Page 23 of Something like Redemption

“Oh, you just want me any way you can get me.” I playfully roll my eyes, but little does he know the truth behind his words.

We may have worked out what’s going on while we wait to make contact back home. But we haven’t worked out what’s going on betweenus.

Before this all happened, we were seeing each other, but we were taking it slow. Tabitha was the only one who knew, and Quinn was going to tell Tristan the night everything turned to shit.

But now, it feels different. Quinn left his home and put his life in danger to protect me. That has to mean something, right?

“Whatcha thinking?” he asks, steering the cart into the clothes section of the store as I blindly follow.

“Nothing. I’m going to grab a few things. Want to meet me here in, like, twenty minutes?” I say, not wanting Quinn to follow me while I shop for underwear.

“Cool,” he replies with a mischievous smile before he zips off into the menswear.

Once he’s gone, I finger the racks of lacy bras and matching underwear. I know Tabitha would have me buying the whole rack, which I won’t do. But I must admit, I do feel good in them.And after the shitty few days I’ve had, I wouldn’t mind feeling good again.

So, on that note, I snatch a few styles off the rack and grab some essential cotton briefs and T-shirt bras. I see some cute jeans on sale and take two pairs, one black, the other blue, and reach for a few T-shirts and sweaters. It’s getting quite cold now that we’re nearly into December.

Ultimately, I try on about ten garments and buy them all.As I exit the change room, I see a bulk pack of socks on sale and add them to my pile of goods.

I find Quinn and dump my armful of clothes into the shopping cart. I notice Quinn has grabbed similar items—two pairs of jeans, a pair of black skater shorts, a few T-shirts, and a zip-up hoodie.

I can’t help but notice no underwear, and Quinn sees me looking confused.

“Like something you see?” he asks, rearranging my stuff as I just dumped it all into the cart.

Or don’t see, I ad-lib.But I don’t reply, as I would be mortified if he knew what I was thinking.

We throw in a few snacks, food, and a leash for Lucky, and we’re done.

While waiting in line, I notice the checkout chick checking Quinn out. Not that I can blame her, as he is the hottest man I have ever seen. And the way he holds himself so arrogantly and confidently just adds to his appeal.

Whichever room Quinn is in, he owns it.

“You’re doing that thing with your lip again,” Quinn whispers into my ear, wisps of his hair brushing over my cheeks.

“Am I?” I reply, knowing all too well that I’m gnawing it off.

“Yes,” he replies, releasing it with his thumb, it slipping free.

Turning to meet his eyes, which are inches away from my face, I suddenly forget how to breathe.

“Next!” a snappy voice calls out.

Shaking my head and fumbling with the items in the cart, I place them on the counter. As my hands pass over my royal-blue bra and matching underwear set, I blush and hide them under my sweater.I know Quinn has seen them, but being the gentleman that he occasionally is, he doesn’t say a word.

As the lady brings up the total and accepts the cash from Quinn, she makes it more than obvious that she’s openly staring at him. Her eyes drop down to his broad chest, and they linger there as she licks her glossy lips.

I’m just about to clear my throat when she thankfully raises her eyes, snapping up to meet Quinn’s amused ones. No doubt he’s seen the jealousy radiating from me, and by his stupid smile, he likes it.

“You like The Doors?” she asks, her eyes dropping to Quinn’s chest once again, eyeing his T-shirt of Jim Morrison.

“Yeah,” he replies nonchalantly, accepting the change, and I notice she makes an effort to touch him when placing the money into his outstretched palm.

I roll my eyes.

“Well, a tribute band is playing tonightat Captain Frank’s. You should come.”

Quinn takes hold of my hand.

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