Page 45 of Topping the Jock
“The kind that hates bacon apparently.”
Monty put the package of turkey in his basket and stuck his hands in his front hoodie pocket. I was standing a foot away and forced myself not to move closer. He smelled amazing, and something about him in a hoodie made me want to pull him into my arms and snuggle the hell out of him. Which was stupid. Because I didn’t like him. At all.
I’m such a horrible liar.
“Have you thought more on my question?” he asked.
Having him right in front of me was a lot different than talking to him through text. It was a lot harder to hide my true feelings when staring into his brown eyes.
“I’m still deciding,” I answered. “I have a question for you, though.”
“Shoot.”
I wet my lips, finding them suddenly dry. “You can have anyone you want, Monty. I don’t see why you’re so focused on me. Anyone else would’ve gotten the hint and backed off a long time ago.”
He stepped closer, and my body tingled as warmth shot from the top of my head to my toes. The grocery store filled with people faded away. It was just him and me in that moment.
“You really wanna know why?” he asked, standing so close I felt the heat coming off his body. Which made mine even hotter. “Because I fought my attraction for you all through school, Quinn. I’m tired of fighting it. You’re prickly and temperamental, but I think it’s all a show. A damn good show, I admit, because you even convince me sometimes that you hate me.” He lifted a hand and ghosted a finger over my lips. Not touching me, but somehow it was even more of a turn-on. Teasing. “But then I see the look in your eyes that you’re giving me right now, and I know you feel what I do.”
“And what do you feel?” I managed to ask, despite feeling like I’d combust any second.
“That you’re drawn to me just like I am to you,” he answered. “It’s like we’re on the same frequency. Two forces pulled together through space and time, sending signals back and forth. Unable to break away. Ten years is a long time to still feel this crazy attraction to you, but I do. And it’s strong. Damn strong. If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s not to ignore the universe when it comes calling.”
“That was… deeper than I expected.”
“That’s what she said.” Monty grinned.
“Nowthatsounds like you,” I said, shaking my head. “For a second, I thought you got abducted by aliens. I was preparing myself to destroy you.”
“Destroy me with what?” he asked, looking way too amused by this weird-ass conversation.
I looked around before focusing back on him. “Well, there’s a melon over there. Chucking it at your head might not kill you, but it’d knock you out, at least, if I threw it hard enough.”
“See?” Monty said, as a soft smile touched his lips. “The way we banter back and forth… it’s so easy. Natural. That, my friend, is called chemistry. And we have it in spades.”
“Whatever,” I mumbled, not wanting to admit he was right. “Enjoy your turkey.”
I turned to walk away.
“Quinn.” Just one word, but it made the center of my chest warm. I looked back at him, finding him smiling. “See you in the morning.”
My stomach fluttered. I hated it.
“Yeah,” I responded. “See ya.”
I paid for my groceries at the self-checkout and walked to my vehicle. Butterflies were still fluttering around in my belly when I got home. This feeling… god. It had been a while since I’d felt anything like it. Excitement. Desire. I was looking forward to the next morning when I’d have before-school duty with him.
What the hell was Montgomery Adams doing to me?
Chapter Nine
Monty
“Do you wanna check me for anal probes?” I asked Quinn bright and early Monday morning.
“Huh?” He stopped in front of me, coffee in hand, and stared at me like I had three heads. “Oh, right. The alien abduction thing.” He came to stand beside me against the brick wall overlooking the courtyard where students were beginning to arrive. “No inspection necessary. You’re back to your annoying self. I know it’s you.”
“But what if I’m probed?”
