Page 10 of Sofa King Safe

“Okay.”Quinn places her hands on my chest, and I lean into the touch.

“Nothing you can say will scare me off, but if I’m going to protect you the way I need to, then I should know the same thing as the man coming after you.”

“You’re right.As much as I don’t want to talk about it, it’s not fair to keep it from you when you’re putting yourself in danger.”

“I’m not worried about me, sweetness.”My hand moves to her neck, and I gently pull her closer.“You’re the most important thing.”

She’s so close I can feel her breath against my lips, and it’s warm and sweet.When she closes her eyes, I press my lips to hers in a soft, gentle kiss.It’s only a tease, but when she opens for me, I can’t stop myself from licking inside and stealing a taste.The moan that leaves me is out of my control, and before I realize what I’m doing, she’s in my arms.What was meant to be a soft kiss goodbye has quickly ignited into an inferno of need.

In one quick move I’ve got her pinned to the wall, and then I feel her arms and legs tighten around me like she can’t get close enough.There’s a beeping sound somewhere in the distance, and suddenly Quinn stiffens in my arms.Her head snaps to the side, and then she’s pushing out of my arms.For half a second I don’t release her, because why would she ever want to stop kissing when it felt so fucking good?

That’s when I hear someone clear their throat followed by a loud meow.“Well, well, well.”Mrs.Betty is standing there holding her Persian cat Snuffles, and I swear they’re both grinning at us.

My brain finally catches up with what’s happening, and I let go of Quinn.Her face is bright red as we untangle ourselves, and I have the urge to pull her back against me.When she starts to walk past me, she quickly puts a finger in the belt loop of my jeans and gives it a teasing tug.I look down in time to see her wink at me before she makes her way over to the counter.

“Good morning, Mrs.Betty.Thanks for being so prompt for your appointment.”

“They say the early bird gets the worm, but it looks like I’m the one that got the treat.”Her head swivels between the two of us, but I ignore her eyebrow wiggles.

“I’ll see you at lunch,” I tell Quinn as I move to the door.She’s biting her bottom lip to hide her smile, but Mrs.Betty is already starting.

“Pour the hot coffee, Quinn, I want the dirt.”Snuffles meows loudly in agreement.

“It’s tea,” Quinn corrects her and then giggles.

I shake my head as I make my way across the street to my own store.Maybe it’s my imagination, but it feels like I’m walking on clouds.

ChapterSeven

QUINN

I’m flooded with appointments today, and not only that, I’ve filled up my schedule for the next month.People kept popping in instead of calling, so it didn't take long for me to deduce that everyone was interested in learning more about the new girl in town.The girl they suspect is in a relationship with Rhodes.

Wait, it's not a relationship.I'm not sure what it is exactly, but that kiss was intense.I lick my lips thinking of it, wanting to taste him again.

When he came by with lunch, I didn’t miss the way people would walk by the shop extra slow to get a peek at us.Rhodes is well loved around here, and it was actually pretty funny.Everyone has been nice about it, and they don’t seem to care that I’m an outsider.

“I’m sorry, everyone is nosy as hell around here,” Rhodes says while changing the lock on my back door.

“You don’t say,” I laugh.“But it’s kind of sweet.”

Rhodes nods.“I guess the advantage is that it makes the town a bit safer.Everyone knows everyone, and if a new person pops up, we’ll all know pretty damn quickly.”

“Has anyone mentioned someone popping up?”I ask, sensing he’s already dug into this.

“Nope, and the closest hotel is a town over.I know the owner, Nick, and he let me know no one has stood out.He’s only had a couple of families pass through and extended family from locals staying there while they visited.”

“He can just tell you that?”

“They don’t have a hardware store, and I’ve helped Nick a few times on repairs and ordering things he needed.”Rhodes shrugs.“He knows I won’t go telling everyone what he said.”

“Yeah, I didn’t take you as a gossip,” I tease.“Does that make you the black sheep in town?”

I earn a chuckle from Rhodes, and his deep laugh is sexy as hell.Sitting here watching him work is no hardship, and I’m certain I could do it all day.Boss is perched on my lap watching him too, and he seems just as content.

“That should do it,” Rhodes says and puts his tools away.“What about cameras?”

“What do you mean?”

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