And then licking it.
However, I keep walking, bending over to drop the bedding in my bag and wincing as the contents in my hands push against my boobs. They’re definitely swollen and incredibly sore, a sign my period should be here very soon. I hope so. I’m tired, bloated, have sore boobs, am irritable, and ready to start feeling a touch normal.
Grabbing the laundry bag, I slowly make my way back toward my room. Quinn stands up and follows Jenn to the counter. Keeping my eyes on the task at hand, I slip inside my room while he pays for his cut and finish sanitizing the table.
“Hey.”
I glance behind me and find Quinn filling the doorway. “Hi.”
“All done for the day?”
I nod before finishing up the sanitizing. When I toss the cloth in the trash and close my cabinet, I turn to face him. My eyes are drawn to his hair, which looks soft and makes my fingers long to slide through the silky strands. “Your hair looks nice.”
Lame, Charli.
He gives me a wink, and his reply isn’t what I expect. “Wanna grab something to eat?”
Yes.
“No, thanks. I need to get home and throw the bedding in the washer.”
He nods. “Okay.”
Just as he turns, preparing to leave, I blurt out, “Wait.” He stops, meeting my gaze. “Listen, I wanted to apologize forSunday.” I twist my fingers together, but keep my head held high. “I was a total crabby bitch to you, and you didn’t deserve that. I do appreciate you letting me crash in your tent with you.”
“No worries, Charli. I know you’re not a morning person,” he replies, the corner of his kissable mouth ticking upward.
“True, but still, that’s no excuse. What I said, you know, about me sleeping with you?—”
“As much as I love watching you squirm right now, it’s not necessary.”
“Yes, it is!” I insist, getting frustrated all over again. “Why do you have to push my buttons so damn much? I’m trying to apologize for being a bitch to you, and you’re all ‘it’s fine.’ It’s not fine, dammit. You didn’t deserve what I said to you, and I feel terrible for it. I know you weren’t bringing me coffee for sex, and this is no excuse, but my period makes me extra sometimes, and that’s all that was.” I suck in a deep breath. “So, I’m sorry.”
Grinning, he steps forward until he’s invading my personal space. I don’t hate it either, having him this close to me. Yes, that annoys me.
He places both hands on my upper arms, holding me in place. Leaning forward, he presses a firm kiss to my forehead. “Apology accepted.” After a beat, he adds, “Period, huh? Need some caffeine? Midol? A heating pad?”
My eyebrows pull up in confusion. “What do you know about it?”
He chuckles a low, gravelly sound that makes my clit throb. “Nothing firsthand. I have this friend with a sister. I’ve paid attention.”
I clear my throat, every bit of fight I may have ebbing from my body.
Why is he suddenly making me…feel?
“I’ll let you get finished up here,” he says, stepping back and creating space. I want to pull him back toward me. “Want me to help you carry this to your SUV?”
I shake my head.
“Figured,” he replies with a crooked smile. “Have a good one, Charli.” As he turns to exit my studio, he adds, “Oh, if you need anything from the store, let me know. Tampons don’t scare me.”
I bark out a laugh, watching him walk away. I remember when I was in early high school and ran out of tampons. I was at home, while both of my older brothers were out, working or with friends or something. I texted them and told them I needed some, and their responses were both comical and outrageous. Let’s just say I had to text my mom at work to bring me some on her lunch break because neither one of my older brothers would do it. They practically begged me to send Camden, who was about ten at the time. When I asked him to run to the pharmacy for me, he started gagging and went and hid in his treehouse.
Jerks.
His offering is a sobering one, and I realize immediately I’m in trouble. It’s becoming too hard to brush off this sweet side of Quinn, and the longer I try to fight it, the worse I start to feel. I’m quickly realizing I don’t want to brush it off. I enjoy our banter, but it’s this caring and gentle side he offers me that’s throwing me off.
I like it.
