Chapter Twenty-Five

Quinn

Monday came with sunlight, warmth, and a sad smile on my face.

I woke up later than intended, but was lucky in the sense that I had no client today. It was a national holiday, which meant Harry wouldn’t be working. I sent him a text.

Me: Get your lazy ass up. I need coffee. Meet me at the pier.

I chuckled to myself, knowing Harry was an early riser and would have likely been up with the chickens at the crack of dawn.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I lie back in bed and thought about the night before. I met Maya. And not only was she adorable, but she was funny, and kind, and lovely.

My hands covered my face and I groaned. I was getting hard just thinking of her. Jesus. People did not get hard over their friends, and according to how we left things last night, I was sure she wouldn’t book another appointment.

After we’d talked the majority of the night away, telling bad jokes and eating cake, Maya yawned.

My heart squeezed, because I knew what was coming.

She blinked up at me sleepily. “I should go.”

Not wanting to betray my feelings, I agreed, “It’s getting late.” I added with a smile, “But at least you don’t have to work tomorrow.”

She smiled back at me, nodding, “Yeah, I’ll probably go out to lunch with my brother.”

I titled my head, curious, “You’re really close with him, huh?”

“Yeah. I mean, sure, he’s a pain in the ass, but he’s always there for me. He always supports me. He’s my biggest ally,” she uttered humbly.

I’d like to meet this guy. Any man who has the complete devotion of someone like Maya is all right in my book.

She stood and I kept my eyes on her as she changed. She put on her silky pink bra, slipped her dress over her head, and then surprised me as she walked over to the trash and threw in her panties. She must’ve felt my eyes on her, because she flushed and explained, “I didn’t bring my purse, I don’t have anything to hide them in. I can’t put them on yet; I’m too sore.”

I nodded my understanding, stood, and slid my jeans on, walking her to the door without a shirt. I planned on leaving as soon as Maya left, but I didn’t want to give her the impression I’d been waiting for her to leave. Truth is, I had such a great time that if she stayed till five a.m., I would have stayed too.

Placing my hand on the doorknob, I opened the door and she stepped out, turning to face me. “I’ll remember this experience my whole life, Quinn. You were everything I hoped you’d be.” She blushed charmingly and my heart seized.

I lifted my hand to cup her cheek. “No chance I’d be seeing you again?”

Averting my eyes, she shrugged lightly, prettily, and uttered a soft, “I’m not sure.”

I knew this was a no. If it wasn’t a definite, it was a no. I knew this from past experiences. My face lowered to hers and I pressed a chaste kiss onto her swollen, well-kissed lips. “It was so nice to meet you, Maya.”

Her arms came up and she wrapped them around my neck, squeezing. “You have no idea what this meant to me, Quinn.” She turned her face and kissed my cheek, feather-soft.

Then she turned and walked down the hall quickly, not turning back.

My stomach coiled tightly as I watched her leave.

Something told me Maya was done with me.

Okay, so she wasn’t going to book another appointment.

That didn’t mean we couldn’t be friends…did it?

I reached for my cellphone.

Me: Hey, dumpling, how are you feeling today? I hope you’re not too sore.

My bladder alerted me that we needed to take a piss, so I crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom. When I was done, I stretched, undressed, and took a quick shower. Drying myself in no time, I dressed in distressed jeans, a white fitted tee, and a black and white NY baseball cap to cover my wet hair, and then slipped on my white Everlast sneakers and grabbed my cell from the bed.

Two messages waited for me.

Harry: Already there, dude.

Maya: I feel sore in the best way possible. Don’t worry…it was worth it :)

I didn’t bother responding to Harry, but would always respond to Maya.

Me: As long as you’re okay, I’m good. Listen, I’m heading out right now, but can I call you later? After 6?

She responded immediately.

Maya: Sure. x

Grinning, I picked up my keys as I passed the kitchen counter, threw them in the air, catching them quickly, and then walked out to my car.

My chest puffed out proudly. It was all good. Maya still wanted me as a friend. As far as I was concerned, that would do.

I stepped out of my car and hit the central locking, listening for the chirp, then, whistling, walked down to the pier.

The pier was an area by the beach filled with cafés, lunch spots, boutiques, and street vendors, and the best thing was they were open all year-round, regardless of national holidays.

There was one particular café Harry and I liked best: The Black Strawberry. They had an all-day breakfast menu that would have you drooling, and their coffee was strong and their burgers were incredible. This was our go-to place.

As I approached, I stalled.

Shit.

The Black Strawberry had a line out the door and all the tables were filled. Now what was I supposed to do? Hang around like a loser? Where the hell was Harry?

I pulled out my cell and saw a message from Harry.

Harry: The place is going bananas. I’m lining up, but I’m gonna be a while. Tell me what you want and I’ll order it.

I huffed a laugh. Good, dependable Harry.

Me: I want the biggest coffee they have and a blueberry muffin. You’re a champ.

As I stood at the side of the café with my back against the wall, my eyes glanced to the side, catching a spot of green.

It was a woman…woman in a green sundress with white polka dots. Her back was turned to me, and she had her face raised up into the sunlight as she rubbed her arms, delighting in the crisp warmth.

I smiled. It was nice to see a young lady enjoying herself.

The sundress was fitted around the top, but flowed out at the bottom, and she wore it with white flip-flops, her long brownish-red hair flowing down her back in shiny waves. Her ass was definitely something I’d like to hold onto.

I imagined walking behind her, flattening my chest to her back, taking her ass in my hands, and kneading it.

Blinking, I shook my head. God, I was a horny bastard.

But then the woman turned. And I gawked.

“Maya?” I called out.

No response.

Smiling, I walked over to her until I was a foot away. “Maya.”

Her head snapped to me. Eyes wide, cheeks flushed, she choked out, “Quinn!” Swallowing hard, she stuttered, “W-w-what are you doing here?”

Oh, man. I was as surprised as she was. Chuckling, I pulled her into a hug, wrapping my arms around her and rocking her from side-to-side. “What are the chances?” I could’ve sworn I heard her whimper, but I must’ve imagined it. “I’m meeting a friend for lunch. What are you doing here?”

Breathing heavily, she muttered to herself, “M-meeting a friend?” She gasped, wide-eyed, and lifted her fingers to cover her mouth, whispering, “Oh, shit.” Not a stitch of makeup on her face, but still, she looked gorgeous. She pulled away from me, stepping back, looking around anxiously. “I have to go.”

My brows furrowed. “Maya, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Her mouth opened to respond, but she shut it when she spotted something behind me. Her cheeks flushed and she looked on the verge of fainting. “Quinn, I have to tell you something,” she whispered urgently. “I have to explain—”