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Quinn nods, his brown eyes holding mine. We just stare at one another, the silence between us filling with sizzling energy as the memories of the last time I saw him come rushing back.
Quinn’s eyes on me. The feeling of his warm, firm body close to mine. His hands sliding over my skin. The intense, commanding tone of his voice.
My cheeks heat in embarrassment. Is it suddenly hot in here?
“How are you doing?” Quinn asks finally, breaking the silence.
“I-I…” My voice trembles as I try to come up with an answer. “Good.”
Good? Seriously? That’s the best you’ve got? Good?
I knew Quinn was coming today. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days he leads the basketball camp, and yet, he still surprised me.
I look around to make sure nobody else is around. The last thing I want is for any kids to overhear us, although some of them know way more than they should.
“Quinn,” my tongue slides out to wet my dry lips. “I’m so sorry about the other night. You shouldn’t have had to deal with me in that state. I had no right to use you like I did.”
“Use me?” Quinn pulls his brows together.
“Yes, and I’m really sorry for it. I’m older. I should have been more mindful. Not only that, I’m clearly in a position of power with being the manager here at the center, and I—”
“Miss Vanessa?”
I turn toward the door at the sound of my name. A young boy is holding onto the door and looking at me warily.
“Yes, Kevin?” I smile reassuringly.
“There is water coming out of the sink in the boy’s bathroom.”
“Again? Dang it, I thought I turned it off.” I walk around the counter. “Thank you for letting me know, Kevin. I’ll go check it out.”
The boy nods and slips to the back once again.
“What’s going on?” Quinn asks, reminding me that we were interrupted in the middle of our conversation.
“I’m sorry,” I let out a long sigh. It feels like all I’m doing is apologizing to this man. “I really need to take care of this.”
I start to walk toward the door, but Quinn’s hand lands on my forearm. A shiver runs down my spine at his touch.
“What’s going on?” he asks softly. “Is there any way I can help?”
I just stare at him for a moment, unblinking.
This man… after everything that has happened, he wants to help me?
“Apparently, it’s just one shitshow after another this week.” I shake my head. “The sink in the bathroom broke, and the plumber can’t get here until later this week to fix it.” I give him a hopeful look. “Know any plumbers in the area that I haven’t contacted yet? I had hoped I would have managed to stop the water from leaking at least temporarily, but apparently not.”
“I could give it a look.” Quinn pulls the strap of his duffle bag and puts it on the floor by the counter.
“What? No, you don’t have to…”
“I’m not making any promises. It’s just a look. C’mon, show me.” He flashes me that playful, easy smile of his. “What do you have to lose, Ness?”
My sanity?
“Okay,” I agree because fighting him would be pointless. “It’s back in the gym.”
He watches me for a heartbeat longer, his fingers still clasped around my forearm. Slowly, he unwraps them, and I instantly miss his touch.
