Page 46 of Scotch & Shortbread

Alex knew that sex with Quinn would be mind-fucking-blowing, but then what? The reality was that even if they had off-the-charts sex, in the end, it wouldn’t be good for either of them. Quinn was the kind of woman to take home to meet the family. And Alex couldn’t let his life derail again. Was it even possible to just fuck as friends?

The thought didn’t sit well. Somehow, he already knew that they were too involved for sex to just be sex. He ran his hands over his face, feeling frustration. What was he supposed to do? With the snow still coming down, he knew they were going to be stuck here together for likely days to come. Maybe he should just talk to her, be honest, and set the record straight. She was a smart lass. He was sure she would agree that sex would just make things complicated between them. Maybe if he levelled with her, she’d understand and even agree.

Quinn went to Alex’s room for clean sweatpants and a hoody. For a moment, she stood at the door, contemplating going to see what he was up to, but thought better of it. Quinn had hoped or maybe daydreamed that he’d join her in the shower, but no such luck. It was obvious to her that he was attracted to her, despite his denial about it, but something held him back, for some reason, he seemed hell-bent on keeping their attraction from becoming anything more. The picture with him and the blond woman came to mind, and she again wondered about it. Was the woman in the photo the reason Alex kept himself in check with Quinn?

Quinn had snuck up to the loft the day before and found a book to occupy her next time Alex went AWOL. Now seemed like a good time to start it. She pulled it out from under the bed where she’d stashed it, fluffed up the pillows against the headboard, and hopped into bed.

For the rest of the afternoon, Quinn read a surprisingly juicy historical romance novel she’d found in Alex’s loft. It made her smile inside, knowing he probably had no idea there were smutty romance books up there. Good as the book was, it certainly wasn’t doing her any favours while being cooped up in this cabin with Hot Cop.

When Quinn finally put the book down, she was surprised to notice the room had become dim. Looking out the window, dusk loomed in the snow-filled sky. Realizing Alex hadn’t even come to check on her, she sighed, biting her lip. The man was a mystery. Deciding not to hide out for the evening too, she ventured out of Alex’s room and padded down the hall to the kitchen.

Alex stood at the counter preparing dinner. God, he was a delicious sight with his broad muscular back and shoulders showing through his t-shirt as he chopped vegetables. And his ass?Frick. She could bounce quarters of it. Damn that book. It had her all stirred up.

She considered offering her assistance when she thought better of it, remembering how he’d brushed her off the day before. Quinn decided to go up to the loft and see what other book treasures she could find. Alex seemed to pay her no attention until she began up the ladder.

“I’ll join you in a few minutes,” he called after her, not looking up.

“Okay,” she answered.Hmm, she hadn’t expected that. Perhaps he wanted to read more ofA Christmas Carol. Quinn sat on the little couch up in the loft and looked out the picture window at the gently falling snow. It was a picturesque Christmas Eve. And despite all the things that seemed wrong, so much just felt right.

Alex climbed up the ladder, and they locked eyes as he reached the top. Looking at her tentatively, he asked, “May I?” gesturing to sit beside her.

“Of course.” She nodded.

“I think we should huv a talk,” he said.

Oh boy, he sounded all cop-like again. Quinn had the distinct impression that this wasn’t going to be a festive Christmassy conversation. She watched him as he settled on the couch beside her and stared out the window before turning to her.

“The snow isnae letting up, so we may be stuck here for a few days yet,” he said, apprehension lacing his voice.

“I noticed,” she said calmly, holding her hands in her lap.

“I feel I wasn’t totally honest with ye yesterday.” His expression grew serious.

“No?” She tried to think back to everything they’d talked about and what he might not have been straight with her about. Without a doubt, he wasn’t forthcoming about a lot of things, but she hadn’t thought he’d been outright dishonest with her.

Clearing his throat as if it pained him to speak, he said, “I’ve come to realize that perhaps we do have some chemistry between us.”

He looked so uncomfortable that Quinn could have laughed. “Ah, so you’re crushing on me then,” She said bluntly, purposefully making him squirm.

“Aye,” he muttered.

She looked at him from under arched brows.

“But, I’m no’ looking for anything right now,” he said with a sigh.

“Mm-hmm,” she said in understanding. Although truly, she did not understand at all. She bit her lip, and for a split second, she thought she saw a spark in his stormy blue eyes. But he looked away.Too bad,she thought.

“I just dinnae think it’s a good idea for ye and me to…” he paused unable to find the right words.

“To?” she asked, wanting him to say it.

“Well to anything really,” he said awkwardly.

She looked at him quizzically. “To anything?”

“Ms. West, ye know what I mean,” he said, getting all cop serious on her.

“Do I?” She challenged, stifling a laugh.

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