Hope on the Rocks (Rainbow Cove)

I still wasn’t telling her about Quinn, and my mind was already racing ahead to an idea for how I could salvage my plans for the night. Quinn had stopped in for dinner on Saturday night, but we hadn’t been alone since Thursday, and I was dying to be with him again. We’d texted and talked on the phone. The phone sex had been great, and we’d also shared details about our days. Still, four days without more of those world-tilting kisses was four too many.

And yet, here I was, agreeing to postpone that to make Mom smile and lighten her load a little. But I also couldn’t have Mom on that ladder or racing back from Coos Bay and getting in a wreck. I’d simply have to find a way to do both things.

“You’re the best. My favorite son.” Mom gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m your only son,” I reminded her. The praise still felt good though. I liked being able to do things for her, even when highly inconvenient.

“True. But I still love you bunches.” She patted my face before turning her attention back to the food.

I waited until I was in the truck to call Quinn, who answered quickly. It was his day off, so I was banking on him being game for my idea.

“Hey. How’d you like to go pick out paint for your bedroom before our dinner?”

Dinner had been his idea, which was nice. He’d been a little awkward Thursday night, almost like he’d expected me to fuck and run. Not unwilling to talk and cuddle after, but more surprised that I’d been interested in anything other than hooking up. I didn’t need a pretext for a sex date, but I also wasn’t about to start drawing artificial lines in the sand between hooking up and friendship. I liked him out of the bedroom too, and if he wasn’t interested in a relationship, that was cool, but I wasn’t going to be the one obsessing over labels and rules.

“Uh…” Quinn made one of his adorable startled noises. “You’re totally serious about painting, huh?”

“Yup.” And this was why my plan was actually kind of great. Quinn needed to let go of any preconceptions about hooking up and simply enjoy spending time together. “From what I know about our schedules, we’ll both have some time on Sunday. So how about a quick trip to Coos Bay with me to pick out paint? Nice day for a drive.”

It was a gorgeous sunny June day, all bright-blue skies to match the gleaming ocean and not a cloud in sight. When I’d passed the beach earlier, I’d seen a number of kites in the air.

“Ha. It is pretty out, but what’s the true reason for the errand?” Quinn’s voice was light and teasing.

“You know me so well already,” I groaned. “Maybe I’ve complained about my unofficial side job a few too many times. I need a lightbulb for one of Mom’s rentals.”

“See? I knew it.” He laughed, a musical sound that made me feel better about having vented to him. “Can we take my car? Not sure I trust your truck to make the trip.”

The truck would make the trip fine, but getting an easy yes out of him was worth the trade-off. I hated being a passenger, but I’d deal. “Okay, but you better let me drive later.”

“Later…oh.”

“Yeah, oh. I still have plans for you. Don’t you worry about that.”

I’d spent every slow moment for the last four days daydreaming about more things to try with Quinn. He was so responsive and eager to please. Kissing him was as enjoyable as learning what his sexy-as-fuck mouth was capable of. Once had most definitely not been enough.

“Mmm.” Quinn’s pleased noise went straight to my cock. It was going to be a long drive, but I had no doubt the wait would be worth it.

“See you in ten minutes.” After ending the call, I put the truck in gear and headed to Quinn’s condo.

He was out front waiting for me, standing next to his car—a newer hybrid SUV, one of the smaller models. I parked and made my way over to him.

“I’m not surprised that your car is black,” I teased, tempted to greet him with a kiss if only to get him all flustered.

“I promise to only look at shades of blue in the paint department. And I think I’ll order some bedding to match, give the color theory a bigger chance of helping my sleep.”

“I have suggestions for your sleep too.” Standing next to his car, I let my gaze roam over him slowly until he rewarded me with one of his blushes.

“I welcome them,” he murmured, and that did it. I gave him a lightning-fast kiss. Not even a snack compared to what I wanted later, but still worth it for his startled noise.