“What’s going through your head?” I ask, taking another step forward.
“Nothing.” She shakes her head.
“Yes, you were definitely thinking something.” I run the backs of my fingers along the side of her neck. “You’re all flushed. It happened earlier too. Whatever you’re thinking has got you embarrassed.”
“No,” she squeaks.
“Yes,” I argue. “Tell me, Q, what were you thinking?”
“One, my name is Quinn, not Q, and I was thinking, you’re so young, I could probably get arrested just for talking to you.” Her cheeks flush darker.
“What you mean is, you could probably get arrested for thinking about all the things you want to do to me.” When her cheeks and neck get even warmer, I know I’m right.
“Doesn’t matter,” she states. “I was right. I am old enough to be your mother.”
“My mom is forty-seven, so, no.”
“Where are you from?” she asks, changing the subject and giving me whiplash.
“Here.”
“You have a small accent. Are you Irish?”
“Ya,” I say, putting emphasis on my half-ass accent. “But I was born and raised here. The accent only comes out because my family all have it and I visit Ireland often.”
“Thought so,” she says, a smile tugging on the corners of her lips. “I watch Sons of Anarchy and you sound like the Irish dude. Anyway, your mom is only eight years older than me, and I’m twelve years older than you. I’m closer in age to your mom than you.”
“I don’t care,” I tell her honestly. “My mom always told me when I met the woman I want to spend my life with, I’ll just know. I’m not saying it’s you, but at the same time, I’m not saying it isn’t. I want to get to know you. You intrigue me, and I’m not about to let something as stupid as an age difference deter me.”
Her jaw drops open, and for a second I think I’ve stunned her silent. Probably for the best so she won’t argue. She blinks once, twice, shakes her head slightly, and then speaks. “Well, you should. Besides, I imagine a good-looking guy like yourself has plenty of young, gorgeous women to choose from.” The way she inadvertently puts herself down by referring to other women as gorgeous, as if she’s not in that category, rubs me the wrong way. I don’t care how fucking old she is, she’s sexy as hell.
“That’s neither here nor there,” I tell her, trying to keep the annoyance out of my tone. “I’m staring at a gorgeous woman right now who I want to get to know.”
“My answer is no,” she says, pushing my shoulder slightly so I’ll move out of her way. I consider not moving, but know it will only piss her off if I don’t.
Following her to the back, I say bye to Kinsley, who thanks me again for her tattoo. Quinn says hi to Jase, who wasn’t in yet when she dropped her daughter off earlier, and tells Willow and Jax she’ll see them at home later.
When Quinn and Kinsley are both out the door, Jax and Willow step on either side of me. I can feel both of them staring at me and know they’re going to say something. So, rather than prolong the inevitable by walking away, I wait.
“My sister is not someone you mess with,” Jax finally says. “She’s been through a lot, and if you fuck with her, I will choose her, regardless of our friendship, or the fact you work here. She’s family.”
Meeting his gaze, I look him in the eye so he knows I understand what he’s just said. “I would hope you would always choose your sister over me,” I tell him, “but all I want is to get to know her. I’m not trying to mess with her in any way.” He nods once, then walks away back to the office, leaving just Willow.
“Your turn,” I tell her, and she grins.
“Good luck,” is all she says. And with a pat on my shoulder, she joins her boyfriend in the office.
“Thanks!” I call out after her, knowing damn well I’m going to need all the luck I can get on my side. Something tells me Quinn isn’t your average woman, and getting her to agree to go out with me won’t be as easy as it usually is for me. But that’s okay because something else tells me she’s worth the challenge.
Six
Quinn
My mind is a whirlwind of mixed emotions the rest of the week, which thankfully goes more smoothly than Monday. Every time I recall the way Lachlan looked at me like he wanted to devour me right there in his workplace, I’m at a loss. Or the way he point blank told me he thinks I’m gorgeous and wants to get to know me. Surely, a guy as young and hot as he is, has a line of equally young and hot women at his disposal. Even after I told him my age, it didn’t seem to discourage him in the slightest.