Page 53 of A Simple Life

Inside, the restaurant was busy. Jay was at the counter, sipping a coffee, eating toast. I withheld my snort. Cheap prick. Of course he chose the lowest-priced item on the menu. He was notoriously…frugal. A good-looking bastard and, from what I had heard, charming at first, but once the shine wore off, he was simply looking for free maid and child-rearing services.

He saw me, frowning at the sight of the flowers in my arms. I set them on the counter, swinging onto a stool at the end where Quinn had to notice me. I ignored Jay.

A moment later, the kitchen door swung open, and Tammy walked out, her hands full. She eyed up the flowers, then me, a grin crossing her face, but she didn’t say anything. She delivered the plates to the table, then returned, pouring me a cup of coffee.

“The boss will be out in a moment. She was just putting more pies in to bake.” She eyed the flowers. “If you were hoping to make her smile, you might just have done it.”

I frowned, wondering why Quinn was having a bad day. She came out of the kitchen, looking perturbed, but her expression changed when she saw me. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she smiled, the agitation disappearing. When she saw the flowers, she stopped, her smile growing wider, disbelief written on her face.

She stopped in front of me. “John Elliott,” she breathed, touching a rose petal. “What have you done?”

At the other end of the counter, Jay’s voice was an unwelcome interruption. “Hey, Quinn sweetie, I really need more coffee.”

She shut her eyes, then exhaled. Turning her head toward him, she spoke clearly, her voice dripping with sweetness. “You’ve had five cups, Jay. The last two you let go cold, and I threw them out.”

“Bottomless cups,” he said snidely.

“If you drink them, not throw them away. Order a real breakfast, and I might give you a fresh one. And for the last time, stop calling me sweetie. We don’t know each other well enough for nicknames.” She paused. “And we never will.”

Tammy came through the door, carrying a pot. “Tammy, I need—” Jay began.

“Not happening, Jay. I heard the boss. Order something besides toast tomorrow.” Then Tammy tossed her head and headed away to refill other coffee cups.

Quinn turned to me. Her unanswered question hung between us. Maybe claiming her in public wasn’t the best plan. “To make you smile,” I offered lamely.

Shock wasn’t the right word as she rose up on her toes, gripped the lapels of my flannel shirt and hauled my ass off the stool, dragged me partway over the counter, and kissed me.

Hard.

Passionately.

Way more possessively than I had planned to kiss her.

Then she let me go, and I dropped back onto my stool.

I’d had no idea she was that strong. I had to admit, it was a turn-on.

It seemed as if I had just been claimed.

A few people chuckled. Jay stood, muttering about the diner in the next town and left, slamming the door behind him. Tammy walked past and winked. “Way to go, boss lady.” She winked. “Nice form, John Elliott. Your butt looks great in those jeans.”

Quinn looked cool and calm. But her mouth was red and wet from my tongue. Unable to stop myself, I rose, cupping the back of her head and kissing her back. Then I sat back, grinning at her.

“Tit for tat,” I muttered.

She bent close, pouring me more coffee. “And as far as I’m concerned, to be continued.”

“Six?”

“My place,” she replied and walked away. She stopped, turned, and smiled. “Thanks, John. I love the flowers. Breakfast is on the house.”

She winked. “So am I,” she mouthed.

I looked down at the counter, grinning. Six o’clock couldn’t come quickly enough.

14

QUINN