Page 24 of Chasing Mr. December

“Well, we’re ready to have you back. Between the annoying rookie and the replacement Chief Roberson sent, it’s bordering on painful.” He chuckles. “Your dad looked good.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty amazing. Hopefully, after I get the Christmas tree farm prepped for him, he can take over until my next stretch of days off.”

Out of the blue, I feel a jolt of electricity pulse through me as a small hand lands on my back. Turning, I see Quinn stepping between us as she saddles up to the bar. “Jasper? Can Callie and I get another round of margaritas?” She points over her shoulder to where her friend is seated in a booth, smiling in our direction. Ignoring me, she continues, “The server’s been busy with that group over there.” She thumbs over her shoulder to the boisterous table of people who I’d bet are tourists. The women are adorned in flashy resort attire and the men all seem to be wearing golf tees and polos.

“Let me get those,” I tell Quinn.

She turns, giving me a bright smile, those glorious gray eyes nearly causing me to sway. Does this woman have any idea how attractive she is? “Okay.”

“How are you?”

“Good.” She quickly turns to Trevor. “Hi. I’m Quinn.”

A slow, sexy smile curls Trevor’s lips.

“Oh, where are my manners? This is Trevor from back home. He’s on my shift at station twelve. He and his girlfriend, Addison, are two of my closest friends.” I don’t miss the quirk of his brow at my inserting his girlfriend into the conversation.

“It’s nice to meet you, Trevor,” Quinn says in a flirty tone.

Jasper brings her drinks, and she carefully lifts one to her lips, darting her tongue out to lick salt from the rim. My cock comes to attention, and I have to swallow a groan.

“See you,” she chirps as she returns to the other side of the bar.

“Holy shit, man. That’s the first girl I’ve seen have any effect on you.”

“What? You’re crazy.” My eyes stay peeled on her delectable ass as Quinn sways her hips provocatively. She’s barely seated before a server brings more drinks, turning to point to two gentlemen across the bar.

“Awe, man. You’ve got it bad.”

I shake my head, knowing denying it is futile.

“Stop being so stubborn and go for it.”

“It’s not that simple.” I give him the lowdown on my history here. I lay it all out there. My best friend and my fiancée, the almost ten-year age difference, and Quinn running a PR campaign to improve the reputation of the station here.

“Listen, it doesn’t sound all that different from when I came to Sycamore. The only difference was that I hadn’t had the chance to give my ex the engagement ring yet. My live-in girlfriend was sleeping with a pro football player. In my house! I swore I’d never trust another woman again. Especially models. I was dating down from then on. Then Addison came along. She was a force of nature. I couldn’t fight it. And in the end, I’m glad I didn’t.” Trevor turns on his stool and chuckles before taking another sip of his beer. “She even looks a lot like Addison. But thank God my girl can dance.”

Following his line of sight, I tip back my amber bottle and immediately start to choke. Quinn and her friend are on the dance floor. Yet, while Callie is swaying her arms and hips to thebeat of “Finally,” by CeCe Peniston, Quinn looks like Elaine from Seinfeld.

“Is she dancing or having a seizure?” He chuckles. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Go out there and help her. I’ve seen your moves.” I can’t believe I’m actually considering this. “Go on. I’m probably going to finish this one and head back to the house. You should offer to drive those two home.”

Standing from my spot, I give my friend a brotherly slap on the shoulder and head over to the jukebox and look for another song. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Ah, “Rump Shaker,” by Wreckx-n-Effect. A classic, I laugh to myself.

As the recognizable notes of the song begin and people in the bar start to hoot and holler, I make my way over to Quinn. Standing behind her, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her trim body against me, willing my dick to behave.

Callie gives me a slow grin as she continues to dance.

Nudging her ear with my nose, I whisper so she knows it’s me. “Hey, short stuff.” Placing my hands on her hips, I encourage her to sway in time with the beat of the music. If nothing else, so I don’t lose an eye.

She spins to face me, and I continue to hold her close, my hands on her hips. She doesn’t appear intoxicated. Glancing over at their table, several cocktails appear untouched. Quinn places her palms on my pecs, her undeniable fragrance and her touch making my pants grow snug.

I bend my face down to meet hers and have to stifle a laugh when she closes her eyes and puckers her lips. As tempting as that is, I’m not doing that here. I whisper against her mouth, “Okay. I’ll do it.”

Quinn blinks her eyes rapidly, looking confused.

“I’ll be your Mr. December.”

Her mouth falls open in shock momentarily, before she gazes up at me with a dreamy expression.

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