Chapter 24
Jason
Three months later
“Jason.”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve got a visitor.”
I leave the office to find Quinn standing in the dayroom with her friend Callie. Before I can say a thing, she’s running full steam in my direction, not bothering to act cool. I plant my feet firmly onto the floor as she jumps into my arms and attempts to climb me like a tree.
I did tell her I’m a captain now, right?
“There’s my Mr. December,” she whispers into my ear.
We’ve been taking turns driving to each other’s home to visit around our work schedules. I get a ten-day stretch off every three weeks, so make visiting her and Dad my priority. Hell, I’ve even spent time with her father, Nigel. And Ian. We’ll never be what we were. But I can manage limited time with him and Joy, since it’s important to Quinn.
“Babe. I’m excited to see you too, but save some of your enthusiasm for when we get somewhere private. This behavior isn’t befitting a captain.” I shake my head and swiftly rotate back toward the office. But not before catching Brecken out of the corner of my eye. He’s overtly eyeing Callie, who rolls her eyes at him. Smart girl.
“I’m sorry, Jase.”
Quinn’s apology catches me off guard. “For what?”
She raises a brow at me as if my question borders on absurd. “I thought you brought me in here to scold me, remind me of our age difference, and tell me I need to act in a manner worthy of your position.”
I can’t help the smirk that dances along the corner of my mouth. “Would you like me to punish you, short stuff?”
Without hesitation, she claps like a giddy schoolgirl. “Um, yes, please.”
I drop my volume and lean close to her ear. “I wasn’t expecting additional visitors this trip. We might have to save that for a different weekend.”
The corners of her mouth quickly turn downward. “I’m sorry. Callie was having a rough week. Then I remembered meeting some of your friends the last time I was here and hoped to introduce her to Addison. Callie dreams of starting her own designer cupcakerie business, and I wondered if Addison might consider her for an unpaid internship this summer. She really needs something to look forward to.” Her genuine affection for the people in her life makes me love her all the more.
“That’s a great idea, babe. But if it’s unpaid, where’s she going to stay for free?” I ask, coming closer. Because, hell, I can’t not touch her any longer.
“I guess I didn’t think that far ahead.” She bites down on that plump bottom lip, and I can’t stop myself.
Bending, I tug it free with my teeth before swiping my tongue into her mouth. Her moan reverberates against my lips, and my dick instantly springs to life. I take a step back, adjust myself, and try to keep some distance until I can be alone with her. Quinn looks concerned, as if she’s waiting for a lecture. “Baby, it’s taking every ounce of control I possess not to bend you over this desk right now.”
“Oh.” She smiles sweetly, seemingly reassured. “I was afraid I was going to get a talking to.”
“Now that you mention it, I do need to tell you something.” I was planning to do this later, but with Callie here, my plans have been thwarted. “I had a date the other night.” I intentionally keep my tone flat. Her eyes spring wide, and I try not to laugh until I see the hurt. “With Mother Nature,” I reassure her.
Does she really think I’d ever do that to her ? Especially after having had it done to me?
“It was a quiet night under the stars. Except for the fact you weren’t here with me, it was a perfect evening. It gave me time to really consider things. Why I’d been avoiding relationships since my breakup with Corinne. I realized it wasn’t a lifelong commitment I was resisting. It was the risk of spending the rest of my life with the wrong woman.” I step a little closer, taking her hands in mine. “I want to do this right this time, short stuff.”
Lifting her chin, I look into her big, beautiful blue-gray eyes. “I love you. I don’t want to live without you anymore. But it’s a lot to ask. For you to move in with me. I haven’t sworn off marriage, but I need to make sure we’re both on the same page first.”
Her expression is more hopeful, but she still hasn’t spoken a word. Honestly, I mistakenly thought she would’ve jumped at the chance. Her hesitation is surprising. “I know you don’t want to rush things after all you’ve been through.” Quinn’s voice is barely more than a whisper. “This is a big deal. So, I understand if you want to live together for a few years first.”
“A few years?” I tug her into my arms as if I’m rescuing her from a house fire. How do I make her see she’s got this all wrong? “Babe, I’m all in. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” I extend my arms, taking a step back to look into her sweet but overly cautious face. “Quinn, I’ve got almost ten years on you. You’re making huge sacrifices, leaving your family and taking your business on the road. I need you to be sure before I buy a ring. I’m afraid I couldn’t live through that kind of rejection from you.”
I can’t help but look away. The very thought of it makes my chest ache. “Last time was different. I was humiliated and angry. But if you…” I scrub my hand down my face. “Well, I’m not certain my heart would recover if you said yes, only to walk away later.” My voice cracks as I push out the words.
Get your shit together, Jase.
“Make no mistake, Quinn Patterson, you are important to me. I’d transfer back to Magnolia Point to make this work.” Cupping her face in my hands, I bend down to her eye level, dropping a kiss on her nose.
“Jase, I don’t need to think about it. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.” My sweet girl blinks up at me, her big gray eyes full of adoration. “No other man has ever held a candle to you.”
I can’t fight the grin that takes over my face. Wrapping my arms around her, I lift her off of the floor and spin her around. “You sure about this, short stuff?” The magnitude of this moment seizes me, my expression becoming much more serious. “Because I’m willing to do whatever it takes to chase my Mrs. December.”
Keep reading for a very happily ever after.