Page 18 of Chasing Mr. December

“I think we need to get this to go, just in case,” Layton tells the cashier.

“Oh, of course.”

John and I give her our orders right before I hear Layton add, “Oh, and can I pick up the tab for Quinn and her date?”

My head spins to check out all four corners of the restaurant until I spot her. She’s sitting with a guy who appears a few years older than she is. He’s attractive. They’re sitting across fromone another, no physical contact between them. Why I’m taking inventory of this fact is a complete mystery to me.

“It’s the least I can do for all she’s doing for us,” he rattles on.

But rather than acknowledge what he’s saying, I blurt before I can stop myself, “Who’s that?”

“Why? You jealous?” Layton jabs.

“No.” I admit I’m more annoyed at her presence with a date than being called out on my behavior.

It’s at this exact moment Quinn looks up, her big gray eyes holding mine before she sucks salsa from the tip of her finger. My dick immediately twitches behind my zipper.

Holy fuck. This isn’t good.

Chapter 13

Jason

“Hey, John, pull over!” Layton yells, pointing out the window. From my angle in the back seat, I can’t tell what’s happening.

As the engine pulls to a stop, I unbuckle and quickly hop out, my boots splashing in overflowing drain water as I look around to see what all the commotion is about. Layton and John are running down the sidewalk to where Quinn is standing at the curb, ankle deep in mud. The curious part is what she’s doing.

“Jason, give us a hand,” John yells as he and Layton both grasp the power wheelchair with the tiny girl inside. “Lift on three, okay? One, two, three.” The chair is more awkward than heavy between the three of us. The radiant little girl with golden hair claps awkwardly as she grins widely at the three of us. Her smile is infectious.

“Oh, Quinn,” Layton groans.

I spin to find her covered in mud. Before I can think twice about it, I run over and lift her up. Carrying her over to a bench, I’m struck that her tantalizing vanilla scent completely overshadows any grime on her body. Placing her down, I carefully start removing her saturated left boot. It’s been several days since I saw her at the restaurant, but she’s played on a loop in my mind. Having her near, regardless of the reason, is almost calming.

“Oh, Jason. I can do that.”

Ignoring her because I couldn’t stop touching her right now even if I wanted to, I shift to remove her other boot. Her socks are damp, so I roll them off and attempt to dry her feet by rubbing them with my hands. The sight of her shiny red toenails shouldn’t be alluring. I don’t have a foot fetish.So why am I getting hard?Thank goodness I’m protected by my turnout gear. “Do you have another pair?” Despite my dick’s neanderthal behavior, I can’t fight this incessant need to protect her.

And who is this little girl? Does Quinn have a special needs daughter? Had it happened while she was away at college?

I know so little about this enigma of a woman who grew up when I wasn’t looking.

“No. But I only need to get Joy home. I’ll be okay.” Her voice is shaky and quiet.

“Nah, Quinn. We’ve got this. Right, Joy?” John teases. She smiles and makes a high-pitched shriek as Layton and John quickly get the chair down the sidewalk toward Quinn’s car. “I’ll get Joy in her car seat and then we can wipe down the wheels so you don’t ruin the trunk of your car.”

“You don’t have to go to all of that trouble.”

They both turn and playfully glare at her, and it warms my heart to see. Gathering Quinn in my arms, I carry her to the driver’s seat of her car. She arches a brow, and I know it’s become apparent that I can’t keep my hands off of her. Being this close is doing weird things to me. It’s that warm sugar vanilla floral concoction she wears. I swear it’s a modern-day Love Potion No. 9.

“In you go.” The sooner I get her out of here, the sooner I can get my fucking head back on straight. Out of the blue, I develop the oddest sensation in my chest. Rubbing concentric circles over my sternum, I try to ease the ache there.Is this heartburn?I need to lay off all the meatball subs. “Buckle up, buttercup.” I wink to combat how flustered I feel.

John taps the roof of the car. “Okay, doll. You’re all set.”

“Thanks, guys. I don’t know what we’d do without you. Right, Joy?”

The child’s name definitely suits her as she squeaks in glee.

Quinn pulls away, and we quietly head back to the engine. But before John can pull away, I can’t help myself. “I didn’t realize Quinn had a daughter.”

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