Page 26 of Sin for You

“You don’t have to do that. You can leave. I’m fine.”

He ignored me, walked back to the kitchen, put his gun on the table, and locked the back door. He turned to me. “Go to bed, Quinn. I’m staying.”

Going by the look on his face, there was no getting rid of him tonight. Shit. “Okay, fine. If you want a crappy sleep on my tiny couch, be my guest.” I didn’t want him there. God, it was like he was trying to torment me. Then I felt bad since he’d come to my rescue, and muttered, “Thanks.” Because he was only doing his duty. Protecting his friend’s sister.

I probably sounded ungrateful, but my emotional stamina was at an all-time low right then. I’d gone from excited and happy, to scared senseless, to dagger-to-the-chest hurt. I couldn’t muster up the energy to deal with Bull in my house.

So I turned and left him in the kitchen and headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

I stared at myself in the full-length mirror in my room. Did I really look that terrible? I turned this way and that, taking in my reflection. I liked the new clothes. They made me feel more…me.

Why was I letting that look, that tightening of his jaw, get to me like this? I guess I was so used to Bevan’s insults, his looks, the put-downs, trying to change myself to make someone else happy, to make them want me, that I was doing it with Bull, and I hadn’t even realized it.

It didn’t matter what he thought. The only thing that mattered was what I thought. This was for me, not anyone else.

I was done lusting after him like a dreamy-eyed idiot, and I was done dwelling on what happened with Bevan. I was ready to change things up, to get excited about life again, and today was the first step.

Chapter Six

Bull

I strode across Quinn’s small living room and back. And then back again, trying to calm my shit down.

I’d been at Rocktown Ink working when Cassy called. When Cal told me what was going on, I’d nearly knocked him down rushing for my truck.

Then I’d gotten here, and after we’d scared the damn cougar away, I’d walked in to find Quinn dressed like…fuck, like that. I’d wanted to tear off my shirt and cover her, which was fucked in the head.

It wasn’t like Cal would notice, and why the hell did I care how she dressed?

An image of her smooth bare legs flashed through my head, and my gut kind of…clenched. Jesus. I shoved my fingers through my hair. Quinn could wear whatever the hell she wanted, but if she wore that shit at work, showing off her gorgeous legs, flashing her bra, I’d be swatting guys away from her like fucking flies.

I mean, that’s what had me worked up, thinking about having to fend off all the assholes who’d come swarming. Having to take time from my busy bar to look out for her, that’s all.

That’s why I had this restlessness rushing through me, this knot in my gut.

It had nothing to do with what happened after I’d inked her mother’s cross on her smooth skin. Nothing to do with how she’d felt plastered against me.

Don’t go there.

Fuck.

I walked back to the kitchen and looked out the window, checking the backyard again. Everything was quiet. After the scare Cal had given the big cat, I didn’t think he’d be back tonight.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

I gripped the edge of the counter. I needed to go to sleep and shut down my brain.

I strode down the short hall back to the couch. I took off my boots and pulled off my jacket. My skin felt overheated, tight. I yanked my shirt off as well, tossing it aside. There was a blanket over the back of the couch, and I snatched it up.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“I wasn’t sure if you’d still be here.”

I turned at the sound of Quinn’s voice. She was standing there, a pillow held against her chest, another blanket over her arm. Her eyes were wide, trained on me, and there were dark smudges underneath. I didn’t know for sure why she wasn’t sleeping, but I had a fair idea. Christ, I hated to think of her lying awake at night all by herself, hurting. Fucking Bevan.

Her words finally penetrated my brain, and I grunted. Was she really that surprised I was still there? Really? After the last few months of watching out for her? Did she think I was that much of a prick that I’d leave her unprotected when she’d had a wild fucking animal in her yard?

She held the pillow and blanket out to me. “I brought you these.”