Page 14 of Chasing Me

I laughed a bit.“You have no idea.Rich came into the place.”

“Rich, your asshole friend from Key West?”

I laughed again.Quinn rarely cursed, but when she did it was pretty spectacular.“Yep.He was in town for some banquet and thought he’d stop in for a coffee to torture me.”

She rolled over and caught my chin.Her dark eyes were worried.“He’s scum, James,” she said.“I’m sure he gave you a hard time and tried to make you feel like crap.”

Quinn didn’t know the half of it, but I wasn’t about to tell her how his taunts affected me, even when I didn’t want them to.Seemed I was always struggling with my worth as a man.But I was tired of being a fucking whiner.Poor little rich boy, the voice inside me mocked.Over a million dollars at my disposal whenever I got bored of playing the working stiff, while people out there struggled with jobs every day to support their families and had no blanket policy.I disgusted myself.

“Uh-oh, he did get to you.”Quinn peered into my face.“He’s pissed because you took off and won’t finance his fun anymore.”

I laughed.Damned if she wasn’t right.My friends loved to have me around to throw the big-ass parties and always foot the drinking bill.“He left me a few quarters for a tip,” I teased.

She kissed me.“He’s a dickhead.I hope we don’t see him when we go back to Key West.”

Oh, yeah.We’d planned to go back to the Keys during Spring Break, meet all her girlfriends, and celebrate our year anniversary.Now?I had the big art show to worry about, and finding enough money to fly us over, stay at the Coves, and make sure my ex-friends didn’t bother us.Great.

“Maybe we should drive,” I threw out.“Could be an adventure.”

She arched a brow.“Are you kidding?It would take too long.Listen, Mac already said she’d put us all up at the Coves if you’re worried about money.”

No.Fucking.Way.I wouldn’t have her country-star friend, as sweet as she was, paying my bills along with my girlfriend’s.For God’s sake, last year, Quinn had been sleeping in my mansion.I’d find a way.

“I got it covered,” I said smoothly.“I don’t want you to worry about the trip.Okay?”

She frowned, but she finally smiled, flipped over, and started pressing kisses over my chest.My muscles clenched, and I became rock-hard again.I tangled my fingers in her long hair and watched her as she made her way to my erection, looked up my body, and gave me that look.The look that could shoot me straight to heaven in a single moment.The look that told me she was all mine.

“Quinn?”

“Shut up, baby.I think we’ve done enough talking.”

She opened her mouth, took me in one long, smooth, hot swallow, and I closed my eyes in ecstasy.

Dear God, I loved this woman.

Chapter Seven

QUINN

I SAT IN BRIAN’S OFFICE,my legs crossed in my proper black pants, boots, and white lace top.I tried not to fidget as he spent long moments going over my file, which I had brought to show I was organized and prepared.It contained not only a résumé, but letters of recommendation, my current GPA and student records, and testaments of all the people I’d worked with in the past, including referrals from the senior citizen home.I knew it was impressive, and a way to get to the next level beyond the newcomers.I just had to make sure I remained cool, competent, and in control.Those qualities were important to social work or counseling sessions, since emotions ran high and hot on a regular basis.

Brian looked up, pushed the folder away, and smiled.I tried not to jerk at the brilliance in that smile, recognizing he was basically a friendly, happy person who seemed quite satisfied with his life.I knew that was a stretch assumption when I didn’t even know him, but I had instincts about people.

“I’m impressed,” he said finally, leaning back in his chair.

“Good.That’s the reaction I was seeking.”

He laughed and tapped his pen casually against the edge of the desk.“Are you too good to be true?It’s rare I see someone enthusiastic, with businesslike skills and capabilities this young.Why do you want to dedicate your life to being with a bunch of alcoholics?A pretty, vibrant woman like you?”

I didn’t take offense.Just answered the question.“You know my father’s story.But this isn’t an attempt to make sense out of alcoholism or gain forgiveness for something I don’t understand.I worked through a lot of my issues.Went to therapy.Al-Anon.I just have this thing inside me that’s only truly satisfied when I’m helping others.Call it the nurturer personality, or maybe I’m an old soul who came back to right some past wrongs.I’m not sure.I just know who I am, and I accept it.Does that make sense?”

Something burned bright in his dark eyes, a gleam of understanding and something much more dangerous.His fingers clenched around the pen, and he gave a jerky nod.“Yeah, it does make sense.Listen, Quinn, I’m setting up a special program for people like you who I’m looking to hire full-time.Problem is, it’s demanding.Three nights per week, and I know you also work at the nursing home and have classes.We’ll be doing things I’ve seen in other rehabs which I’d like to implement at New Beginnings, and I’m only taking five people in.I want you to be one of them.Are you interested?”

“Yes.”I never hesitated.I knew my schedule was tight, but I wanted this and felt it could be the turning point I needed.I had so much I wanted to be able to give to the residents.Not dreams of unicorns and rainbows and perfect days.I didn’t believe in that anymore.Just hope and hard work.

“Good.”He shuffled through his desk and handed me a thick packet.“Those are the forms to fill out and get back to me.We start this week.”

I nodded.I’d make it work.I couldn’t wait to tell James, and though it would be less time we spent together, I knew he’d be supportive.I rose from the chair.

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