I rolled my eyes, trying to act cool though I wanted to punch him in the mouth.“Whatever, dude.Take your shot, but you’ll still be the asshole in the end.”
He laughed.“Still arrogant, huh?Always were.It’s nice to see you come down a level or two.Hey, maybe you and Quinn will get married.Get a little apartment together.You can work the coffee shop, she can waitress, and you’ll live happy ever after.Eat mac and cheese, pop out a few brats, and wake up one day ready to blow your brains out.Sound good?”
I lowered my voice.“Fuck you.You never cared about anyone but yourself.You use people, have no real friends, and wouldn’t know something real if it bit you in the ass.”
He smirked.“Yet I’m still rich and happy.And you’re not.”
I held back, trying to breathe, when one of the other servers came over.“You being helped, sir?”
Rich grinned.“Not yet.I want a caramel macchiato with skim, no whip.I’d like this man to take my order, please.”
“Of course.”The server walked away, giving us an odd look, and I realized Rich would win this round no matter what.He’d caught me at my lowest, and it didn’t matter if I had gotten the girl.I pictured him calling Adam, them having a few good laughs at my expense and gossiping about me to the rest of their crew until it got back to my parents.
Fuck it.Fuck them.All of them.
The old me would’ve shot over the counter and pounded his face.The new me turned away, went to the machine, and got his order.I slid it over the counter, keeping my face expressionless.“That’ll be $4.57,” I recited.
Rich gave me a five.“Keep the change, buddy.Maybe that’ll help you out.You and your noble intentions.”
His laugh mocked me as he turned and strode out without a backward glance.I tried to push him to the back of my mind and finish my shift, reminding myself I was the one who was happy with my new life.
But his words still burned like a rash I couldn’t get rid of.
When I got to my crappy apartment, I showered and texted Quinn I was home.The quiet was conductive to brooding, so I sat and waited for her to answer me, but when a few minutes went by I knew she’d fallen asleep.I went to the small dorm-type refrigerator, cracked open a Coors Light, and drank.
I thought of Rich laughing with Adam and telling his father how far James Hunt had fallen.I’m sure my parents would catch wind of my new job skills, and call with a humiliated command to use my damn trust fund and go back to Florida where I belonged.
But I didn’t belong there anymore.I didn’t belong anywhere.
Except with Quinn.
I finished my beer, grabbed my phone and keys, and headed back out the door.Toward her apartment.Head tucked against the needle-like wind, I reached her place in record time, slid my key into the lock, and let myself in.
She was asleep in the bed.One leg tangled in the sheets, dark hair spilling over the white pillow, little snores that she swore she never did emitting from her lips.My gut twisted, and I slowly took off my clothes, climbing into bed with her.She was warm and smelled clean and pure, and my dick hardened to get inside of her and forget everything but what she made me feel.I woke her slowly, my mouth sipping her at her plump lips, until she gave a catchy moan that got me more aroused, and I delved deep into her mouth, savoring her taste.
She arched, entwined her arms behind my head, and gave it all back.Completely surrendering to me, even in sleep.I felt bigger than fucking Superman, and a bit of my control broke.I got rougher, stronger, pinning her to the mattress and parting her thighs, rocking my erection between her legs.I was ready to surge inside and bury myself deep.
Her eyes opened.Pupils dilated, drugged, she whispered my name.“James.”
“You’re mine.Just mine.Forever.”
I delved my fingers into her pussy, loving the way she clenched around me tight, as if refusing to let me go.I curled my index finger the way she liked it and went straight for her G-spot, which made her cry out and launch halfway off the bed.
“Say it,” I commanded.The beast inside me roared for me to take her hard and make sure she never forgot, but I tried to keep it together.“Now.”
“I’m yours.Forever.Oh, God, gonna come—”
“Come now,” I whispered fiercely, biting her cherry-red nipple at the same time I flicked her clit with the pressure I knew got her every time.“Now, Quinn.”
“Oh, God, yes!”
She came hard, shuddering under my grip, and I lifted my head from her breast to watch her face.Possession beat in waves inside me.Swearing she’d never be in another guy’s arms, I surged forward and buried my dick deep inside her.
I threw back my head and shouted her name.Caught on the edge of losing my control, I thrust inside her over and over, just barely hanging on to my sanity as I felt her come again over my dick, bathing me in her arousal, falling into me as deep as I fell into her.
We collapsed together in a tangle of limbs, breathing hard, and she rolled over into the position she loved, tucking her head into my chest.My heart began to slow, and the elusive peace I always sought with art settled over me, making me realize everything was right as long as she was in my arms.
“Tough night?”she murmured huskily.
