Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
JASPER
It’s six fifty-two. Quinn is supposed to be here at seven.
Eight minutes.
It’s still early. I shouldn’t be worried that she’s changing her mind, but I can’t help it. I don’t know if I could take her not showing up again.
I hate that I’m so nervous for this date.
I mean, are we even calling it a date? I don’t know, but I don’t want to do anything to make her change her mind.
Because I want Quinn.
Fuck, I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever wanted someone so badly. Zucchini is happily perched on the back of the couch, tracking my pacing in the living room. Hockey highlights play in the background on a low hum. Not even that can distract me from Quinn coming here tonight.
Six fifty-nine.
One minute to go.
Please don’t be late.
I watch the seconds tick by as it gets closer to seven. Until the shrill buzzer of my front door goes off.
Thank fuck.
“Quinn?” I press the button and ask over the intercom.
“It’s me.”
“Come on up.”
I buzz her in and open the door. I don’t care if I look eager. Considering I’ve wanted to meet her for months, she knows how I’m feeling.
The ding of the elevator echoes on the floor as I spot her, turning both ways before she sees me.
A smile lights up her face.
Fuck. I forgot how beautiful she is. Seeing her at the gala pales in comparison to now. Dark jeans show off her curvy hips, and an orange sweater hangs off her shoulder. As she gets closer and closer, her face isn’t as made up as the night I discovered who she really is.
“Hi there.”
Even her voice is better than that first night we met. Deep, sultry. No wonder she’s a famous pop star.
“Hi.” I drink my fill of her one last time before pushing open the door behind me wider. “Come on in.”
Her perfume wafts over me as she walks in, a plastic container in her hand.
“Talk about a great view.”
Her eyes flit over to the skyline out the window.
“It’s why I wanted this place.”
Quinn spins on the spot. “So you could watch football games without having to actually go to the game?”
“Not quite.” I walk toward her and pull the container out of her hand. “I like the views of the city from up here.”
“It’s pretty great,” she says. “But too close to the main drag for me.”
“And here I thought—” Quinn’s brown eyes widen before I can finish my sentence. “And I’ve lost you.”
“She’s adorable, Jasper.”
She finds Zucchini on the couch, staring at her. Picking her up, Quinn rubs her face into my cat’s soft fur.
“Sounds like she likes you too.”
“You both have good taste then.”
“Can I kiss you?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
Way to play it cool, you idiot.
Grabbing the front of my sweater, she pulls me close. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, and fuck… I can’t believe the moment I’ve been dreaming about is finally here.
I want to savor it, but seeing in those eyes of hers how much she wants this? I close the distance.
I need to taste her. See how soft her lips are.
Capturing her bottom lip with my teeth, her quiet moan flows through me. Fuck. Sinking my hand into her hair, I tilt her head to a better angle, sealing my mouth over hers.
It’s heaven. I’ve never felt anything better in my entire life. The softest lips open as I slide my tongue along the seam.
She tastes even better. The slight taste of mint pulls me in as my tongue explores her mouth. Swallowing every gasp and moan as her body melds to mine.
I break the kiss long enough to pull her closer, but my feline friend breaks the mood. Zucchini hisses, jumping out of Quinn’s arms and running back to her cat tree.
“Sorry,” Quinn calls out to her.
“Maybe next time we shouldn’t smush her between us.”
Her lips are swollen.
Fisting her hands in my shirt, Quinn pulls me close, pressing her lips to my ear. A shudder racks my body, hardening my dick in my jeans.
“There will definitely be a next time, Jasper.” She steps out of my hold. “But first, dinner.”
A groan slips out. “I’m fine just making out tonight. I don’t need to eat.”
She throws a smile over her shoulder as she steps into the kitchen like she’s been here dozens of times. “You might not need to, but I do.”
“Right.” Adjusting myself, I head into the kitchen and set her container on the counter and open the fridge. “Are steaks okay? I guess I probably should have asked before you came over.”
“Steaks are great. They’ll go perfectly with what I brought.”
“Why do I have a feeling you’re going to say Brussels sprouts?”
“Have you ever tried them, Jasper?” she fires at me, looking around for a pan.
“Yes. How else would I know they’re soggy?”
Quinn taps on the oven, turning it on to preheat as I season the steaks.
“Mine won’t be soggy. You’re going to at least try them for me.”
Wrapping a hand around her waist, I pull her back to my front. It’s a perfect fit, feeling these curves against me.
“Do I get anything for trying them?”
“What do you want?”
“You.”
“Mmm,” she moans. “I think I can make that happen.”
“Good.” I press a kiss to her exposed shoulder. “Because I don’t think I’ll like them.”
“Want to make a bet?” Quinn turns around, a playful look on her face.
“Fuck no.” I laugh.
“What? Why not? Aren’t all you athletic types competitive?”
“On the ice?” I nod. “Yes, but with you? I have a feeling I’ll get my ass whooped.”
“You would. Because I know I’m going to win.”
“See? I’m humble enough to know I’ll lose.”
“Fine.” She pushes me back. “Go start the steaks, I’ll get these in the oven, and then I’ll be out, okay?”
I smile back at her, grabbing the plate. “Okay.”
She hums to herself as I head out onto the terrace. Music from the bars can be heard with the echoes of people talking as they walk up and down the streets.
It’s one of the reasons I bought this place. I liked the feeling of having other people around. Made it not so lonely for me.
Lifting the cover off the grill, I fire it up and wait for it to warm. There’s a chill in the air, the first hint that fall is right around the corner. The cooler Nashville nights are one of my favorite things about the city.
“Beer?” Quinn comes outside, feet now bare.
“Thanks.” I take the drink from her as she settles into one of the outdoor chairs.
I like that she’s making herself at home here.
“Rapid-fire getting to know you,” I say.
“Don’t we already know each other?” she asks. “I know you love cereal, Julie Andrews, and hate Brussels sprouts.”
“What if I want to know other things?” I ask.
“Like what?”
“Like…have you always wanted to be a singer? Do you want to live in Nashville the rest of your life? Favorite player on the Knights? You know, basic things.”
“Yes, no, and Noah.”
“Really?” I quirk a brow at her as I slap the steaks on the grill.
“You set me up for it. I think you know the answer to that.”
“Good.” I close the lid and turn around to face her. “If you don’t want to live in Nashville, where would you live?”
“I’d move out to the country. Get away from the city.”
“You don’t seem like a farm kinda girl.”
She nods, sipping her drink and kicking her legs out into the empty seat across from her. “My grandparents used to live on a farm. I loved their old house. It was painted red, and during the summer, we used to collect chicken eggs and sing songs together. Those are some of my favorite memories.”
Resting the tongs on the table, I drop my hands on either side of her and stare down into her eyes. “I guess that’s where you got wanting to sing from.”
“Did you always want to be a hockey player?” she asks, looping her fingers through my belt loops.
“It was about the only thing I was good at growing up, so I figured why not?” I confess. “I don’t think I’d be good at anything else.”
“I doubt that.” Her breath ghosts over my mouth.
“I think it’s why I’ve stuck around so long in the league. I don’t know what else I would do.”
“Stick with me, kid. I can help.”
“Kid? Really?”
“It was right there.” She giggles and I love the sound. “Maybe you can come on tour with me.”
“Like a professional groupie?” I kiss her neck before pulling out of her hold. I miss her warmth immediately.
Quinn sips her beer. “Not quite what I had in mind, but maybe if I tour again, we could work something out.”
“Things are escalating pretty quickly for a first date. Already talking about going on tour together?”
Tending to the steaks, I flip them, making sure the first side is done.
“Well, we did get to know each other pretty well before said date. I’m glad you didn’t give up on me, Jasper,” Quinn says. “Dating in my line of work isn’t the easiest.”
Casting a look over my shoulder at her, I see she’s picking at the label on her beer bottle.
“I know it’s not always easy for us guys, but I can’t imagine what it was like for you.”
“I—” Before she can finish her thought, the timer on her phone beeps. “Brussels sprouts are done. I’ll go grab everything.”
“Okay.”
I watch her go, studying her curvy frame. God, I’m really hoping this night goes well. I’ve wanted Quinn for as long as we’ve been talking. Craved her.
I’m hoping that tomorrow I’ll be making her breakfast before heading in for an early workout before our game.
“These smell amazing, and if you don’t like them, you’re going to break my heart.” Quinn sweeps back out onto the terrace with a steaming bowl of something that smells pretty damn good in one hand and the plates and silverware in another.
“How’d you make them? They smell good.”
“It’s a honey sriracha glaze. You air fry them or roast them in the oven just right and they aren’t soggy.”
“We’ll see…”
Checking the meat, the steaks are grilled to perfection. Grabbing the plates, I put one on each and join Quinn at the table.
She leans across the table, holding her beer bottle out. “Here’s to finally having a first date.”
“About damn time, Bella.”
“And it’s about damn time you try some sprouts.” She smiles at me as she scoops a spoonful onto my plate.
“You know, it’s a good thing I like you.”
“Why’s that, Hayes?”
“Otherwise I wouldn’t be trying these.” Stabbing a fork into the crispy green…things, I take a bite.
“So? How do you like them?” Quinn asks, biting into her steak.
I shake my head back and forth. “Not soggy, but still can’t decide if I like them.”
Quinn steals a kiss. “At least you tried them.”
Dinner is a laid-back affair. The two of us talking for hours about everything. It’s easy being around her. I was worried that we wouldn’t have the same chemistry in real life as we did when talking online.
Turns out, I had nothing to worry about.
Before I know it, three hours have gone by before we’re clearing the table and taking everything inside.
"You know, the night doesn’t have to end just because dinner is over.” I pull her against me. I’m quickly becoming addicted to the woman in my arms. “You want to take this into the bedroom?”
“You should know something, Jasper.” She spins in my arms.
“What’s that?”
She kisses the corner of my mouth and pulls back. I miss the feel of her immediately.
“I don’t sleep with men on the first date.”
“Wait, seriously?”
She nods, grabbing her purse and heading to the front door. “Play your cards right, Jasper, and you might get lucky on the second or third date.”
This is not exactly what I wanted to hear. I’ve got a growing problem, and I’m going to need to take care of it when she leaves.
“I did hear one good thing in that statement,” I say, closing the distance between us.
“What’s that?”
Grasping her chin, I give her a quick peck. “A second date.”
“Is tomorrow too soon?” She chases my mouth as I pull back from her.
“You seem pretty eager for someone who doesn’t want to stay.”
“I have to keep you on your toes somehow.” She gives me a lust-filled smile. “Does tomorrow work?”
“I’ve got a game tomorrow night.”
This time, I trail kisses down her jaw, pressing a warm kiss below her ear.
“What about the night after?” She breathes against me, digging her fingers into my sides.
“Another game.” Fuck. I am going to lose my shit waiting for this woman.
“Think I can come over after?” she asks. “Or will that be too late for you, old man?”
I give her a playful slap on the ass, and based on the moan that slips out, she liked it. I’m filing that little fact away for later.
“I think I can muster up some energy for you, Bella.”
“Good. Because I can’t wait.”