What if he just wants me to go home now and that’s it?
He said you were his forever now, dummy. Just relax and go have a shower.
But what if…
What if you smell so bad nobody will love ya, now get in the shower.
The shower, like the whole place, is brand new and huge. Immaculate. And like the TV, it takes some figuring out, although I gave up on the TV after a few tries.
The water’s just right with some adjustment, and in no time I feel so at home I even hum a few bars of my favorite shower tunes, but stop short of giving a concert into the loofah, which is at my place anyway.
I stop for a second, hearing what sounds like raised voices. But it could be anything, I tell myself. Maybe the TV went on after all, or Quinn might’ve put some music on. I forget about it and carry on enjoying my shower, half-wishing I brought my loofah after all.
Chapter Sixteen
Quinn
As soon as I see Chelle through the door, my eyes go to Brad. He’s about her age, I guess and although he hasn’t seen her, something in me feels like snapping his neck just for being alive. For breathing the same air as my woman.
Do I feel threatened by Brad?
No.
But I don’t want him even getting a hint of the treasure I’ve got, my treasure in the next room.
He can do what he’s paid for, his job and then he can leave.
“I’ve got some files down in the truck, I’ll get those for you before you leave,” I tell him.
“I just got here, boss… you sure you’re okay? You seem a little… wound up.” He says, and I notice how calm Brad is compared to my own state which does feel somewhat tense all of a sudden.
“Just too much coffee,” I pretend, telling myself Brad’s a good guy, and he has to be. He’s the one who’ll be doing all the work from now on so I can stay home with my new Queen.
Home… Hmmm. Maybe not my apartment, I won’t take her there, just yet…
“So,” I continue, “there’s some quotes for security service installations, plus a prospect for the office space downtown I wanted you to follow up on today.”
We both hear the shower from the bathroom and I notice Brad’s attentive look migrate towards me with a wry smile. He nods knowingly, narrowing his eyes and starts to wag a finger at me.
“Ooohh… Sorry Mr. Quinn. I get it now… I’ll just get those files and get going, I know you probably have some other things planned today,” he says with a wink.
My face is a question. Whatever he thinks I’m doing today is none of his business.
“Long as it’s not that porker I saw you give a lift to last night, eh? What was all that about. I know you could do much better, Mr. Q. Oh! Reminds me, her dad came by the office first thing, looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. I know you said he’s a friend and all, but jeez! He’s a wacko.”
I notice him stop once I hear myself growling, feeling like my whole body’s a wound up spring.
“What’d you just say?” I ask him, taking a menacing step towards him, watching him gulp as he realizes that ‘porker’ is indeed the one I shared my bed with last night.
Our bed.
“I… I didn’t mean anything by that Mr. Quinn, just mucking around, honest…you can sleep with whoever you want.”
He’s backing away but he’s backed himself into more than just the corner of the kitchen. I feel my hands, fists now and only one thing needs doing, but I take a second, wondering if I really need to beat the dog who’s going to do all my barking from now on.
“Chelle, if you must know,” I growl just loud enough for him to hear, “Is my woman, Brad. Mine! And I won’t have you or anyone saying anything other than hello and goodbye to her, understood? If you can’t get that through your thick head, I can help it some, with one of these,” I snarl, showing him a gnarled fist near his face, watching him recoil and stammer more apologies.
“Now, I’ll get those files for you and you can go about your day. You do want the job, don’t you Brad?” I ask him, glancing at the bedroom door again, making double sure he doesn’t catch any sight of Chelle, his eyes aren’t even worthy enough.
He pumps his head in a submissive nod. “I do, Mr. Quinn and again. I’m real sorry… it won’t happen again, I promise. I’m sorry!”
I thought he was deeper than that, but I guess I was wrong. He can run a few errands, see some clients over the next few days, but Brad’s not the man I thought he was, calling my woman a porker. I should break his arm.