to stroke his.

Colt tenses beneath me as I kiss him, coaxing him to respond. He suddenly comes alive, and damn. He angles his lips across mine and devours me. I feel completely consumed by him as his tongue expertly explores my mouth, causing a fiery heat to develop directly between my thighs. My legs wrap around his waist, and I begin rocking my hips against his growing erection. I can’t get enough of him, and I moan into his mouth, begging for more.

Colt’s body completely stills beneath me, and then he tears his lips from mine and firmly sets me aside, quickly rising to his feet. “You shouldn’t have done that, Quinn,” he snarls furiously.

“Why not?” I challenge.

“Because it can’t be undone.”

“Exactly. You either acknowledge the attraction or try putting it out of your head just how good it could be between us.”

“I didn’t tell you how I felt just so you could use it against me,” he bites out, those hazel eyes downright livid.

“Are you sure about that?” I ask quietly. I now know that we could have something crazy good. Yes, the sexual tension between us is off the charts, but it’s also more. Harper’s right. No one will ever understand him like I do, and no one will understand why I do the things I do—like Colt does. We’re like two puzzle pieces that fit together, and I understand that now. However, I also know when I’ve pushed him too far, and I am treading on dangerous ground.

Colt has remained silent as he glowers accusingly at me, refusing to respond to my question.

I’m finished with his hair, and I calmly walk to the doorway. I pause and turn back to him. He’s still standing next to the toilet, his head now turned away so that I can’t see his expression. Even from where I stand, there’s no mistaking his clenched jaw. The sight of him looking so upset goes straight to my heart.

“You may not trust yourself, but I trust you,” I say in a soft voice.

He still won’t look at me.

With great reluctance, I leave the bathroom and walk down the hall, heading for the stairs. I don’t regret ambushing him like I had, but I do feel bad for causing him such distress.

My lips still tingle from the heat of his lips, and I know I need to get out of the house for a while. As I walk to my room, I take my phone out of my pocket and text Sebastian. Where are you? He replies almost immediately with the name of a bar that I’m familiar with. Can I come hang with you? His response is instantaneous. You never need to ask.

It’s a little early to be hitting a bar, but at least it’s getting me out of the house and away from Colt. I’d hated leaving him down in the basement struggling with his emotions. I wish I could help him sort it out, but life doesn’t work that way. All I can do is show him how things could be, and the rest is up to him.

After I change, I leave the house and drive to the bar that also doubles as a grill. Sebastian’s sitting at the bar, eating a burger and watching sports on the nearest TV. He glances at me as I snag the stool beside him. “You’re not usually out this early,” he comments.

“Neither are you.”

“I didn’t feel like making anything. They’ve got beer and food. Works for me.”

I flag one of the bartenders and order a burger and soda. Just as he walks away to give my order to the cook, my phone goes off in my purse. It’s likely Harper or Ash. It’s from Harper, and she wants to know where I am. I’m out with Sebastian, I text back. Gabe’s working, so she’s likely bored. Come meet us, I invite and include the bar’s name.

Her reply comes back promptly, and I slip my phone back into my purse. “Harper’s on her way,” I inform Sebastian.

He grins. “My favorite past time, being surrounded by women.”

I make a face at him. He’s such a manwhore. I watch as he takes a large bite of his burger. “Both Channing and Gabe have settled down, when are you going to meet the woman of your dreams and quit screwing most of the Riverside population?” I ask mischievously.

He coughs into his fist and then takes a long drink of his beer. “Try never.”

Sebastian’s never shared why he’s avoiding commitment, and I’ve never pressed, though I do wonder about him sometimes. I’m quiet as I think of Colt. I wish he’d talk to me about what happened with Rosita. Yes, he’d pushed her away, but only because she was clinging to him. It’s certainly not his fault she lost her footing. Unfortunately, Rosita had enjoyed playing the victim, and her parents had pressed charges against Colt. God, that was a mess and such a grim time for Colt.

Rosita and her parents had blamed Colt, labeling him as abusive, and the label had stuck. Nobody punished Colt more than he had himself. No matter what I or anyone else said, he saw the incident as entirely his fault. Had he not pushed her, she wouldn’t have fallen in the first place. Even as a full-grown man, he still carries the accusations with him.

My thoughts shift as a burger and glass of soda are set in front of me, and shortly thereafter, Harper arrives with Ash in tow. We all move to a booth, and a waitress wanders over to take Harper’s and Ash’s orders.

Harper sighs after the waitress walks away. “Eating out so much is going to make me fat.”

Sebastian shakes his head. “A few extra pounds will make you even hotter, luv.”

She grins. “Always the sweet talker.”

“Absolutely. It’s how my dick sees so much action.”

I can’t hold back a snort. “Something’s got to make up for what you’re lacking.”

He looks offended. “Come into the bathroom, and I’ll show you what you think I’m lacking.”

I snicker and lean over to muss his newly trimmed hair. “I was referring to your inability to carry on a serious conversation.”

“Yeah,” he says drolly. “Women just dig hearing about climate change and politics when we’re at the club and I’m trying get into their pants.”

“You’d be surprised how many women would prefer an actual conversation over pickup lines,” Ash says, joining the conversation.

“Then they might think I actually want more than their bodies.”

Ash rolls her eyes. “You’re hopeless.”

“And proud of it. Where’s Channing? You two are usually attached at the hips,” he teases, waggling his eyebrows.

“He’s tutoring,” she says with a laugh.

I turn to him. “Did you know that Harper and Gabe are looking for their own place?”

Sebastian finishes taking a swig of his beer, and he sets the bottle down, looking impressed. “Really. Congratulations, luv,” he tells Harper.

She smiles. “Thanks.”

Sebastian focuses his attention on Ash. “What about you? When are you and twin number two bailing on us?”

Ash shakes her head. “Not for a while. We want to take things slow.”

A phone goes off, and Sebastian immediately digs his cell from his pocket. He scans the screen and pushes his plate aside. “I’m out. My dick’s been summoned,” he announces.

“I pity the woman that gets stuck with you and your past,” I tell him.

He stands. “She doesn’t exist.” He salutes us and saunters away.

“Seriously, if he ever does find someone, he’s going to have to work his ass off,” Harper says, staring after him.

“He’s worse than Colt, Channing, and Gabe combined,” Ash agrees.

My thoughts shift to Colt. I’m not going to confide to them that I’d kissed him. Some things are meant to remain private.