Beautifully Hurt (Beautifully Broken)

He hands me a beer. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

“You’re so full of shit,” I taunt him as I take a swig. My eyes find their way back to the girls, and I watch as Quinn bends over the table to take a shot. The tight jeans she’s wearing give a perfect view of her ass, and I notice I’m not the only guy staring.

“I’m just waiting for the right moment,” Jason says, pulling my attention back to him. He grabs a beer for himself and leans against the counter. “Did you get the toilet done?”

I nod and let out a sigh. “Around midnight. The bathroom’s finished.”

“Which room are you tackling next?”

“The kitchen.”

His eyes find Katie with a look of longing as he asks, “So you’re moving in this weekend?”

“Yeah, finally. With the main bedroom and bathroom done, I can manage.”

“Gonna live off take-out?” he taunts me.

“I can grill a mean steak,” I chuckle.

“True that.”

Slowly, more folks trickle into the bar until the regular crowd is well on their way to getting drunk.

Katie comes over to the counter, and leaning her forearms on the worn wood, she grins at me. “Enjoying the beer?”

I answer her smile with one of my own. “Yeah.” I gesture to the pool tables. “Kicking ass?”

Katie shakes her head. “Quinn’s too good.”

“Yeah?” I ask.

Katie nods to the back of the bar. “Ten dollars says you can’t beat her.”

“Careful, they’re hustlers,” Jason jokes as he joins us, his eyes locked on Katie with a playful smile on his face. “Another round?”

“Please,” Katie answers, a blush creeping up her neck.

Christ, these two should just get together already.

“Sit and keep Jason company while I see if I can beat Quinn,” I tell her, doing Jason a favor.

Rising to my feet, I head to the back where Quinn’s looking at her phone. I come up next to her, and not taking her eyes off the device, she says, “Finlay says Uncle David will think about it. Also, I’m alone for another week. Dad’s not – Oh my God!” She takes a startled step back, her eyes wide as saucers on me.

“Didn’t mean to scare you.”

She quickly shakes her head. “I thought you were Katie. Sorry.”

“Never been mistaken for a girl before,” I joke, trying to set her at ease.

Quinn looks downright uncomfortable as she says, “Crap, no, that’s not what I meant.”

“I’m just pulling your leg.” I grab a cue from the rack. “Katie says you’re good. How about a game?”

Quinn glances nervously at the table then nods. “Ah… sure.” Shrugging, she adds, “I’m probably not as good as you, though.”

“Only one way to find out.” I smile at Quinn while gesturing at the table. “You can break.”

She steps closer to the table and then leans over the side. The soft curls of her long hair fall forward, touching the green felt. Just as she takes the shot, her eyes dart to me, and she looks so fucking sexy, I instantly begin to harden.

Lawnmowers. Dad. Screws… fuck, no, ah… Mom.

That does the trick to keep me from going rock hard in front of everyone.

Quinn sinks three stripes before it’s my turn.

“Katie wasn’t lying,” I say as I step closer to the table.

Her tongue darts out, wetting her bottom lip, and then she smiles shyly.

Christ, this woman is trouble. Before you know it, she’ll have you right in front of the altar saying your vows.

“Did your dad teach you?” I ask as I line up a shot.

“Yeah, but I’ve never been able to beat him.”

I let out a chuckle and sink a solid. Remembering what she said about being alone for another week, I ask, “Your dad’s out of town?”

I glance at her as she replies, “He’s hauling a shipment to Portland.”

I sink another ball. “You okay on your own?”

Quinn nods quickly. “I’m used to it, but hopefully soon, my cousin, Finlay, will move in with me.”

On purpose, I miss the shot and then smile at her. “Your turn.”

Chapter 2

QUINN

Holy crap.

If it wouldn’t look stupid, I’d pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. This is the longest I’ve ever been in Eli’s company and the most we’ve spoken to each other.

And he approached me. Gah, could this day get any better?

He smiles at me again, and just like all the times before, my heart skips a beat.

I’m so conscious of him, it’s a freaking miracle I manage to focus on the game. I sink another ball but wanting more time with Eli, I miss the next one on purpose.

“Your turn,” I say, my eyes feasting on him as he steps closer, and then I get a whiff of his cologne. The earthy spice makes me inhale as deeply as I can. My stomach flutters, and everything around us fades until there’s just him.

I’m so head over heels for this man, it feels as if every inch of me is gravitating toward him.