Page 43 of Scotch & Shortbread

Quinn never shied from a challenge, and clearly, he was proposing one. She would master this damn whisky and learn to like it if it killed her.

As they sat chatting, she took tiny little sips of the scotch. It did seem to get better as the night went on. She surprised herself saying yes to a refill later in the evening.

“I can’t believe the time,” Quinn quipped with a yawn at midnight. It had been an unexpectedly pleasant evening. Alex seemed to have let his guard down, at least a bit and he definitely seemed more at ease with her now. It was Christmas Eve Eve and Quinn realized she'd actually had the best time with Mean Hot Cop tonight—though she wouldn't admit it out loud.

“Aye, I’m ready for bed.” He yawned, stretched his arms above him, and then groaned. “I’m a bit stiff from all that wood chopping.”

Quinn’s eyes were drawn to the sex lineVthat peeked out from under his shirt when he stretched. Good Lord, that little snippet alone was completely swoon-worthy.

Alex caught her eye and for the briefest moment, the tension crackled between them. Quinn knew that, despite the chemistry, the man said he was off-limits. Not that she believed that, but she didn’t want him to get all weird with her again. Especially after they seemed to have made headway tonight, so she stood and headed for the bathroom.

“I’m just going to wash up.”

Alex sat in the chair, staring into the last glowing embers of the fire. He’d felt her gaze on him, and when he looked at her, he saw desire in her eyes big brown eyes. It stoked his own desire. He’d kept it all in check the whole evening, distracted by surprisingly great conversation. He’d actually found himself rather engrossed in talking with her. But that look she just gave him? Fuck. He needed to keep it together.

Glancing over to the settee, Alex considered their sleeping arrangements. If he built up the fire, she could sleep out here again, but it would only last so long before she’d need to add a log. She’d be up and down all night adding logs. Shit. He couldn’t very well make her sleep here tonight, and he didn’t want to sleep here either. Memories of the night before crept into his mind.

The evening had felt safe between them. He’d actually managed to have a conversation with her without wanting to either throttle her or kiss her, so that was encouraging. Shockingly, he enjoyed the company of Ms. Quinn West. Wonders never ceased. The bathroom door opened, and as Quinn stepped out, Alex went to go in behind her.

“I’m not going to freeze my ass on your couch tonight,” she said matter-of-factly as she strode past him to his bedroom.

Alex swallowed, staring after her. She didn’t look back, just went into his room, and closed the door.

“Right, that settles it then,” he muttered.

27

Pillow Talk

Afterwashingup,Alexpoked his head into his room and saw Quinn was already snuggled up in his bed. The lamp on the nightstand was on.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t like being cold,” she said rather unapologetically as she peered up over the blanket at him. “I know you chopped all that wood…” She bit her lip, and frustratingly, it alerted his cock. “But I feel like I’d be up half the night putting logs on the fire. But you don’t have to worry, it’s completely platonic. I won’t try and make a move on you or anything.” She giggled lightly.

Alex wanted to laugh at how ridiculous it was that he would worry about her making “moves” on him. The truth was he was more worried about himself.

“Fair enough,” he muttered as he strode into his closet.

Alex hated wearing clothes to bed. They felt too bloody constricting, but there was no way in hell he could sleep naked tonight. Last night, he wasn’t prepared, but tonight, he’d keep a barrier— both physically and mentally.Discipline, he reminded himself as he walked back out of the closet.

“Boxers,” he said gesturing to the black boxers he was now wearing as if showing her this barrier would ensure they were both safe from so-called unwanted sex. God help him.

“Good call.” She smiled sweetly as he quickly got under the covers, unable to handle her eyes on his body. He liked it far too much.

Laying in the bed beside her, Alex felt his heart actually thudding in his chest. What was with him? He was like a nervous schoolboy on a first date. Flicking off the lamp, he felt far from sleepy now. Damn it.

In the quiet darkness, Quinn rolled to face him. “What was the best Christmas present you ever got?” she asked brightly, seemingly unaware of his inner turmoil.

For once, he was grateful for the lass’s need to blether. It would help take his mind off things he shouldn’t be thinking about. “Ach, that’s an easy one,” he said. Putting an arm behind his head, he began to relax. “When I was about eight years old, my parents got us a dog for Christmas.”

“Really?” she asked, and he could hear the grin in her voice.

“Aye. We woke up Christmas morning and tore into the living room as ye do, and there, under the tree on a tartan blanket lay a little white Scotty puppy with a red ribbon tied around his neck. Angus.”

Quinn chuckled. “Aww, of course. Angus, so Scottish. Did you have any idea you were getting a dog?”

“None whatsoever. We didn’t think we were allowed to have any pets. It never even occurred to us to ask for one. It was the best Christmas,” Alex said reflecting back.

“Gosh, I can’t imagine. That is like every kid’s dream!” Quinn tucked her pillow a little snugger under her head.

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