Page 64 of Hard Hitter

With a hearty, low laugh, Fake-Thor nodded. “Fair point. I guess that’s why I’m terrible at relationships. I had a mom who put up with my dad’s shit because she didn’t want to give up her lifestyle, and I was raised by a whole slew of my dad’s side pieces.” He took another pull of beer, then tilted the bottle to gesture toward Quinn, “What’s your excuse?”

Before he could talk himself out of it, he replied, “I only ever wanted one girl, and I never thought she wanted me. I never thought I was good enough.”

“Bet she’d think differently now. Come back successful, a shit ton of money in the bank, and every other woman in the world wants you apparently. I bet she’d think you’re good enough now.”

Quinn paused suddenly. He looked across the bar at this guy who for some reason was unnaturally easy to talk to. Had he considered this yet? All the guys Rae had dated in the past were wealthy, they were from the same life, they had the same experiences. Rae wasn’t suddenly interested in him because he had money now, too?

No. Of course not. Rae was my friend back then because she wanted to be, and now we’re together because we both want to be.

“We have reconnected, actually,” Quinn said. “I took her out on this date and kind of made up for all my mistakes in the past. All the thingsI wished I could’ve done differently for the past, shit, hundred years, it feels like.” He told the guy across the bar all about the date, about reliving the moment he’d known he was falling for her. Okay, and a little about how she’d reacted and how they’d spent the later part of the evening.

“Sounds like you got it all, All-Star,” Fake-Thor took another long pull of his beer. “The dream job, the money, and now the girl who- if you don’t mind me saying- sounds like she’s got a pretty insatiable sexual appetite.”

Quinn snorted with laughter. “Yeah, we’re having a good time in the bedroom. Or the living room, or kitchen, or laundry room.”

“Wherever.” Fake-Thor rolled his eyes. “Yeah, the last girl I was with- in a relationship with, I mean- was like that. Shit, she just wanted to fuck all the time.” He smirked and Quinn could tell he was remembering the good times. “I work late sometimes, and I’d get back to my place and she’d be there in sexy lingerie, or just naked on the couch, wet and waiting for me. There were nights I’d walk in and she’d just drop to her knees like she’d been hungry for me all day. Or I would...”

“Sounds like a fuckin’ dream girl,” Quinn remarked. “What happened?”

“Just my usual shit,” he said with a shrug. “Like father, like son.”

Quinn paused with the rocks glass to his lips. His brow furrowed as his blurred brain seemed to be making connections.

Like father, like son?

He cheated on her?

Fuck. Me.

Before he could even figure out how to respond, the door to the shed opened and Amira walked in followed by Rae. He smiled instantly at the sight of her in her black tank top and distressed denim skirt, cheeks still flushed from a long day of drinking. Then he cautiously drew his attention back to this guy who’d intentionally kept his name a secret.

Emerson. Of course. He was eyeing Rae as though imagining her...on the couch waiting for him after a long day? On her knees?

Fuck that.

Quinn glared, nostrils flared as he bit the inside of his cheek. He wondered if Emerson knew Quinn was with his ex or if he’d unintentionally mentioned their hot and heavy sexual connection.

That was until the previously friendly bartender’s eyes met Quinn’s again. Like flipping a switch, he’d gone from a potential new buddy to this smug, self-satisfied asshole. Emerson’s mouth twitched as he suppressed a grin, but the challenge in his expression was undeniable.

Challenge accepted, motherfucker.

Raelyn stood in the center of the garden-shed-converted-Irish-pub and felt momentarily paralyzed as she spotted Quinn sitting at a bar stool in front of Emerson. She held her breath as she assessed the situation. There were no fists flying, no noses bleeding, no fat lips. That had to be a good sign. Maybe they were more mature than she’d been giving them credit for. Maybe Emerson was just as over it as she was and his earlier comments about their sex life were just part of his inability to avoid conflict or stir the pot even just a little.

"Thereshe is." Quinn smiled at her and closed the space between them with two of his long strides. With one hand on her hip and the other gently on the side of her face, he pulled her into him and pressed his mouth to hers, sweeping his tongue through her mouth, breathing her in. When they pulled apart, a growl emitted from deep in his chest, "Damn, I've missed you."

The sensual kiss left Raelyn momentarily breathless. She blinked a few times and smiled, eyes focused on his chest as she regrouped. Quinn's finger tilted her chin up so that she was looking at him and she suddenly felt hot everywhere as he gazed down into her eyes. This wasn't a look he usually gave her when they were out in public. Thiswas his possessive bedroom stare that he used to make her melt right before he plunged himself inside her.

"I missed you, too," Raelyn was finally able to get out before he kissed her again. His tongue played with hers in her mouth and she felt his groan rumble through her, and this time she thought she tasted whiskey on his tongue. Raelyn placed a hand to his very firm chest and pushed herself away gently.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Quinn breathed, his lips brushing hers as he spoke.

“You taste like whiskey,” Raelyn replied. “I thought you were going to be my ride home.”

“Change of plans,” Quinn said, before dipping low and whispering in her ear. “We may be finding another ride home, but I still fully intend on being your ride for the night.” He kissed her neck just below her ear. “All night.”

Feeling heat spread up her skin and the increase of her pulse, she curled her fingers into his shirt, nearly forgetting they were in a room filled with people. She was ready to call a Lyft or an Uber right then. Hell, she’d crawl home if it meant she could have him when she got there.

“Sounds like a damn good plan to me,” Raelyn sighed, just before Quinn caught her mouth in another fervent kiss. Suddenly aware of all the eyes on them, Raelyn pulled away again. She didn't necessarily have anything against public displays of affection but couldn’t help sensing the prickling tension in the room.

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