Page 16 of The Pursuit of Her Happiness

“Available? Polk, I just started dating a couple months ago.”

“Yes, but before that you were stuck on Ford. And honestly, I expected him to pull his head out of his ass and snatch you up.”

Her free hand flaps about as she chuckles humorlessly, “Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. And I don’t want it to.” Sighing, she meets my gaze, “I didn’t love him. Polk, I mistook friendly affection from the first man to pay me any attention since my divorce, and maternal gratitude for romance. I’ve read too many romance books. We were never destined for happily ever after. And deep down, I knew that. He turned me down…and it hurt, mostly because of the way he did it, but he wasn’t wrong. We aren’t right for each other. I just…God, it’s silly, but I just wanted someone. Someone to share my day with, someone to care for, maybe have someone take care of me for once.”

“I’m that someone, Quinn. Let me be that someone.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say more about how you thought of me a lot.” I grin salaciously and wink at her. She’s fucking breathtaking when she laughs. Her entire body is involved, and the sound is throaty and sexy.

“You’re hot and you know it.”

I sniff, “It doesn’t hurt to be reminded. My ego is fragile—”

She shakes her head. “Fucking men.”

“You don’t need to declare your unconditional devotion. This is our first date. We start here and see where it goes?”

“I can’t lose the club, Polk. My boys—”

“No matter what happens between us, you are a part of the Congressionals MC. And your boys are too. I’m a grown ass adult, Quinn, I can handle rejection. If you and I aren’t suited for each other, I will bow out…but I don’t see that happening.”

“You don’t?” The hope in her voice is hard to miss.

I tighten my grip on her hand and use my other to caress her cheek. The way she melts into my touch does funny things to my heart. “This might be our first date, but you know me, Quinn. And I know you. There isn’t a part of you that doesn’t draw me in.”

“I, uh, you’re right. You are a good man, Polk. One of the best. And I’m attracted to you, not just physically. It’s just…I haven’t been with anyone but my ex-husband. And it scares me a little. Not necessarily baring my body to someone, I am what I am and it’s easy to tell despite clothing what I’m working with.”

“Phenomenal tits.” She laughs hard.

“Everyone is fixated on my tits.”

“They’re amazing.”

“Thanks. I don’t know if I’ll be any good.”

“Did Joe—”

“No. No, we had a healthy sex life.” Those words in that order in regard to someone else…I do not like them. Just saying. She ignores my growl, “But he’s all I’ve ever known.”

“You and I will be explosive, Quinn, I have no doubt about that.”

“I’m sure you have more experience, the lobbyists—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there. Clean slate. We begin knowing we have pasts that bear no relevance on our present and our future. We’ve never dated each other; we’ve never been intimate before. We learn, we experiment, we grow together.”

“This is crazy,” she mutters, her expression one of awe and disbelief. “I was expecting a mediocre date with a man I probably wouldn’t see again and heading home early to drink a box of wine and watch reruns ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer.”

“That’s still on the table. I’m team Spike.” I’ve surprised her and it makes me chuckle. “Or we can stay here, eat a fine meal, engage in meaningful conversation, and I can walk you to your car and kiss you goodnight.”

“Alright.” She lets go of my hand and pulls back. Standing next to the table, she clears her throat and thrusts her hand between us. I take it, shaking it gently. “Hello. My name is Quinn Palomeni. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Standing, still holding her hand, I urge her to her side of the booth. “Bently Walker, but everyone calls me Polk. The pleasure is all mine.” I kiss her hand, reluctantly releasing it and taking my seat across from her.

We smile at one another for several long seconds, before I smirk, “I hate belly buttons. Please tell me you don’t have one or I’m afraid I must end this date right now.”

Quinn 9.

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