Chapter 17
Quinn
Arriving at the station, I’m a nervous wreck. It’s the last photoshoot, and while Jason agreed to participate, I can’t help but worry he’ll become a hostile subject.
“Hey, Holly. You got everything ready to go?”
“Yes. I can’t believe it’s the last one. He’s getting ready, but we should be all set in a few minutes.”
Looking over Holly’s shoulder, I find Jason standing in his turnout pants, red suspenders over his bare bronze shoulders as a makeup artist applies oil to his delicious six pack.
“How do I get that job?” Callie whispers from behind me.
I giggle. “I know, right? Thank you for coming.”
“Figured you might need the moral support. But after the dreamy way he was looking at you at the Diddled Fiddle, I knew he’d hold up his end of the deal.”
Holly moves to take her place, her large black camera around her neck, just as “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred starts blaring through Layton’s blue tooth speakers. The guys are all in attendance, cheering Jason on from the sidelines.
He takes it all in stride, posing like a pro. He climbs onto the engine, looks down at Holly from the ladder, and even allows her to obtain a shot wearing a Santa hat. It isn’t until the song stops, and Holly is reviewing the pictures through her lens, that I notice how many passersby have stopped to watch. Several women who look like they just left a bible study fan themselves while others giggle with rosy cheeks and hungry eyes.
I get it. My mind is going all sorts of places it shouldn’t.
Jason approaches and leans close to my ear. “Is that what you wanted, Miss Patterson?” his voice seeming even more deep and gravely than usual, and goosebumps dot my flesh in response.
I have to bite my lower lip to keep from moaning an indecent reply.
“Hey. What’re you doing tonight?”
“Not a thing. Why?” Looking up at him, it’s all I can do not to swoon. I’m certain it’s just the endorphins from watching him shirtless, his tatted, sinewy pecs and abs on display, all covered in oil. God, I need a cold shower.
“Meet me at Mug Life. Say, seven? Thought I should at least take you out for coffee after giving you such a hard time about doing this.” He reaches behind his neck, his biceps up close and personal, an uneasy expression lighting up his beautiful face. “I should be embarrassed by the whole thing.” He chuckles nervously. “Don’t let anyone at my station back home find out. But I actually had fun.”
Back home.
The days seem to be flying by way too fast. Having him here. “Sure.” I might as well get my fix while I can. “Why not?”
Jason
Still keyed up from the day’s events, I pace in front of Mug Life as I await Quinn’s arrival. Hell, I feel like an awkward teen with a crush. What has this girl done to me?
“Hi.”
Turning, I find Quinn standing behind me on the sidewalk wearing curve-hugging jeans, cute little brown boots, and a gray hoodie that brings out the color of her eyes. Her brown hair is down around her shoulders and it’s all I can do not to lean in and kiss her.
“Hi.” I extend my arm toward the front door. “After you.” I follow her in, and we make our way to the counter. I order a hot chocolate, extra marshmallows, and she smiles and asks for the same. It doesn’t take long as we wait silently at the end of the counter for our orders, but long enough that my anxiety starts to get the better of me. My concern grows that I won’t be able to keep from staring if I’m sitting across from her. “You okay if we walk while we sip?”
“Of course.”
As we head down the sidewalk further into town, we make small talk about the big festival, watching the rubber ducks float down the May River, and about Quinn’s hopes for a great turnout. She’s so passionate about her work, I can’t help but hang on her every word.
“Who knew short stuff would turn out to be such a badass?”
She giggles before taking another sip.
“No, really. You’ve worked so hard on this, Quinn. It’s impressive what you’ve been able to do in such a short amount of time.”
“Thank you. It’s exhausting. Hopefully, as my business grows, I can bring in some help. This one man show is a lot.” She stops walking and turns to face me. “I get so tired. I just want to play hooky, drink hot cocoa, and watch Christmas movies surrounded by lights and decorations. But there’s still so much left to do.”
“Well, the guys at the station are all impressed with your work ethic. And, hell, we have a ton of downtime. If there’s any busywork, let us help. There’s no need to be a one man show with us around.” Unable to hold back, I drop my hand to her lower back as we walk. The need to touch her is almost magnetic. “We’ve got you.”
She beams up at me, little flecks of blue creating a ring around those hypnotic gray irises. “Thanks, Mr. December,” she teases. “I might take you up on that.” She takes a sip from her cup. “Can I sign you up for next year?”
“Uh, no.”