And the way he said my name sent a ripple of relief through me.
“Are you sure?” I asked softly.
He dipped his mouth to mine once more and I got lost in the feel of him for a moment. Pulling away, he murmured, “How bad can it be?”
Chapter fourteen
Coal
Hux
Iprobably spoke toosoon about things going bad, but I’d heard the panic and worry in Quinn’s voice and all that mattered right then and there was trying to ease her fears.
Which wasn’t at all like me. I didn’t really do that shit. Didn’t really take people's feelings into consideration. I told it like it was. I did what I wanted, consequences be damned. There was nothing tying me to her. No reason I needed to go to this dinner. But I’d do just about anything to be around her, I realized.
Fuck, I was in trouble. If I was this whipped now, I didn’t know what another night with her would do.
Her hand fit perfectly in mine as she took it and led me forward. Cool air blasted across my skin as we went into the house. She led me in a generally straight line, across what felt like tile first, before giving way to hardwood. A brief stop andthen I heard the soft click of another door opening, followed by an accompanying wave of thick, hot, heavy air and the cloying scent of chlorinated water. Music played over the sound of the outdoors and the trickle of water from the pool. It was some obnoxious pop tune—probably the future missus’ Decker’s music. At least I hoped, this shit was god awful, and I couldn’t imagine Quinn’s dad—let alone any sane person—listening to this.
“Quinn! You decided to come after all!” Her dad’s voice came from ahead and to the right of me.
Quinn’s response was light and breathy, but I didn’t miss the layer of nervousness mingled in with her soft laughter. “Yep. Here we are.”
“Well, come on over. Sit, sit.”
And so we did.
Everything started out fine enough. Quinn managed to keep the general direction of the conversation light and seemed to turn any question aimed at me back Carl and Georgette’s way, so that all they could talk about was the upcoming wedding and themselves. I don’t know if Quinn did it because she knew I didn’t like sharing about myself or if it was just a happy coincidence, but I appreciated her attempts nonetheless.
“Huxson, you hunt?” her dad asked.
Only my mom called me Huxson anymore really, but I didn’t feel like correcting him. I shrugged. “Used to, sir.” I couldn’t even count all the dove and deer hunts I’d gone on with my dad and uncle while I was growing up.
“You and I should go sometime. I got a buddy who owns a helicopter and can take us boar hunting.”
“Oh my God, Dad. Really?” Quinn all but gasped at my side.
I squeezed her hand gently in reassurance even as a huff of laughter escaped me. I didn’t think her dad was trying to makea jab, most people honestly just forgot I couldn’t see. I wouldn’t expect him to remember something like that.
“What? I’m just trying to be friendly, Queenie.”
“That sounds like a good time, Mr. Decker,” I replied. “Afraid to tell you though, I ain’t that great of a shot.”
“Well, at least you have an excuse. I’m shit and Icansee.” He burst out laughing, even as Quinn leaned into me and pressed her head to my chest, a groan escaping her.
Fuck, she smelled good. Sometimes, people’s perfumes or shampoos and sprays could be so overpowering. But not hers. Everything was soft, subtle, but somehow strong in a pleasing way. Kissing the top of her head, I murmured, “It’s okay, darlin’.” It really was, though I appreciated her concern. I aimed my attention toward her dad’s laughter. “Well, good thing is, sir, you could be a shit shot, and I’ll never know the difference.”
More raucous laughter from her dad, growing louder and louder. He was moving, the sound coming closer to me. I startled as something hard made contact with my right shoulder. “I like you, Hux.” Nope, not just something hard. Carl’s hand. What the hell was it with people clapping me on the damn shoulder? “How about you and I grab another round of drinks? You like whiskey?”
I forced my nerves to calm with a slow inhale and exhale before nodding. “I do, sir.”
“Come on, then,” he replied. “My friend just came out with a double barrel whiskey that’s real smooth. I bought a few shares in the company. I think it’s gonna be big. How about you and I have some so the girls can discuss wedding things?”
I’d dated enough to know this was the inconspicuous not so inconspicuous way of getting me alone to give me the talk. The one all dads gave to the guys dating their daughters. I shrugged. Might as well get it over with. Besides, I wasn’t about to turn down a glass of whiskey.
“Sounds good, Mr. Decker.”
Quinn’s grip on my hand tightened for the briefest moment, but I offered a soft smile in her direction before feeling a light path from her hand up to her chin, gripping it between my thumb and forefinger. “Have fun,” I whispered, brushing my lips briefly against hers.
