1 Chasing Mr. December BONUS （DELETED） SCENE
A Man of the Month Club
Magnolia Point Firefighter Holiday Novella
Quinn
There’s only a few more days until the big Bathtub Party Day festival. While I should be excited, the enormity of the event is starting to feel a bit stifling. What if it falls flat? What if no one shows?
Trying to shake my nerves I refocus on my to-do list. I’ve made a few last-minute visits to merchants who’ve rented stalls in the Winter Village to sell their wares during the festival. It’s imperative they all have what they need to bring their best to the people of Magnolia Point as well as to make a good impression on visitors to our town. This has the opportunity to turn the tides of tourism in our town, as well as set my public relations firm on the map, and I’m here for it.
Met with nothing but enthusiasm by the merchants, restaurants, and spa representatives I’ve spoken with, I feel quite accomplished with my day. My body, however, hasn’t fared as well. Rubbing my sore feet as I sit in my car, I can hear Layton’s voice encouraging me to lean on him and the boys from station #803. With all that I’m doing to bring positive vibes to their fire department, I bite my lower lip conceding that asking for their help isn’t admitting weakness. They should offer to step up. It benefits all of us.
If they could stop by a few of the resorts to drop off more fliers and pick up donations for me, it could be a huge help. Then I’ll just have to contact the food truck and concession vendors to confirm they’re set. Pulling out my phone, I dial Layton’s number, but as it rings on my end, I can hear a phone nearby chirping.
“Hello?”
I spin on my heel to see Layton, Jenson, and Jason coming out of the Riverside Café, Layton holding his cell to his ear as he smiles in my direction. They must be off duty, as they’re all in jeans and t-shirts. Laughing I hang up the phone. “What, is it Tuesday again?”
“Nah. We just had club sandwiches today. Not nearly as good.” He chuckles. “What can I do for you, Quinn?”
My eyes connect with Jason’s and a nervous excitement jolts through me despite the saucy glint in his bright blue gaze. I will myself to concentrate on the initial reason for my call to Layton instead of the smoldering teenage dream in front of me. The memory of my unexpected hot and spicy night under the stars causes a flush to creep from my chest to my face.
Shifting from foot to foot, I attempt to push through my nerves. Why does Jason make me such a wreck? He’s just a man. No more important than you, Quinn. It was a fun night, but he’s leaving soon. Focus. “I was calling to see if I could take you up on your offer.”
From the corner of my eye, I observe Jason stands a little taller, his facial expression shifting from cheeky to concerned.
Layton smiles broadly. “Of course. What took you so long to ask? Just name it. What can we do?”
“If the boys could drop off a few more fliers, well… and pick up some of the last-minute donations for me, that would be a tremendous help.”
“I’m actually about to meet Daphne, but I’m sure she’ll be glad to help out as well. Drop off whatever you need us to hand out and the list of donations at the station. We’ll take care of it. Okay?”
“That’s perfect. Thank you.” I wave goodbye to Jenson and Layton and turn back to Jason who’s grinning at me like a Cheshire cat. “What’s going on? You’re making me nervous.”
He comes in closer, draping his arm over my shoulders and pulls me into his muscular side. His ripped, warm, smells like pine and sex side. The action is startling. That he’d be so physical with me, a Patterson, out in public. “I’m proud of you, short stuff. Delegating and shit.”
I giggle, feeling a contentment I haven’t felt in so long.
Until I see her… Corinne, dead ahead.
Is this closeness related to the other night? Or is this simply a show… for her? I stiffen at the thought, not wanting to put that out into the world for fear of what I might discover. I mean, one scorching night of passion with a man I’ve fantasized about or not, no one wants to feel they were a convenient lay, much less retaliation aimed at an ex who’s done him wrong.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
Jason grips my chin, pulling it in his direction. “What happened just then?”
“Just wondered if you were touching me like this because Corinne was down there?”
His head immediately shoots up, a look of confusion covering his previously flirty fa?ade. “No. I didn’t see her. And I’d like to keep it that way,” he adds as he turns us in the opposite direction. “Wait—” His steps falter. “Quinn, why would you think—” An exasperated expression develops as his body tenses beside me. “Get this straight,” he says, bending to look me straight in the eyes. “I would never use you like that. Never. I thought you knew me—”
Jason drops his arm from around my shoulders, the loss of his strong body causing a chill. It’s not the temperature change as much as the retreat of his playful disposition from mine. I’m suddenly awash with regret at my accusation. Yet to my surprise, he grabs my elbow, pulling me into his arms. “It’s not your fault, short stuff. I get it. I haven’t let anyone in since… well, since the fallout. Not that you’d remember, but deep down I’m still the same guy I was when we were kids. Just a little battered and bruised.”
“I’m sorry.” Honestly, I want to believe this to be true. But the thought I’m just a convenient way to pass the time while he’s here is never far from my mind. I decide to throw Corinne under the bus. “She brings out the worst in me.”
He chuckles. “Ditto.” The bleep of the radio on his back pocket briefly steals my attention until he bends to place a chaste kiss on my lips. Many of the off-duty fire fighters and EMTs in town respond from home on their days off since staffing is so short. I watch with rapt interest as a mouthwatering grin curls the edges of his luscious mouth as he reaches behind him to turn the volume down. “Now that Layton and the guys are going to help you out, what are you doing right now?”
“I don’t know. I was going to check on the food trucks—”
He swallows my words as he covers my mouth with his, his tongue darting in for a deeper kiss. “Come with me.”
“Yes,” I groan. Hell, I’d go anywhere with him right now. Following along behind him, our hands entwined, I climb up into his truck. Any normal person would ask where we’re going, but I’m so enchanted after that hypnotic kiss I can’t stop looking at him like a silly heart eyes emoji. As the fire station comes into view, my brows pinch together. I guess I did need to leave stuff here for the guys to distribute. But those are still in the trunk of my car.
Jason opens my door and pulls me behind him into the building. I’m surprised by the haste with which he’s dragging me, but notice none of the vehicles are present.
“I’d ask where’s the fire, but…” I laugh as I practically run to keep up with him.
Once we’ve reached the bunk room, he shuts the door behind him, locks the door, and spins me so I’m facing away from him. There’s barely a moment to consider what’s happening before I feel my skirt lifted up and large, warm hands caressing my ass. A moan escapes just as I feel my panties pulled down to my knees. “Jase, I groan.”
Placing a flat palm on the center of my back, he pushes me down before his mouth connects with my backside. Squirming against his warm, wet tongue, I tremble with need. “Please,” I beg. But I don’t have to wait long.
The distinctive sound of a zipper echoes in the room just before he slams into me.
“Oh, God.”
“Fuck, baby. You feel so good. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” he grunts as he pounds into me. “Nothing has ever felt this good.”
“What happened to…” I can barely complete a sentence around his intense pummeling. “What happened to the gentle man who made love to me?”
His body stills and I instantly regret asking. Leaning forward, he whispers into my hair, “He’s inside you. You got me all worked up and we don’t have a lot of time.”
“I wasn’t complaining.”
His pace returns to the delicious thrusts from moments ago, but now he’s resting his skillful fingertips on my clit. The friction as he bucks into me sets off a spark that could light up the entire town for the holidays.
“Oh, Jase.” I can’t hold off any longer, and it sounds from the inaudible sounds he’s making he’s right behind me. My nails dig into the wood of the bunkroom door to steady myself as he pulses inside me.
Moments later, after my breathing and pulse have slowed, I sense him returning my panties and lowering my skirt. I can barely wrap my head around what just happened, but again, I’m not complaining.
“Come on, we need to head out before the guys come back,” Jason says after he’s zipped up. He unlocks the door and pulls me back into his warm, muscular arms before placing a tender kiss to my temple.
Awash in endorphins I almost fall face first when Jason comes to an abrupt halt.
“Hey, guys,” Layton greets with a shit eating grin on his face. One mirrored by his girlfriend, Daphne, the volunteer medics, and the B shift crew who have all returned from their recent call.
Thank you for reading.